Latest on Pilgrimage
Bhutan is the last Vajrayana country in the world. Here, we meet
the pure energies of Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal, Tontang Gyalpo,
Pema Lingpa, PeGyal Lingpa and more, and sit where the yidams,
dakinis, protectors dwell. This precious heritage has been
preserved and nourished, and the living traditions remain vibrant
and palpable. In spite of political, social, economic and cultural
issues, not for below the surface, the pure dharma percolates and
bubbles forth.
In this place, where synchronicity is commonplace, the sacred
environment has the power to transform. Through the guidance of a
unique Dzokchen master and a skilled Western Buddhist teacher, we
will discover a renewed energy and dynamic that will inform the
rest of our days, and create a seed in all future lives.
Participants will receive (or re-receive) the Chöd Initiation, and
various transmissions (lungs). During our time in Bhutan, aside
from the full-day Rinchen Trengwa, we will learn and practice the
PeGyal Lingpa Chod, Kusli Tsok Chod, short Chod Tsok, Laughter of
the Dakinis, and especially the Chod Ngondro (translated and
presented for the VERY FIRST time in the West), as well as various
other daily practices, protector practice, and so on!
Over schedule, subject to minor change, looks like this:
Paro
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Go to Hotel Gangtey Palace, a great old mid-range hotel high on the
hillside above the valley.Empowerments & Transmissions (Lung).
Group Meditation in LhaKang. Dinner in Paro or hotel.
Monday, April 4
KuDung of Dilgo Khyentse : Here is the golden stupa with the sacred
remains of the great sage of our era, and one of Rinpoche’s
teachers, Dilgo Khyentse. We will do the Chod confession (shakpa)
and prayer to the four gates of MaChik
Kyichu Lhakhang : Built by Fist Kind of Tibet; pins down the famed
Tibetan ogress at the left foot. One of the oldest lhakhangs in
Bhutan. Great statues of 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara. Dilgo
Khyesntse Rinpoche’s meditation area. We will also visit Tontang
Gyalpo’s anceint Gompa and practice Chod there.
Tuesday, April 5
Drukgyel Dzong : Built by the Shabdrung to celebrate victory over
the Tibetan invaders (the Shabdrung story is incredible in every
aspect). Vews of Jomolhari on the way there. Visit the ruins and
practice there.
Paro Dzong : Cultural sites and also sacred (like everything in
Bhutan!
Base of TaksangDepending on weather, transport and capability of
the students, pilgrimage to the base or top of Taksang, Tiger’s
Nest, and the speical MaChik temple.
Ta Dzong : Built in the 17th century, but now houses the National
Museum
Wednesday, April 6
Hot stone bath Day of rest, or? The stone baths are not turned into
a spa they’re more like the traditional ones.
Thimphu
Thurs, April 7
Tashi Cho Dzong & Thimpu Sights
Drive to Thimpu (90 minutes) and settle in at the Pema hotel and
Thimpu orientation. Visit to Tashi Cho Dzong, the main “fort” and
monastic complex of Thimpu. This is a magnificent, multi-faceted
group of buildings and we will have permission to practice in one
of the many temples there, and explore further. After this, we will
visit other important Thimpu sights: the national Zoo, and School
of (13 traditional) Arts and Crafts.
Fri, April 8
Cho in Bhutan : Drive to Thimpu (90 minutes) and settle in at the
Pema hotel and Thimpu orientation. We will go to the open air
market to get supplies for the upcoming Tsok, and then go off set
up of shrine and Tsok offering at Memorial Chorten. We will learn
torma-making from the ulitmate expert, Lama Pema!
Sat., April 9 & Sun, April 10
Precious Rosary of Chöd : Memorial Chorten, in the heart of Thimpu,
will be the site of this all day Chod practice. The Chorten is a
very popular spot for cirucmambulation and mantra, visited by
hundreds of Bhutanese each day. Many local lamas will be in
attendance, and this will be an important local event.
Mon., April 11
Tongten Gyalpo Lhakhang : In the morning we will complete our
walking tour of Thimpu. Then we will head to the samll temple
across the river to the Zilukha Nunnery and Lhakhang. This is an
ancient TongTang Gyalpo site, with possibly the largest gold statue
dedicated to this great master. Previously a favorite spot of Kalu
Rinpoche, the nuns regularly practice Chöd. We will perform the
Kagyu Lujin with them, as well as our own practices, such as the
DenTok Chikma, MaChik yidam practice.
Protector Tower : On the edge of Thimpu, this is an extremely
powerful site, where the Protectors of Bhutan entered into a rock
dwelling. The tower is dark, one ascends through a steep ladder and
the top floor houses the large statues of the three deities. We
will do short protector practices here, and then longer practice in
the adjacent lhakhang.
Tue., April 12
Docho La : This 9,000 foot pass has a beautiful view of the
surrounding valleys, and like all moutain passes, is the abode of
many local spirits and land deities. This is an ideal place to
perfome the prayers of Sang, Lungta and Yangguk. Lunch somewhere.
Return to Paro for overnight for those flying out on
Wednesday.
Wed., April 13
Tango and Cheri : Flight of those traveling back to Kathmandu,
Delhi or home!
We travel 30 minutes outside Thimphu to this idyllic spot at a
covered bridge over an incredibly beautiful tributary of the
Thimphu river at the road head. We will lunch and meditate here.
Another 30-45 minute walk up, we come to Cheri, the first monastery
built in Bhutan by the Shabdrung and site of first 3 year
retreat.
Fri., April 15
Evening return to Paro for flight the next day.
Sat., April 16
Blessing send off by Rinpoche and the lamas. Flight back to one’s
home country, with a deeper richer understanding of dharma.
