Dear Sangha, Friends and Devotees,

In Gangteng Shedra there are almost 400 monks. Once per year they publish a magazine, which contains articles and poems about the dharma written in the national language Dzonka by the monks themselves. This will be the third year of the magazine, and to be published before Losar.

The magazine distributes to all the shedra monks, of course, and to all the different monasteries, shedras and retreat centers under our Gangteng Rinpoche’s care. Then additional copies are sent to other Nyingma monasteries, and to government-sponsored shedras and monasteries, if there are enough copies. Of course all share copies with others, so reach of this magazine is quite good in Bhutan.

Besides the educational benefit, the magazine also serves to raise awareness of the high level and accomplishment of the students at the Gangteng Shedra, and can help to attract new students and Khenpos. It also strengthens the reputation of the Pema Lingpa Lineage, and lets people to see firsthand that the lineage of the glorious Terton Pema Lingpa is growing stronger.

 Dear Sangha and Friends,

I am very happy as I make this first blog entry for everyone.

Today I am going to explain briefly the commemoratiion, or remembering, of Guru Padmasambhava on the tenth day of each lunar month.

As you all know Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhva, is the second buddha, essence of all past, present and future buddhas.  He took birth on a lotus on the tenth lunar day.  Also, on the tenth lunar day, Guru Rinpoche traveled to the eight famouse charnel grounds, to have an audience with the eight great vidyadharas, who were living at this time.  All of Guru Rinpoche's most important activities took place on the 10th day of the lunar month; there are many more examples.

Of immediate interest for us, this coming Sunday, December 4 in the lunar month of the ox, is the date when Guru Rinpoche manifested as Dorji Dorlo, the Wrathful Guru among his Eight Manifestations.  In this form he hid many Ter treasures in the mountains, rocks, lakes, and other solitary places in Tibet, Bhutan, and Sikkim.

 Dear Sangha and friends,

How are you all?  It has been almost three months since I left Crestone.  I am very sorry for not being able to return sooner, and not being able to take up my responsibilities at the Lhakhang.

As you all know, I have come to LA for my dental treatment, which is being offered to me by a dentist who is a friend of Tony Tang.  It's taking longer than I anticipated.  I have to wait till all wounds heal properly.