Conditions of Stay 
Events 
"Buddhism is a way of life through which we develop the qualities of our mind.
This way of life is very unusual, as it is a means to attain happiness without harming others.
THE 17th GYALWA KARMAPA
When I discuss precise points of the Buddha's doctrine with Jigme Rinpoche or with passing scholars and we have to go into detail, there often comes a moment when this sentence—almost definitive—is pronounced: “In order to be sure, we have to ask Khenpo Chodrak Rinpoche.”
Read more: The Summer Course : Twenty-Five Years and Buddhahood
Lama Puntso begins another voyage: fifteen days in Kalimpong at the shedra (Buddhist University) of Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, for the celebrations of the third anniversary of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche's parinirvana. We invite you to read his travel log, which he adds to regularly throughout his journey. A tale thousands of miles from Dhagpo, yet still close; the wealth of exchanges and connections that unite the practitioners from all horizons of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Are there really differences? Enjoy reading along on his blog!
Read more: Travel Log—Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Preparation - Karmapa Thaye Dorje is supposed to arrive today at 5 pm. This morning at breakfast, they announce that his arrival is delayed until tomorrow. However, benefactors, visitors, and still more monks arrive all throughout the day. Preparations intensify: tents go up (bamboo structure and fabric walls), tormas accumulate, every corner gets cleaned.
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Sangha(s) - Life at the shedra is the life of a monastic university. The monks can come here starting at fifteen years old to follow a twelve-year long curriculum. After which they can become teachers here at the shedra or elsewhere. Therefore this place is a precious resource for the West as well, as some graduates already teach in Europe and the US.
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
The Arrival - There is surprisingly little to tell (either that or truly a lot). Thaye Dorje arrived around 8:15 pm.
Starting at 7:30, twenty drums, four incense-holders, gyalings, various victory banners, and other ornaments, parasols, and a plethora of monks and laypeople offering katas stand in rows from the entry to the shedra until the rows peter out, that is to say, several hundred meters further down the road in the darkness and beneath a rain of blessing.
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
In Between Times (Stories) - Today is a kind of limbo (another bardo!): we are in between Karmapa's arrival yesterday and the beginning of the ceremonies tomorrow. Obviously, the final preparations are becoming clearer: the temple was re-organized, a tent (metal and not bamboo structure; plastic and not fabric walls) went up, the flowers arrived, etc. Nonetheless, the gentle pressure one could feel yesterday has dissipated.
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Sand Mandala - I cross paths with Nendo Rinpoche. He is one of the only holders of the knowledge of our lineage's rituals. We have already met at Dhagpo and at Bodhgaya. A short dialogue (...)
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Times and Recognition - Sunday, June 4th, preparatory rituals continue. The sand mandala is not finished and the mandala makers are busy while we perform the ritual, finishing at the end of the morning. Just about three hours of puja (for those who are familiar with it: we practiced the dakyé – visualization of oneself – and a tsok – a festive offering – of Gyalwa Gyamtso).
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Considerations on drupcho (and its gastronomy) - A drupcho is a compassionate mechanism, an awakening process that dissipates obscuration and generates blessings. What is a drupcho? It is an intensive practice of a specific meditation deity over several days and in a group, in our case, Gyalwa Gyamtso, red Chenrezig.
Read more: # 8: Considerations on drupcho (and its gastronomy)
Commemorating Shamarpa's Parinirvana with Karmapa in Kalimpong
Weariness to fundamental thoughts - Today the Gyalwa Karmapa did not lead the drupcho. He came at the very beginning, walked around the mandala then went away. Just the same, everything went as if he was there. A little more intense and a little longer each day (the first day, we began at 8:00 then at 7:00, then 6:30 with the end of the day remaining at about 7:00 p.m.).
