Pathgate News - Special Features
A Poem About Pathgate By Ani Wodzer Drolma
Homage To Lama Dondrup Dorje Rinpoche !
Our Lama, our Precious One
Our Guide, our Beacon, our Sun, our Moon,
Our Light on the Path.
“Retirement, what to do?”
“You can’t live down a country road,
Baking scones for the rest of your life,
Time to move on.”
said the Lama, the Precious One.
So I join the journey of the Lama.
Farewell to the Choir,
Embrace the celebration of Puja,
Taiji, Qigong,
Solace for the body and mind.
Refreshed, renewed
by the grace of the Lama, the Precious One.
Pathgate picnics,
Shower of soft white petals,
Families, friends, sunny days, happiness,
A haven of harmony, peace and blessing.
Seated beneath the cherry tree,
Our Lama, our Precious One.
Epidavros, Summer Retreat by the Sea,
Smoke Offerings, Scent of delightful Pine,
Prayers, Mantra, merged with the Melody of Nature.
Discourse infused with the Golden light of Wisdom,
Khora around the shrine,
Om Mani Peme Hum
Ordination by His Holiness,
Our Lama, our Precious One,
Has took me home,
To the family I belong.
Standing at the Gate,
Our Lama, our Precious One,
Our Guide, our Beacon, our Sun, our Moon,
Our Light on the Path.
Path of Awakening to Harmony, Peace and Happiness.
Ani Wodzer Drolma Tells Her Story
Before moving to Newcastle upon Tyne, I received a book on taijiquan. So, on arrival at the city I joined a taijiquan class, and met Sifu Rinpoche. Little did I know that it was to be the beginning of the most amazing wonderful journey.
Over the years I have marvelled at how everyone who comes into contact with Sifu Rinpoche becomes relaxed and happy. Everyone is welcomed with the same respect, courtesy and kindness, showing us how to see everyone as an honoured guest.
Regardless where we are, Sifu Rinpoche shows us how to bring out the best in every situation, interacting cordially and naturally with everyone, bringing harmony and relaxing ambience to the proceeding.
At our annual Taiji picnic, Sifu Rinpoche would sit beneath the cherry tree and mingled with guests. It was a haven of joy, peace and blessing. Tables were set out with an amazing variety of food prepared by students and friends of Pathgate. People of all ages come together, relaxing and enjoying the wonderful food and the pleasant weather that the blessing of Sifu Rinpoche always brings.
The first Pathgate Retreat I attended was at Epidavros in Greece. An idyllic setting near the sea, orange groves and olive trees providing the canopy for our place of practice. Sifu Rinpoche sat on a rock and gave us teaching on compassion and meditation. The following year, Sifu Rinpoche sat on a chair and gave us teaching on the foundation of mindfulness. Then later, a Buddhist shrine was prepared for the practice of smoke offering, puja and guru yoga.
Each time Sifu Rinpoche arrived at the retreat, a gentle breeze always accompanied him, tree branches and leaves as usual rustled softly in the wind, welcoming and honouring his presence there.
After many years of wonderful retreats at Epidavros, the venue was moved to the Dharma Centre in Athens and then to Newcastle where accommodation was provided for students to reduce their expenses.
Pathgate, the extension of Sifu Rinpoche’s compassionate activities, are always accommodating, bringing Dharma to those in need of support
By the sheer commitment of Sifu Rinpoche’s enthusiastic effort, Pathgate has over the years benefits countless number of individual as well as providing support to many establishments around the world, such as Monasteries, Dharma Centres, Retreat Centres, schools, hospitals, charities, food banks; the list is endless.
In everything he does, Sifu Rinpoche shows us the way we can make the best use of our lives by following the way of Dharma, guiding us like a shepherd along our individual paths together towards the Gate of Joyful Fulfilment.