It was an immense joy and blessing to host His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin, Lungtok Dawa Dargyal Rinpoche, at Serenity Ridge for our annual two week summer retreat from June 24– July 8. His Holiness visited and gave teachings at our center for the second time, and this was the longest teaching cycle during his travels this year. Each afternoon His Holiness read from the text of the Twenty–Four masters, gave pith instructions, and guided us in reflection and meditation on each master. In the mornings Rinpoche led us deep into practice on the foundational practices of Tummo as well as in the breathing technique of Jam Lung.
The retreat and practices were supported by Ligmincha resident lamas and guest lamas as well: Geshe Rinchen Tenzin (Tsa Tsa Lama), Khenpo Ratsa, Geshe Denma Gyaltsen, Geshe Yungdrung Gyatso, and Lama Kalsang Nyima, also attended the two week retreat.
On Saturday, July 1st we concluded the first week of the retreat with the beautiful Sherab Chamma preliminary, outer, inner, and secret initiation by His Holiness. The initiation ceremony was transmitted on Zoom too. Altogether more than three hundred people received the initiation.
On Sunday, July 2nd His Holiness gave an audience and blessings for local Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese people living locally in Virginia. The event was initiated and organized by Khandro Tsering Wangmo Khymsar, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s wife.
On Thursday, July 6th we celebrated His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday by offering prayers and khatas, and His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin consecrated our newly installed prayer wheels.
