堪布卡塔仁波切曾開示

Dönden Chöjin Association has been established through the support and inspiration of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in order that all beings attain buddhahood through the generation of bodhichitta and by practicing the six paramitas. Bodhichitta is the altruistic mind that wishes to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings and liberate them from suffering. The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are generosity, ethical discipline, patience, diligence, meditative stability, and wisdom. This includes the perfection of three types of generosity: physical, spiritual and dharmic. As Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche said, "When we put our bodhicitta into action, then we are practicing the six paramitas."

In July 2004, a group of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s disciples were fortunate enough to accompany him to Qinghai to visit his former monastery in Eastern Tibet. The disciples were touched by the local people’s pure faith and devotion to Buddhist practice, as well as by the incredibly hard life they live. Winter on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is very rough and bitter, and even by midsummer, it is still piercing cold. Moreover, the intense poverty of the Tibetans’ nomadic lifestyle makes ordinary overcoats seem like luxury apparel. In fact, at NonChen area, several monks have to take turns sharing one coat when they go outside in the winter. Therefore, we came up with the idea of starting a not-for-profit organization to benefit sentient beings in circumstances of need, hoping to alleviate sufferings and promote physical and emotional well-being. Rinpoche encourages us to make every effort to manifest acts of generosity through this organization as a precious opportunity to help us cultivate and perfect the six paramitas.

In order to practice generosity and find ways to actively engage our sincere wish to benefit sentient beings, we felt that it would be necessary to form a non-profit organization. In January of 2005, we expressed these wishes to our beloved spiritual teacher, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, who was very happy to hear of the news, and gave our organization the name Dönden Chöjin Tsokba “the community that carries out meaningful offering and assistance.” He has given us detailed guidance in almost every aspect of our plans, from our association’s mission statement and logo, to the design of the winter coats that we have been donating, and the rituals and holy substances which have been included in the package that serves the dying. Rinpoche’s endorsement is a great inspiration and we will make every effort to fulfill our teacher’s wishes and to carry out his instructions to the best of our abilities.

Donation of Winter Clothing – We delivered coats to 530 monks and nuns in Qinghai 2005. In the future, our plans are not just limited to giving out winter clothing, but also to establishing medical and educational facilities for the poor. We will start with Qinghai and then expand to other areas of the world where there is an urgent need and as our funding allows.

Bardo Package - When one of our family members or friends is dying, quite often we feel overcome with sorrow and helplessness. Not knowing what to do for the dying makes the situation even more desperate. Care for the dying has been one of the foremost concerns of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Under Rinpoche’s guidance, we have carefully designed and assembled a Bardo Package which includes instructions on what to do for the dying before, during and after death, the bardo blanket (liberation through touch mandala blanket), small yantra of Samantabhadra amulet, blessing pills, blessed sand, and a double-CD recording of Liberation through Hearing in the Bardo (Bardo Thötröl) and other important mantras and aspiration prayers chanted by Rinpoche and Lama Karma Drodul.

Translate and Publish Buddhist Texts and Books - Although numerous Buddhist books have been published in English and Chinese, translation of these into various languages is still very rare, and far from completion. Therefore, in order to benefit present and future generations, we will undertake the task of translating and publishing the works of great Buddhist masters in various languages. These works will be beneficial for practitioners and non-Buddhists alike around the world.

Spiritual Director of Dönden Chöjin - KHENPO KARTHAR RINPOCHE

Rinpoche was born in 1924 in Qinghai province. At the age of twelve, Rinpoche entered Thrangu Monastery and was ordained as a monk. He has been trained by great masters of various lineages in Tibet. In 1975, Rinpoche officially received the title of "Chöje Lama" (Superior Dharma Master) from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. Serving as the abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery (KTD), the North American monastic seat of His Holiness Karmapa, and director of Karme Ling Retreat Center, Rinpoche is the general director of more than a hundred dharma centers in North and South America. A great scholar and master of Mahamudra meditation, Rinpoche is respected throughout the world for his high realization, pure vows and sincere devotion.

Dharma Teaching by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

When we put our bodhicitta into action, then we are practicing the six paramitas. When we give whatever is needed to help others with perfectly pure altruistic intention, we practice the first paramita, generosity; while performing the act of giving, if we refrain from any harmful actions and carry out beneficial and wholesome actions, then we practice the second paramita, ethical disipline; by not being afraid of difficulties, hardship, or unjustified criticism and persisting in our efforts to give relief, we practice the third paramita, patience; by tirelessly adhering to our goals of giving to others with great determination, we practice the fourth paramita, diligence; when giving out relief, if our mind is focused and without distraction, then we practice the fifth paramita, meditative stability; and finally we practice the sixth paramita, wisdom, if, when giving relief, we realize the ultimate truth that there is no subject making the offerings, no object receiving the offerings, and no relief, as such, being offered.

H.H 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinlay Dorje		Ven. Khenpo Kathar Rinphoche

About Us
*Mission Statement:* Dönden Chöjin Association has been established through the support and inspiration of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in order that all beings attain buddhahood through the generation of bodhichitta and by practicing the six paramitas. Bodhichitta is the altruistic mind that wishes to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings and liberate them from suffering. The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are generosity, ethical discipline, patience, diligence, meditative stability, and wisdom. This includes the perfection of three types of generosity: physical, spiritual and dharmic. As Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche said, "When we put our bodhicitta into action, then we are practicing the six paramitas." *Origin:* In July 2004, a group of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s disciples were fortunate enough to accompany him to Qinghai to visit his former monastery in Eastern Tibet. The disciples were touched by the local people’s pure faith and devotion to Buddhist practice, as well as by the incredibly hard life they live. Winter on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is very rough and bitter, and even by midsummer, it is still piercing cold. Moreover, the intense poverty of the Tibetans’ nomadic lifestyle makes ordinary overcoats seem like luxury apparel. In fact, at NonChen area, several monks have to take turns sharing one coat when they go outside in the winter. Therefore, we came up with the idea of starting a not-for-profit organization to benefit sentient beings in circumstances of need, hoping to alleviate sufferings and promote physical and emotional well-being. Rinpoche encourages us to make every effort to manifest acts of generosity through this organization as a precious opportunity to help us cultivate and perfect the six paramitas. *Establishing the Non-profit Organization:* In order to practice generosity and find ways to actively engage our sincere wish to benefit sentient beings, we felt that it would be necessary to form a non-profit organization. In January of 2005, we expressed these wishes to our beloved spiritual teacher, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, who was very happy to hear of the news, and gave our organization the name **Dönden Chöjin Tsokba “the community that carries out meaningful offering and assistance.” He has given us detailed guidance in almost every aspect of our plans, from our association’s mission statement and logo, to the design of the winter coats that we have been donating, and the rituals and holy substances which have been included in the package that serves the dying. Rinpoche’s endorsement is a great inspiration and we will make every effort to fulfill our teacher’s wishes and to carry out his instructions to the best of our abilities. Our First Goal - Physical Generosity: Donation of Winter Clothing – We delivered coats to 530 monks and nuns in Qinghai 2005. In the future, our plans are not just limited to giving out winter clothing, but also to establishing medical and educational facilities for the poor. We will start with Qinghai and then expand to other areas of the world where there is an urgent need and as our funding allows. Our Second Goal - Spiritual Generosity: Bardo Package** - When one of our family members or friends is dying, quite often we feel overcome with sorrow and helplessness. Not knowing what to do for the dying makes the situation even more desperate. Care for the dying has been one of the foremost concerns of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Under Rinpoche’s guidance, we have carefully designed and assembled a Bardo Package which includes instructions on what to do for the dying before, during and after death, the bardo blanket (liberation through touch mandala blanket), small yantra of Samantabhadra amulet, blessing pills, blessed sand, and a double-CD recording of Liberation through Hearing in the Bardo (Bardo Thötröl) and other important mantras and aspiration prayers chanted by Rinpoche and Lama Karma Drodul. *Our Third Goal - Dharmic Generosity:* Translate and Publish Buddhist Texts and Books - Although numerous Buddhist books have been published in English and Chinese, translation of these into various languages is still very rare, and far from completion. Therefore, in order to benefit present and future generations, we will undertake the task of translating and publishing the works of great Buddhist masters in various languages. These works will be beneficial for practitioners and non-Buddhists alike around the world. *Spiritual Director of Dönden Chöjin - KHENPO KARTHAR RINPOCHE* Rinpoche was born in 1924 in Qinghai province. At the age of twelve, Rinpoche entered Thrangu Monastery and was ordained as a monk. He has been trained by great masters of various lineages in Tibet. In 1975, Rinpoche officially received the title of "Chöje Lama" (Superior Dharma Master) from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. Serving as the abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery (KTD), the North American monastic seat of His Holiness Karmapa, and director of Karme Ling Retreat Center, Rinpoche is the general director of more than a hundred dharma centers in North and South America. A great scholar and master of Mahamudra meditation, Rinpoche is respected throughout the world for his high realization, pure vows and sincere devotion. *Dharma Teaching by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche* When we put our bodhicitta into action, then we are practicing the six paramitas. When we give whatever is needed to help others with perfectly pure altruistic intention, we practice the first paramita, *generosity; while performing the act of giving, if we refrain from any harmful actions and carry out beneficial and wholesome actions, then we practice the second paramita, ethical disipline; by not being afraid of difficulties, hardship, or unjustified criticism and persisting in our efforts to give relief, we practice the third paramita, patience; by tirelessly adhering to our goals of giving to others with great determination, we practice the fourth paramita, diligence; when giving out relief, if our mind is focused and without distraction, then we practice the fifth paramita, meditative stability; and finally we practice the sixth paramita, wisdom*, if, when giving relief, we realize the ultimate truth that there is no subject making the offerings, no object receiving the offerings, and no relief, as such, being offered.