Tulku Tenzin Norbu Rinpoche

Tenzin Norbu Rinpoche has completed a comprehensive program of Dharma studies. From 2009 until2013 he received numerous empowerments and teachings from H.E. Nubpa Rinpoche. Under Nubpa Rinpoche’s guidance he also successfully completed a three year retreat in Lapchi. In addition, he received the Gongchig Instructions (the essence of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön’s philosophy) from the revered Khenchen Rinpoche as well as instructions on Tegchen Tenpai Ningpo (The Essence of Mahayana Teachings) and on Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön’s Zab Chö Kha Bum (Jigten Sumgön’s collected Teachings on the profound Dharma).

Following the conclusion of his three year retreat, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche asked him to come to Germany and live in the Milarepa Center. Here, Rinpoche will learn German, get to know the European Sangha and give teachings in the Centers.
Tenzin Norbu Rinpoche agreed and has been living in the Milarepa Center since December 2014. 

It is his deeply felt desire to have us take part of his extensive experience and support us to the best of his ability in all matters relating to the Dharma. Rinpoche is happy to invite one to a cup of chai, which makes speaking about personal questions concerning Dharma practice easier. It gives Rinpoche great joy to clear up problems that may arise in our practice.

One of the questions that are often asked is: How can I best prepare for the coming Three Year Retreat? Here, Rinpoche can suggest a wide spectrum of options that can be integrated into one’s specific life planning.

Rinpoche gives teachings regularly on Friday evenings from 19:00 – 20:30 and afterwards practices Calm Abiding (Shamata) with us. He emphasizes over and over again that genuine practice cannot develop without stability in Calm Abiding, since the mind habitually pursues distractions if it is left unchecked. But if a certain degree of stability in Calm Abiding has been stablished, practice develops unstoppably.

It is an extraordinary situation to have such an outstanding teacher and practitioner here with us; we should make use of the opportunity!

Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen’s Projects

It has long been Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen’s particular concern, to make the Heart Essence of Mahāyāna Teachings (theg chen pa'i bstan snying po) known in the West. The Heart Essence of Mahāyāna Teachings ranks among the most important texts of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. It contains essential teachings of the lineage founder Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön (1143-1217) and was written by his personal student Ngorje Repa. The Heart Essence is a comprehensive fundamental work. Starting from the treatment of the topic of Buddha Nature it outlines the entire buddhist path as gradual path to enlightenment that concludes with an explanation of the Fivefold Path of Mahāmudrā, one of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage’s own practice. Aside from the Gongchig (The Single Intent), the most important philosophical legacy of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön, Khenchen Rinpoche teaches with passion and with great enthusiasm the Heart Essence of Mahāyāna Teachings. It is his heartfelt wish that this important and comprehensive text will be made available in translations in three volumes. In order to promote this project, he works at the Milarepa Retreat Center closely with translators. The German translation of the first part of the Heart Essence is completed and will be published in the near future. Currently work is being done on the English translation of the first and the German translation of the second part.

Khenchen Rinpoche is a wonderful author and translator who has translated for many years important Dharma texts and has written profound commentaries on them, to allow his students and those seriously interested in the Dharma, to come into contact with authentic Dharma knowledge. Rinpoche has published twelve books. These books are all available in English. In his latest book, Opening the Treasure of the Profound, Khenchen Rinpoche presents songs of realization by Jigten Sumgon and Milarepa.

A list of the highly reccomended books by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche:

Pearl Rosary: The Path of Purification. Vajra Publications, Gainesville, 2007

The Garland of Mahamudra Practices. Snow Lion, Ithaca, 2002

In Search of the Stainless Ambrosia. Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1988

The Great Kagyu Masters: The Golden Lineage Treasury. Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1991

The Jewel Treasury of Advice: A Hundred Teachings from the Heart. Vajra Publications, Frederick, 2001

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings. Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1992

Calling to the Lama from Afar: Verses of Supplication and Praise to Lord Jigten Sumgön. Vajra Publications, Gainesville

A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path. Snow Lion, Ithaca, 2010

Wheel of Wisdom: Three Teaching Poems and a Guru Yoga Practice. Vajra Publications, Gainesville, 2012

Prayers Flags. The Life and Spiritual Teachings of Jigten Sumgön. Snow Lion, Ithaca,1986

Transformation of Suffering: A Handbook for Practitioners. Vajra Publications, Gainesville

Opening the Treasure of the Profound: Teachings on the Songs of Jigten Sumgön and Milarepa. Snow Lion, Boston & London, 2013

Announcement of H.H.Drikung Kyabgon Thinle Lhundup 2017

ON THE OCCASION OF THE JEWEL GARLAND OF FIFTY DEITIES – A COLLECTION OF ESSENTIAL EMPOWERMENTS FROM THE NEW TANTRAS H.H.DRIKUNG KYABGON THINLE LHUNDUP MADE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT

On the auspicious occasion of the 800th anniversary of the entry of Lord Jigten Sumgön into Parinirvana, I would like to announce that the Milarepa Retreat Center in Schneverdingen, Hamburg, Germany, will be the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage in Europe. I pray that this Center will continually serve the Dharma and sponsor activities and programs for the Drikung Kagyue Lineage and for the world religions at large.

May peace and harmony flourish around the world and may all sentient beings have peace and harmony as well.

Drikung Kyabgon Thinle Lhundup
The Head of the Drikung Kagyue Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

Hevjara and Nairatmya

His Holiness officially declared that the Milarepa Retreat Center in Germany will be the location where the Drubchen and all Mar-Ngok Hevajra Tantra teachings will be practiced as a "Specialty" here. His Holiness has accordingly created a program in which each year there will be alternately a Hevajra and a Nairatmya Drubchen from the Hevajra Mandala.

Drubpön Rachel Dodds
(Yeshe Zangmo)

Drubpön Rachel Dodds has completed a Traditional Three Year Retreat in the Drikung Kagyu Tradition from 2004 to 2008 in Almora India under the auspices of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, under the guidance of Drubpön Champa Rigzin Rinpoche. Drubpön Rachel Dodds has officially received the title „ Drubpön“ ( Meditation-Master) by H.H. The Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup.

Since 2010 Drubpön Rachel has been living in Italy and teaching and leading retreats in various Drikung Centers in Germany, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland and Russia as well as teaching Buddhist Philosophy and Meditation Classes in Italy and Switzerland.

She began 2016 her position as the „Drubpön“( Meditation-Master) at the Milarepa Retreat Center. She travels there regularly to lead teachings and group retreats and support practitioners in long term solitary retreats. Under her guidance the second traditonal Three-Year Retreat with a group of six international disciples began in 2018, where she leads them through the 5 Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa.

Authority Letter of His Holiness The Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup

Letter of Introduction from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche

To Whom it may concern,

Rachel Dodds (Yeshe Zangmo) has been my disciple since 1999.
From then until 2004 she attended most of the summer retreats in Chino Valley, Arizona learning Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices. She lived and worked as a volunteer at the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Arizona, engaging in daily practice and completing the 100-day solitary retreat on the four contemplations in 2002.

From 2003 to 2004 she was instrumental in initiating and organizing the first three year, three month group retreat including westerners in the Drikung Kagyu tradition, which took place in Almora India from 2004 to 2008 under the auspices of HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. The retreat was lead by Drupon Champa Rigzin Rinpoche and was conducted in the traditional monastic style and done together with Drikung Kagyu monks from various regions of the Himalayas. During the retreat she practiced in full The Five Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa, complete with elaborate fire pujas and training in all aspects of ritual.

From 2008 to 2009 Rachel continued her study of ritual including sand mandala and torma sculpture and deepening her knowledge of various aspects of the three year retreat practices. Living at Songtsen Library in Dehradun, India - the seat of the Drukung Kagyu in exile- she was able to assist Kyabgon Chestang Rinpoche with various duties, as well as continue her study of classical and colloquial Tibetan language.

I am very pleased with the progress that Rachel has made in her practice and studies and fully support her as a teacher of Buddhadharma. I have faith in the qualities of Rachel’s outer trainings and inner practice, including her view and meditation. Because of these qualities and her true wish from the bottom of her heart to benefit sentient beings, I have been authorized by Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche to give her the title of Drupon or Retreat Master.

Konchog Gyaltsen [a.k.a. Kyabje Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche]
February 16th 2010

Drubpon Ingrid

Since 2005 Drubpon Ingrid Lama has been taking care of retreatants in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage for short term retreats as well as Three Years Retreats. According to the wishes of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche she has been accompanying people in retreats from all over the world in retreat centres in Almora (India), Kathmandu and Schneverdingen.
Her personal meditation experience is mainly based on the practice of the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. In her attempt to be an optimal support for retreatants she has broadened her education with psychological counselling and biographical writing.
In her activities Drubpon Ingrid focusses on the support of practitioners in their (self-) awareness and the integration of their deeper experiences in everyday life.

Currently Drubpon Ingrid is available in the Milarepa Retreatcenter for the guidance and support of personal retreats and counselling as well as guiding short term group retreats and workshops.

Through many years of practicing Achi Chosky Dolma, Ingrid Lama feels a strong devotion and connection to this protectress. With the wish that more practitioner deepen their connection to this powerful Dakini, she offers regularly short term retreats with that focus.

Meditation and buddhist philosophy have become widely popular in the western world and the interest in these subjects have increased. To meet this interest Drubpon Ingrid offers a workshop for beginners at the Milarepa Center, where she informs about buddhist philosophy, practices different meditation techniques with the participants and answers their many questions.

Karl Brunnhölzl

Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl worked for 20 years as a physician and is a Buddhist since 1983.

From 1988–1998, he received his training in Buddhist philosophy and meditation as well as Tibetan language mainly at Marpa Institute For Translators in Kathmandu, Nepal (director: Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche). He also studied Tibetology, Buddhology, and Sanskrit at Hamburg University, Germany (1988–1990 and 2001–2005). Since 1989, Karl served as a translator, interpreter, and Buddhist teacher mainly in Europe, India, and Nepal. Since 1999, he has acted as one of the main translators and teachers at Nitartha Institute (director: Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche) in the USA, Canada, and Germany. From 2000–2007, he also taught regularly at the Vidyadhara Institute in Gampo Abbey (Canada).

In 2005, Karl was appointed by Dzogche Ponlop Rinpoche as one of five Western teachers of the Nalandabodhi sangha and received the title “Mitra” (“spiritual friend”). He also teaches weekend seminars and Nitartha Institute courses in Nalandabodhi centers in the USA, Canada, and Mexico as well as other locations.

Karl is the (co-)author and translator of more than twenty books on Buddhism in English and German, such as The Heart Attack Sutra (Snow Lion Publications), A Lullaby to Awaken the Heart, and Sounds of Innate Freedom (Wisdom Publications).

Karl is at home in all aspects of Buddhism, but his main interests are Mahamudra, the teachings on buddha nature, songs of realization (dohās), and Yogācāra. In particular, he is dedicated to the works of the Karmapas and other major Kagyü masters in order to make their timeless and authentic teachings available to many contemporary audiences through study and practice.

THE ENVIROMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF THE MILAREPA RETREAT CENTER

• Ecological reed sewage treatment plant
• A composting plant, which is maintained all year round
• Provide the forest with deadwood so that fungi and insects can flourish
• Year-round food supply for birds – (20 nesting boxes have been set up)
• When the barn is finished, it will have an owl hole in the gable with a nesting box behind it
• The meadows is left un-mown until the dandelions have finished flowering (bee meadow)
• A bumblebee box has been set up
• Rain gutters have been opened to return the rainwater to nature
  Rain barrels are being set up at the barn to water the meadow orchard (also a green project)
  Maintaining the new afforestation, which is completely based on biodiversity rules (in the front area with hawthorn, dogwood, wild rose with its rose hips, etc.)
• No use of toxins
• Food 70% organic (will be increased)
• Cooperation with an organic health food suppliers, which supports local farmers
• Food leftovers are collected and brought to the biogas plant; food remains are collected in the composter
• The lighting in the outdoor area is completely made up of LED lights, which do not shine into the distance, so that no insects are drawn in from far away and die

  → Video "We welcome you to a short tour, introducing some of the environmental activities"

IDEAS FROM THE SANGHA:

Planned: Litter Clean-Up Campaign

Doing little things can make a big difference!

Why?
- This activity is simple to do, easily workable and can be done at any time
- Each and every one of us can help
- For the benefit of all sentient beings (protecting animals, water and nature)
- Every bending down is an act of devotion to the earth
  (We live on sacred ground)
- When we cleanse the earth, we cleanse ourselves
  (All things are interconnected)
- This activity raises awareness about both the waste we ourselves produce every day and that we encounter around us
  (There's no such thing as my rubbish or your rubbish. Rubbish concerns us all)
- Only together (Sangha), through community spirit and teamwork can we pull this off

When:
On a weekend with regular rotation (spring, summer and autumn) - date to be announced.
Where: MRC- from there, we're off to the area to be covered
We will distribute: Gloves, rubbish bags, high-visibility vests and possibly a map with a section of road marked.
Time: 9:00 AM
Duration: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Conclusion: Lunch together

Important:
Bring a high-visibility vest (from your car, if you have one), sturdy shoes, rain gear.

Are you interested? Please sign up here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A Dharma Center is very precious and it can only be maintained if we support it.
If we do not support it, a Center can hardly exist.
Any support brings immeasurable merit.
( H.E. GARCHEN RINPOCHE)

All the crisis in the world, the war on our doorstep, and the resulting increase in prices and general raise of insecurity pose great challenges for the Milarepa Retreat Center. In addition, at the age of 82, the founder Dr. Liane Pitsos is retiring from all activities and responsibilities.

We can only overcome this situation together with you. We depend on your generosity and need your active, regular support to continue to put the visions of H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Thinley and H.E. Garchen Rinpoche into practice and to preserve them for future generation

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT US?

• Become a sponsor of the Milarepa Retreat Center by making a regular (annual or monthly) donation by standing order. Every donation (even the smallest, regular donation) is invaluable and helps to maintain this spiritual place. By doing so, you participate in the spiritual merit of all, current and future, Dharma activities of the center.
  
  
• Support participants of the Three-Year Retreat who cannot afford the fee. Through such support, you share in the merit of the entire retreat. →Click
• A donation for Sangha brothers and sisters who cannot afford to attend the Dharma events at the Center (especially now in this time of crisis) is greatly appreciated and deserving. →Click
• Donations for long life pujas for H.H.Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup and for H.E.Garchen Rinpoche are also invaluable. →Click
• Support the ongoing translation projects,- the valuable work of many dedicated translators who translate our sadhanas, teaching texts, and teachings into Western languages. Translation and printing each involve great expense. →Click
• Become a patron of the Hevajra Project, the heart project of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup, by supporting the translation of the root text, the sadhanas, and the various commentaries. →Click
• Donation for the travel expenses of the lamas and translators. →Click
• For flowers in the temple →Click
• For the tsog →Click
• For candles in the temple →Click

You can either use bank transfer or direct debit:

Bank transfer:
Donations Account: The account of the Milarepa Retreat Center (a project of the Garchen Foundation) is: 

Donation Account: Garchen Stiftung
Donation Bank: Kreisparkasse Soltau
IBAN: DE79258516600055064091
BIC-/SWIFT-Code: NOLADE21SOL
Payment reference: (for instance) Donation for whatever you choose to support.

Direct debit:

Your donation counts! / Ihre Spende zählt!
Please enter a donation amount / Bitte geben Sie einen Spendenbetrag ein
Choose a donation rhythm (one single donation or repeating: monthly, quaterly, half-yearly, yearly) / Wählen Sie einen Spendenrhythmus
Payment reference / Ihr Spendenzweck
Select a payment method / Wählen Sie eine Zahlungsart
DONATE NOW / JETZT SPENDEN

A DHARMA CENTER IS VERY PRECIOUS AND IT CAN ONLY BE KEPT PRESERVED WITH THE
SUPPORT OF US. IF WE DON’T SUPPORT, IT IS HARDLY POSSIBLE FOR A CENTER TO EXIST.
ANY KIND OF SUPPORT BRINGS IMMEASURABLE MERIT!
( H.E. GARCHEN RINPOCHE)

Virus Filters

Now the time has come...

In a few weeks, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup will come to us and confer the Naitratmyia initiation and the long-awaited teachings on the Unique Hevajra Root Tantra. An immeasurable blessing,- a great moment we have been waiting for a long time and which had to be postponed again and again the last years because of Corona.

Now, preparations at Milarepa Retreat Center are in full swing; however, the reports of the rise in Corona infections make us sit up and think about what we can do to ensure the health and safety of us all.

We have decided to purchase virus filters and place them in the temple, dormitory, and cafeteria. We have chosen devices with UV disinfection, which are very efficient, but unfortunately expensive. Disinfection by means of UV rays is much more effective than the most commonly used air filtration devices with carbon filters.

The device we selected from the company Uvrex costs each one 1500€, with a special discount. We will need these devices so that this time the event can really take place in our presence and all our health is protected. Please help us with these unexpected but necessary extra costs

Every donation, even the smallest contribution, is welcome and we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity.

We thank you very heartily for your support.

You can either use bank transfer or direct debit:

Bank transfer:
Donations Account: The banking details of the Milarepa Retreat Center (a project of the Garchen Foundation) are: 

Garchen Stiftung
Kreissparkasse Soltau
IBAN: DE79258516600055064091
BIC-/SWIFT-Code: NOLADE21SOL
Payment reference: (for instance) Donation for whatever you choose to support.

Direct debit:

Ihre Spende zählt! / Your donation counts!

Bitte geben Sie einen Spendenbetrag ein / Please enter a donation amount

Wählen Sie einen Spendenrhythmus: / Choose a donation rhythm:

Ihr Spendenzweck  / Payment reference:

Wählen Sie eine Zahlungsart: / Select a payment method

JETZT SPENDEN / DONATE NOW

Karma-Yoga Activities

Voluntary help is a special characteristic of the Milarepa Retreat Center. It is an integral part of our meditative practice.
While doing housekeeping activities and simple daily tasks we can become aware of our conditionings and integrate them into our practice. We practice mindfulness in our everyday activities and engage ourselves actively for the group.
This voluntary help is a valuable part of our practice on the spiritual path and also serves the accumulation of merit (karma yoga).

We will announce every month where we need your support and are looking forward to your voluntary help.

Please write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call: 05193-97432030