Gar Drolma Buddhist Center

OUR DIRECTORS

His Eminence Garchen Rinpcoche, Spiritual Director

Bunima Lama
Lama Bunima was born in 1963 in Gargon village in Tibet to a nomadic family. He had sincere devotion to the Dharma from the age of 8, and at 16 he met His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, who came to Gargon for a brief visit. When Rinpoche returned for a second visit two years later, Lama Bunima received the refuge vows from His Eminence and great devotion arose. With this devotion and great faith, he completed the ngondro practice while still living as a nomad. He did prostrations and mandala offerings in his mother’s house and completed the Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga practices while tending the animals. Shortly thereafter he received the Ganges Mahamudra transmission and instructions.

He lived as a nomad until age 21, and from that time on he stayed with Rinpoche. Starting in 1982, Lama Bunima helped Rinpoche rebuild his monasteries, which had been destroyed during the turmoil in Tibet. He received his monastic ordination in 1982 from Khenpo Munsel and subsequently received Trekcho and Thogal transmission and many other teachings from Garchen Rinpoche. While in retreat, his primary practice was Nyungne. In 1997 he traveled with Rinpoche to America, and he subsequently became an American citizen.

Lama Bunima has been one of Rinpoche’s two attendants on his travels throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

Abou Lama
Lama Abao was born in 1969 to a normadic family in Tibet. From the age of six until the age of eight he studied the Tibetan language and script. At the age of fourteen he met his Root Lama, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, with whom he took refuge at that time. At age fifteen Abao Lama received his monastic vows and instructions on Mahamudra from the Mahasiddha Karma Norbu. At the age of eighteen he met Khenpo Munsel from Golog for the first time. After having completed the Dzogchen Ngondro he received instructions and transmission on Trekcho and Thogal.

Starting at the age of twenty-two, he served for three years at Gargon monastery, having responsibility for the offerings received by the monastery. In addition to this position, he attended the Lamas in the monastery and practiced Tsok on a regular basis. Also during this time, he gathered accumulations of the mantras of White Tara, Yamantaka, and the root mantras of the four enlightened activities of the deities.

In 1997 Abao Lama traveled with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche to America, and he subsequently became an American citizen. Since 1997 Rinpoche has built many centers around the world, and Abao Lama has been one of Rinpoche’s two attendants on his travels throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

VenERABLE KONCHOG Thubten Nima
Lama Thubten Nima was born in the Kham (eastern) Region of Tibet in 1965. When he was 14, Lama Thubten Nima had the good fortune to receive instruction on the effects of virtuous and harmful actions by the great Yogi Damga, and he completed the four hundred thousand accumulations of the preliminary practices (Ngondro) according to the Buddhist Yangzab terma.

While at Gar Monastery Lama Thubten Nima studied tantric ritual practices of the Old and New Schools, and engaged in a wide array of other religious trainings. Lama Thubten Nima received special training from the Hlo Lungkar Monastery Chant-master (religious ritual master), Lama Yungthar, including the Eight Heruka Sadhanas, the Embodiment of the Masters' Realization, Vajrakilaya, and Essence of Great Bliss. He then served as chant master for Gar Monastery and later as the disciplinarian.

In the year 2000 Lama Thubten Nima went to India and received the complete Drikung Kagyu empowerments, transmissions and teachings during the Drikung Snake Year teachings. There he received teachings directly from His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche, and many other high Lamas. Thereafter, Lama Thubten Nima went to Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. He then came to America to do a Yamantaka Retreat with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. At present, he serves as a Resident Lama and Chant Master for the Garchen Institute in Arizona, as well as continuing to serve as Resident Lama for the Mercy and Treasure Buddhist Foundation (southern California).

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche has also requested Lama Thubten Nima to serve as Chant Master at all the Garchen Buddhist Dharma centers in the West.

MIKE YOUNG
I have been interested in Buddhism since the 70s and was really grateful to discover several years ago that Dayton had a center. Since I have been coming to the cener, I have been amazed at the teachers I have met here, as well as the range of teachings they have offered us. I have also been extremely impressed with the dedication of the Sangha. We are a relatively small group but everyone pitches in, including out-of-towners, to support the center and enable the teachings.

Gar Drolma Choling is a great place to practice and to meet other practitioners. My mind seems to naturally find calmness and mindfulness when I sit in the main meditation room.

In joining the board, I look forward to working on extending the range of teachings that the center offers. I am particularly interested in helping to establish opportunities for newcomers, both those interested in Buddhism and those just interested in learning meditation techniques.

Mel Carmichael
Gar Drolma has become such and important part of my life over the past 4 years. I walked in as many do: with no clue what to expect. I spent my first day at Gar Drolma doing White Tara. I didn’t know what any of it meant and I didn’t know why people were doing it but I was immediately drawn in. This was quickly followed by a Guru Rinpoche Empowerment by Bhaku Rinpoche. I sat in the first row and served tea to him and his attendant. This was a retreat where no one was to speak except for during the practice and the only meal was a vegetarian lunch. I did it all and still had no idea why it was so important to me. Time has passed and I have developed an understanding that is hard to explain. This temple is so important to my life and its future, I now know, is essential to not only my well being but all members and beyond. I have always had a special affection for new people that come to this center. I truly believe that we have something to offer anyone who walks through the doors of Gar Drolma. I think (after much meditation and practice) that I am meant to help new people find how the Dharma can make anyone’s life of bigger benefit no matter what their cultural or religious background (even it I don’t personally have all the answers). I want others to want to share in this wonderful Sangha which has had some of the most wonderful experiences together. I want to show all that Gar Drolma is a special and important part of this community that is worth supporting. I look forward to helping make the most of this center so that it can give the same gift to others that it has given to me.

Deb Jackson, President
I was led to Gar Drolma five years ago, seeking to find a teacher and begin studying Buddhism. There really are no words to describe my joy at finding the center and the beauty of meeting with the dharma. It's like walking in the scorching dessert and being given a cool glass of water to drink–you just can’t seem to get enough.

I knew from that point forward I would devote my life to serving the dharma in any way that would be of benefit. I was very fortunate to spend seven months at Garchen Rinpoche’s center in Arizona where I learned so much about living in community , serving, and engaging in the practice on many levels. I felt very blessed to have this precious time there and hoped it would be of help at Gar Drolma.

It is such an honor to serve on Gar Drolma's board and be part of such an incredible community. There is such a special group of members here who share their love for Garchen Rinpoche, the center and the dharma. For me, coming to Gar Drolma has been like coming home. Becoming a member of the center brings boundless blessings, for when you connect to the center you connect to Garchen Rinpoche. And when you connect to Garchen Rinpoche, you connect to love….what greater gift could there ever be?

Gary Smith
I awakened my interest in Buddhism while spending time in Japan as a student in the early ‘80s. My interest was quite broad but heavily influenced by Zen. I spent many years reading about Buddhism and practiced “off and on” on my own. While living in Geneva, Switzerland my wife and I visited Rabten Choeling which was my first exposure to Tibetan Buddhism. Practice was conducted in 5 languages there and I wasn’t completely sure what was going on most of the time, but I did feel a connection.

Shortly thereafter we moved to Dayton and I remember thinking to myself, “There is no way there is a Buddhist temple in Dayton, I’ll probably need to drive to Columbus!”. Surprisingly enough, upon a quick Internet search I found Gar Drolma and was elated to see it was only 4 miles from my house. I came one Sunday morning for practice and everyone was so helpful and welcoming that I decided to come again.
I have now been a member here for a few years and am honored to be part of the Sangha. Through my service on the Board I strive to be of service to our teachers, members and visitors alike.