Creating the Conditions for Our Teacher’s Swift Return: A Weekend of Practice in Community and Teachings by Khandro Tsering Kunga Bhuma (Khandro-la) ~ Portland, Oregon ~ June 24-26, 2023

In order to create auspicious conditions for the swift return of our teacher, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to guide us all, Yangsi Rinpoche and the Maitripa College community, including staff and many volunteers, recently hosted a long weekend of practice and teachings in Portland, Oregon, anchored around the auspicious visit of Khandro Tsering Kunga Bhuma (Khandrola).

People gathered from around the country and world, including alumni, old friends, and new community members, as well as representatives from local Buddhist groups, including Tergar International and Kagyu Changchub Chuling (KCC). Respected FPMT teachers Venerable Robina Courtin, Venerable René Feusi, and Venerable Lozang Yönten led community practice and conversation sessions. Maitripa College offered vegetarian meals to our entire community over the four days, opening the first floor of the college and providing a gracious space for old and new friends to connect between events.

In addition to formal teachings in the Maitripa College Jokhang, Khandrola toured our building, which now houses the James A. Blumenthal Library, the college classroom, offices, private interview rooms, the FPMT office, Tara School, and more. Khandrola also visited Tara Farms and led puja there with Yangsi Rinpoche, and learned about the developing Tara Nuns Project and more education programs for children and adults connected with Maitripa.

The depth of our gratitude for this precious visit and our time with Khandrola is impossible to convey entirely, but we hope that these images reflect at least some of the joy and profound blessing of these events. Enjoy!

We offer our admiration and deepest thanks to events photographers
Chris Majors and Laura Miller
and to all who shared their personal photos.
The teachings by Khandrola at Maitripa College are available to view on her youtube channel here.