2007 Karmapa Trip to Tilopu

At
NEW TILOKPUR NUNS' MONASTERY
Drubten Pemo Jalpay Gatsal
Tilokpur, H. P., India

His Holiness will teach
“THE 37 PRACTICES OF A BODHISATTVA”
and
“THE LIFE OF TILOPA”

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa is the supreme head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee was born in Tibet in 1985. In the year 2000 he fled Tibet and now resides near Dharamsala in northern India.

In 1962 Mrs. Bedi, Bhikshuni Karma Khechok Palmo, founded a monastery for nuns in the Indian village of Tilokpur near Dharamsala. She offered the monastery to H.H. the 16th Karmapa. As H.H. lived in Sikkim, he requested Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche, abbot of Palpung Sherab Ling, to take care of Tilokpur monastery for him. Tai Situ Rinpoche kindly agreed and since 1978 has been spiritual director to the nuns there. The monastery was built to house 50 nuns, but there are almost 90 nuns living there. Some time ago the nuns approached Tai Situ Rinpoche and requested him to help them build a new complex to facilitate the existing nuns as well as the many others who are waiting to join. It was planned that the new monastery have living accommodation for 200 nuns, a temple, a college and guest house at a cost of 850,000 US$.

Rinpoche kindly provided the nuns with a sponsor Algiene Amrita who has very generously donated most of the 650,000 US$ raised to date. Mr. Tsai of Taiwan and Ms. Jessica Chian Chian of Singapore have also contributed greatly to the project. To raise funds the nuns also traveled to Taiwan, where the people there responded with great interest and generosity.

The project is almost complete. What remains unfinished is one wing of the nuns' living quarters, as well as the painting, decorating and furnishing of the whole complex.

With the view to raising some of the 200,000 US$ needed, the nuns decided to run this fundraising event and requested His Holiness to help. His Holiness very kindly agreed to participate.

Tilokpur is famous as a sacred place where the great Indian realized master and mahasiddha Tilopa lived. Tilopa's cave is located near the monastery. The monastery also houses Tilopa's sacred sesame seed grinder.

February 19, 2007

9:30am - Arrival of His Holiness Karmapa at Drubten Pemo Jalpay Gatsal (new Tilokpur Nuns' Monastery)

10.30 a.m. - Welcoming Ceremony in the main Temple of the New Monastery
- Mandala offering
- Offering of tea and ceremonial rice
- Public blessing by His Holiness

1.00 p.m.- SACRED LAMA DANCE performed by Tilokpur nuns
- INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Traditional Tibetan and Indian performers will offer song,
dance and drama to His Holiness
(Groups or individuals who would like to offer a performance
are very welcome to do so.)

9.00 - 11.00 a.m. TEACHING ON THE 37 PRACTICES OF A BODHISATTVA
and His Holiness will give teachings on this famous text
2.00 - 4.00 p.m. written by Thogme Zangpo.

February 25, 2007

12.00 p.m. After lunch His Holiness will return to His temporary residence at Gyuto.

Teachings will be translated into both English and Chinese. English translation will be provided by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

300 US$ per person for a double room with attached bathroom
250 US$ per person for a double room with shared bathroom
200 US$ per person for a dormitory room (100 US$ for Ordained Sangha)

This fee covers the entire 8-day fundraising event. It includes accommodation, meals, teachings, empowerments and all other events. All proceeds will go towards the completion of the nuns' new monastery.

The fee for this auspicious event reflects the fact that it is a fundraising activity. If any individual wishing to attend has serious difficulty with the requested fee, please contact us and we will make some arrangement.

From Delhi you can reach Tilokpur by train to Pathankot, bus to Dharamsala or taxi. The journey takes about 10 hours. Tilokpur is one hour by car from Dharamsala or Pathankot.

If you cannot attend but would like to support the project, we’d love to hear from you.