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The perception of a pure land is the perception
of primordial wisdom, which is happiness and perfect bliss. A pure
land has no conflict or bias, no violence or prejudice. It is an
amazing place, full to the brim of loving kindness, where all beings
love each other. But of course it is not a place, because it can
only be perceived within mind. Our perceptions arise out of habit-forming
imprints. So, we study and practise the Dharma, and gather the two
accumulations, in order to have such peaceful perceptions.
My wish is that we build the Zangdok Palri Institute in the image
of the Zangdok Palri Pure Land, and that whoever has a connection
with it through making a donation, seeing it, touching it, or even
hearing about it, may perceive the peace of a pure land, and particularly,
the pure land of Guru Rinpoche. We are building the institute because
of some very particular auspicious coincidences connected with it.
The actual site of the institute is very special.
Back in the 18th century when some workmen stopped for a break on
their way up to the retreat centre with a statue of Guru Rinpoche,
they put it down on the gound, and instantly there was a rain of
saffron rice. They felt sure that this was a blessing from Jigme
Lingpa, who was near Lhasa at the time, or from Guru Rinpoche himself.
There were two occasions when the statue talked. The first time
was shortly after it had been placed in the retreat temple. One
day, when the temple attendant was busy with his duties, the statue
called out to him, 'Hey, you there! Listen! There will be an earthquake
today. Tell everyone to stay outside.' And later on that day the
whole of Dzogchen was flattened, but not a single person was hurt
or injured.
The first Patrul Rinpoche was also the speech emanation of Jigme
Lingpa.
Originally, the institute was to be built up in the monastery, but
the sugggestion for its present location arose spontaneously in
the mind of H.E. Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, the head of Dzogchen Monastery,
who had entrusted the construction of the institute to Patrul Rinpoche.
He said that it was to be built in Karmo Yongchil, the exact spot
where the statue had had such an amazing effect all those years
before.
There have been many other special signs connected with the site.
In the summer of 2004, during teachings on Yeshe Lama given by Shabje
Penock Wontrul Rinpoche to 25 tulkus and khenpos, there was a spontaneous
gathering at the site one day when the lamas performed a magnificent
tsok. Suddenly, during the prayers, in the sky above their heads,
appeared the sun, the moon and a star all together.
This is an extremely important project.
You are all welcome to take part in it by making a donation while
construction is still going on. In this way you will make an auspicious
connection with the project and all that it signifies.
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