This center, the Drukpa Mila Center, has a central focus to help maintain and propagate the traditions of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. The Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Buddhism is the major Buddhist lineage in Bhutan. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, regarded as a saint, established this lineage as the state religion in Bhutan. The Drukpa Kagyu lineage was brought to Bhutan from Tibet by a saint named, Phajo Drukgom Shigpo.
Lama Karma Namgyel, the Spiritual Director of Drukpa Mila Center, was born and lived in Bhutan and has been residing in the US for the past 8 years. He lived as a monk in a Drukpa Kagyu monastery and learned sacred rituals and texts.
Bhutan is located in the Himalayas with Nepal, India and Tibet as its neighbors. It is a very unique country since it is the last sovereign Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom which blends a Buddhist ruling king with a Democratic constitution. Bhutan weaves Buddhist principles and teachings throughout its culture and traditions so that there is virtually no separation between Buddhism and the way of life that is lived there. Sacred Buddhist traditions have been practiced for many, many centuries and still today are preserved with great care by the monastic body. Bhutan has adopted a "middle path" in the country. The country focuses on how to balance the needs of human beings with the needs of nature so that both can coexist together. For example, with the downward rushing rivers from the moutains in this Himalayan country, Bhutan was able to build a hydroelectric plant which provided an ecomony for Bhutan, but did not harm the environment.
Until recently, sacred traditions of the Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist lineage have remained in Bhutan with few outside of Bhutan being able to experience these rituals and ceremonies. We had the great fortune in June 2004 through the Center, to sponsor a US tour of Holiness Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche and some monks from Bhutan. Holiness Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche also presided over the consecration activities for the Drukpa Mila Center while he was in Boulder, CO.
Holiness Ngawang Tenzin is a high reincarnation of the Drukpa Kagyu Lineage of Buddhism in Bhutan. . He started studying Buddhism at age 5. He received Buddhist Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings from many great masters and now is considered a great scholar and teacher himself. Throughout his life, he has spent 28 years in retreat. Holiness always radiates great peace, joy, love, compassion and tolerance and many who have met him have been very moved by these qualities which he exudes. The Center is planning to have Holiness return to the US to continue giving teachings and sacred rituals in the US according to the Drukpa Kagyu tradition.
The center currently conducts regular meditation practices under the auspices of Lama Karma Namgyel. Tibetan classes are offered. Other services provided to interested persons include astrology divination, statue filling, tormas and individual prayers and ceremonies and healing practicies based on need. Anyone is invited to attend the activities of the center.
Lama Karma also offers trips to Bhutan to see monasteries and other sacred places in Bhutan on a regular basis. Meditation is also a focus of these trips. If you have interest in traveling to Bhutan on one of these trips, see the “Contact Us” link.
The center will invite accomplished teachers in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage as well as other lineages of Buddhism to the US to share their wisdom and knowledge. It is a goal that this center will provide a bridge between those seeking spiritual knowledge and realizations and the teachers that have attained these.
May individuals and those in the world become more mindful in practicing patience, compassion, and tolerance to ourselves and others. |
