Excerpts from Tibet’s rich heritage, which began with its first king Nya-khri bTsanpo in 242 B.C. He became ruler and unified Tibet’s twelve large and forty small kingdoms under one king (bTsanpo). The entire Tibetan region was unified, and continued as such for 1084 years until 842 A.D. In total, 42 Tibetan bTsanpo ruled during this time.

Our kings were great military commanders of Tibet at the time of the three super powers in Central Asia (Tibet, India and China) from the 7th to 9th century.  During that time, Songtsen Gampo was the 33rd Dharma king of Tibet, who created Tibetan written language and married both Nepalese and Chinese queens. He moved the capital to Lhasa and built the Potala Palace. Many Indian Buddhist scholars were invited to Tibet to translate texts from the five Buddhist sciences. He began the sNgags-pa Monastery at that time.

By the 11th century, Tibetans were more interested in Buddhism than military conquest and three major sects developed: Kadam (by Atisha), Kagyu (by Marpa) and Sakya (by Khon Konchok Gyalpo). At that same time, the Bonpo sect (by sTonpa Shanrab) already had extensive followers over the whole country.

In the 13th century, the Sakya leaders (Ponchen) impressed Mongolian Khans with their deep understanding of Buddhism. This deterred the Khans from conquering Tibet. One of the most significant leaders was Chosgyal Phagpa who not only became the lama for Mongol Kublai Khan, the first emperor of China, but the lama for the entire nation of China.  From that time onward, the Sakyas continued to rule Tibet for one century. Until 1353 A.D., twenty Sakya Ponchens ruled the entire three Tibetan cholka provinces. Starting in 1354 A.D., the Phag-gru sDe-srid ruled Central Tibet for the next 264 years until 1618 A.D.

In 1642, the Fifth Dalai Lama became the ruler of the entire Tibetan three cholkas. From the Fifth Dalai Lama up to the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, ten Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet until 1959. This will be discussed in the next sessions.

Nima Dorjee is a scholar and specialist in Tibetan art and Tibetan history. He worked as researcher and scholar at the Jacques Marchais Center for Tibetan Art, Staten Island, NY and his research at the Center resulted in a highly acclaimed book on Tibetan art history, Treasures of Tibetan Art, published by Oxford University Press. Also serving as a consultant for the valuable Tibetan collection at Newark Museum, NJ he participated in producing Tibetan Sacred Art Video as well as a popular special exhibit on Tibetan culture and art.Throughout his scholarly career, he received grants including the JD Rockefeller III grant, NEH Travel to Collections grants, Luce Foundation grant, Tibet House grant and Asian Cultural Council grant.He continues to serve as Vice President of Tibet Center in NYC since its inception.Currently he is writing a comprehensive history of his natal state of Dagyab in East Tibet and has presented some aspects of his research at several international conferences in Europe and North America.

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Venerable Geshe Sherab, Guest of Honor
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Offering of Special Prayers for the Center’s Ongoing Success,
Removal of Obstacles and for the Long Life of
H.H. Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche

Ven. Khenpo Pema Wangdak

Special Thanks for Your Generosity
Project Tibet: http://www.tibet.org/Resources/TSG/Groups/nmproject.html
Body of Santa Fe:  http://www.bodyofsantafe.com/
The Knowing Foundation:  http://www.knowingfoundation.org/
Rinchen Lhamo & All Those Far & Near with Kind Hearts

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Presided over by
H. H. Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
The 41st Sakya Trizin  &
H.H. Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche
The 42nd Sakya Trizin
http://sakyamonlamnorthamerica.org/

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H. H. Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche Birthday
 Celebration, Group Meditation & Long Life Prayers

Sunday, September 10th ~ 10:30 am – Noon

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CHOKHOR DUCHEN

Special Meditation & Recitations
Chokhor Duchen is one of four great holy days of the annual Tibetan Buddhist calendar, taking place this year on July 27th.  It commemorates the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching of the Dharma. Following His Enlightenment, the Buddha did not immediately teach. Then, Indra and Brahma offered a Conch Shell and Dharmachakra, entreating Him to please turn the Wheel of Dharma. Buddha Shakyamuni accepted and gave his first discourse on the Four Noble Truths at Sarnath.

Ongoing Success, Removal of Obstacles & Long Life
of H.H. Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
Venerable Geshe Sherab, Guest of Honor
Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11 a.m. 

The 42^nd Sakya Trizin Enthronement Ceremony
Sakya Magon Thubten Namgyal Ling
Puruwala, Himachal Pradesh, India

For Further Information:  http://sakyatrizinenthronement.org/
“Traditionally, the office of Sakya Trizin or “Sakya Throne-holder” is held for life. Succession usually occurs after the death of the previous Sakya Trizin, and candidates for succession are drawn from the Khön family line. In 2014, however, a new system, proposed by the former Sakya Trizin and agreed upon by both the Phodrangs—the two palaces of the Sakya school; Dolma Phodrang and Phuntsok Phodrang—was adopted, with the agreement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. In its revised form, the tenure of the Sakya Trizin lasts only three years, with the possibility that an office holder may take office more than once in his lifetime.”  (…Official website of H.H. Sakya Trizin)
https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/enthronement-of-the-42nd-sakya-trizin-his-holiness-ratna-vajra-rinpoche

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Full Moon Day of Miracles ~ Cho-trul Duchen

Sunday, March 12, 2017
This occurs on the full moon (the fifteenth day) of the first Tibetan month.
Starting with the New Moon at Losar, this time celebrates the fifteen days on which Buddha displayed a different miracle to increase the devotion of disciples. It is said that karmic effects are amplified ten million times.
Here is an Auspicious Prayer for you…May All Beings be Happy!
http://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/mipham/verses-eight-noble-auspicious-ones

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Ven. Khenpo Pema Wangdak

Visited Santa Fe & Gave Teachings from Dec 23-28, 2016

The Light of Dharma Lecture Series
Vajrayogini Tsog, The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, An Evening with the Local Tibetan Community, Meditation of Great Compassion, Enthusiasm, Lojong & Sojong ~ to Protect Life & Environment
Khenpo’s Photo:  ©Alejandro Mari Escalera

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Lhabab Duchen, Sunday, Nov 20th

During his 41st year, Buddha ascended to Tushita heaven to benefit his mother, Queen Mayadevi, who had died seven days after his birth, and had been reborn there.  To repay her kindness and to liberate her from samsara, he spent the rainy season retreat teaching her and other gods the Abhidharma.  After three months he descended on a triple staircase from the heavens.  Lhabab Duchen commemorates this descent from those heavenly realms. It is one of the four major Buddhist holidays of the annual calendar.

Meditation of Great Compassion at 2 pm
 H.E. Jetsun Kushok-la’s Long Life Prayer
Followed by Afternoon Tea

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Birthday Celebration of His Holiness Sakya Trizin

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Hoisting of Prayer Flags  *  Meditation for Peace
Long Life Prayers  *  Birthday Pot Luck

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Choekhor Duechen  ~  August 6, 2016

“Dhamekh Stupa”,  Sarnath, India
Honoring the Day when Buddha Shakyamuni
First Taught the Four Noble Truths

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Lama Choedak Rinpoche

Recent Teachings in Santa Fe
July 10-12, 2016
Healing Relationships:  Sunday, July 10
Hevajra:  Monday & Tuesday, July 11 – 12
Meditation & Study on the Highest Core of Teachings in the Sakya Lineage
Buddhism: From Ancient Wisdom to Mind Science: Monday, July 11
Insight of Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Symbolism: Tuesday, July 12

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Brief Biography:  Lama Choedak was born in Tibet and escaped to Nepal in the early 1960s. He has taught in many Buddhist centers worldwide and translated for some of the greatest living Buddhist masters. He completed a three-and-a-half-year retreat under H.E. Choegye Trichen’s guidance. Lama Choedak Rinpoche’s explanation of meditation and its everyday relevance is renowned for its lucidity, authenticity and humor. His teachings are offered from the heart, spiced with the richness of experience, dedication and realization. A post-graduate of Australian National University, he is the author of Lamdre: Dawn of Enlightenment, Healing Relationships, The Triple Tantra, A Textbook of Tibetan Language, The Clear Mirror and more.

Thank you for your first visit to Tsechen Namdrol Ling & Santa Fe, NM!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1419769631372765.1073741878.100000192262668&type=1&l=cdc637ac2a

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Saga Dawa Düchen

Saturday, May 21st, 2016

“Saga Dawa” is the Commemoration of Three Events in Buddha Shakyamuni’s Life: His Conception, Attainment of Enlightenment & Parinirvana. All took place on the full moon day of the fourth Tibetan lunar month, but in different years.

For Your Reading and Contemplation
Text on the Great Deeds of the Buddha
by Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen
http://www.tsechenkunchabling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Great-Deeds-of-the-Buddha-Booklet-KhenpoKalsang-Gyaltsen.pdf

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TSECHEN NAMDROL LING’S
TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, May 8th at 2 pm

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Happy Losar Year of the Male Fire Monkey 2143 Celebrate in Auspicious & Joyful Ways
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Tsechen Namdrol Ling is Pleased to Announce
We Have Received our 501(c)(3) Status as a Public Charity
Contributions, Bequests, Devises, Transfers or Gifts are Tax_Deductible

We Shall Begin Our Search for a Permanent Location for
Our Santa Fe Center to Grow and Flourish

Sakya Pandita (or Sapan) was the Fourth of the Five Founders of the Sakya Lineage. He was born in 1182 at Sakya, Tibet. As a child, he knew Sanskrit without being taught. As a teen, he recalled the teachings of the Abhidharmakosha from a previous life. Sakya Pandita was most excellent in debate and writing. He was the author or more than 100 texts, and was a prolific translator from Sanskrit.

He became known as a great scholar in Tibet, Mongolia, China and India and was proficient in the five great sciences of Buddhist philosophy, medicine, grammar, dialectics and sacred Sanskrit literature as well as the minor sciences of rhetoric, synonymies, poetry, dancing and astrology. His teaching legacy reached far and wide, and His perfected Wisdom is revered by all sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

“When I beheld thy flawless wisdom traversing the boundless ranges of knowledge like the thousand-rayed sun in the sky, my mind, filled with awe, sought a simile for it in the wisdom of Manjughosha himself, but then I realised the two to be truly nondual and failed aught to compare with thee.” … Je Tsongkhapa’s homage to Sakya Pandita

Please read more of His biography:
http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/tradition_founder4.html

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Ven. Khenpo Lama Pema Wangdak
November Teachings in Santa Fe

Khenpo Pema & Group at Tsechen Namdrol Ling

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Ven. Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche’s
Empowerments in Santa Fe

September 12th ~13th

Medicine Buddha (Tibetan: Sang-gye Men-la) Alleviates suffering, sickness, and injury. One of the most important practices for healing oneself and others. Holding a medicine bowl with its healing rays of energy to all beings, this blessing prolongs life and improves the opportunity to attain enlightenment.

White Mahakala (Tibetan: Gon-po Yi-Shin Nor-bu) This Wealth Deity is known as “The Wish-Fulfilling Tathagata Gem”.  The six-armed protector assists with all kinds of material and spiritual prosperity, bestows wealth, and liberates into a state of Buddhahood.

Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chen-re-zigs) The “Lord of the Snow Mountains”, Avalokiteshvara, made a vow to liberate suffering of all beings. Through this empowerment we enter into the meditation practice of Great Compassion with its sacred mantra from Tibet ~ “Om Mani Padme Hum”.

Red Tara (Tibetan: Drolma Marmo) One of the 21 Taras, the Mother of All Sentient Beings, whose wisdom is beyond form, sign or description. Red Tara is particularly beneficial for removing obstacles, increasing wealth and longevity. Her red color symbolizes the activities of magnetizing and power.

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Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche was born in Tibet in 1935. He is the son of Tsipon Shuguba, the last Treasurer of the Dalai Lama’s government in Lhasa. At the age of seven, he was recognized as the reincarnation of Sevan Repa, the heart disciple of the great Tibetan sage Milarepa. Rinpoche entered Ngor Monastery at age eight and was ordained at sixteen. At the time of his escape from Tibet in 1959, he was the Thartse Shabdrung (vice-abbot) of Ngor Monastery in the Sakya tradition. Lama Kunga came to America in 1962; and has been the resident teacher at Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center, Kensington CA since 1972. He has given extensive teachings in New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, Utah, Arkansas, Florida, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica. Rinpoche has authored two translations of Milarepa’s stories: Drinking the Mountain Stream & Miraculous Journey (with Brian Cutillo, Lotsawa); In The Presence of My Enemies: Memoirs of Tibetan Nobleman Tsipon Shuguba (with Melody Sumner Carnahan, Clear Light Publications, Santa Fe).

Lama Kunga & Group at Tibetan Association of Santa Fe
Photo: Tenzin Samjung

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Tsechen Namdrol Ling’s
One Year Anniversary

Tse-thar Animal Release & Incense Offering
with Prayers for the Earthquake Victims

Thursday, May 14th at 10 a.m

Ven. Geshe Sherab of Thupten Norbu Ling
Was Our Guest of Honor

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Happy Losar ལོ་གསར་ to You ~ Feb. 19

Obeisance to Our Lineage Lamas
Year of the Female Wood Sheep 2142

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Parting from the Four Attachments

A Buddhist Essence Teaching

Took place on Friday 31 Oct, 7 pm
TAOSF ~ 915 Hickox Street

When the great yogi, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, was only twelve years old he received the empowerment of Manjusri from Bari Lotsawa and undertook a six-month retreat. In his pure vision, he saw Arya Manjusri in the preaching mudra, seated on a jeweled throne with two attendants. In that very moment, he received a stream of insight-wisdom, as Manjusri bestowed this four-line teaching directly to him:
If you desire the worldly aims of this life, you are not a spiritual person;
If you desire further worldly existence, you do not have the spirit of renunciation;
If you desire liberation for your own sake, you do not have the enlightened attitude;
If you grasp at the view of ultimate reality, you don’t have the right view.
This four-line teaching includes the whole of the Mahayana path within it. The transmission of this teaching from teacher to disciple is unbroken till this day. It is similar to preliminary teachings from the other Tibetan Buddhist lineages; although the names may be different, the teaching is the same, incorporating the practices of the Path of the Transcendent Perfections.
(Excerpt from a teaching by HH Sakya Trizin, Melody of Dharma, Issue 13
Read: http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/pdfs/Melody_of_Dharma_13.pdf)

Khenpo also taught the “Seven Point Mind Training”
at KSK Stupa on Monday, Nov. 3rd

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His Holiness’ Recent Birthday Celebration on Sept 7th
We began with the hoisting of prayer flags followed by the Rigsum Gonpo meditation and Long Life Prayers.  Incense and khatas were offered,
then a birthday dinner and dedication took place that evening.

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Lama Jay Goldberg in Santa Fe, Aug 9 – 10, 2014

We offer our sincerest thanks to Lama Jay for the teachings he gave on “The Six Perfections” ~ giving, moral conduct, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom; he also explored what these six perfections mean and how to practice them. “The Sage’s Intent” & Rongton Sheja Kunrig were referenced;  “The Practice of the Three Bodhisattvas” ~ Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani embody wisdom, compassion and skillful means.  Through the perfect accomplishment of these three qualities we are able to benefit countless beings; and in the Meditation Practice of the “Rigsum Gonpo” the actual sadhana practice, explanation & questions/answers  were examined by those who had previously taken the empowerment.

About Lama Jay Goldberg

Also known as Ngawang Samten, Lama Jay Goldberg is a translator of “The Beautiful Ornament of the Three Visions”, “Mo, Tibetan Divination System”, “The Sage’s Intent”, “The Sutra of Recollecting the Three Jewels” (with commentary by Khenpo Appey) and many translations of sadhanas and rituals. He is a long-time Dharma practitioner who lived in India for 17 years, including 14 years as a monk in Rajpur as a disciple of His Holiness Sakya Trizin. H.E. Jetsun Kushok says of Jay Goldberg: “He is a longtime student of His Holiness Sakya Trizin and has been my personal translator. He is an excellent Sakyapa now practicing in daily life.” Lama Jay Goldberg is the practice director at Sakya Dechen Ling, HE Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding’s center in the Bay area.

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His Holiness Sakya Trizin:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tuesday, May 6, 2014

“Buddha Dharma in Daily Life”
was followed by a Refuge Ceremony

Taking Refuge is the first practice of Buddhism, and the foundation of all subsequent practice. It distinguishes Buddhists from non-Buddhists, but whether one practices Buddhist teachings or not is an individual choice. Transmission from the Teacher is particularly important in the Tibetan tradition. We need guidance for our practice. For receiving teachings, any qualified Guru is good, but there is a special one who can help you more than any other.
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The Initiation of the Three Bodhisattvas “Rigsum Gompo”

The Three Bodhisattvas: Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara & Vajrapani

His Holiness Sakya Trizin’s first visit to Santa Fe was a very auspicious occasion. He bestowed the “Rigsum Gompo” or combined Empowerment of the three principal Bodhisattvas: Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani. In this traditional ceremony, we were introduced to the energetic principles of Wisdom, Compassion and Power to be actively utilized to transform one’s daily life. The initiation was taken as a blessing or used for personal meditative practice, and is suitable both for beginners or those with experience. The effectiveness of these methods in developing one’s awareness cannot be overestimated. This was an extremely rare opportunity to receive an authentic, unbroken transmission of teachings from a great Master from the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who emanates from Buddha Amitabha. He made a vow to liberate the sufferings of beings in all realms to attain complete liberation. His hands hold a wish-granting gem, rosary and lotus. Known as the “Lord of the Snow Mountains”, the Potala is his residential paradise. The first and most widespread Buddhist mantra in Tibet is Avalokiteshvara’s six-syllable mantra of Great Compassion “Om Mani Padme Hum”. In China he is known as Kuan-yin, and in Japan as Kannon.

Manjushri is the Bodhisattva and living symbol of Knowledge; and the embodiment of Prajna or Transcendent Wisdom. With indispensable virtues on the Mahayana path of perfection, he is an emanation of the Buddha Vairochana. In his right hand is a blue flaming sword of Discriminating Knowledge; while his left carries the Prajnaparamita or book of the Perfection of Wisdom. Manjushri represents the realization of transcendent wisdom which cuts through ignorance and duality. Ri-wo Tse-nga or the Five Sacred Peaks are regarded as his secret residence (Wu-tai Shan).

Vajrapani is the holder of the Thunderbolt Scepter, the symbol of the Power of compassion. An emanation of the Buddha Aksobhya, Vajrapani is regarded as the Destroyer of Obstacles. With his right hand holding a golden-pronged Vajra, he accomplishes fierce determination and unrelenting effectiveness against negativity. As our ego-grasping is disintegrated, we gain power, strength and courage in times of adversity. Vajrapani is also venerated in the Shaolin and Pure Land traditions; and in Japan as the Dharma protector(s) known as Nio.

The Three Bodhisattvas offer insight into the true nature of reality, to realize the sublime qualities of Compassion, Wisdom and Power in ourselves and for others. _________________________________

Grand Appreciation Dinner
Thank You to H.H. Sakya Trizin!

Featured Traditional Tibetan Performances by
The Potala Tibetan Dance Troupe of Santa Fe

In the presence of His Holiness Sakya Trizin & Entourage we enjoyed a delicious dinner and lively entertainment in appreciation for His teachings & first visit to Santa Fe

His Holiness’ Visit to Santa Fe was Organized by Tsechen Namdrol Ling
Co-sponsored by the Vikramasila Foundation

Extra Special Thanks for All the Generous, Energetic Support to
The Tibetan Association of Santa Fe and great appreciation to
Our Noble Teachers & All who so graciously helped…

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