The First ADC to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal

It is with great pleasure for the ADC Organizing and Working Committee to announce that the first of the much awaited annual event for the Drukpa Lineage will be taking place between 27th December 2008 and 5th January 2009 on Druk Amitabha Mountain in Kathmandu, Nepal. More details in www.drukpacouncil.org.

A brainchild of His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, the spiritual head of the Drukpa Lineage, ADC aims to provide a platform for building and nourishing of multi-lateral and inter-group relationships within the Drukpa Lineage. 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.

The Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) would be an event for the Masters and followers of the Drukpa Lineage to come together and exchange views on ways and means to restore the past glory of the Lineage. Both the experienced and young Rinpoches 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. 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 crisis. 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 life-style. 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 in their own responsibility for the benefit of all beings.