Land Blessing Ceremony in Colorado
Traditionally intended to request permission and blessings from the earth in order to create auspicious conditions for building on the land and supporting future beneficial dharma activities, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche presided over a Land Blessing Ceremony in Colorado on February 1st (2025). At this site, a new center will be build to offer a variety of programs to inspire individuals and contribute to building kind communities together, and it will be the future home of Nalandabodhi Colorado.
Together with Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, Lama Rabten Tshering, and Acharya Tashi performed the puja that was further attended by Mitra Lee Worley, the Nalandabodhi Colorado Leadership team, and the architects working on the design of the building.
Visiting Nalandabodhi Colorado
On Sunday February 2, 2025, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Acharya Lama Tenpa visited our sangha (community) in Colorado and shared the importance of establishing a new building in Boulder, Colorado. It is a place blessed by many great masters and can be considered the place where Nalandabodhi was born. Rinpoche taught the dharma for the first time in Boulder. Acharya Lama Tenpa likened it to Varanasi and Vulture Peak Mountain; the physical locations where the Buddha turned the wheel of dharma and introduced profound teachings. A physical place is important to offer anyone interested in the path to freedom and genuine happiness an opportunity to connect and practice together.
Ponlop Rinpoche recounted coming to Boulder with His Holiness the 16th Karmapa when he was only 14 years old. He said he has many memories here, including spending time with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Vidhyadhara, Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.
The meaning of Tsug Lak Khang (Sanskrit: vihāra)
In sharing about establishing a new building, Rinpoche translated the Tibetan གཙུག་ལག་ཁང་། (Tsug Lak Khang) as “crown, hand, place.” He clarified the meaning as, a place where what is venerated, the qualities of the noble ones held at the crown of the head, are set into the hands of beings. In addition, Rinpoche shared how the Buddha taught that the merit of creating or inspiring Tsug Lak Khang is immeasurable.
We wish this future building will contribute to an auspicious connection and the flourishing of Nalandabodhi Colorado, offering activities to benefit everyone in the world.
