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Updated 12 May 2009
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SEEKERS
DHARMA STUDENTS
DZOGCHEN STUDENTS
DZOGCHEN
MANDALA
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Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, the spiritual patron of the Dzogchen Mandala, named the hermitage that would ultimately be occupied by his Dharma heir, Lama Surya Das. Although he recognized that he would not visit personally in this lifetime, Nyoshul Khen indicated that Dzogchen Osel Ling (the “Dzogchen Lighthouse”) would be of paramount importance in fulfilling the mission of transmission of the heart essence teachings of Dzogchen to the West. Dzogchen Osel Ling is a residential compound intended as a hermitage and sanctuary – a place for advanced teaching, Dharma transmission, and contemplative practice where the rimé tradition and the Dzogchen lineage of Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche may be continued in the West.
Through the generosity of one of Lama Surya Das’ most devoted students, a thirty-eight acre tract of land with extensive improvements is being transferred to the Dzogchen Foundation by the end of the year 2002. Thereafter, Dzogchen Osel Ling will be located some 30 minutes west of Austin, Texas on the banks of the Pedernales River. An overview of Dzogchen Osel Ling is presented below.
Lamas’ Hermitage
In the tradition of the Nyingmapa, a lama has a residence or compound of a size sufficient so that his staff and attendants, translators, tutors, master of ceremonies, closest senior disciples, and family are all housed nearby. Those Lamas associated with a monastery (or “gompa”) would maintain such a residence in or near such centers. Traditionally, however, the more common path for the Nyingmapa Lama was to maintain a “village seat” independent of any large establishment where he could maintain his household.
Dzogchen Osel Ling is intended to provide such a residence for Lama Surya Das and, in due course, for other senior teachers of the Dzogchen Lineage. There is no intention of actually developing a Dzogchen Gompa as the mission is considered best served by continuing to offer the teachings throughout the world rather than creating a singular, physical center. Also, the “Nyingmapa village lama” model is considered the most suitable for sustaining the deepest possible personal teacher-student relationship within the Dzogchen Mandala, and this is the ultimate purpose of Dzogchen Osel Ling.
Lama Surya Das lives a hectic life in the public eye with an extensive travel and teaching schedule. Due to his mission and the nature of his work on both the broad and deep dimensions, the emphasis of the Dzogchen Mandala is one of lay practice and the integration of Dharma and Dzogchen with the activities of daily living. Therefore, he also lives as a layman maintaining a household and all that goes with such a commitment in the Western world. It is imperative that he has a residence appropriate for such a household that is also a place of respite where he may retreat for private spiritual pursuits, to engage in research and writing, and just to rest.
In order that it is truly his hermitage, this residence must necessarily be dedicated solely to his use so that he may utilize it at any time without advance reservation and so that it may serve as a repository of his personal library, artifacts and archives to the extent he wishes.
All potential uses of the property will be in keeping with this residential character, of Dzogchen Osel Ling itself and of its surrounding neighborhood. Dzogchen Osel Ling will only provide continuing residence for a very few senior practitioners who have direct custodial or other service roles that require their presence on-site. The residential period of all other guests will be limited to the purpose which generated the invitation. In this way, Dzogchen Osel Ling will maintain the character of the private residence it is, thus enhancing its role as a hermitage and sanctuary for Lama Surya Das.
Library and Archives
A great deal of precious material has been accumulated by Lama Surya Das that should be preserved in a way that it also remains accessible over time to the teachers and the Sangha. His personal spiritual library and collection of religious art and artifacts is extensive. These archives will continue to grow at a fairly rapid pace once everyone becomes aware of the ability to conserve and preserve not only teaching materials, and documents, but ritual implements and practice artifacts as well as tangkas, statues, blessed photos and historical albums, calligraphies, ashes and bone-relics, and the like.
The most pressing priority of an archival program is the accumulation, identifying, inventorying, and conserving of the many original documents and artifacts that Lama Surya acquired in association with the great masters of the Tibetan tradition with whom he studied in Asia. These precious items are already suffering damage and loss and their preservation is of immediate concern. Obviously, Dzogchen Osel Ling provides an ideal location to house the archives. Facility requirements are straightforward at this time; little more than secure storage (shelving and file cabinets) and computer support are required in the initial stages. In due course, some level of humidity and light control and the like will be required for preservation of some materials, but this need most likely be met by the use of other facilities available for the purpose once the collection has been inventoried and the scope of the challenge identified.
In addition, an appropriate reference library space is needed so that the essential texts (books, audio tapes, or video tapes) are preserved and made available to those authorized for its use. Of course, as the Sangha ages, such a library and archival program would provide a most desirable repository of the personal libraries, Dharma art and ritual items of deceased practitioners so that these would both be preserved and shared for the benefit of all.
Zone of Peace Garden/Stupa
Lama Surya Das has long held a clear vision of beautiful meditation gardens and a nature sanctuary as an integral part of Dzogchen Osel Ling. This is totally congruent with the wishes of H.H. the Dalai Lama as he has declared that the world would benefit from the creation of “Zones of Peace.” Of course, the greatest such Zone of Peace would be Tibet itself, should the Chinese ever relax their grip. In the meantime, it is believed that gardens and woodlands set aside for the individual contemplation of peace and compassion would benefit all sentient beings, functioning like spiritual parks in the midst of cosmopolitan life. Dzogchen Osel Ling will be a most appropriate place for such a Zone of Peace.
A small Stupa (“pocket stupa”) will be a natural and most appropriate adjunct to the Zone of Peace. A stupa is desirable in that it is believed that it will anchor the Lineage of the Dzogchen Mandala in the West for as long as it is maintained and preserved. Such a stupa will provide an appropriate depository for the relics of Dilgo Khyentse and other Tibetan masters already in possession of Dzogchen Center and it will certainly provide a focus for practice and an anchor for blessings and transmission.
The gardens will provide a natural setting for the residential compound and will be available to all during their residence.
Advanced Students/Teacher Development
Ultimately the Lineage tradition of the Dzogchen Mandala will be secured through the acknowledgement and empowerment of individual lineage holders. The Intensive Retreats offered by the Dzogchen Foundation provide the opportunity for individuals to deepen their commitment and practice of Dzogchen on a regular and continuing basis. A few do so to an extent such that they are invited by Lama Surya Das and his associated teachers to commit their lives fully to the Dharma as lay practitioners; fewer still of these will emerge as “Lineage Holders” who are those who will provide the succeeding generations of Dzogchen Lamas and teachers. Traditionally, such lineage holders emerge after long periods of intense and continuing individual interaction with their teachers; such interaction most often occurs through some combination of specific study, retreat, and service as a member of the Lama’s household. Dzogchen Osel Ling will provide the physical and emotional “home” for these succeeding generations, as it will be here that they receive their greatest spiritual direction and training from their teacher(s) and to which they continue to turn and return for spiritual and collegial support.
An essential element of practice is the extended retreat. Such retreats are best conducted for most practitioners in an environment where personal, spiritual and emotional direction, guidance and support are available from their teacher(s). The facilities of Dzogchen Osel Ling will be adaptable in order to accommodate all related forms of practice and retreat, either in group or individual settings, such as ngöndro, rushen, six yoga retreats, dark retreats, and the like.
It is Lama Surya’s intention to hold an invitational 100-day retreat at Dzogchen Osel Ling each year. As the focus and content of each will vary over a multi-year cycle, participation in a number of these retreats will prove the equivalent of the traditional “three-year” retreat undertaken by the Nyingmapa, assuming individuals engage in the entire sequence of practices over several years.
Other Dharma Activities
From time to time, special invitational teaching programs will be held at Dzogchen Osel Ling. On occasion, Lama Surya Das has been called upon to hold private teaching sessions for teachers of other paths and traditions so that they may explore Dzogchen and consider its inherent ability to further enhance and deepen their own teaching and practice. Other special sessions will include appropriate special practices, bestowing empowerments for limited groups, and the like.
Lama Surya Das has been a leader in the development of various conferences and organizations of “Western Dharma teachers.” Dzogchen Osel Ling, due to the nature of its facilities, its Rimé tradition, and the recognized interests and expertise of its spiritual leadership will be well positioned to support that leadership in facilitating and mediating a truly open and fully welcoming approach to the Dharma. Therefore, Lama Surya will occasionally welcome colleagues among the Western Dharma Teachers, other Lamas, and spiritual leaders of other traditions as individuals or small groups for discussion and to develop deeper connection in order to maximize the incredible potential for good that can arise from the coming together of virtually all of the rich Dharma forms and traditions within one culture essentially for the first time.
Facility and Development Issues
Dzogchen Osel Ling is financed through a combination of donor-directed funds and general operating income of the Dzogchen Foundation. Many guests will be asked to defray the actual cost of their room and board. Also, Lama Surya Das, his associate teachers, and their Dharma colleagues have committed to support Dzogchen Osel Ling by participating in special fund raising and other revenue-generating events. Although the finances of a facility such as Dzogchen Osel Ling always require attention and careful management, the limited scope of Dzogchen Osel Ling will make these issues somewhat less problematic, and it is generally true that well designed facilities which support the efforts and enhance the lives of their constituents tend to draw the resources that they require.
Although the existing land and buildings of Dzogchen Osel Ling were acquired without cost through a most generous gift to the Dzogchen Foundation, funds must also be available to begin immediate operations. These operating funds will be required for multiple purposes such as utilities, supplies, moving expense, insurance, and the like. Also, substantial funds are required to develop the additional facilities necessary to support the activities described above.
Existing Buildings:
Tenzo (Main House) ---
The main structure is a larger three bedroom house with various associated amenities. This will be the Lama’s residence. The master bedroom will of course serve as Lama Surya Das’ principal private space --- it is sufficient to serve as his bedroom and also a small private study. The other two bedrooms will serve as guest and service facilities. A loft room will make an excellent meeting and interview room while the kitchen, living and dining rooms are more than adequate to serve these purposes as well as support receptions and other such gatherings as required. This building is known as Tenzo in honor of the original name of the entire compound.
Drolma Lha-kang ---
A large, relatively new barn-style structure will serve magnificently as the Shrine Hall (Lha-kang), providing the practice space required for any Lama’s household. Although it must be decorated for the purpose, the ground floor space is fully useable as it stands. There are two balconies, which will serve well as library and archival space once the appropriate storage cabinets and shelving are installed. The Shrine Hall has been named “Drolma Lha-kang” by Lama Surya Das in recognition of the clear emergence of Tara (“Drolma”) in Western Buddhist practice and also in honor of the donor of the property.
Gate House ---
A small residence at the inner gate to the compound will be used initially for staff housing as the caretaker’s residence. This may be the best long-term use for this building as well; alternatively staff requirements might best be met through new construction and this building made available for other guest or support functions.
Other facilities ---
A storage barn, and two small bathing and toilet facilities have also been constructed on the site.
To Be Constructed:
Guest Housing:
In order to provide sufficient guest housing while also enhancing the residential nature of the compound, additional residences will be constructed as soon as possible. These residences will be multi-bedroom houses with full kitchens, multiple baths, and the other such usual amenities. Each will offer a combination of single and multiple occupancy guest rooms.
Gardens/Stupa:
With appropriate master planning, the guest residences can be connected to each other and the rest of the compound via paths with surrounding gardens which can themselves constitute the core of the Peace Garden. The stupa most likely could be located as a centerpoint to the compound and natural destination of these paths. Effective planning will result in good screening of all facilities from the road and surrounding properties. It is intended that all construction will enhance the true residential nature of Dzogchen Osel Ling and the surrounding neighborhood.
To Be Acquired:
Acquiring neighboring lands as they become available is desirable in order to provide additional visual and auditory privacy to Dzogchen Osel Ling as well as the remaining neighbors. As there is no intent to expand Dzogchen Osel Ling itself beyond that described above, such acquisitions will have the added benefit of preserving additional acreage in its natural state.
Summary:
The Dzogchen Mandala is the universe within which those new to the Dharma and Dzogchen, Dharma Students, Dzogchen Students, Disciples, Practice Leaders, and Teachers all engage the heart essence teachings of Dzogchen and the Dzogchen lineage tradition. Dzogchen Osel Ling will be the physical manifestation of the Dzogchen Mandala. As such it will require the emotional and financial support of all those who are committed to this Mandala and the work of Lama Surya Das and his associated teachers. Dzogchen Osel Ling will be a place toward which energy flows, but it will also be the place from which energy is emitted like light from a lighthouse. Those who participate in meetings, group and individual retreats and the like that will be held at the Dzogchen Osel Ling will be those who lead the way in grounding the BuddhaDharma in the West, integrating the practice of Dzogchen with daily life, and securing the lineage of the Dzogchen Mandala in the United States ---- and thus providing the light anticipated by Nyoshul Khen in naming Dzogchen Osel Ling, “the Dzogchen Lighthouse,” or the “Lighthouse of the Dzogchen Mandala.”
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