Giving

As Milarepa traversed the high Tibetan Plateaus one of the first villages he was directed to by his Lama, Marpa, was Nyanang. Above Nyanang was the Dodul Cave; a day’s walk downstream was the sacred site of Godhiwara (the Left Ear of Chakrasamvara). Villagers grazed their Yaks close to the Dodul Cave in the summer. In the winter they descended below the snow line towards Godhiwara. 

One winter Milarepa went into retreat at the Dodul cave with scarcely a day’s worth of provisions. A blizzard then proceeded to blow for 18 days and nights. The cave’s entrance was covered, and Milarepa’s Benefactors in Nayam lamented! It was plain he was lost, starved. 

In the spring Milarepa’s Benefactors returned to the Dodul Cave to bury him. Yet when they excavated the cave’s entrance they found Mila sitting there laughing, with a cooked meal of meat and tsampa waiting. Milarepa related that he had lived through the winter on the Ganachakra feasts of the Dakinis and the visualized offerings of his Benefactors. He then proceeded to bless his Benefactors and give them teachings. 

This is what we do. Friends of Lapchi is a group of Benefactors committed to protecting the Dharma in the Lapchi Kang – the birthplace of the Kagyu. One of the easiest ways for householders to protect the Dharma is through building (or rebuilding) the physical representations of the Dharma. That is, Stupas, monasteries and caves. The more insubstantial representations of the Dharma- the rich high alpine environment and the beings that depend upon it- all of these need to be cherished as if they were our own children.

By becoming a Benefactor of Friends of Lapchi one becomes something greater than oneself. In doing so one creates positive Karma for oneself and all sentient beings. This is the Perfection of Generosity. 

Friends of Lapchi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and it has been approved by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. All donations are tax deductible.

Please join us!