Buddha Statue til Gomde

Kære venner, mange af jer kan måske huske at vi har samlet penge ind til en stor buddha statue som skal være den centrale figur i Gomdes tempelsal. Tempelsalen står færdig er er utrolig flot. En kombination af zen-agtig enkelhed, vikinge højborg og buddha palads. Om et par uger får dens ydre et nødvendigt lag olie igen så den gyldne glød og træet bevares. Beklædningen er lavet af russisk birk og hver planke blev grundigt inspiseret og godtaget Bo the Hawkeye.

Nu er vi kommet til næste skridt: alter plateauet hvor Buddha Shakyamuni statuen skal stå. I år går alt overskud fra den nye Ratna Cafe og Boutique til dette statue fundament. Det kan i glæder jer over sammen med en kølig hindbær smoothie eller en pakke røgelse fra butikken.

Her er der mere info omkring den store indsats der ligger forud for at en sådan statue kan komme til Danmark: http://shedrub.org/1000%20Buddhas.htm

In English:
Dear friends, many of you may remember that we have collected money for a large Buddha statue which will be the central figure in Gomdes temple hall. The temple hall is done and is incredibly beautiful. A combination of Zen-style simplicity, viking stronghold and Buddha palace. In a few weeks its externals will get a necessary layer of oil again for a golden glow and tree preservation. The covering is made from Russian birch and each plank was thoroughly inspected and accepted by Bo the Hawkeye.

Now we come to the next step: the altar plateau where the Shakyamuni Buddha statue will sit. This year is all proceeds from the new Ratna Cafe and Boutique will be donated to this statue foundation. You rejoice in that while enjoying a cool raspberry smoothie or a package of incense from the store.

Here is more info about the great work which went before that such a statue could come to Denmark: http://shedrub.org/1000% 20Buddhas.htm

Maling af Lakhaen

Lakhaen trænger iflg Bo desperat til at blive først vasket ned og dernæst malet med tjære for at træbeklædningen ikke skal forfalde. Derfor prøver jeg at få en arbejdsweekend op at stå til dette formål fra 30 maj til og med 1 juni. Indtil videre har Maria og hendes kæreste Thorkild, Jesper Palm og Marie og undertegnede meldt forsigtigt tilbage at måske kan de. Jeg spørger også Rikke og hendes veninde Ani Yeshe når de kommer snart til DK. Andre der har lyst at joine?

Har I nogen kommentarer? Bo har bestilt tjæren ( men ikke fjerene endnu)

Nyheder fra Gomde 13 maj

Kære venner.
Her er en lille rapport fra Tara og Erik:

Tara har været i fuld sving med at sætte beboelseshuset i stand.
Lama køkkenet er renset og helt lukket ned og fungerer nu kun som te-køkken.
Værelserne ovenpå bliver sat istand 1. juni. med ny ensartet stil.
Alle byggematerialer og skrald er fjernet fra gårdspladsen.
Der er planted buske og blomster.
Gomdes gårdsplads skal designes som en mandala have med gule herregårdsfliser, græs og gange mellem bygningerne.
Spise terrassen (tidligere overdækket serverings areal) har fået bambus afgrænsning og pileflet hegn.
Ulrick har slået alle græsplænerne og camping pladsen.
Steen har fældet de døde træer og Ulrick mm kører dem væk.
Gomdes hovedkøkken er renset, sat i orden og bruges allerede til alle måltider.
Vi har nye priser på overnatning og måltider (se gomde.dk forsiden), alle er økologiske og vegetariske.
Kosha skatkammeret har fået den første ladning proviant. Det er herligt.
Når Gomde Labrang køkkenet køber ind, behøver man bare at gå ti skridt ind på Kosha lagerrummet. Super.
Kosha er parat til at forsyne alle besøgende og arrangementer.
Vi bruger tempelsalen to gange dagligt og alle besøgende deltager.
Gomde er et Dharma center.
Ratna Boutique og Cafe er parat til at åbne d 15. maj takket være Jyoti og Tara. De første hindbær smoothies er afprøvede og funker.
Butikken har fået de første ladninger og flere er på på vej.
Spisesalen har fået doneret 66 ens cafe stole, så slagbænkene bruges nu kun udenfor.
Tara har malet fine borde, købt voksduge til dem og Jyoti og Laila kørt og hentet ind.
Rinpoches have og sangha haverne er blevet udvidet til et park areal og træerne er blevet smukkeseret.
Tara og jeg er flyttet ind i vores nye mandala.
Vi har haft en del gæster vores første fjorten dage.
Tara og Ditte er nu i gang med at fylde en fryser med bagte godter til cafeen.

Bo har check på hvilke opgaver der mangler for at gøre Gomde camping-parat, dvs vand og toiletter. Vi spørger ham til råds om alle vigtige ting.
Gomde Labrang køkken og tempelsalen skal fremover hverken sættes op eller lukkes ned.

Bo har også en liste af opgaver til Kumari deltagere.
De sidste år blev vi enige om at gøre mere for campisterne. Det har Ulrick begyndt at sørge for ved at slå camping plænerne tre gange i år før teltene ankommer.
Bo og Tara har vedtaget og designet et seperat sangha te-køkken som mangler at blive sat op.

Vi er også ved at lave en liste over opgaver som bør færdiggøres før Summer Camp.

Det var kort og godt for nu om hvad der er sket på Gomde siden 1 maj.

In English:

Dear friends.
Here is a small report from Tara and Erik:

Tara has been in full swing to make the main house usable.
The Lama kitchen is cleaned up and completely shut down and are now acting only as a tea-kitchen.
The rooms upstairs will be set by 1 June with a new uniform style.
All building materials and garbage was removed from the courtyard.
There is planted shrubs and flowers.
Gomdes courtyard is to be designed as a Mandala garden with yellow herregårdsfliser, grass and walkways between the buildings.
The dining terrace (formerly covered serving area) has a bamboo demarcation and willow fence.
Ulrick has cut all the lawns and camping area.
Steen has cut the dead trees and Ulrick drove them away.
Gomdes main kitchen is cleaned, put in order and is already used for all meals.
We have new prices for accommodation and meals (see gomde.dk frontpage), all organic and vegetarian.
Kosha Treasury has received the first shipment of supplies. It is wonderful.
When Gomde Labrang kitchen shops, you only have to go ten steps in to Kosha store. Super.
Kosha is ready to supply all visitors and events.
We use temple hall twice a day and all visitors take part.
Gomde is a Dharma Center.
Ratna Boutique and Cafe is ready to open d 15. May thanks to Jyoti and Tara. The first raspberry smoothies are tested tried and are ok'ed.
The shop has received the first cargo and more are on the way.
The dining hall has been donated 66 uniform cafe chairs, as the benches are now used only outside.
Tara has painted fine tables, bought wax table cloth for them and Jyoti and Laila drove out and bought.
Rinpoche and the sangha gardens have been extended to a park area and the trees have been beautified.
Tara and I have moved into our new Mandala.
We have had a number of guests during our first fourteen days.
Tara and Ditte are now starting to fill a cabinet with baked tasties to the cafe.

Bo has his finger on the tasks that are missing to make Gomde camping-ready, namely water and toilets. We ask him for advice on all important matters.
Gomde Labrang kitchen and the temple hall need in the future neither to be put up or shut down.

Bo also has a list of tasks to Kumari participants.
The last year, we agreed to do more for the campistas. Ulrick has begun to ensure that by mowing the camping lawns three times this years before the tents arrive.
Bo and Tara have decided and designed a separate sangha tea-kitchen yet to be set up.

We are also making a list of tasks which should be completed before the Summer Camp.

This was in short what happened at Gomde since May 1.

Atisha sayings

In the year of 2007, Chökyi Nyma Rinpoche finished the first seminar by teaching the following sayings by Atisha.


The foremost expertise is to realize egolessness.

The foremost ethics is to have tamed the wild mind.

The foremost virtue is profound altruism.

The foremost advise is to always scrutinize your own mind.

The foremost remedy is to understand that everything is insubstantial.

The foremost conduct is to be unlike worldly people.

The foremost achievement is that disturbing emotions are reduced.

The foremost sign of accomplishment is to be less selfish.


Another teaching on the sayings by Atisha can be found at http://dharmasun.org - It is a recent one, but I forgot which one.

Mad på Gomde

Kære Dharma familie

Et af de nyere tiltag på Gomde er at vi serverer kun økologisk vegetarisk mad.

Vi håber at I som ikke har bedt om dette, vil se på det med kærlighed og tolerance.

Vi repræsenterer Dharmaen ud ad til som bodhisattvaer i Mahayana stil og

praktiserer Vajrayana og Dzogchen ind ad til.

Kærlig hilsen Tara

In English:

Dear Dharma family

One of the more recent actions in Gomde is that we serve only organic vegetarian food. We hope that you who have not asked for this, will look at it with love and tolerance.
We represent Dharmaen outwardly as bodhisattvaer in Mahayana style and while practising Vajrayana and Dzogchen inwardly.

Kærlig greeting Tara

Some pictures of the lineage Gurus

Kosha, ny inkøbsforening

Nyhedsbrev om Kosha, Gomdes nye inkøbsforening. Læs mere >>

I er velkommen til at skrive forslag og bemærkninger her.

Nyhedsbrev fra Tara og Erik, marts

Nyhedsbrev fra Gomde Danmark, 1 marts, 2008

Nyhedsbrev fra Tara og Erik, januar

Nyhedsbrev til Sanghaen, 2008

Vi, Tara og Erik, flytter til Gomde og vil i samarbejde med Gomdes on-site directors, hjælpe til med at udføre en række projekter.

Vi betragter andre´s og eget arbejde som en gave til Rinpoche'erne og til Dharmaen nu og i fremtiden. Inspirationen strømmer ud af os og vi vil først og fremmest gerne være med til at skabe mere åbenhed overfor nye praktiserende. Samtidig vil vi også styrke vores Vajrayana sangha.

Vi arbejder også på at skabe mere gennemsigtighed og plads til at nye mennesker kan komme til.
Vi vil gerne i kontakt med jer der kunne tænke sig at stå for et projekt eller en afdeling på Gomde.

Midt i februar begynder vi at færdiggøre en ny butik og cafe, der vil være tilgængelig året rundt. Vi laver derfor lidt om i spisesalen og vil samtidig flytte kontoret ind i den gamle Ratnabutik.

På den måde bliver hovedhuset frit til det vi kalder Rinpoche Hus. Det vil blive benyttet af besøgende lamaer, Rinpoches gæster, og det uundværelige personale under sommerkurser. Rinpoche´s hus vil også blive brugt af deltagere på diverse kurser og retreats i løbet af året, samt af enkelpersoner i retreat. Gomde vil således være i stand til at tilbyde mere stille og rolige boligforhold til jer der og ønsker at praktisere mere dybtgående.

Den nye Ratnabutik bliver fyldt med alt hvad en praktiserende har brug for og Jyoti Henriksen vil sørge for det.
Cafeén er placeret lige ved siden af butikken og der vil være mulighed for at købe sundt og godt.
Overskuddet fra Ratnabutik og cafe går ubeskåret til specielle projekter til Gomde, dk.
Dette års overskud vil gå til at tilbagebetale oprettelseslån til butik og cafe på 30.000 kr, som vi har lånt af Gomde.

Den 4. maj er udnævnt til ‘Ø-dag’ på Gomde. Vi går over til økologisk giftfri mad.
Rengøringsprodukterne vil fremover være biologisk nedbrydelige for at beskytte vores siveanlæg og den naturlige mandala. Så husk lige dette når I tager shampoo med næste gang ellers vil der være økologisk shampoo til salg i butikken.

Vi vil også lægge mere vægt på enkelhed og ren energi i en bæredygtig økonomi.

Der vil være et link på www.gomde.dk på forsiden, hvor der løbende kan ses nærmere beskrivelse af projekter og hvem der står for dem.
Hold også øje med den lille ønskeliste.

Mange kærlige smil og hilsener fra Tara og Erik.

Billedet af Tseringma (en af vores Dharma linies beskyttere) er fra Tulku Urgyen Rinpoches egendele som han bragte med fra Nangchen.

The first 35-day retreat at Gomde Danmark

Gomde in Denmark was fortunate to host the first 35 day retreat on Padmasambhava this December-January. It was led by Lama Tenzin Sangpo and there were 14 other paticipants. We followed the manuals by the great masters Khyentse, Kontrul and Chokling, as well as their lineage holders. We all thank the Rinpoches for their blessings to make this happen and pray that many others will be able to participate in this and other retreats in the future.
On the last main day, in the beginning of January, a rainbow took us by surprise.

Photos by Thomas Boedtker and Mads Julius Nielsen

Goddav til sanghaen

Hej venner, Gomde Danmark har nu sin egen blog. Et par skribenter kan sætte text og billeder op, og I er allevelkommen til at tilføje jeres historier, billeder og bemærkninger. Tara og jeg (yderst tilhøjre) vil gerne dele med jer alle de nye ting der sker og lægge en masse billeder ind.
Billedet er fra sidste års summerlejr.

Lineage masters connected to Gomde

These are pictures of various root and lineage masters through whom the teachings arrived at Gomde.

Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche besøger Gomde

På Rangjung Yeshe Gomde, Jylland underviste Hans Eminence i Mahayana Hjerte Sutra'en.

[Please include more info if you were present that day.]

Ven. Tenga Rinpoche consecrates the land of Gomde DK

Early group of Gomde Sangha

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Teaching Schedule ‘97

Three Yanas Retreat: July 21-27. Open for everyone. Co-teacher: Tsok-Nyi Rinpoche.

Vajrayana Retreat: July 28th - August 3rd. For serious Vajrayana students.

Who has the story behind this picture?

Ven. Tenga Rinpoche comes to Gomde Denmark

Kathmandu

May 20, 1997

Dear Venerable Tenga Rinpoche,

Again this year we hereby extend our cordial invitation for you to visit Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé in Denmark. We remember your last visit with fondness and wish that during your next journey through Europe you will be able to set aside a couple of day more on you busy schedule.

We would like to request you to give detailed teachings on Sangtik Purpa and Sangtik Dorsem.

It goes without saying that we, on behalf of Rangjung Yeshe Foundation, will cover the transport costs for you and your entourage and all necessary expenses incurred during your visit.

Any and all of your students will also be cordially welcome, and we shall do our best to provide the best possible hospitality.

Mads Julius Nielsen Erik Hein Schmidt

Rangjung Yeshe Fonden

Board members

Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé

Tornbjerggaard

Smedehalden 3, Esby

DK-8420 Knebel

Denmark

Message from Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, 1997

“Dear David, Tom, Lisbeth, Rene, Michael, Klaus, Morten, Mads, Birthe and everyone else who worked on Gomde lately. I am very happy with the new building. It is amazing what you could do in such a short time!

I think you realize the importance of this. Gomde is our first place in the West and helping in providing places for retreat/practice has a long-lasting impact. For yourself it lays the seed or foundation that you will always, in this and in future lives, have the circumstances for being able to practice. That is how karma works -- it is the continuation of one’s deeds. One doesn’t have to look somewhere else for what karma is. But the benefit doesn’t stop there; it is also a place where others will practice.

So, I would like to thank all of you from the buttom of my heart.”

Cloudless Summer Camp ‘96

Buddhist Meditation Seminar with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, a meditation master from the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism, is well known for his pithy, direct instructions. During this course, you will be given practical instructions in the traditional Buddhist meditation practices of stillness and insight. Emphasis is on personal experience combined with theoretical understanding.

The seminar provides an introduction to the key points of the three vehicles in Buddhism: Hinayana — simplicity, discipline, and mindfulness; Mahayana — compassion and knowledge of the true nature of things; and Vajrayana — key points of the tantric teachings with instructions in thoughtfree wakefulness.

The third Cloudless Summer Seminar will take place on Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s newly purchased seat in Europe on the peninsula of Helgenæs, an hour by car from Århus. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, it is not possible to participate part-time in the Three Yanas Course.

Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé — the Retreat Land of Self-Existing Wakefulness — consists of almost 45 acres of a beautiful, varied landscape with many fruit trees, ponds and rolling hills. To the east is a panoramic view over the sea, just a half mile away. The best way to take advantage of the picturisque surroundings is to bring your own tent.

The teachings will be given in the new assembly hall, which can accomodate 150 people. Some meditation sessions will take place under the open, blue sky.

At the end of the course, Rinpoche will provide the participants with the opportunity to formally become Buddhists through the Refuge Ceremony. For those who are interested he will, as well, conduct the ceremony for taking the vow of a bodhisattva, the pledge to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all other sentient beings.

During the Three Yanas Course, there will be optional classes in the preliminary practices for Vajrayana, the ngöndro, and in the Tibetan language. There will also be discussion groups during which you can clear up doubts.

Here is what you need to bring: tent, sleeping bag, insulation pad, all-weather clothing, something to sit on during meditation and teaching both inside and outside, swim-suit, hat to give shade from the sun, torch, practical footwear. What not to bring: pets and drugs.

You can get the obligatory biologically degradable soap and shampoo in our shop/café.

Parents who bring children understand that they are responsible for there supervision, behaviour and safety. Again this year we encourage the parents to alternate looking after each other’s children.

In Danish:

Buddhist Meditation Seminar med Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, en meditation mester fra den tibetanske tradition for buddhismen, der er kendt for sine kortfattded, direkte anvisninger. I løbet af dette kursus, vil du blive givet praktiske anvisninger i den traditionelle buddhistiske meditation praksis i stilheden og indsigt. Der lægges vægt på personlig erfaring kombineret med teoretisk forståelse.

Seminaret giver en introduktion til de centrale punkter i de tre fartøjer i buddhismen: Hinayana - enkelhed, disciplin, og mindfulness; Mahayana - medfølelse og viden om den sande karakter af ting, og Vajrayana - centrale punkter i Tantrisk lære med instruktionerne i tankefri vågenhed.

Den tredje Cloudless Summer Seminar vil finde sted på Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche's nyligt købte sted i Europa på halvøen Helgenæs, en time i bil fra Århus. For at sikre en omfattende forståelse, er det ikke muligt at deltage på deltid i de Tre Yana Kurser.

Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé - Retreat Steder for Self-Eksisterende Vågenhed - består af næsten 45 tønder land af en smuk, varieret landskab med mange frugttræer, damme og rullende bakker. Mod øst er en panoramaudsigt over havet, kun en halv mil væk. Den bedste måde at udnytte de picturisque omgivelser er at medbringe dit eget telt.

Undervisningen vil blive givet i den nye forsamling hal, som kan indeholde 150 mennesker. Nogle meditation møder vil finde sted under det åbne, blå himmel.

I slutningen af kurset, Rinpoche vil give deltagerne lejlighed til formelt at blive buddhister gennem en tilflugts-ceremoni. For dem der er interesseret vil han, ligeledes afholde en ceremoni hvor man kan tage bodhisattva løftet om at nå oplysningen til gavn for alle andre følende væsener.

I de Tre Yanas Kursus bliver der valgfri klasser i det forberedende træning for Vajrayana, ngöndro, samt i det tibetanske sprog. Der vil også være diskussionsgrupper hvor man kan rydde op i tvivl.

Her er hvad du skal medbringe: telt, sovepose, isolering pad, al slags vejr tøj, noget at sidde på under meditation og undervisning både inde og udenfor, badetøj, hat til at give skygge fra solen, lommelygte, praktisk fodtøj . Hvilke ikke at bringe: kæledyr og narkotika.

Du kan få den obligatoriske biologisk nedbrydelig sæbe og shampoo i vores butik / café.

Forældre, der medbringer børn forstår, at de er ansvarlige for deres tilsyn, adfærd og sikkerhed. Igen i år vil vi opfordre forældrene til at se efter hinandens børn på skift.

Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé - Program ‘96

At present we are preparing for the third Cloudless Summer Seminar to take place on our own land from the middle of July ‘96. The dates for next years program look like this:
July 5 - 18 — Meditation & Work Retreat, to catch up with the meditation practice before the teachings, and to help with the preparations for Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s arrival and basis for Dharma activities.
July 19 - 25 — Three Yanas Course as an introduction to the key points of the three vehicles in Buddhism. Open for everyone.
July 26 - August 1 — Vajrayana Retreat, for practicing Vajrayana students who have attended two seminars, taken the refuge and bodhisattva precepts, and completed or begun the preliminary practices, the ngöndro, with the determination to finish them.
August 2 - 8 — Meditation & Work Retreat, to assimilate the meditation instructions given during the courses. The length can be extended further.
September 1 - October 10 — Apple picking and individual practice.
Everyone willing to give a hand at finishing the new assembly hall are welcome to come earlier.

For details, contact:
Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé,
Smedehalden 3, Esby
DK-8420 Knebel, Denmark
Tel: +45 86 35 68 35 Fax: +45 86 35 68 40

Three Yanas Course

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche provides an introduction to the key points of the three vehicles in Buddhism — Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana — in both theory and practice.
During this course, which is open for everyone who is sincerely interested, you will be given practical instructions in the traditional Buddhist meditation practices of shamatha and vipashyana, also known as stillness and insight meditation. In particular, Rinpoche will introduce us to vipashyana meditation from the Vajrayana perspective.
At the end of the course, Rinpoche will provide the participants with the opportunity to formally become Buddhists through the Refuge Ceremony. For those who are interested he will, as well, conduct the ceremony for taking the vow of a bodhisattva, the pledge to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all other sentient beings.
During the Three Yanas Course, there will be optional classes in the preliminary practices for Vajrayana, the ngöndro, and in the Tibetan language. There will also be discussion groups during which you can clear up doubts.
If circumstances are auspicious, Rinpoche may also give a Vajrayana empowerment.

Vajrayana Assembly

This seminar is designed by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche for students who are already practicing Vajrayana. His emphasis during this time is “more practice, less talking.” Rinpoche will provide the opportunity for answering individual questions on essential meditation practice.
The requirement to participate is to have attended two Rangjung Yeshe seminars, taken the refuge and bodhisattva precepts, and completed or begun the preliminary practices, the ngöndro, with the determination to finish them.
During Vajrayana Assembly, we will practice the Trinley Nyingpo sadhana, and it will be taught in daily classes.

Inauguration of Gomde DK in 1995

Her er indbydelsen til inauguration day i 1995:

Inauguration Ceremony of Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé 12th of July

Dear friends,

We are happy to invite you to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé, with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche.

The festivities will begin on the retreat land at 9:30, so arrive in good time. Everyone young and old are welcome; you can bring family and friends.

10 Cleansing smoke ceremony to create auspicious circumstances for spiritual activities.

11 Inauguration talk by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and others.

12:30 Lunch banquet.

2 pm Blessings, handshakes or hugs from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche to all participants individually

4 pm Entertainment

Available on location: Soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Beer on sale after 3 pm

What you need to bring: One tray of edibles to be added to the banquet table for everybody to share. Bring along at least what one person can eat.

What else you can bring: Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé is starting from scratch. Every useful thing you can donate will be highly appreciated — Tools, building materials, shelves, mattreses, curtains, table cloth, furniture, kitchenware, utensils, etc, etc.

How to get there:

By car: From Århus — Drive to Rønde then Helgenæs, then Esby.
From Grenå — take road to Æbeltoft then to Helgenæs.

Bus from Århus — Bus at busstation 8:20 to Rønde. Change to bus 1710 dep. 9:10 to Helgenæs. Get off at first stop after Esby. A country road on the left hand side will be marked with ribbons.

Bus back to Rønde/Århus — leaves from the main road at 17:57.

Tom Nygaard, Inge-Lisbeth Sørensen, Erik Hein Schmidt, Andreas Doctor.

Tornbjerggård, Smedehallen 3, Esby, 8420 Knebel.

Gomde has been bought

Ground

Lineage

Since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni and Padmasambhava, accomplished masters in an unbroken lineage of have handed down instructions on how to transform human life into the path of enlightenment. The style of instruction focusing on pithy, practical advice is known as the Practice Lineage.

One branch of this Practice Lineage passes through the great master Chokgyur Lingpa, an emissary of Padmasambhava, to dispel the darkness of this age with well-timed revelations known as terma. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his sons are among the chief holders of this lineage. His oldest son, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche is the seventh incarnation of Gar Drubchen, and among his other principal teachers are His Holiness Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

It was with Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s blessings and through his expressed wish that in 1994 the search began for a place in the West for the practice of this tradition. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vision is of a place where many teachers will come to instruct and where people from Europe and America can apply the teachings in retreat.

Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé

We now joyfully announce the acquisition of the newly purchased retreat land.

Through Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vast aspiration and many people’s support, financial and otherwise, a suitable place for retreat was acquired. Right in the heart of Denmark, it is located on the peninsula of Helgenæs, Headland of Saints, one of the most picturesque areas of the country, an hour by car from Århus.

The land consists of almost 45 acres of a beautiful, varied landscape with many fruit trees, ponds and rolling hills. The fields have not been cultivated for years and appear wild and uncontrived. To the east is a panoramic view over the sea, just a half mile away. In all directions the sky appears as a natural companion to the landscape.

Due to the numerous apple trees Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche chose to call the place the Fruit Land. Its local name is Tornbjerggaard, Thorn Mountain Farm. According to tradition, a spiritual site is named in an auspicious way. Rinpoche chose Rangjung Yeshe Gomdé, the Retreat Land of Self-Existing Wakefulness.

The land was formally acquired on the anniversary day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightenment, June 13, 1995.

A treasure vase, containing special blessings from Padmasambhava, was kindly consecrated by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche to be placed on the retreat land for the purpose of increasing prosperity and positive conditions for the spiritual community.

Rangjung Yeshe Foundation

Out of respect for the generous contributions from devoted students and combined with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s sense of responsibility for the future, it was decided to establish the Rangjung Yeshe Foundation as the formal owner of the estate. A foundation in Denmark is governed by special rules to ensure accountability and appropriate use of funds.

The foundation is managed by a board of directors consisting of five members chosen by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche: Erik Hein Schmidt, Thomas Doctor, Mads Julius Nielsen, Andreas Doctor, and a lawyer appointed by the advocate council. The managing director of the retreat place will be Inge-Lisbeth Sørensen.

FRUITION

The fulfillment of Rinpoche’s vision would be a spiritual environment including the following:

Rooms and huts for individual retreats.

Accommodations for a resident teacher, qualified to guide people through the course of practices corresponding to the traditional three-year retreat.

Facilities for larger seminars, group retreats and teachings.

A shrine hall housing the representations of the buddhas’ body, speech and mind: statues, sacred texts, and relics.

A study program of classic Buddhist texts under the direction of an qualified teacher.

A translation committee to translate and publish books.

In the future, a Danish style high-school for adult education offering courses in Buddhist philosophy and culture, Tibetan studies, cross-cultural programs, and the like.

An elder care facility and hospice for the dying according to Buddhist principles.

PATH

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche once said, “helping to built a hut for someone to practice gives more merit than offering the entire billionfold universe filled with gold and precious stones to all the buddhas. The reason is that buddhahood is attained through meditation practice, not by merit alone.”

Since the time of the Buddha, it is the tradition that temples, statues and so forth have been erected through the good-will and pure aspirations of benefactors. Accordingly, as funds come in, Rinpoche’s vision can unfold further.