Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab (left) and Ven. Tendar walking down to Drakarpo in Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
On June 3, Lama Zopa Rinpoche made pilgrimage to Drakarpo in Paro, Bhutan, a sacred temple connected to the holy body of Guru Rinpoche.
“With help, Lama Zopa Rinpoche climbed down a steep mountain to Drakarpo, a site regarded as the holy place of Guru Rinpoche’s body and is one of the most important hidden sacred places of Guru Rinpoche,” said Ven. Holly Ansett assistant to Ven. Roger Kunsang, CEO of FPMT, Inc. “At the base of the mountain, there were many Bhutanese people on pilgrimage who, when seeing Rinpoche, gathered around Rinpoche for blessings. Rinpoche offered everyone blessing strings and small Namgyälma protections, explaining the incredible benefits of the Namgyälma mantra. This went on from some time.
Looking down on the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body, Paro, Bhutan, June 2016. Photos by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering blessing strings and Namgyälma protections at Drakarpo
Many Bhutanese gathered to receive blessing strings and Namgyälma protections from Rinpoche at Drakarpo
“After that, Rinpoche walked down the path around the mountain about a quarter way around. Rinpoche was led into a tiny gompa that hangs off the edge of a cliff. Inside is very small cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. There were handprints of Guru Rinpoche on the rocks and we were told that the statue that was inside had once miraculously spoken. Rinpoche did prayers and offered a pearl garland to the statue.
View of the Paro Valley from Drakarpo
Lama Zopa Rinopche doing prayers in front of a Guru Rinpoche statue that is said to have spoke, inside the tiny gompa at the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body
View of the tiny gompa at Draparko, which overlooks the Paro Valley, Bhutan
“After being requested, Rinpoche promised to help cover the cost of a small water tank to the help the meditators that live in that area have a source of water.
“On the way down, Rinpoche met one old yogi and three nuns who were doing retreat. They requested some advice and Rinpoche explained the importance of having the right motivation so that the retreat becomes virtuous.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives a teaching on the importance of one’s motivation to yogi meditators he met at Drakarpo, the holy site of Guru Rinpoche’s body in Paro, Bhutan
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.