Dear Friends,

Yet another year has gone by and the new year of 2012 has silently reared its fresh head.

Born as we are in Samsara, change is inevitable. The seasons change. Friends change. Foes change. Kids grow up. We grow older. Businesses go through its cycles. Some profit. Others lose.  Lovers celebrate unions. Others bemoan separation…

In this sea of change, there is only one constant. One truth that has not changed in the last 2500 years. And it will remain forever constant and relevant in the millenias to come by, so long as humans are born in samsara… And that constant, the unchanging truth, is the insightful teachings of Lord Buddha!

What Buddha preached in those faithful years under the Boddhi trees to his disciples in the dusty plains of India still remains relevant in our extremely high tech and developed current world. We may have been able to land on the moon, invent iPhones, make strides in quantum theories, probe the depths of the universe… But we still fail to understand clearly the depths of our own inner self.

So long as that veil of ignorance is clouding ourselves, we will forever engage in more wars, divorces, hatred, envy and suffering in all its forms… But …

There is a way out! Lord Buddha has provided the roadmap.

I hope my friends you will all resolve for the new year to study and practice more closely Buddha's teachings and lift that veil of ignorance.

Although I am also mired in the same samsaric existence but have been fortunate enough to study his teachings more in depth. And therefore will be honored to act as a conduit of his teachings to those who seek his teachings.

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

Choegon Rinpoche, 1st January 2012

Kangyur Transmission in Gyuto, Dharamsala (4th Sept - 4th Nov. 2010)

Dear All,

I am delighted to share with you that H.E. Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, H.E. Kyabje Dorzong Rinpoche and H.E. Drugu Choegyal Rinpoche are currently receiving a two months long Kangyur Transmission from Kyabje Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche together with H.H. Gyalwang Karmapa at Gyuto, Dharamsala.

Among other important presences are Kyabje Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, 2 Khenpos, and His Holiness' sister.

From Left: Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, HH Gyalwang Karmapa, Kyabje Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Kyabje Dorzong Rinpoche and Drugu Choegyal Rinpoche

Kyabje Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche conferring Kangyur Transmission

Other sangha members present to receive the Kangyur Transission

This is truly a wonderful event that we all should rejoice with great joy and gratitude. I hope and wish to be there, and will definitely joining the transmission if only I am in India at this moment.

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 9^th Sept. 2010

Khamtrul Rinpoche's Kinnaur Visit (19^th June - 5^th July 2010)

Dear Friends,

It brings me immense joy to share with you about the recent visit by Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche to Kinnaur, my beloved homeland in the remote valleys of Himalaya. The visit was an unprecedented success and fulfilled the long desired wishes of thousands of devotees in that region read more . . .

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 5^th August 2010

To view more related photos, click here  Photo Gallery OR go direct to the Photo Gallery section "Khamtrul Rinpoche Kinnaur Visit".

Dechen Choekhor's Saga Dawa 10 Millions Recitations of Chenrezig Six Syllables Mantra

Dear All,

As you all know the recent earthquake in Tibet has left a trail of destruction and sorrow in its aftermath. The full scale of which is now sinking in after more personal accounts started trickling in from other monks and Rinpoches from the region. After the earthquake, I have been in constant touch with Satrul Rinpoche, Minam Rinpoche, King's family of Nangchen and other lamas of our monastery in Nangchen Garh. They have been recounting to me in painful detail the human tragedy that has unfolded. As I listened to their stories, my heart almost broke to learn of the deaths of so many people and tears would well up in my eyes. Almost eighty percent of the houses were destroyed. Closer to home, my own monk - Thupten lama had his whole house destroyed and tragedy befell his family. His family is now on the streets and homeless. One of many Tibetans is now in similar dire straits.

But in spite of this tragedy, they were all remarkably resilient and stoic about the situation. I believe it is our Buddhist faith that gives them so much strength and power to deal with such a horrific tragedy. The monks have been great ambassadors in such tragic times. They were the first to respond to the calamity and selflessly help rescue people from the rubble. I have also instructed our monastery monks to help and they have done a great service too.

In all the calls that I have been receiving from them, they have been telling me that more than anything else, what the people of Kyekudo (the epicenter of earthquake that strike Yushu last month) really wanted was prayers for the deceased. People of Kyekudo have been approaching them with one and only one request - prayers, prayers. Therefore I have started this huge puja ceremony in my monastery in India specifically for the benefit of the deceased souls. I have instructed my monastery to do ten million Chenrezig mantra recitations. The prayers will help the souls of the deceased and earn them good karma so they can be reborn in better lives.

In conjuction with the mani recitation, Sur (smoke) puja will also be done in the evenings to relieve the dead from Bardo and to remove obstacles for the ones surviving. One hundred lamas from my monastery will complete this puja in about seven days. Hundreds of lay people from Kullu have also volunteered to participate in the prayers.

All of you individually can also contribute by reciting the prayers at your home. Visualize yourself as Chenrezig. Then recite the mantra - Om Mani Padme Hum - from hundred to three hundred times. In the evening put a small edible item like biscuit on a small plate. Burn the food and recite - Om Ah Hum - as long as the fire lasts. Visualize a much bigger fire and imagine that you are offering immense food to all the Buddhas and sentient beings of the world.

My mother, who happened to study dharma in the fifties in Tibet along with my father, had long expressed her wish to have the ten million recitations done for benefit of all sentient beings. So this will fulfill her wish too!

May all beings be relieved of suffering and enjoy happiness.

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 14th May 2010

Saga Dawa - The Sacred Month of Buddhist Celebration

Dear All,

There are several pivotal events in the Buddha's life that Buddhists celebrate, including His Birth, His Enlightenment, His First Turing of Dharma Wheel and His Mahaparinirvana. And it is on the 15th day of the fourth Tibetan lunar month, called "Saga Dawa Duchen" that Tibetan Buddhists commemorates His Birth, His Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.

Saga Dawa is the fourth Tibetan lunar month. Saga means "million"; Dawa means "moon", the 'million multiplier' month is what it denotes. For all our activities, positive or negative, in each and everyday of this sacred month will be multiplied by a million times.

From the ancient time till today, particularly in places like Tibet and India, during Saga Dawa, people flock to monasteries and holy places, performing prostrations, reciting mantras, reading Sutras, turning their prayer wheels, keeping strict precepts, observing vegetarian rules, offering, practicing generosity and engaging in all virtues. It is also a festival of light, where butter lamps abound. Buddhist monasteries across the globe, particularly those of Vajrayana tradition are performing a month long grand pujas and prayers.

Thus, this is also a great month for practice! Multipliers urge and encourage us to focus in our practice. Saga Dawa is a meaningful time to reaffirm our motivation and to strengthen our intention through sharpens awareness and diligent practice.

So I urge you to consider Saga Dawa and its meaningful events as the driving forces to enhance your awareness and practice.

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 13th May 2010

Devastating Earthquake hits Yushu Province, Qinghai, China

Dear All,

As you might now be aware, a large magnitude of earthquake has rocked Yushu province in Qinghai, China on Wednesday morning, 14 April, 2010. Hundreds of people have perished. This is a very sad moment. I am shocked and express my deepest sorrow over the lives lost. (as of 20 April, death toll is over 2000, hundreds missing, ten of thousands injured)

The earthquake's epicenter has struck very close to relatively populous town. I have visited these areas previously. I have many close friends and followers there which make it even more saddening.

Let us all share in their grief and do all we can to alleviate the pain and suffering of the distressed victims in this time of great need. Please pray for the victims and donate to any respectable aid organisations that are working in your area.

I have also directed monks from various monasteries under my jurisdiction including those from Rahged Monastery and Nangchen Garh to help out in the affected areas. So please help in whatever ways you can. As a practitioner of Buddhism I would also like to encourage everyone to recite Medicine Buddha's mantra for the livings and Akshyobhya Buddha's mantra for the deceased.

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 14 April, 2010

Below are some photos extracted from the local news of various sources

Over 90% of the buildings in Kyeku, Yushu Province are destroyed in this calamity

Important Announcement:

The Return of My Beloved Root Guru - Adeu Rinpoche

Dear All,

I would like to share with all of you the heartwarming moments and the sweet memories between the great master Adeu Rinpoche and myself, as well as the full story on how the current Adeu Yangsi Rinpoche was identified, verified and recognized.

Please click on the "Message from Rinpoche" section under "Important Announcement" page of this website to view the full content.

Happy Reading and Tashi Delek!

Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 24 March, 2010

Dear Friends,

In this new year of Tiger, I would like to wish you a very happy, prosperous and blessful New Year.

May this new year bring you joy, luck and fulfill all your wishes.

Like the energetic Tiger, I pray that you will pursue life with boundless energy, enthusiasm and always be guided by the teachings of the Buddha.

There is no greater teacher, friend, mentor or guide than the words of the Buddha.

As the Buddha taught, let compassion, selfless, love, altruism and peace be your guiding principles.

Happy New Year!
Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, 14th Feb 2010

Dear All,

Our water Project has been sponsored by Yinglo Progress Society, lead by Dr Su, a long time friend of mine, very kind hearted dentiest, who always treat my teeth.

On behalf of Dechen Choekhor Buddhist Institute, I would likely to express my heartfelt gratitude to the members of Yinglo Progress Society led by Dr Su.

We received an amount of USD 20,000 on the 17th of January 2010 as the first installment of USD 46,000 for the construction of the first phase of the DCM clean water project. This will help us tremendously in kickstarting the project. We will provide a report on our progress as soon as we get some new developments.

Everyone at our monastery greatly appreciate this generous donation from your society and will keep you in our hearts and pray for you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Choegon Rinpoche IX, Spiritual Director of Institute of DCM, 26 January, 2010