I remember we first met in 2001, in Kathmandu, having tea at the Hyatt in Bouddha. It was my first time in Asia, not even 18 years old, I was with my Dad, and our group was having tea with Rinpoche. I remember everyone was very touched by him, and at the end of our visit he turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said, “When you come to Kathmandu, you stay at my place as long as you like, anytime”. I thought he was just being nice, but I took him up on the offer. Now, when I come to KTM, I stay at Rinpoche’s in Bouddha, every time. It’s been years and years since then, his promise has been kept 1000 fold, and our connection hasn’t waned for one moment whether I see him often or not at all. I’ll never forget that, a lifetime promise made over a cup of tea, like he was offering me a piece of cake or a quick ride home.
A few years back, during the Covid pandemic, the NALA center in Prague was my only physical connection to the Dharma world. They were somehow able to invite a few different Rinpoches while the whole world shut down, creating a little Dharma oasis in the middle of the panic and confusion. Then everything opened up, happily this tradition has continued, and NALA is now host to an absolute flurry of Dharma activity. It seems like every weekend something is happening, someone is coming, courses popping up like dandelions in the spring. Lucky for us, Rinpoche was able to adjust his schedule to come to Prague, and he spent a few days teaching a course on Medicine Buddha, a few days about town visiting NALA projects, as well as granting the empowerment of 1000 armed Chenrezig the final day. Rinpoche blessed every single person individually at the end, I feel you can see the connection he had with everyone. They were all blown away, and no surprise to me, he made a promise to keep coming back anytime they asked. I was especially happy for my son Eliot to meet Rinpoche. He’s now almost 2 years old, and has an amazing character and heart. He loves to take statues off our shrine and run all over the house yelling Buddha, Buddha, Buddha. Or “Om Mani Nina” which is as far in the Chenrezig mantra as he’s gotten so far :) He really liked Rinpoche, pretty shy at the beginning, but that eventually faded into intense intrigue. While my wife was taking a turn enjoying the teachings Eliot wouldn’t stop playing with the Buddha statue in the garden - he found the idea that Buddha also had a bellybutton fascinating beyond words. So while the official program was Rinpoche in NALA, I can’t help myself but add in a few photos of Eliot, some of which my wife took. I’m a proud dad.
A few days after Rinpoche left, Khenpo Chunchok arrived for a surprise one day teaching. He and Lodro Rinpoche are very close, and Khenpo lives in Rinpoche’s retreat center in Namo Buddha six months of the year. Talk about a joyous and deeply practiced individual, I don’t know anyone that practices more than he does. It is clearly visible in his explosively joyful smile, his deep knowledge mixed with real life experience, and his presence full of laughter. I’ve also known him for years, and seeing him and Rinpoche, the two of them together in one week was like going back in time. I for one think his Yogi look is pretty amazing. Khenpo really is one of a kind.
NALA has a pretty amazing summer planned, a few more visits from some amazing people, so stay tuned my friends. There is a lot more to come :)
Nadační fond NALA Lodreu Rabsel Rimpoche
