2010 Los Angeles Visit

The Los Angeles series of empowerments were well attended and well received. Over a period of three days, Rinpoche bestowed the Black Dzambhala, White Tara, and Guru Rinpoche Rigdzin Dupa'i empowerments, prefaced by an extensive jin sek and Mahakala Puja, and followed by a profound Ganachakra Puja.

We were fortunate to enjoy the warm hospitality and superb translation skills of Khenpo Sonam, seen in the above photo with Rinpoche. Khenpo Sonam's L'hundrup Choling membership was represented by David Scharff, from the Annenberg Foundation, seen in the photo below. David is one of the heart students of the late Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa.

After Los Angeles, it was off to the quiet solitude of the High Desert, where Rinpoche was in residence for three nights. During his stay, Rinpoche, assisted by Lama Lodrue and Sandy Pai, performed a thorough and complete riwo sangcho, lasting most of one day.

During all the events in Los Angeles and the High Desert, Rinpoche was well served by the Bay Area's Lama Lodrue, who worked extremely hard at every turn.

Following the sang, there was a relaxing luncheon at a nearby restaurant, followed by a live release of numerous birds. Upon his return, Rinpoche conducted divinations necessary to site and bury two treasure vases: one from Palyul Monastery in Tibet, and the other from the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

The next day, everyone climbed a local rock promontory to string prayer flags, bless the surrounding lands, and perform other auspicious acts.

After climbing, in the hills, and visiting Native American archaeological sites on the property, everyone took rest. The following morning, Rinpoche performed a concluding sang for the local deities, and then left for the airport, and San Francisco.

Unusual rainbows of the above type were observed and photographed by everyone present.  Also, everyone was astonished to witness the extremely rare Kern arc type rainbow, which has only been photographed once before in history! These appeared on the morning of the second day, following the extensive sang and vase burials. Rinpoche also reported numerous auspicious signs of a secret nature. These events inspired Rinpoche to compose a benediction for the lands, giving the place its dharma name: Samye Haspori.

A free translation of the above, prepared with the help of Khenpo Sonam, and recalling Rinpoche's own translation of what he wished to say, is as follows:

I, Tulku Ugyen Gyurme Wangyal, counted as one amongst the incarnations of the glorious Drogmi Palgyi Yeshe, am extremely happy to arrive in the land [I have named] Haspori, in America, for the first time, and to witness the natural occurrence of auspicious interdependent circumstances even though not intentionally arranged.
For example; the three types of people [I have with me here]: Chinese, Tibetan, and American, symbolize the three kinds of kinds of followers to be tamed. The five [who are with me here] symbolize the first five retinues of Buddha Shakyamuni; or the five excellent beings who received the Tantric teachings. Also in the secret dimension it symbolizes the retinues of five Buddha family. 
In brief, the outer and inner auspicious interdependent circumstances have appeared perfectly. Therefore, on this 10th day of the 12th Tibetan lunar month I write this with auspicious prayers for the teachings of the Buddha to flourish and for the happiness of all beings.

Throughout the entire visit, many favorable signs were witnessed, and many people reported having auspicious dreams and visions.

Rinpoche was extremely generous with everyone, bestowing numbers of pictures, blessing cords, amulets, flags, and so forth. Those who were meeting him for the first time were extremely impressed by his great patience and kindness.

Everyone in Southern California sincerely wishes that Rinpoche will come again, and stay for a long time.