Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling Tibetan Buddhist Group The Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling Tibetan Buddhist Group was founded by Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche in 2004 and registered as a not for profit, incorporated association in March, 2005. Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling was established by Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche to bring a precious teaching and practice lineage to the west. Until this time, very few, authentic Barom Kagyu lineage holders have been able to come to western countries to teach and transmit the immeasurably beneficial practices of this lineage. Since coming to Australia, in 2002, in keeping with Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava’s pre-sentient vision that the Dharma would flourish in the west, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche has worked toward establishing an authentic Barom Kagyu practice lineage in Australia. Named by our spiritual director, His Eminence Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche, the goals of Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling are clearly reflected in the English translation – The Barom Kagyu Chodrak Centre for Charity and Peace. It is Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s vision that the teachings of the Barom Kagyu lineage will bring peace, compassion, wisdom and loving kindness to his students. He also works tirelessly to promote the welfare of the Tibetan people in Yushu, Kham, in the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China, which has been described as one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in Tibet. Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s charitable projects are raising funds for the Chodrak orphanage, the nuns of Dechencholing Chodrak Nunnery and funding for a free medical clinic. More detailed information about each of these charitable endeavours is provided in the web pages that follow. His Eminence Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche 9th Chodrak Saljey Karma Drugyi Tanbigyaltsen Rinpoche Spiritual Director Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling Throughout his life, His Eminence Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche has embodied the virtue of the Dharma. As an emanation of Manjushri, His Eminence has studied and practised tirelessly, receiving profound teachings from realised masters such as The Accomplished Drupchen Karma Norbu, His Eminence Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche, Jetsun Yeshe Rabgyay, Khenpo Karma Tsenten, Jamyang Lodoe Rinchen, Khenpo Toru Tsenam, Khenpo Chime Rabten and other kind teachers. In the tradition of the great Tibetan yogis, Saljey Rinpoche continuously remained in meditative retreat in mountain hermitages and places of solitude throughout the province of Kham, recognised by Guru Rinpoche as a place of special spiritual and meditative importance. His Eminence undertook rigorous practice of the skilful path of the Great Seal, Mahamudra, and the liberating path of the Six Yogas of Naropa, and actualised fully the excellent virtues of the grounds and path of advanced tantric practice. In the age of Kaliyuga, His Eminence Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche has been likened to the first glow of dawn appearing amongst the darkening clouds of social and political turmoil. Resolving to work toward the re-establishment of the main and branch monasteries of the Barom Kagyu Chodrak lineage, His Eminence successfully rebuilt monasteries destroyed during the worst excesses of The Cultural Revolution. Saljey Rinpoche established again the Retreat monastery of Gampopa and that of the Barom Kagyu lineage in the north of Kham province. He fostered many hundreds of practitioners engaged in dharma study and practice by giving them sustenance, shelter and teachings. He inspired compassion and diligence in dharma practice by his loving kindness to the poor, the elderly, beggars and the handicapped, encouraging his students to recite billions of Chenrezig mantras to benefit all sentient beings. Following the advice of his kind teacher, Drupchen Karma Norbu Rinpoche, His Eminence has spent the last several years in strict meditational retreat, working still for the benefit of all beings. Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling is most grateful to His Eminence Chodrak Saljed Rinpoche for his insights, advice and support given to our endeavours. Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche Abbot and Founder of Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling Born at Chodrak Lungmagka, close by Chenjum Sengha, a sacred, holy place discovered by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, in the province of Kham, East Tibet, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche commenced his monastic studies at the age of eight when he was ordained by His Eminence Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche. Under the guidance of His Eminence Saljey Rinpoche and Venerable Lama Yeshe Rabje Rinpoche, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche trained for ten years in both the Barom Kagyu and Karma Kagyu traditions. Ven. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche received full monastic training in all areas pertaining to monastic life, as well as completing secondary studies in Tibetan language, history and sociology. As an accomplished student, Rinpoche also received additional training at many other monastic institutions. At Palpung Monastery, Zokchen Monastery, Shechen Monastery and Arig Monastery, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche received teachings and tantric initiations conducted by Khenpo Lotsul Rinpoche, Khenpo Daser Rinpoche and Chodrak Monastery under the auspices of Khenpo Dam Cho Dawa Rinpoche and Khenpo Shedrup Gyurmed. In the next eight years, as well as completing studies in higher Buddhist philosophy, Rinpoche mastered the arts of musical instruments, torma making, chanting and Cham, ritual dancing for sacred purposes that westerners often refer to as “Lama dancing”. Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche was blessed to receive many initiations, instructions and teachings from His Holiness The 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje when he was enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery. From His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, Ven. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche received essential and advanced teachings. In 1992, Rinpoche followed His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa from East Tibet to West Tibet. Because of the continuing uncertainty of the political climate in Tibet, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche and several other monks took this opportunity to escape Tibet and reached Nepal after an arduous and harrowing journey of twenty nine days. In Nepal, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche commenced seven years’ study at Tenying Rinpoche’s Monastery in Kathmandu and undertook teaching, conducting pujas, practices and blessings at Chodak Thubten Dolma Shedrup Darjeling. After seven years’ intensive study and practice, Rinpoche completed three years, seven months retreat at Pharping Drubdey Osel Choling Monastery under the close guidance of His Eminence Khabje Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Venerable Tenga Rinpoche. In the early months of 2002, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche was invited by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup to become the resident teacher at Kagyu Thigsum Chokyi Ghatsal Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Launceston, Tasmania. On October 3rd, 2002, Rinpoche touched down at Launceston Airport. In his three years as Resident teacher and Spiritual advisor, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche has reached out to many, conducting classes in secondary colleges on meditation practices and Buddhist philosophy, regularly visiting the sick and elderly in local hospitals and hospices, conducting weddings, blessings for new born babies and house blessings. The outstanding delicacy and beauty of Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s artistry has been recognised by the Tasmanian government, and Rinpoche’s infectious pleasure in the joy of spiritual endeavour as expressed in classical Tibetan Buddhist sadhanas has inspired us all to more meaningful and dedicated practice. Rinpoche regularly travels between Launceston, Sydney, Melbourne and the south coast of NSW to meet with his students, give dharma talks, conduct pujas and guide us on our spiritual path. In December, 2004, the first, concrete steps were taken toward achieving the vision of Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche when the first stage of the Barom Kagyu Chodrak Pende Ling Retreat House, located in the tranquil, rural village of Central Tilba, on the NSW south coast was completed and blessed by Rinpoche. Recognising the difficulties that we often encounter in undertaking spiritual practice, given the pace of life in modern Australia, the retreat house offers practitioners the opportunity to undertake retreats of one to four weeks’ duration under the guidance of our proposed resident lama, Venerable Lama Namsay Dadul. Ven. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche performing a Naga ceremony at Bermagui on the south coast of NSW. Coming Event Saturday 16 / Feb / 2008 TONGLEN TEACHING & HEALING Avalokiteshvara the Buddha of Great Compassion Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche Saturday, 16 February 2008 1.30pm - 4.30pm Cabravale Leisure Centre Broomfield Street (north-end) , Cabramatta Sydney, Australia *** Tonglen (Sending & Taking) *** The practice of “Sending & Taking” meditation involves giving away happiness and taking on suffering, in combination with one's breathing. It is a powerful method for awakening compassion and loving kindness and will assist you on your path to enlightenment. Tonglen can be done for those who are ill, those who are dying or have just died, or for those that are in pain of any kind. It is also beneficial to practitioners who are facing illnesses and obstacles. Rinpoche will give blessings and offer Dharma pills to sick people. For more details please ring: Mrs Mai Tuyet Anh (02) 9558 3931 or Mrs Nhu Hoa (02) 9728 3741, or Simon Tong (020 9419-3683 mobile 0401 649 686 or email: barom.kc@gmail.com.
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