Why the Dzogchen Retreat Center is Urgently needed

The Crisis in Tibet, and the Immediate Need to Preserve the Dzogchen Lineage
Don't Let Time Steal Away this Precious Opportunity!
Retreat Is the Foundation of Stabilization
The Need for Proximity of Teacher and Student in Retreat

I. The Importance of Preserving the Dzogchen Lineage

From the sixth century to the modern era, the Tibetan people have learned, meditated and practiced Buddhism, and Buddhism has become an inseparable part of Tibetan society. In this way, for over one thousand years the Dharma teachings have found a continuous home within the minds of teachers and students in Tibet. Moreover, Tibet is unique in that it is the only place on Earth where the entire teachings of the Buddha arrived intact and have been maintained and propagated up to the present day.

Now, the traditional Tibetan educational system is rapidly disappearing, and Tibetan
language and culture are being destroyed. The present generation of Buddhist lineage holders has fewer living members than any time in the past thousand years. Though a small number of lineage holders still remain, they face enormous difficulty in preserving the Dzogchen Lineage.

Modern society is familiar with the concept of the extinction of a plant or animal
species. Sadly, people are less familiar with the extinction of a specific living lineage
of positive thinking, which is the root of peace. But the threat of extinction is exactly what the Tibetan wisdom tradition of the Dzogchen Lineage faces today.

We should know that the Dzogchen wisdom lineage is not some type of fabricated or
arbitrary knowledge, nor is it something simply “made up” in the sense that it could be re-created at any time based on a formula contained in written documents. Dzogchen Lineage means continuous living awareness. This unbroken Dzogchen Lineage is wisdom and compassion that can only be preserved in the hearts of qualified lineage holders. Without lineage holders who have undergone years of intensive training, it is impossible to transmit the essence and meaning of this precious lineage from one generation to the next.

We are facing a real crisis in which the living wisdom of the Dzogchen Lineage is
on the verge of disappearing inside Tibet and has not yet been firmly established
elsewhere. Some qualified teachers have been able to make their way to countries like the United States. However, due to a lack of resources and proper conditions, they have generally been unable to fully teach and train their students. We urgently need a place where people can learn and authentically practice the Dzogchen teachings of the Buddha.

The Dzogchen Lineage now faces the very real possibility of extinction. We must not let this precious stream of Wisdom disappear from our world. Please help create the Dzogchen Retreat Center so that we can preserve and perpetuate the Dzogchen Lineage for the sake of world peace.

II. Time is of the Essence

Throughout history there have been many great Buddhist masters who were willing and able to help the world by transmitting the wisdom lineages. Tragically, it has often happened that while these masters were still healthy and vital, their ability to teach was limited by a lack of resources. In many cases, by the time sufficient support developed, these teachers were much older and no longer had the time or stamina for extensive teaching. For this reason they were unable to complete their students’ training.

We are now in a position to prevent this common tragedy from happening again. Our precious teacher, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, has come to the United States with the sincere motivation to offer the precious Dharma teachings to the West. While he is here, healthy and fully capable of fulfilling this sacred mission, it
is imperative that we create the holy Dzogchen Retreat Center as soon as possible. We must proceed without delay so that this golden opportunity is not lost. We ask for your generosity in making this Retreat Center possible.

III. Retreat is the Foundation of the Stabilization of Wisdom

Retreats are indispensable in developing a student’s positive thinking. Positive thinking is the root of world peace. In the past, lacking a permanent retreat center, our Dzogchen organization has only been able to conduct short retreats at rented facilities. These retreats definitely help students increase their positive thinking. However, these short retreats do not allow enough time for students to stabilize and build upon the results of their practice.

For this reason we need to establish a permanent sacred Dzogchen Retreat Center where students can learn, contemplate and meditate over extended periods of time. Through intensive training, students will increase and permanently stabilize their positive thinking and develop profound realization. We look forward to your support and involvement in this project.


III. The Importance of the Proximity of Teacher and Student

“When I realize that every one of my teacher’s actions is teaching,
then I realize that every one of my own actions is practice.”
(Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche)

A retreat center is more than just a quiet place where students can practice without interruption. It is the Dharma home of teacher and student. Because Dharma teachings are never limited to the spoken word, every act of an authentic teacher is an opportunity for the student to learn and practice.

The continuation of the Dzogchen Lineage depends upon our ability to train and qualify new Lineage Holders and Dharma teachers for the benefit of future generations. Without a sacred retreat center this cannot be accomplished.
The transmission of the Dzogchen Lineage requires continued and personal contact between teacher and student. This is especially true for new students. This close contact swiftly turns the wheel of realization in the student’s heart. When this realization becomes vast and stable, the student attains the true transmission
of the Dzogchen Lineage. In this way the Dzogchen Lineage remains a living tradition that is transmitted directly from teacher to student.

Please help and support this important Retreat Center Project.