Kunzang Palyul Choling
Encyclopedia
Kunzang Palyul Choling is a center for Buddhist study and practice in the Nyingma
tradition (Palyul lineage). Founded as the Center for Discovery and New Life in 1985, and then given to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche
and renamed by him in 1987, KPC was Penor Rinpoche's first Dharma Center in the US.
The resident Lama at KPC is Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
who was enthroned as a lineage holder by H. H. Penor Rinpoche
in 1988.
Other teachers include HH Penor Rinpoche
; Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche; HH Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok
& Ani Mumtso; HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche; Mugsang Tulku; Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche; Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso; Khenchen Pema Sherab; Khenpo Namdrol; HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche (Bhutan); Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche & Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche; Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche; Ven. Yangthang Tulku; HE Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche; HH Chetsang Rinpoche; Tulku Sangngag, Choji Rinpoche; Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche; Ven. Ngagpa Yeshe Dorje; HH Orgyen Kusum Lingpa; Tulku Rigdzin Pema; Bhaka Tulku; Khenpo Tenzin Norgey; and Lama Kuntuzangpo, Baasan Lama, and Lama Baasansuren (Mongolia).
's home in Kensington, Maryland
, dedicated to the end of suffering
. A year later, the Center formed a corporation, purchased an antebellum style mansion in Poolesville, Maryland
, purchased numerous large crystals weighing hundreds of pounds and reinstituted the 24-hour prayer vigil at its new location.
Participants maintain two-hour prayer shifts, and , the vigil remains largely unbroken. In 1999, Kunzang Palyul Choling began another 24 hour prayer vigil shortly after Jetsunma established another center in Sedona, Arizona
.
s have been built at Kunzang Palyul Choling's two locations, all containing relics pertinent to the Nyingma linage. The first stupa, the 36 feet (11 m) enlightenment stupa in Maryland was built and consecrated in 1988.
In 1991, a stupa peace park in Maryland containing all eight types of stupas, representing the eight great deeds of the Buddha, was completed. The central 18 feet (5.5 m) long life stupa in the park is dedicated to the long life of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.
In 1995, Penor Rinpoche
gave Jetsunma a relic from Terton Migyur Dorje
, which is now housed in the 38 feet (11.6 m) tall Migyur Dorje Stupa in Maryland. This particular stupa is dedicated to the eradication of diseases for which there is no known cure.
The most recent is the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona, completed and consecrated in 2004.
, is the "sky / space treasure" terma
of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma
Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton
Migyur Dorje
.
Known as Sadhana
, KPC practices may require a Wang (empowerment) and commitments (samaya).
Meditation practices:
Related Buddhist practices:
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
tradition (Palyul lineage). Founded as the Center for Discovery and New Life in 1985, and then given to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche
Penor rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen...
and renamed by him in 1987, KPC was Penor Rinpoche's first Dharma Center in the US.
Teachers
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo is an enthroned tulku within the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. In the late 1980s, she gained international attention as the first Western woman to be named a reincarnate lama...
who was enthroned as a lineage holder by H. H. Penor Rinpoche
Penor rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen...
in 1988.
Other teachers include HH Penor Rinpoche
Penor rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen...
; Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche; HH Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok
Jigme Phuntsok
Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok was a Nyingma lama from the Dhok region of Kham Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok (1933 – 2004) was a Nyingma lama from the Dhok region of Kham Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok (1933 – 2004) was a Nyingma lama from the Dhok region of Kham (in what is now the modern Chinese province of...
& Ani Mumtso; HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche; Mugsang Tulku; Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche; Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso; Khenchen Pema Sherab; Khenpo Namdrol; HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche (Bhutan); Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche & Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche; Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche; Ven. Yangthang Tulku; HE Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche; HH Chetsang Rinpoche; Tulku Sangngag, Choji Rinpoche; Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche; Ven. Ngagpa Yeshe Dorje; HH Orgyen Kusum Lingpa; Tulku Rigdzin Pema; Bhaka Tulku; Khenpo Tenzin Norgey; and Lama Kuntuzangpo, Baasan Lama, and Lama Baasansuren (Mongolia).
Prayer vigil
In April 1984, the Center began a 24-hour prayer vigil in the basement of Jetsunma Ahkon LhamoJetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo is an enthroned tulku within the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. In the late 1980s, she gained international attention as the first Western woman to be named a reincarnate lama...
's home in Kensington, Maryland
Kensington, Maryland
Kensington is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,873 at the 2000 census. Greater Kensington encompasses the entire 20895 zip code and its population is an order of magnitude larger than that of the town at its center....
, dedicated to the end of suffering
Suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, is an individual's basic affective experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with harm or threat of harm. Suffering may be qualified as physical or mental. It may come in all degrees of intensity, from mild to intolerable. Factors of duration and...
. A year later, the Center formed a corporation, purchased an antebellum style mansion in Poolesville, Maryland
Poolesville, Maryland
Poolesville is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland United States with a population of approximately 5000 people. It is surrounded by the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, and is considered a distant bedroom community for commuters to Washington, DC.The name of the town comes from the...
, purchased numerous large crystals weighing hundreds of pounds and reinstituted the 24-hour prayer vigil at its new location.
Participants maintain two-hour prayer shifts, and , the vigil remains largely unbroken. In 1999, Kunzang Palyul Choling began another 24 hour prayer vigil shortly after Jetsunma established another center in Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona...
.
Peace Park
The Peace park's creativity and imagination starts with entering a natural mandala laid out with red, green, blue, yellow and white gardens. Holy objects are placed in strategic positions, including a silent Buddha, crystals, Tibetan prayer wheels. Visitors can make a circumabulation.Stupas
Many stupaStupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
s have been built at Kunzang Palyul Choling's two locations, all containing relics pertinent to the Nyingma linage. The first stupa, the 36 feet (11 m) enlightenment stupa in Maryland was built and consecrated in 1988.
In 1991, a stupa peace park in Maryland containing all eight types of stupas, representing the eight great deeds of the Buddha, was completed. The central 18 feet (5.5 m) long life stupa in the park is dedicated to the long life of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.
In 1995, Penor Rinpoche
Penor rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen...
gave Jetsunma a relic from Terton Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje is the Terton who recognized Kunzang Sherab as the Lineage Holder of Nam Cho terma in the Palyul Lineage. Born in the Ngom To Rola region of Tibet...
, which is now housed in the 38 feet (11.6 m) tall Migyur Dorje Stupa in Maryland. This particular stupa is dedicated to the eradication of diseases for which there is no known cure.
The most recent is the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona, completed and consecrated in 2004.
Key Practices
Nam ChoNam Cho
Nam Cho translates as the "sky/space dharma", a terma cycle especially popular among the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton Namcho Migyur Dorje and transmitted to Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab and compiled by Kagyu master Karma Chagme Raga Asya.The Nam Cho comprises an entire...
, is the "sky / space treasure" terma
Terma (religion)
Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings, which the tradition holds were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his consorts in the 8th century for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, known as tertöns. As such, they represent a...
of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton
Tertön
A tertön is a discoverer of ancient texts or "terma". Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. A vast system of transmission lineages developed...
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje is the Terton who recognized Kunzang Sherab as the Lineage Holder of Nam Cho terma in the Palyul Lineage. Born in the Ngom To Rola region of Tibet...
.
Known as Sadhana
Sadhana
Sādhanā literally "a means of accomplishing something" is ego-transcending spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Sikh , Buddhist and Muslim traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.The historian N...
, KPC practices may require a Wang (empowerment) and commitments (samaya).
- Nam Cho Ngöndro
- Contemplations that turn the mind to Dharma - Precious Human Rebirth, Cause and Effect, Benefits of Virtue, Faults of Non-Virtue, Faults of Cyclic Existence, Ship to Liberation
- Uncommon Preliminaries
- Refuge - Tree Visualization and Dissolution
- Bodhicitta - Visualization, Vow, Verses, Ship to Liberation, Meditation Upon Joy, Four Immeasurables Meditation, Tonglen
- Mandala Offering - Visualization
- Long Mandala Offering - Three Kaya, Root Terms, Nirmanakya - Ship to Liberation, Sambhogakaya - Ship to Liberation, Dharmakaya - Ship to Liberation - General Short Mandala, Dissolution
- The Kusali Chod - Visualization (Vajrajvarahi), Vajra Verses, Vajrasattva Visualization, Confession, Peascful and Wrathfull Deities - Short Confession, Dissolution, Short Confession, Root Terma - Short Confession - Dedication
- Guru Yoga - Visualization, Vajra Verses, Ship to Liberation, Nam Cho Lineage Prayer, Terma Lineage Prayer, Blessings, Motherly Sentient Beings Prayer, Six Realms Gurus, Four Empowerment, Root Terma, Ship to Liberation, Prayer to Guru
- P'howa - Visualization, Three Deities, P'howa Prayer, Visualization (Impure Doors Blocking), Prayer to be Reborn in Dewachen, Nectar Descent, Prayer to Amitayus, Dissolution
- Chenrezig Generation in the Six Realms
- Nam Cho Dzogchen - Vajra Verses - The Space Treasures of the Great Perfection
- DzogchenDzogchenAccording to Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, Dzogchen is the natural, primordial state or natural condition of the mind, and a body of teachings and meditation practices aimed at realizing that condition. Dzogchen, or "Great Perfection", is a central teaching of the Nyingma school also practiced by...
- Tsog
- Vajrakilaya
- Vajrasattva
- Rigzen Dupia
Meditation practices:
- MandalaMandalaMaṇḍala is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". In the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form. The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point...
- TonglenTonglenTonglen is Tibetan for 'giving and taking' , and refers to a meditation practice found in Tibetan Buddhism.-Practice:...
- TantraTantraTantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
Related Buddhist practices:
- Mindfulness
- SatipatthanaSatipatthanaIn the Buddhist tradition, ' refers to the establishing, foundation or presence of "mindfulness" . The Buddha taught the establishing of mindfulness as the 'direct path' to the realisation of nirvana...