Drikung Kagyu Foundation - USA

07/18/2026

On This day of Chökhor Düchen (The Great Festival of the Buddha's Turning of the Wheel of Dharma), HE Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche, HE Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche and others gathered at the Drikung Forest Hermitage in North Carolina, USA will complete 3 days of the "Thousand Offerings of Ushnishavijaya" puja for the longevity and good health of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon who is 81 today. Also on this day a year ago, His Holiness entered into an extended retreat for three years in Bhutan.

The Drikung Forest Hermitage (Drikung Kunzang Naktsel) is a joint-project by Drikung Kagyu Foundation, USA and Urban Dharma NC, ;ed by Dorlop Rinpoche, Dr. Hun Lye. Members of Drikung Dharmakirti International Sangha are also actively working on manifesting this vision for a longterm home for Drikung Kagyu monastics who desire a life of simplicity in forest-living and a retreat location for short-term lay and monastic visitors.

Tomorrow, July 19, we will consecrated and celebrate the opening of the Dharma Hall at the Hermitage.

07/10/2026

This the the weekend before our opening program starting Thursday, the 16th. Please come out to help us at 629 Griffith Rd, Green Mountain (Bakersville) if you can. We have still a barn to paint/stain, some furniture to assemble (will take a few people a few hours) and many miscellaneous but necessary things done.

Hey everyone! We have one final weekend left before the Forest Hermitage Consecration next week, and we need all hands on deck!

We also want to share that Dr. Lye is currently dealing with a minor but all-consuming medical situation. Please rest assured he is in no danger, but he needs to rest and should be back to 100% in a few days. We are all wishing him a speedy recovery! Because he cannot lead the charge this week, we really need the community to come together to help us cross the finish line.

To give everyone a chance to help, we are hosting workdays on BOTH Saturday, July 11th, and Sunday, July 12th.

What we are tackling:

Landscaping & Clearing: Removing brambles and cutting small black walnuts.

Painting & Staining: Working on the to***co barn.

Interior Prep: Wiping surfaces, cleaning windows, and installing fixtures.

Moving & Assembly: Transporting items and assembling furniture.

What to bring:
Furniture assembly tools, cleaning supplies, paint rollers, loppers, hand saws, a personal lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Schedule (Same for Saturday and Sunday):

8:00 AM, Urban Dharma Parking Lot: Meet here to carpool.

9:00 AM, Ingles Parking Lot (Burnsville): Meet the caravan here (400 E U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass). Great chance to buy lunch!

9:30 AM, Arrive at the land: 629 Griffith Rd, Bakersville.

12:00 PM, Lunch: We eat together on the land!

3:00 PM, Wrap up: Clean up and head home.

Join our WhatsApp group to stay coordinated: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BTRlcCzBgmP7aEG6zdInhn
Can't make it but want to support the opening? Check out our registry here: https://www.udharmanc.com/registry

07/09/2026

Two years ago, His Holiness consecrated the land for Drikung Kunzang Naktsel (Drikung Forest Hermitage) in Green Mountain, North Carolina, USA and next week, we will gather to offer a 3-day Namgyal Tongchö (Thousand Offerings of Ushnishavijaya) from July 16-18 dedicated to the longevity and good health of His Holiness and on July 19, Sunday, His Eminence Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche and His Eminence Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche will consecrate the first Dharma Hall at the Hermitage.

If you are local, you are invited to join us at 629 Griffith Rd, Green Mountain NC for some traditional ceremonies starting at 10, followed by festivities and a potluck lunch around noon. Bring something to share! There will be live music as well!

07/04/2026

Very happy to announce that His Eminence Trisab Gyabra Rinpoche & His Eminence Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche will lead the 3-Day Thousand Offerings of Ushnishavijaya that will precede the inauguration of the Dharma Hall at Drikung Forest Hermitage in Green Mountain, North Carolina. From July 16-18, Their Eminences, assisted by Drupon Dawa Norbu (India), Lopön Sonam (Boston), Lopön Kalsang (Pittsburgh), and Lama Rigzin (Maryland), will lead retreatants from all over the US and beyond in dedicating this to the longevity and good health of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Tinlé Lhundup (whose birthday in on July 18), and His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chökyi Nangwa. As instructed by His Holiness Kyabgön Tinle Lhundup, we will be using the Thousand Offering text that His Holiness compiled, with Marpa’s lineage of the special deity practice of Ushnishavijaya as its core.

During these 3 days, Khenchen Rinpoche will also give teachings on Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön’s special instructions on lovingkindness and Mahāmudrā.

Dorje Lopön Dr. Hun Lye and his community, Urban Dharma North Carolina & Drikung Dharmakirti International Sangha will host this retreat and inauguration.

On Sunday, July 19, Their Eminences will consecrate the Dharma Hall starting at 10AM. Everyone is invited to the consecration and festivities that follow. Bring some food to share!

See Comments section for Hermitage address.