Drupchens
Tibetan lama dance
A drupchen is an elaborate ritual meditation and group practice performed 24 hours a day for 10 days. The practice is lead by a lama and a group of monks. Generally, the participants practise during the day sessions and take shifts during the night session so that there is a never-ending flow of mantra recitation and meditation practice.
Drup means accomplishment and chen signifies great or vast. So drupchen literally means ‘vast or great accomplishment’. The drupchen is a remarkably sophisticated tradition with intricate ceremonial procedures performed by the lamas and monks, including sacred dances, which are both graceful and mesmerizing to watch. There are several types of drupchens pertaining to various traditions and sadhanas. The type of drupchen to be performed is often confirmed by a mo, a Tibetan divination, to determine which kind of practise would be most beneficial. Drupchens have many profound benefits, including helping to purify or prevent obstacles and helping to create peace and harmony.
Beginning in 1996, and for the nine years that followed, Chanteloube was very fortunate to be able to organize a Drupchen in Dordogne (see Songtsen: location) and to take part in this powerful practice in the presence of several great masters of our tradition. We are particularly grateful to Neten Choling Rinpoche and to Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, together with the monks of their monastery, for guiding and undertaking this important practice. Unfortunately, for various reasons, it was not possible to hold a drupchen in 2005 or 2006 in Dordogne, although we hope to resume the tradition in the years to come.
On each occasion in the past, many friends have taken part in the organization of the drupchens. Some have contributed directly to the preparation and running of the event. We want to take the opportunity of thanking you all once again. Without you, it would have been impossible for such a complex event to take place so smoothly and successfully. Others have contributed to the event financially, especially in covering the travel costs of the lamas and monks who come to perform the ceremonies. We would also like to thank you very warmly, for without your help, it would have been impossible for Chanteloube to manage such expenses.
Pema Wangyal Rinpoche has requested Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche to perform several drupchen ceremonies for us in Nepal. In addition, drupchens are frequently organized in the East, at various points in the Tibetan calendar. In particular, on the anniversary of the parinirvana of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, two drupchens will be organized, one by Neten Choling Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche at their monastery in Bir, and one by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche in Paro, Bhutan. In order to maintain a connection with these powerful practices, our lamas have asked the organization to offer its financial support.
If you would like to help support drupchens performed in the East, you may make an online donation, or find out more about donation methods. Please indicate that you would like your donation designated towards a drupchen, that way your contribution will be forwarded to the monasteries in order to subsidize the drupchens. If you would like to be kept informed regarding any upcoming drupchens at Chanteloube, please join our mailing list or contact us.
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