All are invited to this precious opportunity to attend a highly realized spiritual teacher from the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. All the teachings are open to the public and anyone may attend.
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will give the Vajrapani Empowerment, Commentary and Teachings. Plus, there will be an evening for Questions & Answers, and Rinpoche will give the Bodhisattva Vows as well. There will be an excellent translator accompanying Drupon la – Virginia Blum. She has translated for high lamas internationally.
October 2-5. 2025
Unity of Charlottesville
Thursday evening 6:30 – 8:30 pm Q & A + Medicine Buddha transmission (Fillmore House)
Friday evening 6:30 - 8:30 pm Bodhisattva Vows (Fillmore House)
Saturday morning 9:30 am – 12 pm Vajrapani Empowerment (Fellowship Hall)
Saturday afternoon 2 – 5 pm Vajrapani Commentary & Transmission (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday morning 9:30 am – 12 pm Vajrapani Practice & Questions (Fillmore House)
Sunday afternoon 2 – 5 pm Vajrapani Practice (Fillmore House)
Participants will:
- get their questions answered about Buddhism, about Deity Yoga (Vajrayana Tantric practice), and about Vajrapani practice in particular
- have permission and receive the initiation and transmission to do Vajrapani practice
- receive or renew their Bodhisattva Vows and gain a greater understanding of what they represent
Charlottesville Ratnashri Sangha
The Charlottesville Ratnashri Sangha has been around since 2003. We were founded by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen. We are members of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Our main Dharma Center is located in Frederick, Maryland, and we have many other centers around the country.
Our sangha here in Charlottesville is smaller. We have several people who are the core organizers of events and who host meditation groups. Kirby Moore leads a Medicine Buddha meditation group on Thursdays in town. Most of these meditation groups have 5 - 8 people who attend regularly.
We have worked with Unity since 2007. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen gave teachings there, Garchen Rinpoche and more lamas have taught there. Drupon has taught there several times. We appreciate the ease of using your space.
Drupon lived in Frederick, Md from 2001 - 2013, when he moved to Florida. He has a large gathering of students around Tampa, so he accepted their invitation to move and lead the center there.
Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche
Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche was born in the Nag-chu District of Tibet. In his youth, Drupon-la was marked by a loving and compassionate nature and an active concern for the welfare of others. He entered school at the age of eight, excelled in his education, and was appointed as teacher when he was 17 years old. In addition to his teaching, Drupon-la pursued studies in veterinary medicine. After continuing this work for some time, his natural inclination towards the Dharma developed into a determination to pursue a formal spiritual path.
His family supported his decision and Drupon-la entered Drong Ngur Monastery where he became a student of the eminent Buddhist scholar, Lama Kedrub Siddhi Rinpoche. He engaged in the study of a wide range of Drikung Buddhist traditions, including ritual practices, mandala and stupa design, construction, and the art of producing bronze images of sacred beings.
Subsequently, he was made director of the project to construct a new main stupa for the monastery. After completing this formidable project, he went on a pilgrimage to Drikung Thel Monastery where he met the great yogin and scholar, Drubwang Pachung Rinpoche. Drupon-la was inspired to request the essential instructions for spiritual practice. Recognizing his unique abilities, Drubwang Rinpoche agreed and asked him to return at daybreak. He was then able to receive the profound essence instructions in the practice and mastery of the peerless Mahamudra.
We will ask for (suggested) donations for these teachings. $150 for all four days, or $35 /evening; $50 /full day.
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Unity of Charlottesville