Founder of ?Ewam? to teach in valley
By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
Buddhist teacher Gochen Tulku Sang Ngag Rinpoche will spend the weekend in the Wood River Valley teaching “The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones: The Practice of View, Meditation, and Action.” The teachings will begin Friday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. and run until mid-day Sunday, Oct. 21. The teaching is available to everyone regardless of orientation or previous teachings.
Gochen Tulku is the sixth incarnation of Gyalwa Gyatso, one of two parallel incarnations of Drimed Lingpa, a contemporary of His Holiness the Sixth Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists. Imprisoned by the Communist Chinese during the Cultural Revolution for practicing Dharma (a code of living), he spent nine years incarcerated with many great lamas tulkus, and scholars, from whom he received further teachings. “We actually received in sequential stages all of the teachings and were able to put them into practice without any external sign that it was even occurring,” Gochen Tulku said. “Since the mind is invisible, our practice was a self-contained secret." Released from prison, he went to India and then Nepal. For 14 years, he served His Holiness Khyentse Rinpoche at Shechen Monastery, where he also served for seven years as “vajra” master and professor. The Rinpoche was the founder of the three Ewam Centers, one of which is in Arlee, Mont., where he is based.
He will also have time for private sessions on Friday, Oct. 19, before the “Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones” begins in the evening. There is no charge for the private time with the Rinpoche, which can run between 15 minutes to a half hour. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Though he understands English somewhat, he speaks through his Australian translator who will be in attendance. Gochen Tulku Rinpoche travels with his translator and support staff at his own expense. He will teach at the home of Gimlet resident Michael Cortese. For registration details, call Cheryl Concannon at 720-4806.
