Mahakala & Achi Empowerments & Oral Transmissions

Saturday June 14th
10am – 5pm New York Time

Prerequisite: Refuge and bodhisattva vow (according to any lineage).

Mahakala and Achi are two of the three main dharmapalas in the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Mahakala (“Great Black One”) is the main dharmapala for all vajrayana traditions. There are many different forms of Mahakala with different attributes, retinues, and histories. In particular, Mahakala as dharmapala is mentioned in the Chakrasamvara and Hevajra tantras. For this occasion, Rinpoche will either give the two-armed or four-armed form of Mahakala. Rinpoche will decide which to give closer to the day. No matter which aspect or form the main function of Mahakala and all dharmapalas is to protect us from straying into mistaken paths while practicing vajrayana.

Achi Chokyi Drolma is intimately connected to the Drikung Kagyu lineage as she was the great grandmother of the lineage founder, Kyobpa Jikten Sumgon. Achi was probably a contemporary of Milarepa, and in her lifetime was a great accomplished female master. She is the manifestation of Vajrayogini and in the aspect of a dharmapala, her pledge is to protect the teachings of all the thousand buddhas of this Fortunate Eon. Thus, although she has a special connection to Drikung Kagyu, her pledge is to protect Buddhadharma where ever it exists, in whomever it exists.


The biographies of the past throne holders of Drikung Kagyu, and their regents are filled with stories of Achi appearing time and again to protect, teach, guide and even babysit these great lamas. In particular, Rinpoche’s previous incarnation revealed a special Achi practice that involves practicing Achi as guru, yidam, dakini and dharmapala. Therefore, even in this lifetime, Rinpoche has a strong connection to Achi. What better lama to receive this empowerment from!

Pema Lingpa Guru Rinpoche Empowerment & Teachings

Sunday June 15th
10am – 5pm New York Time

Prerequisite: Refuge and bodhisattva vow (according to any lineage).

Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava, is the great Indian master who made it possible for the Buddhadharma to be firmly established in Tibet. It is not an exaggeration to say that, if there was no Guru Rinpoche, there would be no Buddhism in the Himalayan and Tibetan world today. Although, followers of the Nyingma lineage take Guru Rinpoche as their most important figure, Guru Rinpoche is venerated by all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

When we venerate and connect with Guru Rinpoche, we are creating the interdependence that is will help enable the firm establishing of the Buddhadharma in our lives. This is especially true for those of us who are connected to Tibetan Buddhism and are still relatively new to it. Just as the historical Guru Rinpoche subjugated all the ancient spirits of Tibet that opposed the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet, by receiving this empowerment we are creating the interdependence for the Buddhadharma to be stable and strong in our lives.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of different Guru Rinpoche empowerments. The Drikung Kagyu lineage holds an important tradition of Guru Rinpoche practice that was discovered as a terma (concealed treasure teachings) by the great Bhutanese master Pema Lingpa (15th century). This, the Drikung lineage of Pema Lingpa Guru Rinpoche empowerment is greatly respected throughout the Tibetan-Himalayan region.