Several North American centers had the precious opportunity to host Chagdud Rinpoche this fall. It had been almost two years since his last visit and not one of us was left untouched by the intense blessings of his presence, the momentum of which seemed to build long before he ever set foot in the United States and has continued long after his departure for pilgrimage in Asia.

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Being in the presence of the lama allows us to see our practice as it is, without pretense, and to renew our commitment to following the spiritual path as he reveals it to us through his own dharma activity. What follows are photographs and pieces by a few of Rinpoche’s students that convey the gratitude all of us feel for his kindness. 

Song of Devotion

This song of devotion was written and dedicated to H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche by Gatsal Lama on behalf of the Oregon sangha, during the Essence of Siddhi drubchen in October. It is based on a prayer found in the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro.

Palden tsawai lama rinpoche—Glorious root teacher, precious one:

Precious teacher, knower of the three times, hear our plaintive call.

From this noise and confusion, hear that which is our song of pure aspiration.

Stay with us, for we are too young to be taken from the milk of your great kindness.

Dag gi chi wor padmai den zhug la—Dwelling on the lotus seat on the crown of the head:

Precious teacher, you who are free of bias and deception, guide us this very moment.

We must be mindful not to be like butchers outside of Dudjom Lingpa’s tent.

View like the sky, action like grains of barley flour—through your kindness,

may this be the mark of the children of Chagdudpa.

Ka drin chen poi go nay je zung te—Hold us with your great kindness:

Precious teacher, who shows us the only path, the stamping dance of the path

of nonattachment—

The thundering neigh of the horse-headed one at once shatters complacency

and clears the arena of the endless crowd of emotions.

“Not pushing, not pulling—knowing ways has, this kind some doing.”

A la la; p’hat . . . p’hat . . . p’hat.

Ku sung thug kyi ngo drub tsal du sol—Bestow the accomplishments of body,

speech, and mind:

Precious teacher, who shows the beginning, the middle, and the end of all dharmas to

be nothing else but pure from the beginning—

Help us to follow in your footsteps, and help us to know what it is to remain insepa-

rable from you.

Through your unceasing kindness, may we all come to fully know what it is that you

have given us. May we never part from true samaya.

Precious teacher, you who have known us for so many lifetimes, may your life

be long and stable.

May your activities ever increase like the waxing moon,

And, borrowing the words of omnicient Longchenpa, may they ever dispel the dark-

ness of unknowing and dry up the ocean of samsara; and

Through the merit of all that has been and will be accomplished, the island of free-

dom, thus coming into sight, may it extend into the ten directions for all beings.