Reflections on the 2nd Annual Northern California Dechen Shingdrup

Tashi Delek!

Sunday, October 5th, marked the conclusion of the second annual Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup in Northern California. It was held at the Sera Jey Foundation Dharma Center in El Cerrito (Bay Area) CA. Last year was the first Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup in Northern California in Richmond, CA, at the request of my dear student and friend, Ngödrup Dorje. This year, the number of Tibetans in attendance grew, as California is the third largest Tibetan diaspora community in the United States after New York and Minneapolis. It was a successful retreat, and many expressed their gratitude and happiness. I am very happy to do this. Actually, as some may know, one of the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to me by His Holiness the Dalai Lama was to teach Dharma to Tibetan communities around the world. In the future, I hope to continue this annual Amitabha Dechen Shingdrup in Northern California. It seems likely that this practice will continue to grow and flourish in California in the years ahead. I am deeply grateful to Ngödrup Dorje, Wangchen, Tenzin Namkha, Rinchen-la, and many others, together with the support and sponsorship of their families, who made this event possible through their devotion and hard work.