Merging with the Enlightened Mind of the 16th Karmapa

His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, passed into parinirvāṇa on November 5th, near Chicago, in Zion, Illinois, USA. When Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, who was His Holiness’ attendant for many years, returned to this holy place some years later, he made a vow to build a Parinirvāṇa Stūpa and create a place for pilgrimage, meditation, and to learn and study the Buddhist tradition in general, and the Karma Kagyü lineage in particular. After years of accumulating merit and the generous support of many kind donors, the commencement of the infrastructure is expected to begin in 2025.

Based on the design of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the appearance of the main hall is modeled after the place where Buddha Shakyamuni passed into parinirvāṇa, the Stūpa in Kushinagar, India.

In addition to a Parinirvāṇa Stūpa, a Thousand Buddha Wall, a library for studying the teachings of the buddhadharma, in particular the Karma Kagyü, a retreat center, and more, there will also be a space dedicated to Tsha Tsha offerings. Crafted from clay, mixed with the relics of a deceased, Tsha Tsha are like small stūpa and offered as a way of honoring and remembrance of a friend or relative.

Extraordinary Blessings of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa

The space for the Tsha Tsha will be located at the lower level of the Stūpa Temple, immediately beneath the Stūpa of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. Placing a Tsha Tsha in this space supports those who have passed on to the next life by receiving the blessings of the lineage of the Karmapas, which is a very rare opportunity.

’Those represented by the Tsha Tsha as well as those who have a direct or indirect connection to the Karmapa lineage will continue to receive blessings throughout the year due to the twice daily pujas performed with the heart of devotion by the KC16 sangha (monastic community) under the guidance of Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche. Rinpoche will also be presiding over the practices and offerings to the community during the Qingming Festival, KC16’s Annual Parinirvana Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa on November 5, along with other special Buddhist occasions such as Saga Dawa and Lhabab Düchen, all sources of great blessings.

How to make an offering?

By offering $2062 USD, one can reserve a space in the future columbarium for a Tsha Tsha.

1. Tsha Tsha with Commemorative Items
   
   Relatives and friends can provide the deceased’s most commemorative items, such as clothes, jewelry, photos, prayer beads, etc, to be enshrined in our center. The lamas of the Sangha will create a Tsha Tsha stupa and put it in place, together with the memorials of the deceased as a way of respect, commemoration, and source of blessings for the deceased.
2. Tsha Tsha with Relics
   
   No matter how long ago the deceased passed away, you can provide some relics of deceased relatives and friends, and deliver or ship them to Karmapa Center 16. The Tsha Tsha will be made by our lamas and permanently enshrined in the center.
3. Tsha Tsha RSVP — Connect now for later
   
   You may also reserve a place for a future Tsha Tsha, be it for a loved one or for yourself.

Details/Remarks

1. All donations will be used for the construction of the relic hall.
2. It is possible to pay in installments (multiple payments over a period of time).
3. Donations to Karmapa Center 16 are tax-deductible in the USA (US tax ID #47-2608572).
4. The list of names will be permanently stored in the relic hall and receive ongoing blessings.

We would like to share a wonderful opportunity to be a part of Karmapa Center 16’s auspicious Gawu Offering project. In the Vajrayana, there is an old tradition of putting various precious objects and blessings into a “Gawu” (a small protective locket). This auspicious locket offers protective power that comes from the Mahamudra and Dzogchen lineages.

Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche has collected nearly 100 sacred objects, over a number of years, from many great Mahamudra and Dzogchen masters and has made them into these limited-edition, protective Gawu. Wearing your Gawu day and night bestows the blessing from the centuries-old lineage, helping your body and mind to become peaceful, and helping you to overcome all suffering.

Full description of the sacred objects used in the Gawu (嘎屋聖物清單 in Chinese)

We hope you will be part of this project by purchasing an auspicious Gawu. Each Gawu is available for $185 USD. All proceeds benefit Karmapa Center 16’s Stupa Project.

About Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche

Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche was recognized and guided by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, and served as the General Secretary of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Rinpoche has a low profile and humble character, adheres to the centuries-old Kagyü lineage, and shows the style of a practicing master in every aspect. He is one of the founding members of the Karmapa Center 16 in Zion, Illinois, United States, near the place where the 16th Karmapa passed into parinirvāṇa.

As long as the prayers of the Thousand Buddhas of this Bhadrakalpa (auspicious aeon) remain unfulfilled, the teachings of the Karmapas will remain uninterrupted.
— Prayer by His Holiness the 16^th Gyalwang Karmapa

As part of rebuilding Rumtek Monastery, also known as Dharma Chakra Centre, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, enshrined a thousand Bhadrakalpa Buddha statues. To follow this lineage tradition, a thousand Bhadrakalpa Buddhas will be placed around the 16th Karmapa’s Parinirvāṇa Stupa at Karmapa Center 16. You can join in this precious opportunity and be part of establishing the presence of these statues in the hall of the Stupa Temple.

How to participate?

With a donation of $1,550 USD, you can sponsor one Bhadrakalpa Buddha Statue. Your donation not only helps in the construction of the main hall, it also contributes to the continuation and flourishing of the Karmapa’s spiritual legacy. The sponsored Bhadrakalpa Buddha statues will be permanently enshrined in the main hall with the Parinirvāṇa Stupa.

Details

It is possible to pay in installments. Donations to Karmapa Center 16 are tax-deductible in the USA (US tax ID #47-2608572).