Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies

Pathgate News

Beginning the New Year with Right Motivation

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche performing the Bodhisattva Vow

As we begin the New Year, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje encourages students to examine their motivation and focus on honest, authentic practice. In the Audio Teaching ‘Beginning with Right Motivation’, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje explains that a common sign of misplaced motivation is an obsession with mundane concerns, an obsession with emotions, with mundane opinions and mundane gossip. Such obsession paralyses the mind and prevents us from developing an authentic attitude to honour the true nature of things and cultivating dignity in doing what is right.

We must first cultivate respect for who and what we are, recognising that piece-meal respect is nothing more than a make-believe fabrication. Respect must be for all things, respecting them as what they are, developing appreciation and learning to respect the condition of cause and effect in all things.

Similar energy attracts. If we wish others to be kind to us, we much first extend kindness to others, if we wish to be respected and have supportive conditions, we must first respect the nature of things. Finding ourselves unable to act with authenticity and wisdom, we should rely on those who embody the teachings of Dharma, and follow their instruction exactly, without interpretation.

Right motivation begins with a compassionate mind, always thinking of the benefit of others. Supporting the right motivation with right understanding we should apply ourselves to practise the Dharma in every moment of the day.

To listen to this and other Audio Teachings, or to download them as MP3, please visit Audio Teachings by Lama Dondrup Dorje.

Pathgate Winter School 2011

The Pathgate Winter School 2011 took the form of a Retreat on Classical Medical Qigong Foundation Study, and was attended by students from countries of origin that include Hong Kong, China, Tibet, Singapore, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, USA and the UK.

Meditation practice during the Classical Medical Qigong Foundation Study Retreat

The Retreat began at 8am each day with group practice of Tara puja to help clear obstacles and remove the eight great fears. In addition to Dharma teaching and Classical Qigong, students received daily Audio Teachings that covered the first 12 parts of a 40 part commentary on the Heart Sutra of Great Perfection of Wisdom by Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje. They also had the opportunity to practice Buddhist meditation, and join in with the resident ordained Sangha for the Mahakala Protector sadhana as well as the morning and evening prayer practices.

At the Retreat, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje explained Classical Medical Qigong is a Buddhist practice working with the purification of energy in the body to bring mindfulness and tranquillity to the mind. He reminded students that the whole purpose of Buddhist practice is to attain a state of awakening from the mundane affairs of the world that we falsely perceive as real but is in fact no more than an illusion we create and label with our conceptual mind.

Sickness comes about chiefly because of our fixation with the three poisons of attachment, aversion and obscuration. When we cannot come to terms with the turmoil that comes with the three poisons and instead rely on self-denial by turning our attention to a diversity of distractions, the resulting afflictive emotion will still cause a surge of disharmony in the circulation of energy in the channels and organs of the body which leads to the manifestation of sickness. While Classical Medical Qigong can help to remove the physical symptoms of karmic ripening, we ourselves need to remove the causes of the negative karma we have generated in the past and avoid creating more non-virtuous causes in the present. To do so requires training the mind to enable us to cut obscuration at its root. Authentic Buddhist practice is about how to deal with the suffering and difficulties we encounter in our lives without giving cause for turmoil to arise in the process.

Retreatants participating in the practice of Dor Sem Lama Chodpa with the local ordained sangha

Students at the Retreat also had the opportunity to participate in the practice of Dor Sem Lama Chodpa (Vajrasattva Guru Devotion practice), which were held in consecutive evenings following the passing into Parinirvana of Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, as well as the Medicine Buddha Puja on the penultimate evening of the Retreat.

On the last day of the retreat, one Tibetan student from Eastern Tibet was so inspired by the teaching he received that he composed a Tibetan song and chanted before the congregated sangha in praise of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje as a great compassionate bodhisattva who works ceaselessly for the benefit of all beings.

Review of Pathgate Institute in 2011

By the support of lineage blessing, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje continued to propagate Buddha Dharma and support Dharma activities around the world during the course of 2011, working tirelessly to promote the enlightened activity of his Root Guru, His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche.

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje with students in the Netherlands

In addition to making regular visits to support existing students around the world, and conducting numerous retreats throughout the year, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje also responded to long-standing requests and made his first teaching visit to the Netherlands and Romania in 2011. In addition to giving Dharma teachings in the Netherlands, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje also conducted the ceremony of Tse Thar: the practice of Ransom and Life Release, at the request of local students.

In Romania, students are now benefitting from regular teaching visits by Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje, and have the support of a new local Study Group in Bucharest, which has been meeting regularly since Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje’s first visit to the country in June.

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje teaching at the Pathgate Summer School

Over the summer, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje remained in the UK for the duration of the Pathgate Summer School, which lasted for eight weeks and attracted students from 24 different countries. The 2011 Pathgate Summer School offered a selection of programmes which included Namcho Dzogchen Ngondro Bum Nga Accumulation Retreat, Classical Chan Ding Taijiquan Level One and Level Two Retreats, Classical Medical Qigong Foundation Study Retreat, and Dharma Foundation Study Level One, Level Two and Level Three Retreats.

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje giving teaching at the Pathgate Dharma Centre in Sydney, Australia

In Australia, the new extension of a bigger and more spacious practicing area of the Pathgate Dharma Centre in Sydney has been progressing well, and the construction of the new shrine room at the rear of the building is scheduled to complete by early 2012. It will be the future base for the Pathgate Australia Summer School which is planned for January 2013.

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje with His Excellency, Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili

Inter-faith dialogue was a strong theme in 2011, apart from accepting invitation to give teaching to the congregation of a local Church, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje was delighted to play host to the Archbishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, His Excellency Malkhaz Songulashvili, who travelled to Newcastle upon Tyne to meet with him to learn more about Buddhism. Finding answers to his many questions through their time together, the Archbishop described his meeting with Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje as most enriching and considered their encounter as the highlight of 2011 for him.

Members of the Ordained Sangha at the Palyul Choekhorling Monastery in Bir, India

Kunzang Yoedseling Retreat Home in Paro, Bhutan

Support for other Buddhist centres and monasteries continued in 2011 through the Pathgate Partnership Programme. Kunzang Yoedseling Retreat Home in Paro, Bhutan which have received full funding for the construction and furnishing of retreat house was formally opened in April; Palyul Choekhorling, a Nyingma monastery which lies in the Dhauladhar foothills of the Himalayas in India, received full funding for the construction of a water tank to meet the increasing demand of water usage for the growing number of monks living at the monastery was near completion by the end of 2011; contribution of funds was also made to the Palyul Mother Monastery in Tibet, the Palyul Nyingma Buddhist Association in Singapore, the Odiyana Centre in Australia, the Padma Wodling Dharma Centre in Singapore and to many other individuals from around the world who requested financial and material support for their Dharma practices.

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje showing HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the 12th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage, the animated film of the Quail story made by the Editorial Department of the Pathgate Institute

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje with Lama David of the Odiyana Centre in Melbourne, Australia

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje with Omje Wangchen of the Padma Wodling Dharma Centre in Singapore

Children in East Africa receiving food aid

On Disaster Relief, one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises unfolded last summer in the Horn of Africa, with over 13 million people facing starvation in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje responded to the crisis by diverting contingency funds to the amount of over 16,000 US dollars to the relief effort when the call for support was at its most pressing.

Some of the food items bought by Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje for the Christmas lunch at the People's Kitchen

Assistance to local charity in Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje’s home city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England continued with regular weekly delivery of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and confectionery to the People’s Kitchen which provides hot meal to the homeless people in the city. For Christmas, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje sponsored a roast turkey lunch on Christmas Day for over 100 homeless people and the procurement of a large quantity of warm clothing and sleeping bags to see them through the winter.

Other on-going projects of Pathgate Partnership Programme, which started in the 1990s, including sponsoring education for young people, support for the elderly and medical services for the needy, have been continuing throughout 2011 in India, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Africa. These and much more are merely a brief description of some of the compassionate activities as supported by the Pathgate Partnership Programme.

None of these could have been possible without the generous support from the students and friends of Pathgate Institute. If you wish to support the Pathgate Partnership Programme and become a Friend of Pathgate International, you may do so by clicking Making a Donation.

The Annual Ngagyur Kama Transmission at Bodhgaya 2012

Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje, a sponsor and founding member of the Executive Committee of the Ngagyur Kama Tradition Preservation Association, pays respects to HE Yangthang Rinpoche before the first Karma Transmission in 2010

His Eminence Yangthang Rinpoche from Domang Monastery has graciously accepted the invitation by Ngagyur Kama Tradition Preservation Association (NKTPA) to confer the empowerment of Kagye Desheg Dupa (The Eight Herukas as the Gathering of all the Buddhas) on the 4th February 2012 after the completion of the 2012 Ngagyur Nyingma Monlam Chenmo (The Great Prayer Festival for World Peace) in Bodhgaya, India. This will be followed by the complete oral transmission of Ngagyur Kama Teachings. At the conclusion of the transmission, Yangthang Rinpoche has agreed to bestow Long Life Empowerment to the congregation. The attendance of this Kama Transmission is restricted to those who have already received the first part of Kama Transmission given by Yangthang Rinpoche at the 2nd Ngagyur Kama Transmission in 2010.

Empowerment during the first part of the Kama Transmission in 2010

Another highlight of this year's gathering will be teaching given by Khenchen Namdrol Tsering Rinpoche on one of the Gyud (Mahayoga Tantra) which is part of the three great cycles of teaching of the Nyingma Tradition. The other two are Lung (Anuyoga tantra) and Men-Ngag (Atiyoga tantra).

For the benefit of foreign students, both English and Chinese translation will be available through radio broadcast. Food and accommodation for all the participants will also be provided for at the Ngagyur Monlam Chenmo Institute. Those who wish to participate in the teachings are requested to register in advance. For details, please contact: Khenpo Neydon Sangpo, tel: +91-9418612887 / +91-7250680808, email: nitartha2009@gmail.com; Khenpo Ngawang Nyandak, tel: +91-9758268893, email: nyandakn@yahoo.com; Lopon Sanggay, tel: +91-9733012799, email: lop_sangay@rediffmail.com.

Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche Entered Parinirvana at Age 80

Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, a prominent master of the Nyingma lineage entered parinirvana in the United States on the 27th December 2011. He was 80 years old.

The eldest son of HH Dudjom Rinpoche and the father of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was the incarnation of Tulku Trimé Özer, who was one of seven sons of Dudjom Lingpa, and was also considered to be an emanation of Longchenpa. In his youth in Tibet he studied for nine years at Mindroling Monastery. He later spent most of his time propagating Buddha Dharma in the USA.

Before his passing into parinirvana, Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche left instruction for his devotees to perform Vajrasattva practice for three weeks. There is special blessing to perform Vajrasattva practice after the passing of a Realised Master because the enlightened intent of such a master, whose every act is only to bring benefit to all beings, was born into this world as an act of compassion. Devotees who perform Dor Sem Lama Chodpa practice at this time will receive the blessing of making connection with the wisdom mind of Dungsei Rinpoche and in the process purify negativity and generate a great store of merit.

Dungsei Thinley Norbu Rinpoche's body will be brought to Bhutan after 21 days. The Kudung will first be taken to the Ranjung Yosercholing Monastery in Ranjung. The final rites are to be performed at Lango in Paro.

Pathgate Offers Christmas Cheer to the Homeless in Newcastle

The compassionate activities of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje extended beyond the boundary of giving Dharma teaching to students from around the world. He has long been associated with the promotion of community welfare by providing education, housing, food and clothing to those in need of assistance. This includes the homeless people in his home city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Under the direction of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje, the Pathgate Institute has been providing regular weekly delivery of fresh food and confectionery to the local People’s Kitchen which offers hot meals to the homeless people in the city.

Shortly before Christmas, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje made a personal visit to the People's Kitchen to find out first hand for himself their immediate needs for the festive holiday. In response to their requests, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje agreed to sponsor the roast turkey lunch with all the festive trimmings for over 100 homeless people on Christmas day. He also made a separate donation towards the procurement of large quantity of warm clothing and sleeping bags for the homeless people who visit the People's Kitchen throughout the winter months.

You too can play an active part to help the less fortunate through the Pathgate Partnership Programme. If you wish to make a donation, please visit Making a Donation. To read more about the People's Kitchen, click here.

	Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili Visited Pathgate Institute The Archbishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, His Excellency Malkhaz Songulashvili, visited Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje in late November on a fact finding mission to learn more about Buddhism... [Full Story]
	Update of Pathgate Activities in Sydney During his last visit to Australia Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje gave a radio interview, conducted a Tse Thar Ceremony and observed the progress in constructing a new shrine room for the Sydney Pathgate Dharma Centre... [Full Story]
	Tara Blessing Beats Down Syndrome In March this year, Ven Lama Dondrup Dorje received a request for guidance from an Australian student who was in her thirteenth week of pregnancy. She and her husband were alarmed by the result of the Ultra Sound Scan of her foetus... [Full Story]
	HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche Gave Empowerment To Pathgate Students In Singapore HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the 12th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage was in Singapore in November which happened to coincide with one of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje's regular visits to the city state.... [Full Story]
	Family Reunion in Shanghai Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje was at a family reunion in China recently to meet up with several family members in Shanghai. He also gave Dharma teaching and refuge to local students during his stay... [Full Story]
	Pathgate Offers Water Tank to Palyul Choekhorling Monastery in Bir In response to a request to Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje from the Palyul Choekhorling Monastery in Bir, India; the Pathgate sangha in Singapore has collectively raised the funds needed to sponsor the construction of a water tank at the monastery... [Full Story]
	Inter-faith Talk at Allen Memorial Methodist Church Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje was a guest at the Allen Memorial Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, where he spoke of the common goal shared by followers of different religions to transform everyday activity into a living action of love... [Full Story]
	H.E. Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche Passed into Parinirvana at Age 88 His Eminence Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, who has served as the Head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism since 2010, passed into Parinirvana on 2nd September 2011... [Full Story]
	Update on the East Africa Famine Appeal As the drought in the Horn of Africa continues, an estimated 13 million people now face starvation. Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje continues to see the humanitarian disaster as a priority of urgent attention... [Full Story]
	Pathgate offers friendship and food to the Homeless Pathgate has been offering friendship and food to the homeless in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England... [Full Story]
	Students from 24 Countries attend Pathgate Summer Retreats Students from 24 countries participated in the seven seperate retreats of is year's Pathgate Summer School in the UK... [Full Story]
	Retreat Commenced at the Kunzang Yoedseling in Bhutan While the Pathgate Summer Retreat took place in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK from the beginning of July 2011, a separate retreat was also started for the Dharma friends of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje at the Kunzang Yoedseling Retreat Home in Paro, Bhutan... [Full Story]
	New Pathgate Study Group in Bucharest, Romania During Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje's first visit to Romania to give teachings, he responded to requests from the local students to set up a Pathgate Study Group in Bucharest... [Full Story]
	Pathgate Easter & May Day Retreats Students travelled from around the world to attend recent retreats with Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje in the UK. The six-day Easter Retreat on Classical Chan Ding Taijiquan was followed by a three-day May Day Retreat on Dependent Origination... [Full Story]
	Lama Dondrup Dorje Visits the Ancient Capital of Holland During his recent visit to the Netherlands, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje gave several teachings on Meditation, Dharma Instruction and Buddhist Medical Qigong... [Full Story]
	Second Anniversary of HH Penor Rinpoche’s Parinirvana The second Anniversary Ceremony commemorating the Parinirvana of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was held at Namdroling Monastery in India for five days from 2nd April (29th day of the 1st Tibetan Lunar Month)... [Full Story]
	Enthronement of Khenpos and Dorje Lopon at Namdroling Monastery Congratulations are warmly extended to 137 Dharma brothers of Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje at Namdroling Monastery in India who have recently become the recipients of the degree of Khenpo and Vajracharya... [Full Story]
	Buddhist Practice Dates & Anniversaries A new addition to the Pathgate Institute website is ‘Buddhist Practice Dates & Anniversaries’, where you can find upcoming practice dates and anniversaries in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar... [Full Story]
	Teaching Of Longchenpa’s Mengag Rinpoche Dzod At Bodhgaya Following a change of programme at this year's Kama Transmission in Bodhgaya, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche attended this year’s event to give teaching on Longchenpa's Mengag Rinpoche Dzod (Precious Treasury of Pith Instructions)... [Full Story]
	Pathgate Winter Retreat 2010-11 During the Pathgate Winter Retreat 2010-11 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje gave a series of vibrant demonstrations to illustrate the reason why Buddhadharma is the foundation of authentic classical internal arts practice... [Full Story]
	Pathgate Partnership Programme – Summary for 2010 By the Blessing of the Lineage Gurus, Pathgate Partnership Programme has been able to maintain the sponsorship of a range of Dharma projects worldwide during the course of 2010... [Full Story]
	Chariot Of Courage At the Classical Internal Arts Foundation Study Retreat held in August, one of the participants was James O’Shea, who arrived in a wheelchair. [Full Story]
	When Drakpa Gyaltsen Met Drakpa Gyaltsen Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje has received in this life two Dharma names from his Root Guru His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche. The first one is Drakpa Gyaltsen when he took his Refuge Vows and the second is Dondrup Dorje when he took his Bodhisattva Vows... [Full Story]
	Personal Gift of Rock Crystal from Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo On his return to the UK in July after having completed a teaching tour of the Far East and Australia, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje was greeted by the arrival of a most excellent gift of rock crystal from Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo, founder of Kunzang Odsal Palyul Changchub Choling (KPC), USA. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Summer School 2010 The Pathgate Institute Summer School this year offered three retreats during the month of August, taking place in Greece and the UK: a Dharma Foundation Study Retreat, a Palyul Namcho Dzogchen Ngondro Retreat, and a Classical Internal Arts Foundation Study Retreat. [Full Story]
	Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche Entered Parinirvana One of Nyingma's most respected masters, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, passed into Parinirvana at 8:07 PM on June 19, 2010, the auspicious day of Medicine Buddha, at his home, Arya Palo Ling in NY, USA. [Full Story]
	Dharma Foundation Study in Singapore and Australia During the month of June and July, Ven. Lama Dondrup gave a series of open teaching based around the syllabus of the Dharma Foundation Study in Singapore and Australia, emphasising right conduct in daily activities and the importance of cultivating mindfulness in Dharma practice. [Full Story]
	Free Offer of HH Penor Rinpoche Thangka Posters Working under the compassionate guidance of Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje, a digital thangka of HH Penor Rinpoche was produced in 2007, and was seen and approved by His Holiness before he passed away last year. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Help Saved KPC Temple In late April, KPC (Kunzang Palyul Choling) was on the verge of losing their temple property to the bank, due to being behind with mortgage payments. On being informed of their plight, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje diverted money to KPC to ensure that the temple will be saved. [Full Story]
	Yu Shu Earthquake On the morning of April 14th, an earthquake measuring 7.1 struck the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture located in Qinghai, the traditional Tibetan province of Kham; the birth place of the late Holiness Penor Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	1st Anniversary of HH Penor Rinpoche’s Parinirvana To commemorate the First Anniversary of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s Parinirvana, a Grand Ceremony comprising five days of puja was held at the Namdroling Monastery in India from the 14th to the 18th of March 2010. [Full Story]
	First Colour Photograph of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche In India To commemorate the first anniversary of the Parinirvana of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, the Pathgate Gallery has expanded the number of photographs featuring HH Penor Rinpoche to include many rare early prints. [Full Story]
	A New Film on HH Penor Rinpoche's Parinirvana Puja Ceremonies New to the Dharma Theatre is a 39-minute film Tsa Wai Lama Chen, which covered the events during the Mahaparinirvana Puja Ceremonies for H.H. Penor Rinpoche at Namdroling Monastery last year. [Full Story]
	Palyul Clear Light: A Tribute To HH Penor Rinpoche (1932 - 2009) To commemorate the First Anniversary of the Parinirvana of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, a special tribute edition of Palyul Clear Light magazine has been produced. [Full Story]
	The Discourse of Dharmapada Sutra at Losar The Dharmapada Sutra is a collection of 423 stanzas of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings. Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje gave the commentary of this sutra during the two-day Losar weekend of the Tibetan New Year at the Pathgate Dharma Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. [Full Story]
	New Pathgate Study Group in Milan, Italy In response to requests from students in Italy, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje has recently given his blessing for a new Pathgate Study Group to be established in Milan. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Institute Provides Translation Broadcast At The Ngagyur Kama Transmission A record number of over 3000 Nyingma practitioners attended the Second Ngagyur Kama Transmission in Bodhgaya, India this year, for which Pathgate Institute was a principal sponsor. [Full Story]
	Christmas Retreat with Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje compassionately gave transmission and commentary on Bodhisattvacharyavatara - A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life during the Christmas Retreat at the Pathgate Dharma Centre - Newcastle upon Tyne. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Students Welcome New Year with Outdoor Qigong Practice in the Snow A selected group of Pathgate students who have demonstrated sufficient level of mindfulness in their practice were permitted to attend a two-day form correction retreat on Classical Qigong and Internal Arts [Full Story]
	Pathgate Partnership Programme – Summary for 2009 The Pathgate Partnership Programme has continued to sponsor many Dharma projects around the world during the past year, due to the support of students and friends of the Pathgate Institute. [Full Story]
	Living without Turmoil Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje compassionately gave commentary on Patrul Rinpoche's Thog Tha Bar Sum Du Ge Wai Tam - The Instruction that is Virtuous in the Beginning, Virtuous in the Middle and Virtuous in the End, in the UK at the end of October. [Full Story]
	Publication of ‘The Stairway To The Pure Lands’ 'The Stairway to the Pure Lands', is the latest prayer book published by Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies. [Full Story]
	Epilogue – Wildfires in Greece After the wildfires in Greece had died down this summer, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje went to Athens, explaining that further rain was needed to help the regeneration of the scorched earth. [Full Story]
	Students from 23 countries attend the Pathgate Summer Retreat Students from around the world gathered in Epidavros, Greece to attend the Pathgate Summer Retreat, held from 17th - 28th August. [Full Story]
	Puja of Compassion vs Wildfires in Greece When raging wildfires broke out in Greece this summer, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje, who was conducting the Pathgate Summer Retreat at the time, was requested to do anything he could to help. Hours after he performed pujas as requested, rain clouds gathered over the retreat area and shifted swiftly in the direction of Athens. [Full Story]
	Palyul Sangha Attend Lama Choepa In Hong Kong On the Saturday evening of 27th June 2009, a large congregation in Hong Kong gathered together to attend a special Lama Choepa Puja (prayer ceremony) in honour of the Mahaparinirvana of the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	Meaning Of The Heart Sutra In response to the request of students in Singapore, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje gave a three-hour discourse on the Meaning of the Heart Sutra in Singapore during his recent visit there. [Full Story]
	Malaysia Welcomes Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje visited Malaysia in early July to give a series of Dharma teachings to various Buddhist Groups in Kajang, Kuala Lumpa, Cheras, and Petaling Jaya. [Full Story]
	Anniversary of Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche Two weeks after the completion of the Kama Drubcho, and Saga Dawa Duchen celebrations at Namdroling Monastery in India came the 97th Anniversary of the great Dzogchen Master, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912). [Full Story]
	Conclusion Of The Forty-Nine Day Puja For The Late Holiness Penor Rinpoche The ceremony for the final day of the 49 Day Puja following His Holiness’ passing was held on the 28th day of the third Tibetan month (22nd May 2009). [Full Story]
	Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi visited Namdroling The reincarnation of the great Dzogchen Master Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche,Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi, visited Namdroling Monastery in late April to pay respect to the late Holiness Penor Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	37 Retreatants Completed 3 year – 3 Month Retreat On the morning of the 26th April 2009, 37 retreatants left the Samten Oseling Retreat Centre for the first time in three years after having completed their three year-three month retreat practice within the closed-door facilities. [Full Story]
	Inauguration of the New Office Building of Ngagyur Nyimgma University The second of two three-storey buildings for the Ngagyur Nyingma University sponsored by the Pathgate Partnership Programme was formally inaugurated and consecrated by HH Karma Kuchen. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Sangha Pay Homage to the Kudung of HH Penor Rinpoche During the month of April 2009, several groups of Pathgate students travelled to Namdroling Monastery to pay homage to the Kudung (Holy Body) of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	H.H. Penor Rinpoche's Mahaparinirvana Ceremony On the morning of 3rd April at 8.00 am, it was confirmed that His Holiness had released his body from the meditative state of Thugdam. The Kudung (Holy Body) of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has now been moved to Zangdok Palri Temple. [Full Story]
	Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of H.H. Penor Rinpoche Two new Supplication Prayers for the Swift Rebirth of H.H. Penor Rinpoche have been written by HE Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	H.E. Gyangkhang Rinpoche, the new Chairman of Namdroling Monastery and of the Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation Following the passing of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, a management committee with six members will hold power at Namdroling Monastery. [Full Story]
	His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche Entering Parinirvana After remaining in the meditative state of Thugdam for six and a half days, on the morning of Friday 3rd April at 8.00 am Indian time, HH Penor Rinpoche released his body from meditation and entered Parinirvana. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Study Group Retreats Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje has given to his students a massive amount of Dharma teachings over the duration of many years. To give students the opportunity to assimilate these teaching, a series of Pathgate Study Group Retreats have been arranged for their benefit. [Full Story]
	New Uniforms for Staff at Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital New uniforms were recently offered to every staff member of the Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, Mysore, South India, which has benefited from long-time support from the Pathgate Partnership Programme. [Full Story]
	Ngagyur Kama Transmission at Bodhgaya The first Kama Transmission organised by The Association for the Preservation of Ngagyur Kama Tradition was successfully completed on the 25th January in Bodhgaya, India. [Full Story]
	Publication of the First English Edition of the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo Prayer Book The finished English translation of the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo Prayer Book has now been jointly published by Namdroling Monastery and the Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Partnership Programme – Summary for 2008 Chiefly due to generous support from the students and friends of Pathgate Institute over the past year, the Pathgate Partnership Programme has been able to maintain the sponsorship of a range of Dharma projects worldwide. [Full Story]
	Palyul Times – A New English Magazine for Buddhist Enthusiasts The first issue of Palyul Times, an English language magazine for the followers of the Palyul Tradition has been published by the Translation Group of the Rigzod Editorial Committee, a section of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute based in Namdroling Monastery. [Full Story]
	Meeting Of The Three Buddhist Paths Shakyamuni Buddha, the World Honoured One turned the Wheel of Dharma three times during his lifetime, giving rise to the three Buddhist Paths. On recent travels overseas, Lama Dondrup Dorje received invitations to visit a Hinayana Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple in Cyprus, and a Mahayana Chinese Buddhist Temple in Sydney, Australia. [Full Story]
	Milarepa – A Film Trailer New to our Dharma Theatre is a trailer presentation of Tulku Sonam Rinpoche's production of the story of Tibet’s revered saint, Milarepa. [Full Story]
	Completion of Rainy Season Retreat at Namdroling The annual six week rainy season retreat, known as yarney, was recently brought to a successful conclusion at Namdroling monastery. [Full Story]
	Inter-faith Talk on ‘Meditation and Mindfulness’ Following a request to give teaching on Mindfulness and Meditation at a local church, Lama Dondrup Dorje visited St. Chad's Church in Bensham, Gateshead, UK. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Sponsored Second New Building At Namdroling Monastery The construction of the second of two new 3-storey buildings for the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute at the Namdroling Monastery in India, sponsored entirely by Pathgate Institute has already been in progress for a few months. [Full Story]
	New Book On Animal Welfare Tara’s Babies Animal Welfare, a Buddhist no-kill dog and bird rescue and sanctuary, is compiling a book to support animal lovers wanting to explore the option of hospice and palliative care for terminally ill or injured companion animals. [Full Story]
	A Letter From Mongolia The Pathgate Institute has for many years maintained an on-going Pathgate Partnership Programme that provides sponsorship on education to many people from around the world. Erdenehuu, from Mongolia, is one such child. [Full Story]
	‘The Compassionate World of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’ in wide screen and 12 Languages This 40 minute film, written and directed by Lama Dondrup Dorje has become a big hit among the devotees of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	Mind Training For Mental Health In June, Lama Dondrup Dorje was invited by the Khmer Workers Forum (KWF) in Sydney, Australia, to give a talk at their monthly meeting. Following this, Lama Dondrup Dorje gave Dharma Teachings and Qigong Seminars in Sydney, Melbourne and Phillip Island. [Full Story]
	The Heart-Shrine Relic Tour In Athens The Heart Shrine Relics Tour of the Maitreya Project, which features a unique collection of sacred Buddhist Relics, arrived in Athens early in July. These precious relics include those of Kasyapa Buddha, Lord Shakyamuni Buddha and many great Buddhist masters. [Full Story]
	Lama Dondrup Dorje gives TV interview in Greece While visiting Greece to give teachings at the end of May, Lama Dondrup Dorje was interviewed for a national TV, at the Pathgate Dharma Centre in Athens. [Full Story]
	Milan Welcomes Lama Dondrup Dorje Lama Dondrup Dorje visited Milan, Italy in early June to give a two-day seminar that included Dharma teaching, Meditation and Qigong. As a result of their request, Lama Dondrup Dorje has agreed to return to Milan in September to give further teaching. [Full Story]
	Shower of Blessing in Spain Lama Dondrup Dorje visited Spain in May 2008 to give a series of teaching on Dharma topics, Meditation and Qigong. Auspicious signs of rainbows and unseasonal showers marked the start of three days of teaching. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Sponsored Building at Namdroling Near Completion The construction of a brand new 3-storey building for the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute at the Namdroling Monastery in India is at the final stage of completion. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Students From England Receive Ordination Vows Three students of Lama Dondrup Dorje from the Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies in England received the ordination of Getshul Vows at the Namdroling Monastery in South India.[Full Story]
	New Film on Bodhgaya and Tso Pema A new film, which follows the journey of a pilgrimage by a group of Buddhists from Taiwan, covers the proceedings of the 17th Nyingmapa Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya, and also features Tso Pema (The Lake of Lotus), where Guru Rinpoche subjugated the king of Zahor. [Full Story]
	Dharma Foundation Study in Newcastle Students from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, China, Ireland, Mexico, and the UK, attended an end of year five-day retreat in December 2007 on Dharma Foundation Study with Lama Dondrup Dorje. [Full Story]
	Prayer Wheel in Athens A Prayer Wheel that rotates and projects the mantra of OM MANI PADME HUNG in the form of light onto its surroundings was the main exhibit at an art show in Athens. [Full Story]
	New Bond Of Friendship In Australia During the month of December 2007, Lama Dondrup Dorje spent two weeks in Australia, on a tour which included teachings in Sydney, Melbourne, Philip Island, Upwey and Adelaide. [Full Story]
	New Resident Spiritual Advisor For Singapore Khenpo Tashi Dhargay has been appointed by HH Penor Rinpoche to succeed Khenpo Jurme Kunzang as the new resident Spiritual Advisor of the Palyul Nyingma Buddhist Association in Singapore. [Full Story]
	Tibetan Prayer and Mantra The Tibetan Prayer and Mantra page has been further expanded to include several new prayers, both as audio recordings and printable text. [Full Story]
	The Passing Of Venerable Chodak Gyatso Rinpoche On the morning of the 3rd October 2007 in Hong Kong, the Venerable Chodak Gyatso Rinpoche, seated in a full lotus meditative posture in his room at the Hong Kong Palyul Dharma Centre, entered beyond this world into the pure realm. He was ninety years of age. [Full Story]
	Lama Dondrup Dorje on Radio Australia Lama Dondrup Dorje was a guest of Radio Australia of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation during his teaching tour in Australia in June & July 2007. The tour included teachings in Melbourne, Upwey and Sydney. [Full Story]
	Medical Team From Taiwan At Namdroling A team of doctors and medical students from Taiwan spent two months at the Namdroling Monastery in India. During their stay, they gave free talks, conducted medical check-ups and offered follow-up patient care to both the ordained community and the Tibetans in the area. [Full Story]
	Palyul Lineage Holders The Pathgate Gallery has been expanded to include a collection of thangkas depicting the Lineage Holders of the Palyul Tradition, from Mahasiddha Karma Chagmed Rinpoche to the current throne holder, His Holiness the Third Drubwang Penor Norbu Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	New Film on Zangdok Pelri Pema Odki Phodrang New to the Pathgate Theatre is a film presentation showing a virtual tour of Zangdok Pelri Temple at Namdroling Monastery in South India. Please visit the Dharma Theatre to view Zangdok Pelri Pema Odki Phodrang (the Light Rays Palace of Padmasambhava on the Golden Copper Coloured Mountain). [Full Story]
	New Pathgate Study Groups in Portugal & Melbourne New Study groups have been formed during Lama Dondrup Dorje teaching tours of the Mediterranean region, and of the Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, in March 2007. [Full Story]
	Tse Thar: Life Release in Hong Kong Tse Thar: The Practice of Ransom and Life Release was held in March 2007 in Hong Kong, to promote the good health and long life of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Lama Dondrup Dorje was there at the ceremony to assist Chodak Rinpoche, the Head of the Hong Kong Palyul Centre. [Full Story].
	The Life of Guru Rinpoche - A film trailer The project to translate the Tibetan dialogue of a 12-hour video production of The Life of Guru Rinpoche into English is nearing completion. A film trailer of the production was recently shown to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche who was very pleased with the result. [Full Story]
	Qi Dynamics, Electromagnetic Energy and Buddha Nature New to the Pathgate Theatre is a film recording an extract from a Two-Day Seminar given by Lama Dondrup Dorje in 2004 in Singapore on the practice of Classical Qigong with focus on Qi Dynamics, Electromagnetic Energy and Buddha Nature. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Students Receive Ordination Vows On the 18th day of the first month of Tibetan New Year, fourteen European students of the Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies received the ordination of Getshul Vows from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Thanks to Lama Dondrup Dorje making request on their behalf, students were blessed to receive their ordination from His Holiness personally. [Full Story]
	Letter From A Beneficiary Of The Pathgate Partnership Programme Congratulations to Dr. Sonam Topgyal, who has graduated last summer with a Bachelor degree of Medicine and Surgery in India. Dr. Topgyal was a recipient of an academic sponsorship provided by the Pathgate Partnership Programme. [Full Story]
	New Dharma Tale – The Hare On The Moon New to Dharma Tales is the story of The Hare On The Moon. This tale of the virtue of sacrifice tells of the past life of Shakyamuni Buddha, when he was born as a hare and offered his own flesh as a meal to a hungry stranger, who was the Lord of Heavenly Beings in disguise. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Gallery of HH Penor Rinpoche New Photo Galleries are now online of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Namdroling Monastery and Thangkas. The gallery of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche includes early pictures as well as many pictures of his compassionate activities in more recent years. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Dharma Centre - Athens The first phase of development of the Pathgate Dharma Centre in Athens was completed in october 2006, and opened for meditation and regular puja practice. [Full Story]
	The Heart Sutra of Perfection of Wisdom New to the Pathgate Theatre this month is a film entitled ‘A Discourse on the Heart Sutra Through the Manifestation Of Classical Qigong Practice’. The film is condensed presentation from the original programme filmed in 1997 at the 6th International Chinese Internal Arts Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. [Full Story]
	Pathgate Galleries The Photo Gallery of Buddhist Art features over eighty rare pieces of antique Buddhist artefacts from Tibet, China, and South Korea. [Full Story]
	Animated Feature of Jataka Tales New to the Dharma Theatre, is the first of Pathgate Theatre’s animated production which features the Jataka Tale of ‘With Wings That Fly Not’. [Full Story]
	Summer Retreat in Greece The Pathgate Summer Retreat took place this year at Epidavros in Greece during the month of August. The retreat included first time participants from Australia, Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Greece, and UK. [Full Story]
	Buddhist Medicine In Athens Invited by the members of the Palyul Sangha International in Greece, Lama Dondrup Dorje gave a private teaching to students on the Healing Power of Buddhist Medicine. [Full Story]
	Guru Yoga teaching by H.H. Penor Rinpoche In the Autumn of 2005, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche gave a teaching on Guru Yoga to the members of the Orgyen Mahaguru Society in Taipei, Taiwan. A film trailer of this teaching is available for viewing in the Dharma Theatre. [Full Story]
	Namcho Retreat - The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma A four-day Easter Retreat on Namcho Ngondro - The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma, was successfully completed in April 2006. [Full Story]
	Congratulations to sponsored students We would like to congratulate six of our sponsored students on their recent accomplishments; and also wish to welcome seven new students to our Pathgate Sponsorship programme. [Full Story]
	Seminars for the Pathgate Sangha in Dublin, Athens, Hong Kong and Singapore During May and June 2005, Lama Dondrup Dorje gave teachings in Ireland, Athens, Hong Kong and Singapore. [Full Story]
	Dharma Teaching and Taiji Picnic On 30th April to 1st of May 2005, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Lama Dondrup Dorje gave a two day seminar on Lojong, the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation, followed by a Taiji Picnic. [Full Story]
	Pathgate students in month long retreat in Namdroling Monastery, India In February 2005, Lama Dondrup Dorje took a group of eighteen students to the Namdroling Monastery in India to attend the month long Ngondro retreat given by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. [Full Story]
	Medical equipment for the Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital A large consignment of medical equipment and supplies were presented by Lama Dondrup Dorje to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in February 2005, before being delivered to the Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital which is administrated by Namdroling Monastery. [Full Story]
	English edition of the Namdroling Monastery Daily Prayer Book published The translation of the prayer book, ‘Wish-Granting Attainments’ is now complete and in print, published jointly by Namdroling Monastery and Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies in March 2005. [Full Story]
	New Computers for Namdroling Monastery Since May 2004, one dozen desktop computers, in addition to laptop computers, printers, scanners, UPS (power supply units) and other office equipment has been procured for the Namdroling Monastery. [Full Story]
	Arlikumari Nursery School is still sound and standing A recent revisit by Lama Dondrup Dorje to the Arlikumari Nursery School in Bylakuppe, South India, found the school buildings remained in sound condition. The school first received funding support in 2001 from Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies. [Full Story]
	Improved living conditions at the Tsogyal Shedrup Dargyeling, India’s largest Tibetan Nunnery We are happy to report that a number of projects started in 2004 to improve the living condition of Tsogyal Shedrup Dargyeling have been completed. [Full Story]
	Interior decoration of Padma Sangag Chokorling is close to finished Interior finishing of Padma Sangag Chokorling, a new temple situated at the new camp in Bylakuppe is near completion. [Full Story]

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