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.

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.

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.