Tekchok Ösel Chöling
Thekchok Osel Chöling is a nyingma retreat place in Upper Pemakö, now in the northern part of India [1], founded by Togden Kunzang Longrol. It follows the Dudjom Tersar lineage and is a main retreat place of Deden Tashi Chöling.
Description
The landscape from Thekchok Osel Chöling is very spaciousness and offers a complete panoramic view. The front view is of ‘’’Dewakota’’’, a supremely holy place only a few miles of distance, , and which embodies the blessings of all the holy sites of lower Pemakod and the location where Dudjom Rinpoche bestowed the Rinchen Terdzö empowerments for the first time in his life.
It is said in the traditional accounts that:
- ’In the front the unceasing river of blessing flows from the three holy sites. And with the smile of mountains and valleys around ever gracing the land, It is a significant place where samadhis spontaneously arise and ever flourish”.
Origins
In 1959, when Togden Kunzang Longrol relocated himself from Yang Gon Cho Khor Ling in Upper Pemakö to Lower Pemakö in northern India, he was accompanied by many of his disciples from Powo, Tibet. After a brief search for a suitable environment to continue his practice, Togden Kunzang Longrol settled on the land which became known as Thekchok Osel Chöling. Togden Kunzang Longrol's main students – Lama Tshering Chodrag, Lama Tashi Gyaltsen, Lama Dolma Tsering and others – used to lead various annual and monthly practices on the land. It is said that whenever a drupchen was performed, numerous auspicious signs would appear. Among the teachers invited Togden Kunzang Longrol on the land are :
- Phulung Sangye Rinpoche, who was the teacher of many masters, including Dudjom Rinpoche himself.
- Tertön Chhoje Lingpa, one of the most important treasure revealers in the Nyingma tradition[2], who also lived on the retreat land for many years.
Phulung Sangye Rinpoche, Terton Chhoje Lingpa and Togden Kunzang Longrol were very closed and would often do meditation practice retreats together in Thekchok Osel Chöling. On this retreat land, there is a small creek with a water source which is said to have been revealed by these three masters together as as the water source for the retreat land.
Recent Years
Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok, who has been recognized as the incarnation of Togden Kunzang Longrol , now oversees Thekchok Osel Chöling. On the upper part of the land, there is now a small temple with a complete set of facilities for sadhana practice. Surrounding this, there are cabins which have been used by three-year retreatants and also by many short-term retreatants.
