Drikung Kagyu Projects Page

Drikung Kagyu
  • Drikung Kagyu Text Project: Gong Chik
    The essential teachings of Lord Buddha
    as taught by Lord Jigten Sumgon

  • The Achi Foundation

  • Swedish Tibetan Society for School and Culture

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    Drikung Kagyu Religious Society

    Drikung Kagyu Text Project: Gong Chik

    The essential teachings of Lord Buddha as taught by
    Lord Jigten Sumgon

    Help preserve a legacy....
    The Gong Chik , a collection of commentaries on Lord Jigten Sumgon's essential teachings on Buddhist philosophy, is the most profound philosophical work of the Drikung Kagyu. Though usually only given to advanced students and practitioners, it is an essential teaching for all Buddhists.
    As a result of the Chinese invasion of Tibet and subsequent destruction of monasteries and sacred texts, the lack of teachings on the Gong Chik and the unavailability of printed texts endangers its very existence. To avoid this tragic loss, we are seeking your support to preserve and distribute this great text and further its study.
    Lord Jigten Sumgon, a great 12th century Tibetan Saint, was a reincarnation of Nagarjuna. After attaining Buddhahood, he spread the Dharma throughout Tibet for forty years. During that time, many great teachers came to him expressing great devotion and faith. Hundreds of thousands of students gathered to hear his teachings, many of them attaining enlightenment in one lifetime.
    Lord Jigten Sumgon
    Lord Jigten Sumgon

    Extensive commentaries on Jigten Sumgon's vast and profound teachings have been written by many of his disciples and eminent teachers. The Gong Chik is a compilation of these commentaries and includes chapters on:

    In short, it is a compendium of the complete Buddhist doctrine.


    Ven. Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Abbott of the Drikung Kagyu, and spiritual director of the Tibetan Meditation Center and affiliated centers throughout North America, received extensive teachings and the transmission of the Gong Chik from the enlightened masters, Kunga Rinpoche and Pachung Rinpoche. Realizing the great importance of these teachings, he has initiated the efforts to preserve them as well as transmit them to students of the Dharma in India, Tibet, and the West.

    "If you know Gong Chik, you know Dharma.
    If you don't know Gong Chik, you don't know Dharma."
    Venerable Pachung Rinpoche

    The Gong Chik Project involves many activities and many people. First, we will underwrite the printing of 1,000 copies of Drikung Dharmakirti's authoritative commentary written in the 17th century. This involves a painstaking process of data entry and repeated proofreading. Funds are needed to purchase computer equipment, to provide a small stipend to the monks doing the work, and for the printing and distribution of the texts.

    In the fall of 1995, Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche will travel to the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Dehra Dun, India, to give teachings and transmissions of the Gong Chik to the monks and nuns living there. Due to the holocaust of the Tibetan people, there is a marked absence of teachers and students who have received the transmission of advanced works such as the Gong Chik. It is imperative that Khenpo pass on this legacy and keep the teachings alive.

    Then, to generate more awareness of these precious teachings, we plan to sponsor the first Gong Chik symposium at the Drikung Kagyu Institute sometime between November 1996 and February 1997. Teachers and students from many monasteries and universities in India and Tibet will be asked to submit papers, which will be read and defended at the symposium. The texts will be distributed to those in attendance, with the remainder going to Drikung Kagyu monasteries. Special teachings for Western students will be scheduled immediately following the symposium.

    Funds are needed to sponsor the food preparation for about 200 monks and nuns during the symposium, and provide some travel and lodging for visiting scholars. Those who make a donation of $100 or more will receive a copy of Gong Chik (in Tibetan).

    This historic undertaking will bring enormous benefit. Your support of this work gives great merit to yourself and others. Giving is receiving !

    Dharma study is just starting here in the West, so we must rely heavily on the monasteries in India and Tibet to preserve Buddhism's traditions and teachings. Then, in time, these teachings will be translated in Western languages for the benefit of Western students. These projects are an important way in which we can show our appreciation for the precious Dharma that we are fortunate to be receiving, and provide vital support for the monks' and nuns' education.

    The Drikung Kagyu Text Project raises much needed funds for the preservation, publishing and distribution of Dharma texts in Tibet and India. With the ongoing inspiration of Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche and the efforts of Michael Essex, et. al., the text project also provides English translations of Drikung Kagyu texts and teachings for use by Western Dharma students and practitioners.

    Please make your checks payable to: Tibetan Meditation Center.

    Write Gong Chik in the memo.

    Mail to:

    Tibetan Meditation Center
    9301 Gambrill Park Road
    Frederick, Maryland, 21702
    Telephone: (301) 473-5750

    The Achi Foundation

    HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche

    The Achi Foundation of the Drikung Kagyu lineage in North America welcomes your donations to the following projects begun by His Holiness and identified by him as urgently needing funding. Everything that has been done to support these worthwhile projects in the past is greatly appreciated.
    Now, the challenges become greater as His Holiness continues the important work of preserving and promoting the Dharma by nurturing monks andnuns in their quest for Enlightenment, and exhibiting compassion for those in need.
    Tibet OrphanageMonk's and Nun's Support ProgramNun's Residence Project

  • Tibet Orphanage Project
    His Holiness has announced plans to construct and maintain an orphanage in Tibet. Over $75,000 is needed for the two-story dormitory hall. with staff quarters, kitchen, dining area and toilets. If enough money can be raised, a small dispensary will be included. It is estimated that 30-35 girls and boys, ages 6-11 will be invited to live at the orphanage along with a staff of two. Once the orphanage becomes a reality, over $1000 a month in operating expenses will be required.
    This is yet another great opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of those unable to adequately care for themselves. Your generosity and compassion will be of great benefit to these young children, providing them with shelter, clothing, food and education at nearby schools.
    Due the great need for the housing and care of the many orphans in Tibet, His Holiness has plans for additional orphanages as finances become available.

  • Monks and Nuns' Support Program
    Currently there are about 160 student monks and 11 nuns at Jangchub Ling and 20 student monks at Drikung Thil in Tibet who need food, clothing, basic medical care, texts and school materials. His Holiness estimates that $25 per monk, per month is necessary to adequately provide for their needs. Your support will make it possible for many of these student monks to eventually return as spiritual leaders to their communities in India and Tibet as well as bring the Dharma to Drikung Kagyu centers in the West.
  • Nun's Residence Project
    More funds are necessary to finish the nunnery at Jangchub Ling which is currently under construction.
    Due to the increasing number of nuns needing housing, clothing, medical care and education, the nunnery will have to be larger than originally planned. Thanks to all who have donated, the Achi Foubdation has raised over $8,000 so far. However, another $20,000 will be needed to finish the project.
    At present there are 11 nuns waiting for the nunnery to be completed, with three other nuns on three-year retreat at Almora.

  • Sponsor a Puja, Too !

    Please make your checks payable to: Achi Foundation.

    Mail to:

    Tibetan Meditation Center
    9301 Gambrill Park Road
    Frederick, Maryland, 21702 Attention: Bauer Knight
    Telephone: (301) 473-5750

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    This page last updated on: 05-25-05