A Message from Drubpon Ngawang

Dear Friends,

At the request of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, I am offering to accompany you on a pilgrimage to Bhutan and Nepal from September 2nd to the 27th, 2008.  His Holiness wishes that a pilgrimage of this type take place every two or three years.

We will have the opportunity in Bhutan to take part in a short retreat in the presence of Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche and Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche.

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, the profoundly spiritual kingdom of Bhutan has been able to preserve its highly original identity for centuries.  The country has around 800,000 inhabitants, mainly breeders and farmers.

To this day, Bhutan has been able to guard the traditional Buddhist culture that is deeply part of the spirit of its inhabitants while integrating certain positive and modern aspects of society such as the preservation of the environment, the establishment of democracy, etc. The national dress is worn by the majority of the population.

According to Bhutanese tradition, the history of Bhutan begins in the 7th century with the construction of two Buddhist monasteries by King Songsten Gampo, Kyichu Monastery in the Paro valley and Jampey Monastery in the Choekhor valley in Bumthang.

In the 8th century, Guru Pahmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) arrived in Bhutan and brought Vajrayana Buddhism there, in the aforementioned two valleys, as well as in the Singye Dzong valley in Eastern Bhutan.

The first Gyalwang Drukpa, Tsangpa Gyare (1161-1211), prophesied the coming of Phajo Druggom Shigpo, who became his principal disciple in spite of the fact that Tsangpa Gyare never met him.  Moved by a profound devotion at the sound of the name "Tsangpa Gyare," Phajo Druggom Shigpo arrived shortly after Tsangpa Gyare had left his body.  He nonetheless received his master's staff and his reliquary, according to the instructions left behind by Tsangpa Gyare himself.

Phajo Druggom Shigpo then returned to Bhutan and had a deciding influence from both a spiritual and temporal point of view.

The third Gyalwang Drukpa (15th century) established the Drukpa lineage in Bhutan through the intermediary of one of his disciples and introduced Djakpa Melen, the protector of the Drukpa lineage, near Timphu.

In the 17th century, the great grand nephew Tsangpa Gyare, Ngawang Tcheugyal, who was also the master of Pema Karpo (4th Gyalwang Drukpa), came to Bhutan and consolidated the power of the Drukpa lineage.

During the same period, the brother of Ngawang Tcheugyal, Drukpa Kunley, resided in Bhutan.  The great and widely-known yogi was endowed with great wisdom and called by the Bhutanese "the second Guru Padmasambhava."  He heavily contributed to the development of the Drukpa lineage.

Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who was one of the incarnations of Pema Karpo and the great grand nephew of Tsangpa Gyare, also lived in Bhutan and had a great influence as well.  He inaugurated a central government and unified the country which came henceforth to be known as "Druk Yul," the country of the Drukpas.

For centuries, great Tibetan and Indian Masters such as Mat chick Labrum, Panama Singe, Malaria and others, have marked the country with their spiritual imprint.

Today, the current king and the Due Keno, the spiritual head of Bhutan, work tirelessly for the development of the Dharma and the preservation of natural and cultural heritages.

After visiting Paro Tasking, we will travel to Bumthang for 5 days where we will receive Teachings from Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche and Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche.  Monks who have been specially invited will also be present. We will offer 100,000 Tsoks and light offerings during the time of our stay in Bumthang.  Situated in the East of the country, Bumthang is a particularly sacred region. It was blessed by numerous great Nyingmapa Masters such as the Tertons Pema Lingpa and Jigme Lingpa.

Before and after the stay in Bhutan, the pilgrimage will also take us to Nepal, where we will visit several highly sacred sites in Katmandu and the surrounding region.

Participation in a pilgrimage such as this is very beneficial and the source of great blessings. It is said that three days of practice in a sacred place is equal to three months in a place that has not been blessed.

This stay is organized by the Plouray center and the travel agencies "Monde de 1'Inde" in Paris, and "Barma Tours" for Bhutan and "Damarou Travels" for Nepal.

It is my wish that you be numerous in undertaking this pilgrimage and in sharing all its benefits.

Lama Ngawang Tenzin

* * * * * * * * * *

Spiritual heirs of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, Khyabje Thuksay Rinpoche

and Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche are both part of the young generation of

authentic Masters called to share responsibility for the Drukpa Lineage.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Khyabje Thuksay Rinpoche

Born in Ladhak in 1986, Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa as the reincarnation of the First Thuksay Rinpoche, one of the principal Masters of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa.  The First Thuksay Rinpoche was the son of the 10th Gyalwang Drukpa and the grandson of the great yoga Drubwang Shakya Shri.

An emanation of Chenrezig, Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche spent his youth and adolescent years at the Druk Thubten Sangag Choeling monastery where he studied under the direction of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa and other great Masters.

On the advice of His Holiness, he is pursuing his studies at the Tantric University of High Philosophical Studies of Tango in Bhutan.

Kyabe Thuksay Rinpoche especially appreciates the isolated aspect of this place as well as the exceptional quality of his professors.

--------------------------------------------

Khyabje Kamtrul Rinpoche

Born in India in 1981 in the family of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa as the reincarnation of the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche. The First Khamtrul Rinpoche Khampa Karma Tenphel (1569-1637) was the disciple of the first Yongzin Rinpoche, who was himself a disciple of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa, Kunkhyen Pema Karpo.

An emanation of Guru Padmasambhava, Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche spent his childhood and adolescent years at the Druk Thubten Sangag Choeling monastery where he studied under the direction of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa and the late Oumze Sherab, who was himself a disciple of the great yogi Trulshik Pema Tchoegyal.

On the advice of His Holiness, he is pursuing his studies at the Tantric University of Higher Philosophical Studies of Tango in Bhutan, a country which he respects and is very dear to him.

Program from 2nd to 27th September 2008

Departure for Nepal

Monday September 1

Departure 22H15* Charles de Gaulle airport (Paris)

Tuesday September 2nd

Arrival 16H05* in Katmandu (Nepal)

Afternoon:  Check-in to hotel and rest

Wednesday September 3rd

Visit to Stupas of Bodnath and Swayambounath and free time

Departure for Bhutan

Thursday September 4th

Departure from Katmandu for Paro at 15H40 (local time)

Arrival in Paro (Bhutan) at 17 h, check-in at hotel

Friday September 5th

Morning:  Visit to Taktsang, the "tiger's nest."

In order to reach the Monastery of Taktsang, situated at 1000 meters in the mountains above the Paro valley, three to four hours hiking is necessary.

A highly spiritual place, Guru Padmasambhava, Milarepa, Padampa Sangye, Matchik Labdreun and others meditated there.

Evening:  return to Paro

Saturday September 6th

Visit to Paro Dzong and Kyichu Lakhang, built in the 7th century by the king Songtsen Gampo, and visit of the Thangtong Gyalpo Stupa, three highly spiritual destinations. 

We will also visit the museum of Paro.

Sunday September 7th

Departure in the morning from Paro for Punakha via Thimpu, the capital.

Four or five hours of driving are necessary.

Monday September 8th

Visit to the Dzong (monastery) of Punakha and the Chimey Lakhang monastery.

Punakha is the former capital and is at 1700m altitude.

The Punakha Dzong is the most important dzong in the country and is under the authority of His Holiness Dje Khenpo who lives there during the winter with the monastic community of 1000 monks.

Chimey Lakhang, the monastery of Drukpa Kunley, dates from 1637 and is a highly venerated pilgrimage site in Bhutan.  Many people come there to pray and to receive blessings, notably in order to have children.

Chimey Lakhang harbors a jewel-adorned statue of Drukpa Kunley as well as some of his personal effects (mala, cup, etc.).

Tuesday September 9th

Visit to the great Stupa "Kam Soum You Gyiel", built by the queen of Bhutan in the mountains near Punakha.

Wednesday September 10th

Departure from Punakha for the region of Bumthang to the east with about 8 hours of driving (210 km).

While en route, visit to the dzong of Trongsar.

From Thursday 11th to Monday 15th September

Visit to the region of Bumthang and a short Guru Rinpoche retreat with offering of 100,000 lights and 100,000 tsoks.

Retreat in the presence of Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche and Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche who will also offer us Their Precious Teachings.

Tuesday September 16th

Departure from Bumthang for Thimpu, the capital and a good day's travel by car.

Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th and Friday 19th September

Visit of Thimpu and free time.

Thimpu, declared the capital in 1952, is the seat of the government.

We will have the opportunity to visit the monastery of Tango, a great center of philosophical studies where Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche and Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche have been studying for the past several years.

Next to Thimpu we will explore the fortress monastery of "Djakpa Melen," home of the Dharma protector of the Drukpa lineage and of Bhutan.

A meeting with His Holiness Dje Khenpo, spiritual head of Bhutan, may take place given time in his schedule.

Saturday September 20th

Departure for Paro in the morning.

Arrival in Paro, hotel check-in and free time.

Sunday September 21st

Departure from Paro at 07H00 – Arrival in Katmandu at 07H50 (local time)

From Monday 22nd to Friday 26th September I

Visit of Katmandu and the surrounding area: the monasteries of Amitabha and Bairo Ling, the two great stupas of Bodnath and Swayambunath, the site of Namo Buddha where Shakyamuni Buddha offered his body to a starved mother tiger.

13 circumambulations will be made around the Swayambunath Stupa.

Free time and shopping.

Departure from Katmandu for Paris

Departure Saturday September 27th at 20H25*

Arrival in Paris Sunday September 28th at 7H35* at Charles de Gaulle airport

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