Lineage and Teachings
Dorje Ling was founded in 1980 by HH Dudjom Rinpoche and Gyatrul Rinpoche in Portland, Oregon. Teachings and practices at Dorje Ling are based on the guidance of Gyatrul Rinpoche and other teachers of the Nyingma lineage. We offer training in meditation, foundational practices, generation stage practices, phowa (transference of consciousness), and tsoks (traditional Tibetan ceremonies done on a regular basis). In collaboration with other centers in the region, we also offer various kinds of retreats, study of classical and modern texts in the Tantric/Vajrayana tradition, and teachings by lamas, senior practitioners, and monastics.
Our main center, Tashi Choling, is located outside Ashland, Oregon, and offers many additional opportunities for Dharma students to advance on the spiritual path. Please check out their site at www.tashicholing.org or visit their online book store at www.vimalatreasures.org.
Passing of Venerable Dhomang Gyatrul Rinpoche
Our beloved precious master, the Venerable Dhomang Gyatrul Rinpoche, passed into paranirvana on April 8th, 2023 at his home in Half Moon Bay, California. Rinpoche was surrounded by his family members, close attendants, and his personal physician. One week prior to Rinpoche’s passing, he ceased taking nourishment of food and drink; during this time, he rested and slept peacefully. Rinpoche rested in tukdam meditation first at Tashi Choling, and then for many weeks, at Orgyen Dorje Den in Alameda, while lamas, students, and spiritual friends practiced daily in his presence. On May 30, his kudung (body) was offered in a Sea Burial to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Santa Cruz, California. Thus, Rinpoche displayed his final teaching indicating the importance of the crucial passage from life to death.
Rinpoche lived an exceptional life and dedicated himself to the propagation of Buddhadharma, especially as a pioneer in the west in the 1970s until the present time. We are eternally grateful for Rinpoche’s example, kindness, vajra presence, teachings, and wisdom blessings that have been a part of our lives for so many years.
Matthew Small, Resident Program Director
Serving as the new Resident Program Director at Dorje Ling, Matthew is a long time student of Gyatrul Rinpoche and an old friend of Jampal Gyatso (see below). He took refuge with Rinpoche in 1978 and worked at Tashi Choling, Yeshe Nyingpo's Retreat Center near Ashland, Oregon, for many years. A builder and painter by trade, he worked on many projects for the Center, including the construction of the Temple's East Wing. Many years ago, Rinpoche asked Matthew to teach Ngondro classes, a promise he honors to this day. Matthew moved to Dorje Ling during the last months of Jampal's illness, to help with his care and support him in daily practice sessions. He and his wife Carolyn carry on Jampal's legacy of making the dharma available to all who seek it.
Thubten Jampal Gyatso (Clark Hansen), former director
Thubten Jampal Gyatso, which was Clark Hansen's monastic name, hosted the dharma center in his home from 1989 onward and became a fully ordained monk in 2006. Jampal Gyatso passed away from ALS in May of 2021, bequeathing his property to the sangha.
Main Centers
Tashi Choling
Ashland, OR (our main center)
Orgyen Dorje Den
Alameda, CA (our bay area center)
Vimala
For publications, books, videos and more
Other Centers
Namdroling Montana
Bozeman, MT
Palri Pema Od Ling
Austin, TX
Yeshe Nyingpo Mexico
Ensenada, Mexico