Entrance to the Garchen Buddhist Institute

Garchen Buddhist Institute

By A.M. Melfa | Sedona.biz

Route 70, Perkinsville Road out of Chino Valley, should be renamed "Grasshopper Crossing" in honor of the hordes of these colorful creatures that performed a joyous dance in front the wheels of my car.

I found myself unconsciously practicing the concept of Ahimsa as I serpentined down this county road, so not to run them over.

Ahimsa, a concept of non-violence and respect for all lives, is originally from the Hindu Scriptures known as the Upanishads. This practice was later embraced by religious philosophies such Jainism and Buddhism.

As my destination at the end of dusty County Road 70 in Chino Valley was the Garchen Buddhist Institute, perhaps they were sending Ahimsa vibes my way.  A picturesque two hour drive from Sedona to Chino Valley just north of Prescott will bring you to this spiritual and enlightening place.

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche

The Garchen Institute was founded by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, a master of the Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma Lineages of the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.

Born in 1936 in Nangchen Kham, Garchen Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned in eastern Tibet by the former Drikung Kyabgon Zhiwe Lodro. Among his reincarnations, Buddhists believe that Garchen Rinpoche has been a disciple of the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the thirteenth century as well as the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songsten Gampo in the seventh century.
 

Drikung Kagyu Symbol

Garchen Rinpoche was brought to Lho Miyal Monastery at the age of seven and acted as its administrator from the age of eleven. At twenty-two years of age, he was imprisoned by the Chinese for twenty years during their Cultural Revolution. Secretly practicing during this time of imprisonment, Garchen Rinpoche attained realization of the lama’s "wisdom mind" by the time of his release in 1979.

In an effort to re-establish Buddhism in Tibet, Garchen Rinpoche has made great strides in rebuilding the Drikung Kagyu monasteries, as well as build two boarding schools for local children in the eastern part of the country.

Eventually Garchen Rinpoche was called to expand the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition worldwide and founded the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona.
 

View from the Institute

It is impossible to translate into words the supreme peace of this place.  With a 360 degree view of the Prescott Granite hills across the Chino Valley, the red cliffs of Sycamore Canyon as well as the distant yet somehow looming San Francisco Peaks, one feels spiritually connected to the boundless views.

Each area within the sprawling compound is a perfect place for meditation, contemplation or simple relaxation. Take a walk around the pine scented grounds or sit in one of the comfortable lounge chairs on the veranda at the back of the dining room for a better view of those gorgeous panoramas.
 

Outside a Stupa

The Stupa, a sacred spot in memory of Buddha or a Buddhist Saint, is a wonderful place to step out of your everyday thoughts and life and into a wider realm of experience.

This Stupa represents the entire manifested sphere of existence through the five cosmic elements of earth, water, fir, air and space. Within the central core of this structure, Garchen Rinpoche has placed divinely charged objects to aid the enlightenment of the Western World.
 

Inside a Stupa

If you wish to remain for a night, a week, a month or even an extended three year retreat, the Institute is prepared with various lodging options to suit your individual needs. A two bedroom guest house is available with a private kitchen and bathroom as well as a dorm with shared facilities.

Indoor "camping" is also allowed by arranging your bedding in the Temple, the Stupa or the gathering area at the rear of the dining room. Outdoor camping is available just outside the Institute's gates on the surrounding National Forest Land.

For those seeking seclusion, the Institute offers one room retreat huts. Although the retreat huts do not offer private kitchens and baths, the communal counterparts are open 24-7 if you are committed to avoiding personal interaction as a part of your retreat.

Inside a Stupa "Examine the rights and wrongs Of your own conduct              But judge neither the acts         Nor the omissions of other."

Garchen Rinpoche once resided at the Institute but now travels the world spreading Drikung Kagyu teachings. The Institute's teaching staff also includes the Venerable Traga Rinpoche, Lama Abao, Lama Bunima, the Venerable Gape Lama, Khenpo Sherab and Loppon Barbara Du Bois Ph.D. These teachers are available throughout the year for individual consultation. If you are interested in conducting a guided retreat with one of these teachers you should contact the Institute's operator at questions@garchen.net to learn when they will be on site for personalized instruction.

A bookstore and gift shop is available boasting perhaps the largest amassed works on Buddhism to be found in one place within a several hundred mile radius. Incense, Tibetan wall hangings and numerous cultural objects and more are available here for purchase. Proceeds support the maintenance and events of the Institute.

Garchen Rinpoche does not exclude visitors based upon any yardstick. Peoples of all races, nationalities, gender and philosophies are welcome. Such a rare experience awaits those who take the time to visit the Garchen Buddhist Institute. You do not have to travel all the way around the world to Tibet to avail yourself of the Buddha's enlightenment practices as  Garchen Rinpoche has been loving enough to deliver these gifts to your veritable doorstep.

The Garchen Buddhist Institute is located on Perkinsville County Road 70 in Chino Valley, Arizona. Available for individual or group retreats, workshops, classes, weddings, memorial awards or ceremonies, the Institute can be reached at their web site www.garchen.net, by email at questions@garchen.net or by telephone at 928-925-1237. Please contact Site Coordinator, Trisha Lamb, to schedule events or a visit.

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