The North American seat of a Nyungne Master.
Ser Cho Ling = Golden Dharma Realm
The Land
Ser Cho Ling is the official North American seat of Venerable Wangchen Rinpoche, the world's foremost contemporary master of the practice of Nyungne. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in Central California, SER CHO LING was founded by Wangchen Rinpoche with the vision of providing students from all over the globe the opportunity to spend meaningful time in extended retreat.
The Tradition
Wangchen Rinpoche a lineage holder of the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, which descends from Niguma and Sukhasiddhi. Wangchen is also a Nyungne master and lineage holder as well. Nyungne was founded by Gelongma Palmo, a princess who was afflicted with leprosy before originating this practice of Thousand Armed Chenrezig, which eventually led to her liberation.
The Practice
One of the main activities of Ser Cho Ling is the annual 25 Nyungne retreat. A Nyungne is a 2 day powerful Purification practice which involves keeping strict vows for the duration of the practice. The second day is devoted to complete silence and fasting. The meditation centers on the recitations, mantras, and guided visualizations of the Thousand-Armed Chenrezig, the embodiment of all the buddhas’ loving-kindness and compassion.
The Practitioners
Everyone is welcome to participate in Nyungne practice as long as you take the Refuge and Eight Precepts vows and receive the empowerment to do the 1,000-Armed Chenrezig practice. The benefits of participating in this practice are enormous, and therefore everyone is strongly encouraged to attend as often as possible.
The Dedication
SER CHO LING is the site for a 25 Nyungne retreat which is led by Rinpoche every year in the Spring. Usually there is also a single, 2-day Nyungne retreat at Ser Cho Ling with the fasting day falling on the full moon. Each practice is dedicated to the cause of enlightenment of all sentient beings. Ser Cho Ling is also a home to other Buddhist practices and events as well.
The Future
We hope that Ser Cho Ling will grow to be a place where all who seek enlightenment for the benefit of all beings can practice.