"It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you concerning the establishment of Orgyen Chö Dzong, Yeshe Nyingpo retreat center in Greenville, NY. It will be of tremendous benefit to all those who are interested in the Buddha Dharma. According to the prophesies of Guru Rinpoche and others made to my predecessor, Dudjom Lingpa, the Dharma will take root and flourish in the West. Because of this connection and wish fulfilling prayers, I have come to transmit these precious teachings.

At Orgyen Chö Dzong, the traditional shrine room will contain images of Guru Rinpoche and Buddha Shakyamuni, ritual objects and thangkas of the lineage. There will also be a comprehensive library containing rare volumes of precious instructions. In order to establish the real essence of the Doctrine, retreat cabins will be built in isolated spots, where practitioners may engage in retreats for varying lengths of time under the guidance of meditation teachers.

The Retreat Center provides the practitioner, the scholars and the researcher a rare opportunity to hear the profound teachings, preserved for centuries by Tibetan masters, and to practice extensive methods that develop the full human potential, thereby spontaneously fulfilling the prophesies of Guru Padmasambhava.

I pray that by establishing this center we may encourage and inspire the development of compassion and realization throughout the universe, and by the merit of these actions all beings will ultimately realize their buddha nature and attain enlightenment. It is with this ardent inspiration that I dedicate this center for the peace and happiness of all beings."

His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche shares and continues the Dudjom Rinpoche's vision of Orgyen Chö Dzong as an international center and revitalizing source of Buddhism in the coming age. The pure and complete Nyingma transmission, based on the Nine Vehicles of Buddhist teaching, will be given by qualified teachers of the lineage. Masters from various schools of Buddhism will also be invited to give their interpretations of Dharma. Thus, a comprehensive scholastic foundation will be combined with intensive meditation practice to bring about the true spiritual realization that can keep Buddhdarma alive and accessible.

Orgyen Chö Dzong is located in the northern Catskill Mountains, a serene setting for the study and practice of Dharma. The more than fifty acres of rolling wooded countryside with walking paths, a stream and pond, are an inexhaustible source of natural beauty. There are recently renovated comfortable accomodations for periodic retreats and seminars, including a full schedule of teachings, usually in July, under the guidance of His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Basic: $50 / year

Supporting: $25 / month (payable monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually) The level of supporting membership was created spontaneously by several members of the sangha who seeing the financial hardships of maintaining the center as well as those of maintaining Rinpoche's residence did not feel that the basic contribution of $25 / year adequately expressed their desire to participate.

Sustaining: the greater amount needed to advance Orgyen Cho Dzong into the future.

Your dues contributions help to cover the running costs (electricity, heat, insurance, telephone, internet, etc. as well as taxes and operating permits) of the center.

When remitting your membership contribution please include your current address, telephones and email so that we are able to contact you with news of Rinpoche's activities and those of the center.


TEACHING FEES AND OFFERINGS

Seminar costs do not include offerings given to teachers at the end of the teachings. Traditionally, a kata or white scarf (which you can purchase at OCD) accompanies the monetary offering.


REGISTRATION

Participants must pre-register for all seminars they wish to attend. Sleeping accommodations are limited. Please include your membership fee with your registration information. Registration should be mailed, faxed or phoned to Andrea Uribe at OCD, 5345 Rt 81, Greenville NY 12083, telephone (518) 966-4077, fax (518) 966-8971, or email: OCDsangha@aol.com.


MEALS & LODGING

The daily cost for room and 3 meals a day at OCD is: $50 per person, and $30 to camp (please bring your own tent and sleeping bag).


WHAT TO BRING

Bring your own towels, toiletries, and a flashlight. While vegetarian options will be available, we won't be able to accommodate special dietary needs. Please bring any special items you require for your dietary requirements. Also, please bring your own ritual instruments for Chod practice when teachings are in progress.


LOCATION

Orgyen Chö Dzong in Greenville NY is approximately 30 miles south of Albany NY and about 15 miles west of the Coxsackie exit (#21B) on New York State Thruway 87. If driving, OCD is on the south side of Highway 81, approximately 1.1 miles west of the Greenville intersection of Highways 32 and 81. By Amtrak train, it takes about two hours from the Penn Street station in New York City to Hudson NY, followed by taxi ($30) to OCD. Flights to Albany require a taxi to OCD ( $60). Flights to New York LaGuardia or JFK can use the daily late afternoon Express Shuttle to Catskill NY for around $60 one way (call 1-800-772-2172 for reservations) or connect via the Airport Express bus to the train from Penn Station. Flights to Newark Airport can take the Airport Express bus to Penn Station for the train.

Please let OCD know your expected arrival. Sometimes transportation from Hudson, Catskill, Coxsackie or the Albany airport may be available for a small fee.

OCDSangha@aol.com



SUMMER 2009 SCHEDULE
 
 
July 15-16
Chimed Sog Thig                                               $175
This profound Anuyoga practice of Immortal Essence of Life includes teachings on shinay and nature of mind.  It not only lengthens life, but also unravels the whole concept of birth, death and aging.
 
July 17-19
Dakini Tsok Teachings                                       $175
Coming from the Khandro Thug Thig cycle of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, this tsok is practiced on the twenty-fifth day of each Tibetan month.  Rinpoche will explain the visualizations, rituals and meaning for this profound offering practice.  This seminar will begin with the Dakini Tsok practice on Dakini Day.
 
 
July 22
Extensive Riwo Sang Cho practice in the morning; Extensive Dharmapala practice in the evening
         
 
July 23-24
View, Meditation and Action Teachings            $175
Introducing the whole framework of following the path of Dharma, these teachings will elucidate the correct way of approaching practice, the way to practice and how to bring that practice into beneficial activity for the sake of all beings.
 
July 25
Chokhor Duchen Tsok
This tsok is the celebration of the first turning of the wheel of the Dharma. At the request of Indra and Brahma Lord Buddha turned the wheel of the Dharma for the first time at Sarnath teaching the Four Noble Truths.                      
 
July 26-27
Orgyen Menla and Sangye Menla Teachings    $175
Practices on Guru Rinpoche of Medicine and the Buddha of Medicine not only heal those who are ill, but also awakens the innate healing capacity in each of us.
 
July 30 Arrival and Departure Day
 
July 31-Aug 9
Neluk Rangjung Practice Retreat                      $595
                                    CLOSED RETREAT
This retreat is open only to those who went through the Neluk Rangjung cycle.  With this retreat Rinpoche offers a chance to practice and contemplate on the profound teachings we received over the last four years.
 
Aug 10-11 Preparation for the Long Life Bum Tsok
 
Aug 12-15
Long Life Bum Tsok for HH Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche
Those who are not able to attend all three days should at least plan to be in   attendance on Saturday August 15 which is the main day.
 
Aug 16-20
Tumo Clarification & Practice                             $251
This practice is open without restriction to anyone who received the teachings in March.  For those who did not receive the teachings, but would like to practice on the generation of blissful heat, the tapes of the previous teachings will be available for listening for an additional fee.
 
Aug 21 Rest Day
 
Aug 22-28
Troma Tsok Teachings and Practice                 $301
Troma Nagmo, from the Heart Essence Teachings of the Dakini, is a wrathful practice that cuts through attachment to ego, delusion and the inner, outer and secret phenomenon that inhibit our natural awareness and wisdom.  The Troma Tsok is an elaborate offering of what we hold most dear: ourselves.
 
Aug 28 Farewell Dinner
 
Aug 30- Trip to Niagara Falls or Picnic/Group Vacation
Sept 2
 
 
The daily fee for a bed, three meals and the use of all the facilities remains $45 for those who will be in residence one month or longer.  For those staying shorter lengths of time the daily fee is $50.
 
To reserve your place a $100 deposit is required for each teaching you plan to attend.  A 10% deposit of your anticipated facilities fee is necessary to reserve a room.  Priority will be given to those people whose deposits have been received and whose membership is current.
 
Credit cards, checks, cash, money orders accepted.
 
The staff of Orgyen Cho Dzong / Yeshe Nying Po