The magnificent Buddha Amitabha temple and retreat center built in Nepal by His Eminence Ayang Rinpoche and consecrated in May 2013, was seriously damaged during the 2015 Nepal earthquakes.

Due to Rinpoche’s foresight in building to the highest engineering standards, the retreat cottages were undamaged, as was the major temple structure. However, the superb frescoes and other artwork did suffer major damage, and there was considerable cracking in the structure. [View more photographs of the damage here.]

With the recent re-opening of the India-Nepal highway, work can now begin to repair the temple. We appeal to the generosity of all students and supporters of Rinpoche to assist in this great work. Even if you made an offering to support this work last year, please consider how this retreat center was created due to the great vision of H.E. Chöje Ayang Rinpoche and will benefit countless beings, not only in the present day, but for generations to come.

Donations (tax-deductible in the US) can be made online (see below) or by mailing a check to:

Amitabha Foundation

Post Office Box 2572

Aptos, California 95001

If a US tax deduction is not necessary, please make your donations directly to the various Amitabha Foundation organizations outside the United States or directly to the Amitabha Foundation Nepal account:
Account Number 01104098701
Account Name Amitabha Foundation
Bank Name Standard Chartered Bank, Kathmandu, Nepal
Swift Code SCBLNPKA
Bank Address: Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd, Naya Baneswor, Kathmandu, NepalGPO Box : 3990Fax : 977 – 1 – 4780762

Temple address: Amitabha Foundation
Kapan
Buddha Nilkantha Nagarpalika
Area No. – 12
Kathmandu, Nepal

There was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal today, which was centered about 50 miles northeast of Kathmandu. The earthquake caused damage to the Amitabha Retreat Center (Opak Kyilkhor Chöling). True Lhamo wrote today:

The monks were too afraid to go inside the temple. They are all sleeping outside in the open air as there were around 18 frequent tremors that lasted more than an hour.

We will continue to post more information and photos as we learn more.

There have been slight changes in the schedule and program for the Consecration and Enthronement Ceremonies in Nepal. Click NEPAL RETREAT CENTER VISITOR INFORMATION if you are planning to attend. Click here to download the Official Invitation English,  Chinese or Tibetan.

Grand Opening and Consecration: Opak Kyilkhor Chöling

Amitabha Foundation Retreat Centre in Nepal

and Enthronement of His Eminence Palchen Galo Rinpoche

20-25 May 2013

OFFICIAL INVITATION

20-21 May – Dharma Protector Prayers

23 May – Official Ceremonies

24 May –Buddha Amitabha Tsog Offering and

25 May –Buddha Shakyamuni with Sixteen Arhats Offering Prayer (Morning)

Milarepa Tsog Offering Prayers (Afternoon)

In the heartland of world peace, the spiritual pure land of Nepal, the Amitabha Foundation is a legally registered entity in Nepal and the Retreat Centre is built on a mountain range at Kopan Village in the Kathmandu Valley.  Located approximately 3.5 km north of the ancient Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, it consists of eight temples, retreat cottages, a library and a conference hall. The temples have been magnificently built to accumulate merit. They display carvings and paintings based on the highest traditions of Tibetan Buddhist art and culture, preserving these traditions and inspiring future generations to value and perpetuate them.

This location was selected for the Retreat Centre because Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, and there are many holy pilgrimage places all over the country. It was also built to create the opportunity for both ordained and lay people in Nepal and all over the world to practise Dharma, and to offer to those who are not Dharma practitioners a short, peaceful respite from their busy lives.  In addition, by providing a library, the Centre will assist both scholars in their research and local people in their education. It also has a conference hall to promote east-west religious and cultural exchange, with an emphasis on altruistic programmes to promote world peace. The time has now come to inaugurate the Amitabha Foundation Retreat Centre for the benefit of the world community.

We are also privileged to announce the enthronement ceremony of one of the eight great Buddhist siddhi lineage masters of the 12th century who were well known all over Tibet as Palchen Ga Lotsawa Shon-nu Pal. Born in Mi-nyag in Eastern Tibet, he formed the wish to attain siddhi in his life time. To receive teachings, he made the difficult and dangerous journey to the noble land of India, where he attended great Buddhist masters like Tsami Sange Dragpa of Magadha region at Bodh Gaya, Abhayakara, Vageshwari, and many others. He undertook yogic practices at the historic charnel ground Sitavana (Cool Grove),attaining both the common spiritual attainments and extra-ordinary yogic accomplishments, exemplifying extraordinary supernatural powers. In particular, he had a vision of the primordial wisdom protectors Mahakala Bernagchen in the sky and Four Armed Mahakala on earth, in person, who directly gave him the life essence and transmission teachings. He later invited the primordial wisdom protector, along with his host, to Tibet from the noble land of India and covenanted him to protect the Buddha’s teaching in Tibet.

Gradually, he bestowed extensive oral instructions, initiations, and the union of the six branches of sadhanas to the first incarnate lama of Tibet, H.H The Gyalwang Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa and also to the renowned and great Sakyapa master Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. All these details are described in many historical texts such as the religious history of Tibet and the compendium of teaching biographies of other masters of the time.  It is also recorded that King Shingta of Magadha, present day Rajgir in Bihar, gave him a reception during which his path was strewn with flowers up to his knees.

H.E. Palchen Galo Rinpoche is the 4th reincarnation of Karma Kamtsang lineage of Dzod-Tse monastery, famed for its many qualified and accomplished great Masters, which was established under the great Dharma king Lhathog Choegyal of Eastern Tibet. The present incarnation is a reincarnation of the second Lhase (son of Dharma King Lhathog Choegyal) tulku who was the second throne holder of the monastery. He was again born as a son of the Master, universally known by the name of H.E. Ayang Rinpoche, the emanation of Terton Rigzin Choegyal Dorje, and of the mother True Lhamo, who is directly a descendant from the great King Ling Gesar of Tibet’s Mhukpo Dung.

The opening of Amitabha Foundation Retreat Centre and the Enthronement Ceremony of the 4th Palchen Galo Rinpoche will be held on the auspicious day of 23rd May 2013. All our associates, dharma brothers and sisters, and Rinpoche’s students are cordially invited  by the representative abbots and lama of Dzod Tse monastery on behalf of H.E. Kyabgon Jedrung Rinpoche and Dzo Tse Monastery, and His Eminence’s followers who are currently in exile; and by all the associates and members of Amitabha Foundation Retreat Centre, Nepal.

It will be a great opportunity for His Eminence Ayang Rinpoche’s many devoted students around the world to take part together in this important occasion of celebration. It is also an opportunity to visit many great Buddhist sites and places of pilgrimage in Nepal and the surrounding area. To enable you to choose accommodation and tours according to your needs, we will post information on available options on www.amitabhafoundation.us and www.ayangrinpoche.org. We regret we are unable to make room bookings, due to the number of people expected to attend this event.

The opening of Amitabha Foundation Retreat Centre and the Enthronement Ceremony of the 4th Palchen Galo Rinpoche will be held on the auspicious day of 23rd May 2013. We invite you to create an auspicious connection and help us meet our goal of $10,000 to help sponsor the long life offerings and tea service for this momentous occasion.