Memory of Lama Wangchuk

From an Australian friend of Lama Wangchuk: Please count me in on the prayers. I am there in spirit.
Hello to everyone too.
much love,
Jennah.
PS. I have many memories of Lama Wangchuk as we all do, 2 in particular to
share with everyone. One being the very direct striking on the head by Lama
with a long, thin box, enough to alter my brain patterns somewhat. This
followed by the simple words “Guru Rinpoche Story” uttered from Lama’s lips.
A mind changing moment. Another memory of a very joyous monk zooming around
on a lawn mower at Mc Donough preparing for Rinpoche, like a child enjoying
a toy. In the middle of the large expanse of grass he left growing a patch
of bright yellow meadow flowers, after which he exclaimed “I like yellow”.
Lama taught me through the way he lived as much as through the weekly
practices; spontaneously and with clarity, intelligence and simple joy. It
was sad to hear of his passing and I had a little cry but for just a short
time. When I really just sat with it, all that Lama was in his recent life
is still here. Each time I go to eat or drink there is the presence of the
teacher reminding me of offering. He is a clearly etched memory forever
associated with Dharma. Many thanks be to him.
Be happy,
Loving regards,
Jennah

-If you would like to share something about Lama, i can always put it up here.

Passing of Lama Wangchuk

Lama Sonam Wangchuk was born in Lower Kongpo region of Tibet in the year of Iron Tiger (1950). It was not known which month Lama was born on, but i think it was April, he marked his birthday every year on the Tibetan New Year, the Losar. And also counted extra year, as per Tibetan Custom. He would have marked 58 years in 2007 on the Losar, which falls this year on the 18th of February. I have called Lama last time on the phone on Thursday the 1st of February at about 5AM. On that same day Lama stopped eating at all and in a week’s time we had e-mail which you can read below. Most of this last conversation Lama took his time asking me to say thank you to several people in NYC that helped him out while he was in NYC and more recently in India.

—– Original Message —–
From: Palyul Ling
To: List Member
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: [Palyul NYC] In Memory of Dorje Lopon Lama Wangchuk

Palyul Changchub Dargyeling

Prayers for the Passing of Dorje Lopon Lama Wangchuk
Schedule:
Tonight, Friday, February 9, 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 10, 10:30 AM
Sunday, February 11, 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Thursdays, 7 PM:
February 15, 22, 29; March 8, 15, 22
Special practice on March 29 at 7 PM

Dear Friends,

Dorje Lopon Lama Wangchuk completed his intention to benefit beings (Gonpa Dzok) at 4:30 AM on February 9 at Namdroling Monastery in South India. This would have been 3 PM on February 8, New York time.

We will gather to recite prayers for Lama Wangchuk as per the schedule above. Every seven days is a significant day to practice after someone we are close to has passed away. On the 49th day, we will complete our prayers and hold special practices. Khenpo Tenzin Norgey will be available to answer any questions you have about the practice.

Regarding the details of his passing, for the last two weeks, Lama Wangchuk had difficulty eating food. Six days ago he stopped eating and his monk attendants continued to provide him with fruit juice and take care of his needs. When it became clear that he needed specialized treatment, he was brought to Apollo Hospital in Mysore. He stayed in the hospital until yesterday when the doctor advised that his time was near. He was released from the hospital and returned to the monastery where he could complete his life’s work, surrounded by the monastic community.

Because he was an esteemed member of the monastery, his body was placed in front of the Temple of Guru Rinpoche (Zangdokpelri) and the community of monks gathered to recite prayers. A tulku from the monastery performed Phowa, and His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has been informed. Prayers will continue at the Monastery for the next two days and then every week until the 49-day Bardo period has been completed.

Please join us to practice for our dear spiritual friend over these next few weeks.

If you have images of Lama Wangchuk that you would like included in a memorial slideshow that we are creating for the website, please send them to nyc@palyul.org. Write if you have any trouble sending these. Current slideshow here.

Location
Nyingma Palyul Dharma Center
121 Bowery, 3rd Floor
At Grand Street

Directions: Take the “B” or “D” train to the Grand Street Exit. Walk to Bowery, one block. The M103 bus also stops near the center.
http://nyc.palyul.org/

May All Beings Benefit!
Send to the following interest groups:
Palyul NYC Group
Palyul New York
Summer Retreatants
Please forward to those who might be interested.
Palyul Ling International Mailing List Address:
101 W. 23rd, Mailbox 2336
New York, NY 10011
Fax/Voicemail: (509) 272-1908

Garchen Rinpoche in NYC

Garchen Rinpoche at Tibet House

White Tara Empowerment / Retreat

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche will be conferring a White Tara empowerment, and doing the White Tara practice. This is a very rare and fortunate opportunity to practice with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.

We will be practicing the White Tara text that was revealed to the previous incarnation of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in a dream. The practice is suitable for all levels of practitioners and there will be a question/answer session on Sunday afternoon.

White Tara offers peace, prosperity, health and long life. She is depicted with the body of woman that is the brilliant white of a thousand autumn moons. She has a third eye in her forehead that symbolizes her vision of the unity of ultimate reality while simultaneously seeing the relative and dualistic world with her ‘usual’ two eyes. Her hands and feet also have eyes, showing that whatever she gives and wherever she goes is governed by her ultimate wisdom and compassion. She is the protective, helpful and comforting mother whose kindness, generosity and protection toward those tossed in the ocean of samsara knows no bounds.

TEACHING SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 28

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: White Tara Empowerment
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Teaching on the Practice of the Refined Drop of Immortality: A Longevity Mandala Practice of Arya Tara, the Wish-Granting Chakra

Monday, January 29

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: White Tara Practice
2:00pm – 5:00: White Tara Practice

Tuesday, January 30

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: White Tara Practice with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Milarepa Tsok

BIOGRAPHY

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is known around the world for his great kindness, vast realization and teachings from the heart, both profound and humble; a Drikung Kagyu lama who was known in the thirteenth century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. In ancient India, he had incarnated as Mahasiddha Aryadeva, the lotus-born disciple of the great Nagarjuna. In the seventh century, he was known as Lonpo Gar, the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songsten Gampo.

He was recognized and enthroned in eastern Tibet by the former Drikung Kyabgon Zhiwe Lodro. Studying and practicing under the direction of the Siddha Chime Dorje, Garchen Rinpoche received vast and profound instructions on the preliminary practices (ngöndro), the fivefold practice of Mahamudra and the six yogas of Naropa. At the age of 22, he was imprisoned for 20 years during the political turmoil of China’s Cultural Revolution. While in the labor camp, he received meditation instruction from his root lama, the Nyingma master Khenpo Munsel. Enduring hardship and practicing secretly, Garchen Rinpoche attained realization of the lama’s wisdom mind.

In recent years, Garchen Rinpoche has made great effort to rebuild the Drikung Kagyu monasteries in Eastern Tibet, reestablish the Buddhist teachings, build two boarding schools for local children in eastern Tibet, while at the same time wholeheartedly giving profound teachings of the lineage to others.

A suggested donation of $25/day is welcome at the door, but is not required. Call (917) 721-5229 for further information.

This event is sponsored by the Nechung Foundation, NYC and Marge Ptaszek. Special thanks to the Tibet House.

White Tara Practice Text

Texts will be available free of charge, any additional contributions towards printing costs
will be gratefully appreciated.

Southwest Field Endowment Fund

We will be accepting donations for the Southwest Field Endowment Fund. Patrons who contribute a donation for $20 or more will receive a specially printed edition of the White Tara Practice Text.

Pre-Registration

Pre-registration is available, please email Marge at garregister@yahoo.com or call (973) 343-7369 for further details.

Housing

If you live in the NYC area and can provide an extra bed or couch or space or know of affordable housing, or if you need housing please email Marge at: garhousing@yahoo.com.

We are currently updating our mailing list – if your address has changed or if you prefer to receive upcoming teaching announcements by email instead, please contact info@nechungnyc.org and/or jhahn@jxiid.com

** May this benefit all beings **