The August 2022 retreat in Switzerland at Ripa International with the Kongma Sakyong, the Sakyong Wangmo, and the Sangha was amazing. It felt like coming home and was exactly what we all needed to be reunited and connected with each other and our Lineage. We were so happy and touched…
The morning was bright and growing warm. Big clouds floated slowly across a vast expanse of sky. Beneath them, situated at the top of a soft rise, stood a handsome, red barn-like building surrounded by dozens of colorful Gesar banners snapping in the breeze. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and the Sakyong…
On March 8th, early in the Year of the Iron Mouse, 108 pilgrims entered retreat with the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo in Pharping, Nepal. The retreat was a time to reconnect and renew the relationship between teacher and students. This pilgrimage was remarkably international with representation from 17 countries…
At the invitation of a group of European students, the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo came to the Netherlands for a short visit in September. The idea for the visit arose from a trip to Nepal last spring by some sangha members who had traveled to pay their respects and to…
This August at the invitation of a group of senior students, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche was graciously hosted by Jeanine and Michael Greenleaf at their home in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The Sakyong had arranged with family members Lama Pegyal and Lama Gyurme Dorje to gather together and preside over…
A number of years ago, a team was put in place to prepare for the inevitable time of Lady Könchok’s passing. Former Shambhala President Richard Reoch gathered a team to prepare for these events, and Melanie Klein graciously took on the role of raising funds and assuming the role of…
The Gongter ends auspiciously with an Amitayus abhisheka and the Lingdro Dances by Walker Blaine The final day of the Gongter was one of forward vision and celebration. The conclusion of the reading transmissions and thanksgiving to Lhuntrul Rinpoche happened the day before, and the final empowerment occurred in the morning.…
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Addresses Western Students at the Gongter Near the end of the Gongter, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche gave an evening talk to the Westerners and English-speaking Tibetans attending the empowerments. About two hundred people attended the event, which was followed by a blessing line where everyone had an opportunity…
Gongter empowerments continue on the sacred ground of Parpeng by Walker Blaine After the first five empowerments of the Gongter, Namkha Drimed Rinpoche’s termas of key practices in the Nyingma lineage, we moved into what could be considered the heart of these transmissions, the empowerments for practices related to Gesar…
Gongter Empowerments by Namkha Drimed Rinpoche continue in Nepal, including empowerments for the practices of Gesar of Ling by Walker Blaine Greetings once again from the lovely hills of Parpeng, Nepal. The assembly at the Gongter has now received the first five days of empowerments from His Eminence Namkha Drimed…