Drupchen based on the Chöd Sadhana from the Dzinpa Rangdrol Cycle (Self-Liberation of Clinging) from Do Khyentse, and the Longchen Nyingthik Treasures. Patrul Rinpoche received the whole cycle transmission of the Dzinpa Rangdrol from both Khandro Dazal Wangmo, Do Khyentse’s great granddaughter, and Kyabje Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, Do Khyentse’s reincarnation.

In April 2012, Patrul Rinpoche guided a Chöd drupchen for the first time in the West, in Dhumatala—Rinpoche’s house in Georgia that is imbued with Rinpoche’s kindness and compassion. A three-day preparatory course gave everyone the time to learn the perfect way to perform this drupchen, and the drupchen was running for seven full days. It was an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to keep their lineage traditions alive and to create a cause for future well-being and happiness for themselves and for all beings.

When we practice Chöd, we offer our body to the perfect objects of refuge, the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma and Sangha—, the three roots—lama, yidam and dakinis—, and all the protectors of the Dharma. We also imagine that all the sentient beings to whom we owe karmic debts are invited to take whatever they want from our body. In that way, we accumulate enormous amount of merit, purify obscurations and develop our wisdom by offering the most precious thing that exists for us in this world: our body.

Participating in this powerful practice is regarded as bringing the same benefit as practicing during several years in solitary retreat. The practitioners train in pure perception and sharpen their ability to perceive their environment as a buddha realm.

Since there is no night-time recitation in this Drupchen, it differs from other drupchens that Rinpoche usually leads. Moreover, Rinpoche often offers a few hours teachings every day during this drupchen. These teachings pertain to subjects related to Chöd, such as the Prajnaparamita.

The particularity of these drupchens is that Patrul Rinpoche has been the first who, year after year, taught Westerners how to perform all aspects of a drupchen sadhana. Patrul Rinpoche is the Vajra Master, sometimes assisted by Lopön Tsering Gönpo as Vajra Assistant, and his students perform all the necessary tasks to perform the sadhana: chant leader (umze), instruments, ritual service (chopön), tormas, etc.

Up to now, Chöd drupchens took place in:

• Palgé Nyishar Ling, Portugal, March-April 2019
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2018
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2017
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2016
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2015
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2014
• Dharma City, Belgium, April 2013
• Dhumatala, Georgia, April 2012