About the Annual Drukpa Council (ADC)
The Dragon Masters who attended the First ADC
The Drukpa Lineage or Lineage of the Dragons has the legacy of guiding countless beings on the path of Dharma and ultimate enlightenment for more than 800 years.
Yet with the passage of time, several important teachings and traditions of the lineage, such as the Yogini tradition within the Drukpa Lineage have been lost. The teachings of the three mad yogis: i.e. Tsangnyon Heruka (1452–1507), Druknyon Kunga Legpa (also known as Drukpa Kunleg, 1455–1529) and Unyon Kunga Sangpo (1458–1532) are almost disappearing. Many Drukpa followers neither know much about the Three Divine Madmen nor about other enlightened masters of the Drukpa Lineage such as Gyalwa Yangonpa (1213–1258) and Gyalwa Lorepa (1187–1250), even many of the monks and nuns do not know their biographies. His Holiness said in one of the commitee meetings that “We, the holders and followers of the glorious Drukpa Lineage, have the great responsibility of preserving and ensuring that this spiritually rich lineage continues to flourish, internally by upholding the sacred practices and externally through Live to Love activities.”
The various enlightened masters and various monastic bodies seldom had the opportunity to work together to promote the lineage due to lack of proper communication among the different masters and various monasteries and nunneries.
Generally, every ADC will be organized by and taking place at a different monastery within the Drukpa Lineage. The First ADC (6th-15th April 2009), took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Druk Amitabha Mountain, near the holy Swayambhunath Stupa. In view of the facilities and the availability of different resources on Druk Amitabha Mountain, the Second ADC (6th-15th April 2010) took place again in Druk Amitabha Mountain, this time, in the fully completed Naro Assembly Hall, equipped with state of the art audio and light system and improved facilities.
More details on the Annual Drukpa Council can be found on www.drukpacouncil.org
Aims & Objectives
The Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) would be a yearly event for the Masters and followers of the Drukpa Lineage to come together, exchange views and spiritual knowledge. Both the experienced Rinpoches and the young of the Drukpa Lineage will be requested to give teachings and share their wisdom and experience during the ADC.
ADC aims to provide a platform for building and nourishing of multi-lateral and inter–group relationships within the Drukpa Lineage as well as introducing the richness of its spiritual heritage to others. It will provide an annual gathering for the followers of the Drukpa Lineage to meet once a year, thus nourishing a firm bond and strengthening the relationship among the individuals and groups within the Drukpa Sangha.
ADC will include not only traditional rituals and practices, but also open discussions and exchange of views regarding the practical use of spirituality to resolve today’s difficulties. It should also function as a forum to increase our ability to work more productively together in a harmonious way.
One of the key driving forces of the ADC is to promote Live to Love which is the practical aspect of inculcating loving–kindness and compassion in the world today.
His Holiness said that besides sitting on the cushions and meditating, we should also be thinking about practicing Live to Love. Compassion has to be cultivated and developed, but love is the action that needs to be carried out as a support to our daily practice.
Live to Love activities in different corners of the world will help to promote the spiritual idealism of the 800–year–old Drukpa Lineage and make it a living tradition that suits the rhythm of contemporary lifestyle. Followers and practitioners who are taking responsibility in a Live to Love project as an individual or group should get all the support needed to run their projects as their own responsibility for the benefit of all beings.