Shangpa Rinpoche's visit to the USA and Canada
July - August 2008
Shangpa Rinpoche is currently visiting the USA and Canada during July and August 2008 to conduct a number of Dharma activities.
Glimpses of Shangpa Rinpoche's Trip
Shangpa Rinpoche will try to pass us short notes via email, giving us small glimpses into his activites and how they are progressing. We will post them as we receive them.
Note from 10 July 2008
"Today afternoon, Los Angeles time 5:40pm (9th July), the Singapore airline touched down on the ground and reached Los Angeles very safely. The flight was very smooth, thanks to Singapore Airlines.
At the airport, my old Dharma friend Cebele and her husband were waiting for me. Tomorrow, we will drive to Santa Barbara, and the next day start teaching there as scheduled."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
Note from 13 July 2008
"I am now at Santa Barbara, and the teachings on the 37 Bodhisattva practice starts today at the Bodhipath Centre here.
I have a very nice stay here, and today the first session start at 10 am, and next session is from 2.30pm to 5pm. People here are very attentive, and I really enjoy talking with them. Tomorrow will be same schedule as today, and it will complete the 37 practices of Bodhisattva."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
Note from 16 July 2008
"Last night I gave talk at the Bodhipath Centre in Pasadena, California on basic Buddhist practice. This was in is accordance with the Gyalse Thogme's 37 Bodhisattva practice, and was a brief overview.
What I found is that people are once again very attentive and I can really see the joy of them listening to the dharma."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
Note from 18 July 2008
"Today I reached San Luis Obispo in the afternoon and visted the Bodhipath centre which is very nice and peaceful. I have free time to visit some very beautiful country side.
I found that the landscape is somehow a little bit like some parts of Tibet. It is very dry and the grass are yellow, but somehow very peaceful. The people whom I met are all nice and friendly.
The first 2 photos (below) are taken at Los Angeles Griffith Observatory and the second is a panoramoc view of Los Angeles City. 3rd photo was taken in Huntington Garden where I am sitting on the grass land."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
Note from 20 July 2008
"Today I start my teaching programme at San Luis Obispo. We started with two sessions with detailed explanations on the 37 Bodhisattva practice. It seems most of the members here have been in the dharma for a long time, so they do have a good basic knowledge of the dharma and they are also doing practice well.
Tomorrow is Sunday and I will complete the whole explanation of 37 Bodhisattva practice. Some of the members wish to take Refuge thereafter.
Monday morning I will be going by car to Menlo Park and staying there for a week, and giving teachings."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
Note from 22 July 2008
"Today 21st July I reached Menlo Park, California at 1.00pm and Lama Jampa is here to receive me. He is as usual very joyful and I had a wonderful time spending the whole day with him. Lama Jampa is appointed as resident Lama for Menlo Park by HH Shamar Rinpoche. He is very knowledgeable yet very humble and leads a very simple life that I like most. A long time ago he stayed at our monastery Jangchub Choeling for more than year, so I know him well.
I had a nice time here. Some Tibetan people are also contacted me and invited me to their homes. These few days I have some free time so I will be visiting them.
Tomorrow 22nd I will be visiting the mother of Ani Rigzin for blessing and then going to Karma Tsewang Tenzin's house to stay overnight. My disciple previously from Pokhara has settled there. My teaching programme will start on Saturday and end on Sunday. The centre there request 37 Bodhisattva practice as well as 1000 arm 1000 eye Avalokiteshvara initiation with Nyungne explanation. They have already conducted a Nyungne retreat previously, which was led by Lama Jampa. They wish to do more such retreats so they requested for initiation and teachings.
The photo below shows Lama Jampa, together with Mr. Karma Tsewang Tenzin who is my old disciple, and who has now settled in California. The photo was taken in Karma Tsewang Tenzin's house during my visit there."
Shangpa Rinpoche.
The photo below was taken today after the finish of the Avalokiteshvara initiation, showing the group of people who attended the empowerment.
Shangpa Rinpoche
Note from 28 July 2008
"I've now finished my programme at Menlo Park and am now at Portland airport, heading for Eugene, Oregon. My stay at Menlo Park was very pleasant. Lama Jampa and all the members are so nice and I really feel like I'm at a home away from home. The teaching programme goes very well and every one listened to the Dharma with great respect. On the last day I was pleased to give the Avalokiteshvara Initiation to all.
Whilst here I met up with many of my old disciples and friends from Nepal and Singapore, which I feel very happy to see them here. I met Albert Loh, Suki with her brother, who are originally from Singapore, and also Karma Tsewang Tenzin's whole family, Koncho Tenzin with her relatives, Karma Tsewang (Lama Tenrab's nephew), Tselha and her whole family, Teslha's sister Yeshe Chodon and sister, Yarphel family are originally from Pokhara and then Ani Rigzin with family. So much joy of seeing them and they too feel happy."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Note from 01 August 2008
"Tonight I reached Boston and it was long journey by air as I departed from Eugene, Oregon and changed flight at Salt Lake City. From there to Boston took more than 5 hours. Neeraj and Jay were waiting at the Airport for me. We reached Hampton Inn at 12:20 midnight.
Tomorrow I am leaving for Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. I will be giving teachings there for two days."
Further note from 01 August 2008
"Today I reached Martha's Vineyard. It is a very beautiful island which you need to take a ferry to for an hour. The centre consists of two wooden houses - one is a residence for Rinpoche and the other is a hall for Dharma teaching.
My schedule for teaching will be two sessions per day for both Saturday and Sunday.
On the 4th August I will be travelling to New York."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Note from 02 August 2008
"Eugene is a very beautiful small town and everywhere you see greenery and pleasant landscapes. Many types of fruits and vegetable grow here. I really enjoyed the blueberry there. People are very nice and friendly and I've really enjoyed being with them.
My teaching here is only two sessions. I have had to rush a little bit due to not enough time. However, this was fine because as the students were happy to receive simple explanations and transmission."
The photo below is a group photo of the Eugene dharma brothers and sisters, just after the completion of my teachings there.
Shangpa Rinpoche
Note from 08 August 2008
"I am now at Natural Bridge, Virginia Bodhipath Centre and it is very beautiful place and big area. I have a great time here.
Earlier I was at New York, and stayed at Elise Frigs house. On that night I gave a short talk to the members and then went to Yangzom's house to meet some of my Tibetan Disciples and friends who were originally from Pokhara. All are very happy although it was short time together. It was really a great moment to exchange greetings and chat.
I also met my relative, my cousin Dolkar and her son there and they all are very happy as we did not expect meet with my being here such a short time.
At Washington DC, some of members of Bodhipath see me and the next day we visited the US Capital. Whilst there I met Karma Gyaltsen who is my old friend.
Now I am very happy to confirm that on 20th August I will be flying to Toronto, Canada from Minnesota (having sorted out visas) and on 29th August flying to Los Angeles."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Images from 09 August 2008
11 August 2008 - Thank you to Rinpoche from Menlo Park
"Dearest Shangpa Rinpoche,
Hope you are enjoying every point of the journey.
Your precious teaching has brought further insight and joy towards our view in life. We believe everyone will attempt their best efforts to retain the teaching and apply the practice on a daily basis. As it was taught, we will make continuous efforts to utilize the vessels that we are blessed with by Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha and help all sentient beings from the ocean of Samsara as well as ourselves.
The teaching and ceremony of Thousand Arm Chenrezig was very very enlightening and blissful. We felt so much joy and happiness from everyone that has participated.
We really hope to see you soon in the near future and receive more Dharma teaching from you.
The entire Menlo Center want to thank you for the wonderful teaching and ceremony you have provided us over the weekend. If there was any unpleasant hospitality and scheduling, we sincerely apologize from our end.
Please have a wonderful trip in the US and a safe journey back home.
Warm regards,"
Menlo Park Bodhi Path
Note from 14 August 2008
"Today I reached Chicago having flown from Washington airport. Chicago seems to be a very big and beautiful city with a lake that at first I thought was the sea!
My stay in Virginia was very pleasant with lots of sightseeing. Teaching at Virginia also has very good attendance. I felt the students there are somehow very serious toward learning Dharma, and intend to apply the teachings right away.
So many nice people were there, such as Jay, Carol and Terry who were always being so caring and responsible towards centre, as well as to me when I was there."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Images from 14 August 2008
Note from 18 August 2008
"I am now at Medison and visit my Nephew and staying overnight at his family house. Our Pokhara Tibetan community came to see me and they express great happiness in seeing me here. Below is the photo of Pokhara Tibetan people we took.
Before this my Chicago teaching program goes very well . I feel that Bodhipath members are very dedicated to the Dharma and also many Diamondway members came to listen to the teachings. I really enjoyed this very much, and especially staying at Mathew's house as he is such a nice person. I'm afraid that I did not manage to take photos at the Chicago teachings so can't put any up here."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Note from 26 August 2008
"Currently I am in Canada with my nephew Paljor and niece Nyima. I am having a good time as there are so many places to visit and also meeting with many Pokhara camp people. We had a grand party with Pokhara Tibetan people and visited Niagara Falls. I am now at some of the Pokhara peoples house for blessing and there are many more to go. Right now i am at Gyurme's house and writing this email.
On 29th August I will be flying to Los Angeles and there will be two days Dharma programme at Buena Park, Los Angeles, with teachings on Milarepa.
I will be flying back to Singapore on 1st September."
Shangpa Rinpoche
Short note from 30 August 2008
"I am now at Los Angeles and from tomorrow onwards I will lead two days of Dharma programme on Milarepa. The link for the Buena Park Los Angeles Bodhipath Centre is: Buena Park Los Angeles Bodhipath Centre.
I will be leaving to go back to Singapore on the 1st and arriving in Singapore on 3rd September
With best wishes,"
Shangpa Rinpoche
Images from 02 September 2008
Final Images uploaded 27 / 28 September 2008
Schedule for Shangpa Rinpoche's Trip
We have updated the details of his upcoming schedule of teachings and visits below, as there have been a number of changes since we first posted this.
Shangpa Rinpoche has let us know that the primary subject matter of his teachings throughout this tour will be based on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. The teachings will largely be at Bodhipath centres, at whose request Rinpoche is making this trip.
You'll find links to the respective Bodhipath centres within the schedule table below. (Details of Rinpoche's visit to a particular centre may or may not be available there at this time).
| Date | Program |
|---|---|
| July 9 | Fly into LAX (Los Angeles) on Singapore Airlines |
| July 10-14 | Santa Barbara, California |
| July 15-16 | Pasadena, California |
| July 17-21 | San Luis Obispo, California |
| July 21-25 | Private time |
| July 26-27 | Menlo Park, California |
| July 28-31 | Eugene, Oregon |
| July 31 - August 4 | Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts |
| August 4-5 | NYC side visit, (August 4 teaching) |
| August 6-7 | Washington DC side visit, no teachings planned |
| August 8-13 | Natural Bridge, Virginia |
| August 13-17 | Chicago, Illinois |
| August 18 - September 1 | Private time |
Email : Shangpa Rinpoche
Home | About Rinpoche | Rinpoche's Projects | Teachings | Devotees | Media | Events | Latest News
v3 site design © june 2004, oct 2003, dec 2000 karmadungyu