vajra vidya – Diary of a Pilgrim

Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 1

I’ll give this to you straight: don’t come to Sarnath looking for creature comforts. This is a sacred power spot, the place where the historical Buddha first turned the wheel of the Dharma, giving his first talk here at Deer Park. You come here for Dharma teachings, or pilgrimage. My teacher Thrangu Rinpoche has aContinue reading “Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 1”

Timing is everything

Just as I was about to enter into solitary meditation retreat a couple of weeks ago here in Crestone, I learned that Tulku Damcho Rinpoche would come to give 3 days of empowerments at Vajra Vidya Retreat center. Empowerment (Tibetan: wang) in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is a ritualized way of transmitting the essentialContinue reading “Timing is everything”

Pilgrimage to Bangkok

It’s about time I played tourist in Bangkok, and a visit from my dear friend and guide Khenpo Jigme, finally got me off my seat to do it. Khenpo Jigme is my neighbor from Crestone, where he is Thrangu Rinpoche’s main teacher at Vajra Vidya retreat center, and a whole lotta of fun! Wat Pho andContinue reading “Pilgrimage to Bangkok”