Y-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are happy to report that we have been able to raise the entire amount of the note being called by our bank:  $250,000.  (The blogger is almost too stunned to be able to type in that amount!)

Coincidentally, our attorneys were able to arrange a two-week extension, or “forbearance” period, yesterday.  It will take up to seven days for funds being transferred from overseas to arrive in the KPC account.

As you may know, through our Tuesday and Wednesday evening webcast telethons, we raised a total of $205,126.  A lot of people made this possible! We had worldwide support–with donations ranging from $5 to $10,000.

Then, at the end, a donor came forward with the offer to cover whatever we were not able to raise to meet the amount due. That donor wishes to remain anonymous.

In addition, His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, 12th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage, offered a loan of $50,000, in support of the work of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo at KPC.  Fortunately, we did not have to accept his offer because of the generous stop-gap donation.  (But we understand that the business manager for His Holiness stayed up all night in case the funds needed to be wired!)

We are thrilled and grateful beyond belief!  We thank our Precious Guru, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, for her blessing and for providing our connection with the precious Palyul Lineage.  We thank our Lineage Masters, whose loving support during this crisis was incalculable, and, of course, we thank the generous donors who made this outcome possible! E Ma Ho!

Having His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche on the throne at KPC reminded us all of his predecessor–and our mutual teacher–His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.  (Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was raised as his heart son.)

That is Penor Rinpoche’s picture behind him, with the light beautifully reflecting as if from his heart.  In fact, seeing Karma Kuchen Rinpoche on the throne felt like being with Penor Rinpoche as a young man.  As Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC Spiritual Director, remarked, His Holiness seemed to have “mixed his mind with that of Penor Rinpoche.”

His Holiness offered four empowerments:  Guru Rinpoche (or Precious Teacher), Vajrakilaya (wrathful remover of spiritual obstacles), Dorje Phagmo (the feminine mind of enlightenment), and Amitayus (Buddha of Long Life).  Here two Palyul monks, accomplished musicians, blow the long horns to signal the point at which the empowerment is transferred to those present.

People approached the throne to receive the blessings and empowerment substances.

Jetsunma was able to visit extensively with His Holiness.  Here they are, preparing to sit down for a long discussion.

His Holiness was very pleased with a gift that Jetsunma brought:  an empowered miniature stupa with a crystal  bhumpa .  The crystal contained a precious relic, carefully sealed inside.

When His Holiness asked to see the relic, Ani Dawa, who had sealed the stupa herself, started to tell him that it wasn’t possible.

“It’s permanently sealed . . .” she started to explain, then, seeing that it had yielded immediately to his hand, she trailed off,

“ . . . or not.”

His Holiness easily and securely re-assembled the stupa once he had looked inside.

The incident reminded observers of a story told about his predecessor, Penor Rinpoche, as a child.  He is said to have dropped an ancient, sacred vajra (a ritual instrument) and broken it.  Appalled, he quickly applied saliva to stick the parts together again—and successfully mended it!

Speaking of young people, they also came to visit.  Elizabeth and Riley were running a bake sale for the benefit of the Garuda Aviary, to which they are devoted.  They offered the first cupcake (it was the first one–right, girls?) to His Holiness, who seemed very pleased.

Not to be left out of the gift action, photographer Manny Garcia presented a portrait he had crafted of His Holiness.  (One of Manny’s photos of then-candidate Barak Obama became the basis for the famous “Hope” poster.  Now THIS would make a great poster, wouldn’t  it, Manny?)

At the end of the empowerments, Manny herded everyone outside for a group photo with His Holiness.

Of course, some people don’t need to be herded!  We’ve watched Ani Dolma (a former  U.S. Army major, now retired) organize a crowd!  Here she seems bemused by the goings on.  (TEN HUT!)

Finally, everyone was ready, and pictures were snapped.  We particularly like this shot:  look carefully at His Holiness, making the peace sign—and young Robin, in front of him, unconsciously but perfectly framing his gesture with her exuberant arms!  May we always act in such harmony with our teachers!

His Holiness Karma Kuchen photo by Mannie Garcia

October 23, 2009

Dear Palyul Students and Friends:

The Great Vidyadharas – all of the Palyul Throne Holders of the
past up to our present root teacher, the late His Holiness Pema
Norbu Rinpoche, the Eleventh Throne Holder – have purely upheld
the authentic teachings of the Palyul Lineage.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has enthroned me as the Twelfth
Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage, and following his advice
and enlightened intention, along with the assistance of his two
heart sons, I have accepted the responsibility for upholding the
Buddha Dharma, as well as overseeing and serving the Palyul
mother monastery, and all of its branch monasteries and dharma
centers worldwide. I have full-heartedly taken on this
responsibility, and I am doing my very best.

Therefore, I advise all of our Palyul students and friends to
not become entangled in any unnecessary confusion and worries
but rather to devote yourselves to learning and practicing the
dharma, and to continue your support of the Palyul dharma
centers. At this time, for the sake of peace and harmony for
all, it is my fervent request that you mingle your mindstream
with the dharma and earnestly practice the teachings.

With blessings,

Signed
Paltrul Karma Kuchen

NGA GYAI TSUG GYEN PEN CHEN BIMALA
You are the crown jewel of five hundred scholars,

LAR YANG SID PA ZUNG WAI TSUL TEN CHING
The great scholar Vimalamitra, who has taken birth once again;

NYING POI TEN PA PEL LA DA DRAL WA
You who have no rivals in spreading the heart essence of the
teachings:

PEMA NORBUI ZHAB LA SOL WA DEB
I pray to Drubwang Pema Norbu.

GANG GI YANG SID CHOG GI TRUL PAI KU
Hold us with your compassion

NYUR WA NYID DU JON PAR TUG JE ZUNG
Through the swift coming of your reincarnation, the supreme
emanation!

This email was sent to those identified as members of the CLOSE
STUDENTS list of the Palyul.org email list who have expressed an
interest in thi type of content. The contents of this letter are
intended for Dharma students of Palyul and anyone else who might
benefit.

May all beings benefit!

We rejoice in the arrival of His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the head of the Palyul lineage, at Kunzang Palyul Choling.  Yesterday was a joyous day.  Here are some photos that captured the event.

It started with chalk drawings of the eight auspicious symbols.  This is a traditional part of a greeting for a Rinpoche.

As His Holiness arrived, we tossed flower petals

We also made smoke offerings of cedar

Jetsunma and Ani Sonam awaiting the arrival of His Holiness Karma Kuchen

Welcome Holiness!

Sangha offering katas to His Holiness Karma Kuchen

Jetsunma giving a blessing to a small visitor