Khenpo Choga
teaching in front of the Dhamekh Stupa
in Sarnath, India on March 9, 2008

“A mind infused with afflictions of aggression, jealousy, pride and so forth is a crazed or intoxicated mind that will take rebirth in the lower realms of samsara. A practitioner should bind her mind with mindfulness and introspection to the great pillar of samadhi, focusing with one-pointed concentration on the dharma, on expounding it, studying it and meditating upon it. In all her endeavors she should investigate her mind with mindfulness and protect it with introspection. Her aim is to never let her mind stray from view, meditation and conduct. 

Anyone who wants to attain liberation from samsara must focus exclusively
on ‘study, contemplation and meditation’. The mind of a true practitioner dwells constantly within the dharma. She should avoid straying into a state of distraction. The moment she detects that she has strayed from the dharma, she should refrain from moving her body and from speaking. Only when her mind is once again focused on view, meditation and proper conduct should she act and speak. At all times she should be maintaining bodhicitta in her mind. This requires constant training and effort. However, achieving that level of commitment to the dharma is possible. A virtuous mindset can be learned and acquired. Even if you have an ordinary job you can still learn to focus your mind constantly on virtue. 

If you learn to discipline your mind and infuse it with virtue you can become a good practitioner and eventually even reach liberation or enlightenment. When your mind is grounded in discipline you will be able to help yourself and others. If you let your mind be governed by afflictions, you will harm yourself and other people. Place your mind in the dharma. Constantly apply mindfulness and introspection. Check your mind from time to time to see whether it has strayed into distraction or whether it has remained focused on virtue. If you follow these instructions, you will swiftly become a very peaceful and composed person.” 

Our teacher returns to the United States after a four month tour that encompassed Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Nepal. This trip highlighted several teaching events, retreats, pujas, pilgrimages, offerings, and much more.

Join us as we greet our teacher and show our appreciation, love, and devotion. Right now we are planning a reception for Khenpo at the Portland Airport on Thursday, April 17th at 12:30 PM. We'll meet inside at domestic bagage claim for American Airlines. Look for us holding Dzogchen flags, flowers and greeting scarves and bring your own if you have them. If you don't see us once you get inside, please call 503-459-8356. This reception is an auspicious symbol demonstrating sangha unity and a strong connection with our teacher.

I strongly urge those who live near the Portland area to be there when Rinpoche arrives, especially those planning to attend or volunteer for the 6-month internship. Rinpoche’s intention for the 2008 Pilgrimage was to prepare for the success of this year’s activities, so please help us honor this and ensure the fulfillment of all our aspirations.

We are so fortunate to have this revered teacher with us for extended periods of time. Just recently, Justin witnessed all the monks at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Shedra in Nepal crying in front of Chokyi Nyima and Khenpo, begging him to stay and teach them, as he had recently given profound teachings. Rinpoche’s brothers have also pleaded with Rinpoche to come back to Tibet, saying the Tibetan people need him more than ever, especially after recent events.

Rinpoche taught on tendrel (rten ‘brel), interdependent origination or auspicious connection, at Winter Retreat stating that an auspicious connection is made when the great aspiration of a master meets the aspiration of the student. When this happens, it sets the stage for the fulfillment of those aspirations. As it says in a famous text:

The pure perception of seeing everything one’s teacher does as excellent
and the devotion of performing everything the teacher says according to his instructions,
Is the instruction that harmonizes all one’s actions with the dharma
and creates the auspicious connection [tendrel] that spontaneously fulfills all wishes.

(from page 275, Chapter 5 of Khenpo’s commentary on the Bodhisattva-charyavatara)

With this in mind, help us ensure that we never take this opportunity for granted.
Let’s come together and set the stage for a successful year. If you cannot make it, please pray for his safe return.

Plans are also being made for a reception afterward and may change at the last minute. Please contact Susie Croxton with your availability and for the latest plans.

Last Chance to Attend 2008 Spring Retreat, April 20 to April 27, 2008

This statue is of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche),
the originator of the bardo teachings
which are the subject of our Spring Retreat.
This statue will be offered to the Vajra Master
at the beginning of the Retreat

Pass the word that you can still register for and attend the 5th Annual Dzogchen Spring Retreat lead by Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche with Teachings on The Six Bardo Instructions.

Pre-Registration Now Open for the 6th Annual Dzogchen Summer Retreat
Dates: Friday, July 4, 2008 to Friday, July 25, 2008

Join us for a three-week Dharma training intensive and Drupchen practice
guided by H. E. Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche.

The Rigzin Dupa, or gathering of the Awareness Holders

Dzogchen Buddha Foundation is pleased to announce the 6th annual Dzogchen Summer Retreat. Dzogchen Summer Retreat 2008 will be held at the beautiful and secluded Dzogchen Retreat Center USA. 

This Summer's retreat will have a unique format with three distinct one-week phases. Retreatants may register to attend either Week One or the entire Three Week Summer Retreat. Due to the extraordinary blessing that the Retreat will culminate in a Drupchen, it will not be permissible to return to the Retreat once one has left it, nor to arrive in the middle of it.

Week One: Consists of Rinpoche's essential teachings on the foundational topics of Buddhism and on the sacred text The Buddha Path.

Week Two: Transitions into the preparations of ritual offerings for Drupchen as well as teachings specific to Drupchen practice. Preparations will be a joyful blend of Dharma activities, learning, and practice.

Week Three: This week will be entirely dedicated to the actual Drupchen practice. The Summer retreatants will practice alongside the six-month interns and help to set an auspicious tone for the historic first ever Dzogchen Lineage Internship.

Registration Still Open for 1st Ever Dzogchen Internship Program

Friday, July 4, 2008 to Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Registration is still open for the first Six-month Dharma Training Retreat at the Dzogchen Retreat Center USA. Under the daily guidance of H. E. Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, students will observe a full-time schedule of practice and study based on the traditions of the great Buddhist universities of ancient India and Tibet. This program will help students deepen their understanding and enhance their ability to clearly teach others. Space is filling up quickly, so apply soon.

The Mandala Garden Project

Mandala Project with Double Rainbow Blessings

The 24 Mandala Stations are covered and now installed. The doors and windows are also installed. Next the interiors, mandala furnishing, and mandalas will be put in place. In order to complete this auspicious sacred space before summer retreat, we will need to raise additional funds and secure more volunteers to complete this amazing project. We’re also looking for 25 foot long prayer flag strings for the central pole. Feel free to send them directly to:

Erik Jung
1220 NE 17th Ave., Suite 10A, Portland, OR 97232

A Message from Chris Carelli, Fundraising Committee Chair

As we now prepare for the first Six-Month Dzogchen Lineage Internship, we also
will reach the milestone of our next installment payment of $112,000 for the land.

In order to finish what we’ve started and fulfill the aspirations for a groundbreaking year in our lineage, we all have to come together to raise the financial resources to accomplish this. Please help us:

Raise the funds for our next installment of $112,000 by July 3, 2008.

To donate, send a check or money order to:

Dzogchen Shri Singha Foundation USA
1400 Colorado Street, Suite C
Boulder City, Nevada 89005

The Dzogchen Shri Singha Foundation USA is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

The Boise Dharma Center Relocates to Larger Sacred Space

Boise Dharma Center’s new space and a few eager sangha members

On March 1st, the anniversary of Khenchen Petse Rinpoche, one of Khenpo Choga’s root masters, Dzogchen Shen Pan Choling moved to a larger practice space right next door. With nearly twice as much room, this center can accommodate more people in
a comfortable and inspiring environment. This enables the Boise sangha to offer more opportunities for the community to study and practice the timeless teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.

Our new address:

The Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodhgaya, India
is home to hundreds of stupas and shrines
and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day

The 2008 Dzogchen Pilgrimage was a resounding success. Beginning in mid-February the pilgrimage party consisted of Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche and over 24 students from Russia, the United States, and Asia.

The pilgrimage group was able to visit many monasteries and make offerings to great masters from all of the four major Buddhist Schools in Northern India and Nepal. They also had the great experience of visiting the sacred sites marking the major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and historical Buddhist landmarks such as Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Vulture’s Peak, Nalanda University, Kushinagar, and Lumbini.

“We have had an amazing trip. We visited Dharamsala where his Holiness Dalai Lama was teaching and met with many lamas there. We then raveled to Tso Pema, Padmasambhava’s sacred lake, where Khenpo did an Tsok offering attended by many Tibetans. We visited Padmasambhava's caves above the lake and received reading transmissions from Lama Wongdor and Rinpoche. We then stayed in Dheradun at Khenpo's retreat center for almost one week and visited Mindrolling monastery. They were holding ceremonies for the Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche who recently passed away. We visited and received blessings from His Holiness Karmapa, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Khandro Rinpoche, and several other lamas that Khenpo knew. All together we received blessings from the masters of all four lineages during this first part of our trip. Amazing blessings and an incredible experience I am so happy and grateful for this fortunate opportunity!”
—Wongmo

The pilgrimage concluded with an extended stay in the beautiful Kathmandu Valley of Nepal where the pilgrimage group stayed mainly in Godawari at Khenpo's Retreat Center and visited local sacred sites. Khenpo was able to see his mother for the first time in 19 years, along with other siblings who traveled from Tibet to visit him. The pilgrimage group safely navigated the bustling Kathmandu city which was on the verge of hotly contested elections and also experiencing turmoil from Tibetan refugee protests over the recent violent crackdown in Tibet. Everyone is now safe and sound and is processing the sites, smells, sounds, tastes, and experiences that are part of the India and Nepal pilgrimage experience.

Case for Support and Urgent Request for Action

The Little Lamas with Lama Kunzang in Godawari, Nepal

A letter from Justin Armour, our embedded pilgrimage reporter:

The Dzogchen Shri Singha Institute in Nepal is currently blossoming with about 20 little lamas between the ages of 8-14. These young students have, in many cases, been rescued by Khenpo and his brothers from lives of poverty and abuse, potentially saving them from a future of violence and corruption. 

While many of the young lamas' backgrounds are grim, they find refuge here at Khenpo's retreat center. This center is, for them, a safe haven and a pure land compared to many parts of Nepal. 

Yet, despite this sanctuary, there is an incredible need to improve the conditions here, as they are far from what we would consider up-to-par with what we provide for our children back home.

Recently, the little lamas could be seen playing with only a plastic bottle and a stick for exercise and fun, running around wearing faded and tattered robes. This was before Khenpo came. Before there was no medicine for them if they got sick, no money to take them to the doctor, and not even first aid supplies for cuts and scrapes. Many of them didn't have enough clean dishes for eating meals, and most of their shoes were falling apart. 

Because money is so hard to come by, basic necessities we take for granted such as toothpaste (not to mention a toothbrush), hand soap, laundry detergent, light bulbs, toilet paper and such basic supplies tend to be rationed out over time until they're gone. Somehow barely enough money manages to manifest to buy these basic supplies. 

The staff managing the center consists of one family, Lama Kunzang and his wife and baby son, who act as the parents of the 20 or so little monks. The other part of the staff consists of the cooks, a couple with one daughter, and the head resident lama, Lha-gya who provides teaching and instruction to all the little lamas. 

It isn't part of their upbringing for these little lamas to ask for help when needed, especially from strangers. They’d rather try their best and manage on their own. This is understandable given what they've gone through in life as Tibetans in exile, and given that up untill now they have not received very much support from outside Nepal.

However, now that we have all been made aware of the situation and several of us (Tracy, Wongmo, Chris, Sveta, Susie, Holly, Hazlitt and I) have established a close connection with the lamas and managers of the retreat center, it is not only possible that we create a relationship with them to take care of these little lamas, but also necessary to help them if they are to grow healthy and strong, thereby becoming future upholders of the Buddha’s teachings.

I would like to act on their behalf and reach out to our Sangha to support for them as they continue to grow and study the Dharma. All we need is a monthly donation of $30 per lama. This will provide each lama with a month of three square meals of good healthy food (the best you can buy in Nepal), and basic necessities, such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and laundry detergent to keep them healthy and clean. 

Please help and contribute to this noble cause. Contact me if you are interested.