The Lamas were accompanied by a party of eight people from the Christchurch center, with everyone staying at the Aoraki Lodge. This was one of the few weeks of the year when there is snow on the ground at the Mt Cook village. The weather varied between sleet, snow of various kinds, sunshine and huge gusts of wind - strong enough to blow over many of the objects on the shrine during the puja. A very successful and inspiring sang puja followed by the Milarepa Tsok was held near the DOC shelter at White Horse campground on Tuesday 20th September. That evening, Choje Lama gave the Sanje Menla transmission and led the Chenrezig practice.

Back in Christchurch, Choje Lama was available for individual interviews. He met with the members of Rigdrol Yeshe at the new gompa in Brighton on Friday evening. A teaching and practice day was held on the Saturday, when Choje Lama taught from the "Ocean of Certainty" text by the 9th Karmapa. Both the Lamas were guests at a dinner held by the local Tibetan families.

On Sunday, Choje Lama gave teachings on the Chenrezig practice. After lunch at the South Indian restaurant with friends and members of Rigdrol Yeshe, the group went to the Waimakariri river. Here in a sheltered spot, Choje Lama planted a black birch tree and gave an inspiring talk on the benefits of planting trees.

This visit by Choje Lama and Lama Lobsang was of immeasurable benefit and hopefully will become an annual event.

By Ani Sanje

"Blessed by the Three Jewels, I am very fortunate that my health is improving," Choje Lama says. "Therefore I am privileged to be able to come back to the beautiful Palpung centre and Institute and its sangha. These are precious to me. The Dharma is ultimately the most powerful and glorious part of our lives and actions. So I'm always grateful and honored by the lineage to be part of that energy, to be able to practice here and to be able to serve by propagating the Dharma in New Zealand."

 In addition to the regular Tara Pujas and Medicine Buddha Pujas, Choje Lama Shedrup held a full day of puja on Sunday August 22, with a Puja for the Deceased in the morning, a festive lunch, and a Fire Puja for the Spirit Realm in the afternoon, with about 40 people attending. Participants lit butter lamps to make a light offering for harmony, all levels of energy and world peace, which continued for the rest of the month. Another Sunday was devoted to a meditation course in the temple for the Palpung Youth group.

With Choje Lama's energy returning, he has able to gladly accept long-standing invitations from the New Zealand Sangha community to pay homage at their shrines and catch up with spiritual friends. He has exchanged visits with the abbot of Quan Am Buddhist Monastery, Pokeno, and met the Sangha at Vimutti Forest Monastery of the Auckland Theravada Buddhist Association, near Bombay, NZ.

Well-established bonds with Pushien Temple, Ellerslie, were strengthened when Ven. Master Chan Ling, and her Master from Taiwan and a party of about 25 nuns and supporters were hosted by the Palpung Auckland centre.

Choje Lama also visited Karma Choeling Buddhist Monastery, Kaukapakapa, during their August retreat, where he did a short teaching, inspired us with his vigorous prostrations, and had lunch with Lama Pasang and Karma Sonam, together with long-term and new students. He was happy to see all the new developments there.

Behind the scenes Choje Lama has also been hard at work on future publications, selecting and finalising precious lineage teachings, creating electronic books for worldwide public knowledge, selecting monthly teachings for the website and articles for Thar Lam magazine.

"From my more than 30 years' experience in New Zealand I know there are many sincere practitioners and supporters here," concludes Choje Lama. "I rejoice in their great dedication, and that of our Lamas at Karma Choeling and at the Gisborne centre. I appreciate everyone's hard work in carrying on Dharma activities in New Zealand. Thank you very much and Tashi Delek!"

Choje Lama also completed a national tour to visit his many students and friends throughout New Zealand.

by Katherine Rhee

Tibetan Medicine (11 days) - Monday 3 January - Friday 14 January, NZ$250

Tibetan Astrology (8 days) - Sunday 16 January - Sunday 23 January, NZ$250

Upper Florentine Old Growth Forest Puja Blessing.pdf

Tibetan Earthquake Disaster - Temple activities

On April 18th prayers and light offerings were made at Palpung Australasia Centres for victims of the recent Tibetan earthquake.

At Palpung Kagyu Thigsum Chokyi Ghatsal many students  gathered some traveling from as far away as Hobart and Railton to participate in special prayers and ceremonies conducted by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup and assisted by Venerable Lama Tsewang in response to these recent tragic events.
Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers and wishes were extended on behalf of everyone to the victims, their families and friends. 

We also have messages from Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche and Thrangu Rinpoche.  Please read.

Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche

Each year various natural disasters and man-made disasters happen on this planet. All human beings have a responsibility for the causes and conditions connected with these disasters. Recently many such events have occurred in various parts of the world including a very serious earthquake in Kyegudo, Yushue.

In order to relieve the suffering of those who have lost their lives, and of those who are now recovering from the physical suffering of injuries and the mental pain of losing loved ones, of lost houses, monasteries and belongings, and also for the prevention of future natural disasters and man-made disasters, humankind must join hands together around the globe as one great family and make the sincere aspiration for a better relationship with the natural environment. Sincere, pure motivation with limitless dedication is the most effective spiritual means to have an impact on many levels. For that reason, on April 22, 2010 Chamgon Dorje Chang Kenting Tai Situpa gave the Red Vajra Crown blessing followed by the Vajra Sattva Jangchog Puja in the Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat courtyard. This ceremony was dedicated for all those who lost their lives, most especially those harmed by recent natural disasters around the world and specifically those in Kyegudo, Yushue.

At the end of the day Kenting Tai Situpa gave the Empowerment of Vajrasattva as part of the ten-day Drupchen puja, during which Vajrasattva blessing pills were distributed. This initiation was dedicated to the purification of all negativities from the entire world and to bring about peace and harmony. On this day 800 ordained Sangha of Palpung Sherabling, 100's of International disciples and Mahamudra practitioners with 100's more lay devotees participated in this auspicious ceremony.

On April 14th, 2010 Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa called on all the Sangha of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat and all the International students present for Mahamudra transmissions, to participate in an urgent gathering to perform a grand Monlam and Ten Thousand Lamp offerings in the court yard of the main monastery.

These prayers were dedicated to the victims of several recent, unimaginable tragedies: the recent earthquakes in South and central America which caused enormous damage and the loss of many lives; the plane crash over Russia which took the life of Poland's President Kaczynski, his wife Maria and 130 others; and just this week, the massive earthquake which hit Khegudo, Nangchen and Yushu killing many hundreds of people and leaving many hundreds of others injured, with school buildings, monasteries and family homes in ruins throughout.

Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa in his enlightened Bodhisattva activity, arranges grand Monlam Prayers and Butter Lamp offerings whenever such disasters occur. These prayers are dedicated, as always, simply and sincerely so that all living beings who have lost their lives in these events may have better rebirths and rest in peace, while those who survive may recover swiftly and easily. We also dedicate with the aspiration that these kinds of disasters never happen again and that our planet remain in harmony.

http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010041601

http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010042403

http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010041701

Thrangu Rinpoche Message

Statement on Thrangu Monastery Earthquake from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
April 15, 2010
There are many disasters caused by the four elements--earthquakes, wildfires, strong winds, and turbulent seas--and they also bring disease and illness. In such a time, we need to be careful and practice the Dharma as much as we can.
Jyekundo in Tibet is a small and sparsely populated area, but it is a place where there are many Tibetan people, and there are also many monasteries. At Thrangu Monastery in Jyekundo, many of the lamas and monks--both those abroad and those on site--have put in tremendous efforts for many years. These efforts have not just been in terms of external things; they have also put effort into spiritual practice. In terms of study and contemplation, a monastic college for the study of texts and philosophy was founded. It gradually grew and there formed a body of students and scholars, who are the foundation of the teachings. A primary school to provide basic education for young students had also been built.

In terms of meditation, a retreat center for the practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa was built where monks engaged in practice. Another retreat center for the practice of the deities who purify the lower realms, Sarvavid Vairochana and Protector Akshobhya, had been restored and retreatants were doing the practices of those deities. A Mahakala retreat center was built during the time of Karmapa Thekchok Dorje (1798-1868) and contained a statue of Mahakala. Here, daily practices had been held for many generations. In addition, there was a large new temple where daily services were held.

Now there has been the terrible earthquake in Jyekundo, Qinghai, and these structures have all been ruined. Additionally, many monks have passed away in the earthquake. This is a great tragedy and a great obstacle. Please think of this and make good prayers on the behalf of all those who passed away. If you gather merit by helping with the relief and restoration, it will be helpful for the world in general and in particular prevent the Dharma from disappearing. It is important that the lineage of teaching and practice not wane: Without a lineage of teaching and practice, the Dharma would perish.

Sometimes people might think that temples and monasteries are not all that important. However, there are both transient sentient beings and the lasting external environment. With sentient beings, there might be many for a while, including great scholars and meditators. Great lamas might appear. There may be many members of the Sangha, but just as water flows downstream, fifty, sixty, seventy, or eighty years later they will all pass away and a new generation will come. When this happens, even if there were a strong lineage of Dharma in the previous generation, we do not really know whether that lineage would continue in the next.
The way that the lineage can continue from generation to generation is to have a good, stable outer environment.

When there is the external environment of a monastery with a shrine, retreat center, and monastic college, then due to that place, the Sangha, great lamas, and great meditators might pass away but the continuity of their activity will remain present there.
This is why restoring monasteries is crucial. If the monasteries fall into ruins, the environment declines as well and the inhabitants gradually disappear. Buddhism would not be able to remain long in this world. But if a monastery continues to exist, the great lamas and masters can perform vast activity for the Dharma during their entire lives. A group of students will gather; the lamas will teach the students; and they will practice.

Thus gradually the students will spend the first part of their lives studying and practicing the Dharma and the latter part upholding, protecting, and spreading Buddhism. When that generation comes to its end, a new generation can continue that work, upholding, protecting, and spreading the teachings, which can thus remain. This is why temples and the Sangha are so very important.

If sponsors can make contributions and help in either large or small ways, that would be wonderful. We spend this life gathering wealth and possessions, and sometimes this can be meaningful, but sometimes there is the danger that this might become the grounds for conflict and dispute. For that reason, I ask all the faithful benefactors to help in any way you can.
--Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

HOW TO DONATE DIRECTLY
The quickest way to help Thrangu Monastery is to donate directly to Lodro Nyinma Rinpoche's (Abbot of Thrangu Monastery) foundation account in HK. He can then withdrawal directly inside affected area: They desperately need rice and flour to feed the survivors.
Here's the wire transfer info:
Bank Name: The Bank of East Asia, Limited
Branch: Queen's Road Central Branch
Account Name: Lodroe Nyima Charity Foundation Limited
Account No.: 015-187-25-00453-6
SWIFT Code: BEASHKHH
Branch telephone No.: +852 2805-2206
Branch Address: Shop A-C, G/F. Wah Ying Cheong Central Building, 158-164 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.

Foundation Contact:
Phone: (852) 3163 1000
Email: infoundation@yahoo.com

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche: A Brief Biography

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, born in East Tibet in 1936, is a Drikung Kagyu lama who was known in the thirteenth century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. 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.

Garchen Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned in eastern Tibet by the former Drikung Kyabgon Zhiwe Lodro. When he was seven, he was brought to Lho Miyal Monastery, which he administered from the age of eleven. Studying and practicing under the direction of the Siddha Chime Dorje, Garchen Rinpoche received vast and profound instructions on the preliminary practices (ngondro), the fivefold practice of Mahamudra and the six yogas of Naropa.

Then, at the age of 22, after completing a two and a half year retreat, 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. Since his release from prison in 1979, Garchen Rinpoche has made great effort to rebuild the Drikung Kagyu monasteries, reestablish the Buddhist teachings, and build two boarding schools for local children in eastern Tibet.

Rinpoche is the founder and spiritual director of the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona.
Garchen Rinpoche is known for his vast realization, as well as for his great kindness.

Nyima Tashi Kagyu Buddhist Centre

20 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn (09 376 6113)
Thursday 3 June, 7 - 9pm & Friday 4 June, 7 - 9pm Teachings on Bodhichitta, $25 per session

Karma Choeling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

66 Bodhisattva Rd, Kaukapakapa (09 420 5428)
Friday 4 June, 2 - 4.30pm, Medicine Buddha Empowerment, $15

Pushien Temple

35 Wilkinson Road, Ellerslie (09 525 2828)
Saturday 5 June, 9.30am - 12.00pm: Amitabha Empowerment,
2 - 4pm: Teachings on Practice

Palpung Thubten Chokyi Ghatsal Buddhist Institute

23 Sturdee Rd, Manurewa (09 268 0786)
Sunday 6 June, 10am - 12pm & 2 - 4pm: Five-fold Path of Mahamudra, $25 per day
6.30 - 8.30pm: Refuge & Bodhisattva Vows

Monday 7 June, 10am - 12pm & 2 - 4pm: Five-fold Path of Mahamudra, $25 per day
6.30 - 8.30pm: Mahakala & Chenrezig Practice

Tuesday 8 June, 2 - 4pm: Phowa Instruction and Practice, $15
6.30 - 8.30pm: Mahakala & Chenrezig Practice

Wednesday 9 June, 2 - 4pm: Phowa Instruction and Practice, $15
6.00 - 8.30pm: White Tara Empowerment

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche.pdf 

Dr Aepa Sonam Rinchen is one of the new generation head scholars in Tibetan medical and astrological sciences.

In 1997 at Men-Tsee-Khang (the Tibetan Medical & Astrology Institute of HH the Dalai Lama) he successfully completed the astrological syllabus, gaining the Tsipa Kachupa degree in first division. After that he was readmitted to Men-Tsee-Khang College to study medicine. He completed the training in 2002, gaining the Menpa Kachupa degree in first division.

From then on he has practiced and taught medicine and astrology at Men-Tsee-Khang, several of its branches, and at different universities and monasteries all over India, tirelessly working to preserve and spread both Buddhist knowledge and Tibetan culture.

He is currently the main astrological lecturer in Men-Tsee-Khang, as well as the medicine teacher in Palpung Sherabling. He is also the author of several books on Medicine, Astrology and their relationship.

Ogyen Tenzang

Accompanying Dr Sonam Rinchen is Tenzang Ogyen. Tenzang lives at Sherabling where he studies astrology and is part of the staff of the Palpung Buddhist Sciences College. He also participates in compiling the monastery's almanacs and studies medicine with Dr. Sonam Rinchen and also interprets for him.

Course Content

On this visit Dr Sonam Rinchen will conduct two day courses and short seminars. The content of his teachings will be:

• The origins and evolution of the Tibetan medical and astrological sciences.
• A brief introduction to the Tibetan medical system--its relation with Buddhism; the creation and evolution of the mind-body couple; pathology and diagnosis; pharmacology; keeping a healthy lifestyle; the physician and his commitments.
• A brief introduction to the 'universal science of interdependence' or Tibetan astrology--its relation with Buddhism; the 'extraordinary' or kar-tsee astrology taught in the Kalachakra Tantra by Buddha Shakyamuni; the 'ordinary' or elemental astrology taught by Manjushree in China; their various application in everyday life situations.
• The two kinds of purpose and benefits of both Tibetan medical and astrological sciences--short term and ultimate purposes and benefits.

From His Holiness the Dalai Lama
"Like the traditional Chinese and Indian systems, the Tibetan system views health as a question of balance. A variety of circumstances such as diet, lifestyle, seasonal and mental conditions can disturb this natural balance, which gives rise to different kinds of disorders. A Tibetan health professional employs his own senses to examine the individual's general balance of health as a whole.

This involves dietary and behavioral advice and medication. Remedies, which have few side-effects, are obtained from natural sources such as herbs, minerals and organic products and prepared under controlled conditions.

As an integrated system of health care, the Tibetan system can offer a different perspective on health. However, like other scientific systems, it must be understood in its own terms, as well as in the context of objective investigation. In practice it can also offer Western people another approach to achieving happiness through health and balance."

Organized by Palpung Thubten Chokyi Ghatsal, under the Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Trust
Web: www.palpung.org.nz Email: glorious@palpung.org.nz Ph/Fax: 09 268 0786
23 Sturdee Rd, Manurewa, Auckland PO Box 6259, Wellesley St, Auckland
 

If you are attached to this life, you are not a true spiritual practitioner.
If you are attached to samsāra, you do not have renunciation.
If you are attached to your own Self-interest, you have no Bodhichitta.
If there is grasping, you do not have the View.