Chöd in the Land of the Dragon

Temple built by first king of Tibet

In early April, there will be a remarkable opportunity to practice Chöd in the sacred enclave of Bhutan. We will learn practices and engage in them in a land of unique spiritual potency.

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.

Practices

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

Kudung of D. Kyentse

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

Tong Gyalpo Lhakang

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 Taksang

Depending 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

Bhutan Chod, 2009

Precious Rosary of Chöd: Preparations

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 moutnian 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.

Thurs., April 14

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.