From October 15, 1999 through November 3, 1999, Ripa Ladrang Foundation
sponsored its first Asian Pilgrimage for its members and supporters. An
adventurous, enthusiastic group of 61 Americans and 6 Europeans participated
in the Nepal portion of the journey while 22 of these individuals continued
on to India as well. This journey with the teachers of the sacred house
of Ripa Ladrang was so amazing, so powerful, so beautiful, so elevating
and inspiring that words or photographs cannot really capture or communicate
the wonder of what was experienced. Nevertheless, this Web Site will attempt
to depict descriptions and images of the activities and ceremonies, but
only the people who attended this historic event carry in their minds
and hearts forever the magnificence of what happened in Nepal and in India.
Nepal Tashi Takki Trekking of Berkeley, California and Kathmandu, Nepal
had primary responsibility as our trekking company. They provided tremendous
service, attending to our every need, and provided hot lunches in the
most remote places (!) as well as in Pharping at the New Treasures site.
They also managed most of the hotel reservations for this large group.
Third Eye Travel was our main air travel agent and also did a tremendous
job, although they later had a chance to worry heavily during the Super
Cyclone of India when we did not show up at our appointed hotels and they
could not find us for many days.
The pilgrimage group members had the good fortune to witness a major
historic event in Pharping, three days of ceremonies to prepare the 'New
Treasures' project site for the building of a Buddhist Monastery and Retreat
Center. Witnessing a rare event, the preparation to build a major Monastery
and Buddhist Center, was an experience never to be forgotten. H.E. Namkha
Drimed Rinpoche said it was his vision and his plan to begin construction
of the monastic project right after Lhosar 2000, now that the funding
for it had been secured. And he said this was "a place where many realizations
will occur."
Ripa Ladrang Foundation's fundraising Goal for Phase 1 of this project
(January 1, 1999 through October 13, 1999) was $250,000. And actual funds
raised by the deadline date was $302,000 due to everyone's generosity,
support, kindness and belief that it could be accomplished!!
The pilgrims had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with H.E.
Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche, Terton and Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche. The
Ripa family joyfully surprised everyone by also bringing the youngest
one, Lhunpo Tulku Rinpoche, arranging for a short break from his Buddhist
studies at the Nyingma College that he attends in Mysore, India. Also
included in the Retinue were Rinpoche's four daughters, Sonam, Palmo,
Tseyang and Pedey as well as 15 monks and other monastery staff who had
been brought to Nepal from the Rigon Thupten Mindrolling Monastery in
Orissa, India to handle the pujas and ceremonies and to assist with the
massive details of the events.
