THE SNOW LION NEWSLETTER

Honoring the 100th Anniversary of H. H. the Dudjom Rinpoche's Birth
with Teachings in Upstate New York

Four great festivals commemorate the major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni: his birth, enlightenment, commencing to teach, and his mahaparinirvana. The third of these is known as the "First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma", and is celebrated in mid-summer according to the Tibetan tradition. Accordingly, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and his brother, Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, the founders and spiritual directors of Padma Samye Ling Monastery and Retreat Center in upstate New York convened their annual Dzogchen retreat at this season of the year. In Tibet this first turning of the wheel was marked by the performance of a ceremony called Chö Kor Ja, or "taking the dharma on the road."

Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and his brother Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche leading theChö Kor Ja procession

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche explains the ceremony's significance: "The Chö Kor Ja, carrying the sacred texts around the village, is performed yearly and is considered a very special practice to bless an area, pacifying diseases and negative forces for all sentient beings and spirits. This practice balances the elements to insure good crops and weather. Texts are carried by all the villagers: adults and children, as well as monks and nuns. Accompanied by music, incense and flowing katags, the joyous procession will walk several miles to also bless the surrounding area."

This year "the Khenpos", as they are reverentially called by their students, celebrated Chö Kor Ja on a sunny July 21st.

This year's retreat was especially unique since it marked the centennial anniversary of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's birth. As a result, Rinpoches began the retreat with an empowerment and teaching on an Orgyen Menla terma revealed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, followed by an extensive explanation of another of His Holiness's texts, The Richö Mountain Retreat-Extracting the Quintessence of Accomplishment. This text's practical and clear, yet deeply profound, instructions thoroughly explain how to dissolve the 84,000 negative emotions that prevent human beings from experiencing their vast inner nature expressed as bodhichitta.

Pema Samye Ling Monastery
Delaware County, New York.
jowozegyal@catskill.net
607-865 8068

schedule of events:
www.padmasambhava.org