Join us Sunday, February 12th at 2 pm for a tour of the Milarepa Ösel Chö Dzong Meditation and Retreat Sanctuary in Happy Valley. We will also plant daffodil prayers on the land setting aspirations and intention for the fruition of Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s vision of building a stupa and retreats to serve the greater Smoky Mountain region and benefit all sentient beings. In addition, at we will all gather at 3 pm for the offering of 100 butterlamps. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this traditional Buddhist prayer service. If you cannot attend /or would like to send a prayer request please see information on our “Prayer Request and Offerings” page (near the bottom of the page).

Milarepa Ösel Chö Dzong Meditation and Retreat Sanctuary

6231 Paul Boone Road, Happy Valley, TN 37878

Need directions?

Lama Samten and Lama Karma have returned to Milarepa Dzong and spent their first weeks in a retreat performing the extensive feast offerings and sadhanas of the major yidams and Dharma protectors of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages. In conjunction with daily morning and evening fire pujas , Tara practice, Shitro practice, and Mahakala chanting, these pujas were intended to create an auspicious connection between the lineage and the land, directly brining home to Happy Valley the blessings of the transmissions they had received this summer from His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche.

The retreat concluded on the auspicious 25th of the lunar month with a gathering of the sangha at Milarepa Dzong to practice the guru yoga and tsok of Dusum Khyenpa, recently written by His His Holiness the Karmapa for the 900th anniversary of the Karmapa lineage.

We hope to continue these practices on a regular basis, and pray that Lama Norlha Rinpoche also returns soon from his travels abroad to give these and other teachings and transmissions here in Tennessee.

New programming including weekly meditation classes, classes on Buddhist theory and practice, fire pujas, butter lamp offerings, and special weekend retreats will be added soon to the monthly schedule both at Milarepa Dzong and Losel Shedrup Ling in Knoxville, so please stay tuned for updates and developments.

Lama Samten and Lama Karma have an audience with His Holiness Tai Situ Rinpoche

Lama Karma and Lama Samten have safely returned from their two month long pilgrimage to holy dharma sites across India and Nepal in the company of Lama Norlha Rinpoche, and former and current three-year retreatants from Kagyu Thubten Chöling (KTC) monastery, Hudson Valley, NY. Presently, the lamas are assisting with the many preparations and nyungne practices leading up to the November 17th installation of the next three retreat at KTC. This is a very auspicious occasion and we are anticipating that the Lamas will return to Happy Valley and east Tennessee by the start of the western New Year!

KTC Pilgrams engage in Nyungne (Buddhist Fasting Practice) with Lama Norlha Rinpoche at the seat of the Buddha's enlightenment.

We also pray that Lama Norlha Rinpoche and Lama Jamdron will return in the near future for a visit. For the time being, Lama Samten is completing 8 sets of nyungnes, which will qualify her to lead nyunge retreats here at MOCD and in TN/NC in the near future. Please stay tuned for further updates and keep the Lamas and new retreatants in your thoughts and prayers! We are extremely grateful to our own founders and teachers His Eminence Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche, and the Venerable Lama Norlha Rinpoche for their ongoing blessings and guidance. E MA HO