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Theg-Chog Norbu-i Ga-Tsal

The Garden of Happiness of the Unsurpassable Jewel Path

A STATUE OF DORJE SEMPA PRESIDES OVER THE ASSEMBLY HALL HOSTING A THOUSAND BUDDHA

The centre operates through the legal structure of the Dra Tagpa Ritru Association. Regular teaching sessions and Tibetan ceremonies are conducted by Lama Norbu Repa who proposes two types of activities, individual and collective.Collective activities include daily, weekly and monthly meditation sessions as well as seminars given twice a year. Retreat facilities permit individuals to progress through their personal training.

Representations of body, speech and mind of the Buddha:

  1. Representation of Body: After three years of steady involvement by all members, a thousand Buddha statues were crafted, filled with precious relics and enshrined on both side of the main deity in the meditation hall. This work inplied several trips to the town of Patan in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal where the statues where made by senior artisans. The necessary mantra prints and relics where brought to France from India and prepared according to tradition before being inserted in each statue.
  2. Representation of Speech: Following this the collection of the Buddhist sacred texts - Kangyur & Tangyur was shipped from Derge in Eastern Tibet. Each of the 316 texts was carefully paqued into its yellow cotton cover and inserted tightly between two wooden boards before receiving its place of honour on both side of the main shrine.   Simultaneously a multimedia library was set to offer the members access to major Dharma books, tapes and DVD recordings of teachings.
  3. Representation of Mind: The next step and important project will be that of establishing the representation of the mind through the building of stupas, symbol of Enlightenment. The building a set of the 8 traditionnal stupas of medium size will be followed by the construction of a main white stupa on a elevated place near the main shrine room.

Tibetan Ordained Resident Sangha

With the view of establishing further Dharma at Theg-Chog Norbu-i Ga-Tsal, Lama Norbu Repa requested His Holiness Karmapa to send a Tibetan resident ordained sangha. His Holiness accepted the request while asking to further the development of the Dharma administration of the Centre.

At first two Tibetan anilas have been sent and stayed the centre: Ani Tsultrim Lhamo an Ani Yeshe Palmo. Further plans are made to continue this enriching and beneficial experience.

During his last visit in June 2006,Lama Norbu requested the Tsurphu Labrang tosend two more anilas to join the existing Tibetan ordained Resident Sangha.

Propagation of Dharma

The centre is preparing to organise the regular visit of great masters to propagate the teachings of the Karma Kamtsang lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

As he does regularly during his visits to India, Lama Norbu Repa took the opportunity of his last journey to India in late June 2006 to present Lamas and Rinpoches with offerings while requesting them to honour TNG with their presence.

Requests to honour the Centre with their presence were made to

His Holiness the XVIIth Gyalwang Karmapa

His Eminence Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche

His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

His Eminence Gotsir Gyaltsab Rinpoche

Most Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Most Venerable Tenga Rinpoche

Venerable Sangye Nyempa Rinpoche

Venerable Mingyur Rinpoche