more on the 13 Golden Dharmas

August 26, 2010 by  
Filed under Completed Empowerments

The 13 Golden Dharmas were held closely by the Sakya Buddhist masters of Tibet for over 800 years.  These initiations empowering and training  students in the compassionate practices of the Bodhisattvas , encourage awareness, fearlessness, and caring.  Each “dharma” or empowerment is the entry into a meditation of the different esoteric aspects of wisdom, strength and compassion.  It is an extremely rare opportunity to receive these teachings that  were held in the highest esteem by the all  Buddhist lineages of Tibet and previously only given in the ancient temple at Sakya.  Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche is uniquely qualified having received these precious teachings from such masters as Lama Dampa Shenphen Nyingpo in Tibet.

Lama Kunga will present the meditation instructions directly in English in a manner that students can participate in the profound visualizations while the ritual goes on. This is a rare opportunity to receive this unbroken line of  instructions just as they were compiled  by Sachen Kunga Nyingpo from Indian masters  in the 12th century.

Lama Kunga, the Buddha and Tiger Woods

April 27, 2010 by  
Filed under EC Blog

Well,  the confluence of golfing and the Buddha has come another step closer.

Please find this article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703465204575208270307899864.html

And notice that our very own Rinpoche, though not the “high priest” they claim, is in the same set of print as the golfing great Tiger Woods.

Congratulations, Rinpoche-la!

NEW YEAR’S PRAYERS – DEC 31, 2009 & JAN 1, 2010!

December 21, 2009 by  
Filed under Special Events

Lama Kunga Rinpoche led New Year’s Prayers at Ewam Choden and Tharpa Choling this year.  The prayers went well, and we had a great time welcoming in the New Year with other Sangha members.

Medicine Buddha Practice – this Wed, Dec 2

November 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Completed Special Events

One of our dear members, Bill Stanton, has taken ill with ongoing complications with his back.

To help where we can, Lama Kunga Rinpoche will be hosting a Medicine Buddha practice
this Wed Dec 2, at 7pm.

Bill is a dedicated member of Ewam Choden for years, a past EC Board member and has been essential in our Treasure Vase production.

If you can’t make, the practice session, please keep Bill in your prayers and daily practices. And please email us if you want to be kept in the loop as to his care needs while he recovers.

21 TARAS EMPOWERMENTS were completed successfully!

Starting with the the Principal deity, Green Tara of the Sandalwood Forest,

21 Tara

21 Tara

the venerable Lama Kunga Rinpoche completed his week-long transmission of the rare Surya Gupta tradition of the 21 Taras.  A steadfast group attended all empowerments, while some others received the first and last ones.  After the completion by Lama Kunga Rinpoche, there was a unique musical presentation created by Anahata Iradah of Rinpoche’s recitation of the 22 Tara mantras (recorded in Hawaii)  counterpointed by her own melodious voice singing them to instrumental music.  Participants then enjoyed a tsok feast together.

LKR Birthday in the Park!

August 16, 2009 by  
Filed under EC Blog

Well we had the annual EC BDayBBQ for LKR on Aug 9, and it was a rousing success!

A fine day, not to hot and, even better, not too cold (for those who know these Bay Area summers….!) and many turned out to pay their respects to Rinpoche after his now-fading malady.

Rinpoche-la was in great spirits and health. It was also an opportunity for both Rinpoche and Ewam Choden to publically thank Ani Gendun for her absolutely essential service to Rinpoche during those recent hard times. Below, that’s her with Rinpoche!

lkr_bday2009

21 Taras Re-scheduled! NOTE!!!

July 16, 2009 by  
Filed under Completed Special Events

21 TaraLama Kunga Rinpoche is very happy that his recent health concerns have not upended his desire to transmit the entire sequence of the 21 Tara empowerments. This is such a unique opportunity. After transmitting this to a group of students in Hawaii last year, Rinpoche is excited to offer this series for the first time in the Bay Area, at Ewam Choden.

Though, given his recent events, he has rescheduled the event to Oct 1-7. Please CLICK HERE for more info.

Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche

July 16, 2009 by  
Filed under Featured

 HERE for more info about Rinpoche’s background

Offerings to Lama Kunga

July 16, 2009 by  
Filed under EC Blog

Rinpoche-la  is so very deeply touched by all of the well wishes and prayers, and welcomes the continuing offerings as he heals. And for those person who wish to do more via an offering, though not necessary, in lieu of cards, flowers or gifts, Rinpoche-la asks that donations be made to his most current passion, Tharpa Choling Retreat Center.

Checks should be made payable to Ewam Choden, with a note referencing the intention of donation to the retreat center. Established in June 2008, Tharpa Choling is not an independent entity, rather the newest component to Ewam Choden. Please check back often as to its progress! As soon as he can, Rinpoche will be back up to Tharpa Choling for healing and overseeing the completion of the new Shrine Room, yet another gift from him to us all!
CLICK Here to be forwarded to the Retreat Center section.

Lama Kunga Rinpoche’s Status

July 16, 2009 by  
Filed under LAMA KUNGA RINPOCHE UPDATES

It is July 16, four days since Rinpoche was admitted for stomach ulcer, and the day after his release!

We will endeavor to post updates on his increasing strength here on the website. Check back often, and we ask for a ittle patience  -we are new with this blogging thing!! You can add you comments to this Posting by Clicking on its specific Comment icon immediately to the right of the Post’s title. (it looks like a cartoon voice bubble!)

I will start the post by including a recent email to EC membership, from our Treasurer and dear friend to Rinpoche, Robin Tickner.

Also, Medicine Buddha is one of several sadhanas that we have on the website for download. CLICK HERE and a separate window will open with that page.

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Dear Friends:

Thank for all for your prayers for our precious Lama Kunga.  I am pleased to report that he is much better and may be allowed to go home today, but tomorrow for sure.

I was at the hospital this morning when the GI doctor came in.  He confirmed that the stomach ulcer was small and should heal without further risk now that the blood thinning medication has been stopped.  He did take a biopsy of the ulcer yesterday.  The test result will take 7-10 days.  They are looking for evidence of the bacterium called h – phylori, which is known to cause stomach ulcers.  This would be a good finding because it can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

Even though Rinpoche has passed this crisis, he still has serious health issues which will need careful management, including diabetes and an irregular heartbeat.  The blood thinning medication was used to prevent the formation of blood clots, a common side effect of an irregular heart beat.  A blood clot which gets loose and travels to the heart muscle or to the brain can cause a life threatening event, such as a heart attack or a stroke.  Rinpoche’s doctors have taken him off this drug for 6-8 weeks while the ulcer heals.  They will then evaluate what medication (if any) to start.  So please continue to keep Rinpoche in your prayers.

Once Rinpoche gets home, he will need to have lots of rest and time to recover.  We will be setting up a visiting schedule so he can still see visitors but not become overtired or over stressed.  I know you will all want to cooperate in allowing him uninterrupted periods of rest.

Several of you have asked what you can do for Rinpoche at this time.  The best thing is to continue your prayers.  If you feel you would like to do something special, Rinpoche would appreciate a contribution towards the support of the retreat center, Tharpa Cho Ling, which is so close to his heart.  Some of you have already done this, or made a pledge and we are most grateful.  Thank you very much.

Also many of you know that Rinpoche’s birthday is July 25.  At this time we do not know if we will be going ahead with plans for a party. It be just too much right now. I will try and keep you all posted when I know more.  Birthday cards are welcome, but Rinpoche would prefer contributions for Tharpa Cho Ling in lieu of presents.  Again, thank you.

Personally, this has been a real whack on the side of the head for me.   It scared me half to death thinking how close we came to losing him.   They had to give him 4 pints of plasma and 2 pints of whole blood before the bleeding stopped.   Terrifying. It made me realize how important this precious human life is, both Rinpoche’s and my own, and that I should not take this opportunity to practice Dharma for granted.   Whack!

Thankfully our precious teacher is still with us,  and we with him.  I know all the prayers for him were seriously beneficial.  I’m proud to be part of this sangha, this amazing group of students and friends dedicated to Rinpoche’s health and happiness, and to his life’s work serving the Dharma.  May we all be blessed to remain here with him for many years to come.

Love to you all,

Robin

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