Beloved Holiness,
Thank you for everything you have done over many years to support and encourage and energize your worldwide Drikung Kagyu family.
Thank you for your blessings and everything you did to make Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha a reality and to allow us to grow and honor your kindness over all these years.
Thank you for sending Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to be our revered teacher.
Thank you for your wonderful teachings, your uplifting empowerments and your inspirational presence these last few days.
Thank you for coming to Chicago again and spending this weekend with us to uplift us with your presence.
Thank you,
Your most devoted teachers, students and friends
Thank you for everything you have done over many years to support and encourage and energize your worldwide Drikung Kagyu family.
Thank you for your blessings and everything you did to make Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha a reality and to allow us to grow and honor your kindness over all these years.
Thank you for sending Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to be our revered teacher.
Thank you for your wonderful teachings, your uplifting empowerments and your inspirational presence these last few days.
Thank you for coming to Chicago again and spending this weekend with us to uplift us with your presence.
Thank you,
Your most devoted teachers, students and friends
All of our Teachings, Practice Sessions & Retreats
are Offered In-person & Online
Please join us!
are Offered In-person & Online
Please join us!
"When one comes to the essence of being, the shining wisdom of reality, illumines all like the cloudless sky."
-Jetsün Milarepa
-Jetsün Milarepa
🌸 13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam 🌸
June 13–14, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by Chicago Ratna Shri
Eventbrite registration
With deep joy and devotion, we warmly invite you to join the 13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam, a precious annual gathering dedicated to prayer, remembrance, and the accumulation of vast merit.
This year’s Monlam takes place during the holy month of Saga Dawa, the most sacred time in the Buddhist calendar. During this auspicious period, we commemorate the enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha, as well as the parinirvana of the great Drikung Kagyu lineage founder, Jigten Sumgon. It is taught that the merit of all virtuous actions performed during Saga Dawa is vastly multiplied, making this an especially powerful time for prayer, practice, offering mandalas, prostrations, and generosity.
Rooted in the profound lineage of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Ngachö Monlam is a sacred opportunity for practitioners to gather in collective aspiration prayers, honoring the enlightened activity of the lineage masters and generating benefit for all sentient beings.
During this auspicious gathering, 21 monks will assemble to offer prayers together, creating a powerful field of collective merit and blessing. Their unified recitation greatly amplifies the strength of the prayers, bringing profound benefit to the world.
✨ A Powerful Time for Prayer and Aspiration
During Saga Dawa, this gathering becomes an especially potent opportunity to pray for:
Participating in and supporting this Monlam is a deeply meaningful way to:
🙏 How can you participate?
We warmly invite you to support this sacred gathering of monastics during the highly meritorious month of Saga Dawa. You can support this auspicious dharma activity with offering mandalas, prostrations, contributions and your attendance in person and online.
🌟 Supreme Benefactor – Mandala Offering Sponsors
✨ 108 Summoning Good Fortune Sponsors
🌸 General Sponsorship Opportunities
🎁 Raffle Offerings
All sponsors and attendees will be entered into a special raffle featuring:
🎟 Attendance & Registration
All are warmly welcome to attend this powerful and auspicious gathering.
🌊 Special Green Tara Blessing at Lake Michigan (Monday)
Following the Monlam, on Monday, the monastic sangha will offer Green Tara mandala sand at Lake Michigan, extending prayers for peace, protection, and harmony into the natural world.
A limited number of 108 sacred Green Tara mandala sand bags—previously blessed by His Holiness Dalai Lama—will be available:
Over these two days, we will engage in:
✨ Traditional Ngachö prayers and liturgical practices
✨ Offerings and dedications for peace, longevity, and liberation
✨ A powerful field of collective merit and compassion
✨ Connection with sangha in a spirit of devotion and unity
This Monlam is not only a time of prayer, but a profound opportunity to:
6810 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
📅 Dates: June 13–14, 2026May all your dharma wishes be fulfuilled! Thank you for joining the sacred Drikung Monlam during this most sacred month of Saga Dawa - We gather together and honor the parinirvana of Jigten Sumgon, the Drikung Kagyu lineage, and pray for peace in our world, the well-being of our families, and the flourishing of the Dharma for generations to come.
May All Beings Benefit
June 13–14, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by Chicago Ratna Shri
Eventbrite registration
With deep joy and devotion, we warmly invite you to join the 13th U.S. Drikung Ngachö Monlam, a precious annual gathering dedicated to prayer, remembrance, and the accumulation of vast merit.
This year’s Monlam takes place during the holy month of Saga Dawa, the most sacred time in the Buddhist calendar. During this auspicious period, we commemorate the enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha, as well as the parinirvana of the great Drikung Kagyu lineage founder, Jigten Sumgon. It is taught that the merit of all virtuous actions performed during Saga Dawa is vastly multiplied, making this an especially powerful time for prayer, practice, offering mandalas, prostrations, and generosity.
Rooted in the profound lineage of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Ngachö Monlam is a sacred opportunity for practitioners to gather in collective aspiration prayers, honoring the enlightened activity of the lineage masters and generating benefit for all sentient beings.
During this auspicious gathering, 21 monks will assemble to offer prayers together, creating a powerful field of collective merit and blessing. Their unified recitation greatly amplifies the strength of the prayers, bringing profound benefit to the world.
✨ A Powerful Time for Prayer and Aspiration
During Saga Dawa, this gathering becomes an especially potent opportunity to pray for:
- 🌍 Peace and harmony in our world
- 🌱 Prosperity and well-being for our families and communities
- 💫 The removal of obstacles and the flourishing of positive conditions
Participating in and supporting this Monlam is a deeply meaningful way to:
- Sustain the precious Drikung lineage
- Support the monastic sangha
- Help ensure the continuity of the Buddha Dharma for future generations
🙏 How can you participate?
We warmly invite you to support this sacred gathering of monastics during the highly meritorious month of Saga Dawa. You can support this auspicious dharma activity with offering mandalas, prostrations, contributions and your attendance in person and online.
🌟 Supreme Benefactor – Mandala Offering Sponsors
- 12 total opportunities available (6 per day)
- $500 to offer a mandala during the Monlam
- Plus an offering of your choice to each of the 20 monastics in attendance
✨ 108 Summoning Good Fortune Sponsors
- $300 per sponsor (limited to 108)
🌸 General Sponsorship Opportunities
- 🍲 Meal Sponsorships
- 🕯 Candle Offerings
- 🌺 Flower Offerings
- 💛 General Donations
🎁 Raffle Offerings
All sponsors and attendees will be entered into a special raffle featuring:
- A blessed statue of Jigten Sumgon
- Elegant ritual tassels blessed by His Holiness Dalai Lama
- Two traditional prayer malas
🎟 Attendance & Registration
All are warmly welcome to attend this powerful and auspicious gathering.
- $70 – Full Monlam (both days)
- $40 – Single day attendance
- $50 - Online (both days)
- $30 - Online single day
🌊 Special Green Tara Blessing at Lake Michigan (Monday)
Following the Monlam, on Monday, the monastic sangha will offer Green Tara mandala sand at Lake Michigan, extending prayers for peace, protection, and harmony into the natural world.
A limited number of 108 sacred Green Tara mandala sand bags—previously blessed by His Holiness Dalai Lama—will be available:
- $50 per blessed sand bag (limited to 108)
Over these two days, we will engage in:
✨ Traditional Ngachö prayers and liturgical practices
✨ Offerings and dedications for peace, longevity, and liberation
✨ A powerful field of collective merit and compassion
✨ Connection with sangha in a spirit of devotion and unity
This Monlam is not only a time of prayer, but a profound opportunity to:
- Purify obscurations
- Accumulate merit and wisdom
- Deepen devotion and connection to the lineage
- Dedicate for the benefit of all beings
6810 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
📅 Dates: June 13–14, 2026May all your dharma wishes be fulfuilled! Thank you for joining the sacred Drikung Monlam during this most sacred month of Saga Dawa - We gather together and honor the parinirvana of Jigten Sumgon, the Drikung Kagyu lineage, and pray for peace in our world, the well-being of our families, and the flourishing of the Dharma for generations to come.
May All Beings Benefit
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CRSS Retreat Event Dates Nyugne Saga Dawa May 29 - June 1st, 2026 13th USA Drikung Monlam June 13 - 14, 2026 Green Tara Drupchö August 26 - 30th, 2026 Vajrakilaya Drupchö Fall 2026 Guru Rinpoche Decemeber 18th, 2026 Empowerment 7pm Weekend Retreat December 19 & 20th Venerable Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche's Other Events Vajrayogini Drupchö at Austin Ratna Shri May 8 - 12, 2026 REGISTER Friday Night Teaching Series
📿 Friday Night Dharma Teaching Series 📿The Four Dharmas of GampopaTeachings with Venerable Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche Join us for an ongoing Friday evening teaching series on the profound instructions of The Four Dharmas of Gampopa, one of the most treasured teachings of the Kagyu tradition given by the great master Gampopa. These four essential instructions guide practitioners step-by-step on the path of awakening: • May the mind turn toward the Dharma • May the Dharma become the path • May the path clarify confusion • May confusion arise as wisdom Receive clear explanations and practical guidance for integrating these teachings into meditation and daily life. 📅 Fridays 🕖 7:00 PM - ONLINE ONLY Hosted by Chicago Ratna Shri 💠 Suggested Offering $15 per session or $108 for the full series Your generosity helps support translation and the ongoing Dharma activities of Ven. Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. 🙏 Please register and support this precious opportunity to study and practice the authentic Dharma. REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/4Dharmas-Gampopa-CRSS https://givebutter.com/4Dharmas-Gampopa-CRSS Commentary on Four Dharmas of Gampopa 
🌸 Saga Dawa Nyungne Retreat - May 29 - June 1, 2026with Venerable Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche In-Person or on Zoom | Hosted by Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha (CRSS)A powerful weekend of purification, compassion, and deep spiritual practice🕰 Retreat Schedule Begins: Friday, May 29 at 7:00 PM CST Ends: Monday, June 1 at 8:00 AM CST REGISTER https://givebutter.com/nyugne-sagadawa-2026 💠 What is Nyungne? Nyungne is a profound Tibetan Buddhist fasting and purification retreat dedicated to Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Through guided prostrations, prayers, fasting, and the keeping of Eight Precepts, we purify body, speech, and mind, cultivate compassion, and receive blessings for inner transformation. This retreat is a rare and beautiful opportunity to: Purify negative karma Deepen your bodhichitta (compassionate mind) Engage in powerful purification practice in community 💗 Offering (Suggested Donation) In-person at CRSS: $120 – $150 Zoom attendance: $60 – $108 🙏 No one turned away for lack of funds. Your offering supports Ani-la, Drupon Rinpoche, and CRSS. Thank you! 📜 Participation Requirements To attend this retreat (either in person or online), participants must commit to: 🌼 Taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts each morning (precepts ceremony required for all participants). 🌼 Observing moral discipline throughout the retreat. 🌼 Fasting for one full day, from Tuesday lunch until Thursday morning. ➡️ Lunch on Tuesday is the only meal during the fasting period. No alcohol, meat, eggs, onion, garlic, or strong spices. ➡️ From Tuesday 3:00 PM to Thursday 7:00 AM, full fasting and precept observance continue. Thursday the 11th is the incredibly auspicious full moon day of Sangyé and Nygangdé Düchen. 🧘♀️ Please bring a yoga mat or cushion for prostrations. Orientation and guidance will be offered. ✨ About the Precepts The Eight Precepts are taken with the motivation of bodhichitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. They include refraining from: Killing Stealing Sexual activity Lying Intoxicants Eating after lunch High or luxurious seats Wearing ornaments, perfume, singing, or dancing These vows are observed only during the retreat and help us create powerful positive karma 📩 Register & Questions To register or ask questions, email us at: [email protected] We’re happy to support you in preparing for this precious practice 🌼 May your participation in this sacred retreat benefit all beings. We look forward to practicing together in the spirit of compassion and purification 
🔥 Tibetan Jangchok Ceremony for the Deceased 🔥 with Ven. Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche |
Daily Morning PracticeDaily Morning Practice
Mondays - Saturdays 9:30AM CST/UTC-6 A Rainfall of Benefit & Happiness 
Join our Morning Practice Group: A Rainfall of Benefit and Happiness
9:30-11:00AM CST This gracious offering includes: Riwo Sang Cho Smoke Offering & White Zambhala - Summoning of Good Fortune, Concise Vajrayogini & Concise Achi Chokyi Drolma Serkyem & Torma Offering Please join us in this most auspicious daily purification and generosity practice. May this be a cause and condition to come together to remove obstacles and generate merit for the benefit of our Precious Guru, Chicago Ratna Shri & All Beings in All Realms Without Exception. Please send any prayer requests to [email protected] A RAINFALL OF BENEFIT AND HAPPINESS
Mondays - Fridays Daily 9:30 - 11:00AM CST Join us on Zoom! Click the link to join Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86051515462?pwd=TUZWbTlCZXdUN3dRclM4TlBIT25KZz09 Click HERE for A Rainfall of Benefit and Happiness text Click HERE for Daily Prayers text Click HERE for the Concise Achi Chökyi Drölma text Thank You Rainfall of Benefit & Happiness Benefactors Alisha Cartwright Molly Jones Carolyn Lewis Wangmo To Become a Dharma Benefactor Select Monthly Recurring Donation on PayPal Choose Amount & Dharma Activity You Wish to Support Monthly 
Tashi Delek Vajra Family!
May Your Life be Overflowing with Blessings, Dharma Activities & Abundance! Offering Opportunities Monthly Benefactors of Chicago Ratna Shri 
Please Consider Becoming a Monthly Benefactor of the Dharma! Support our Precious Guru Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, our Resident Nun Ani Stanzin Chorol & Auspicious Dharma Activities at Chicago Ratna Shri On our PayPal menu you may now find the Offering Options:
Thank You for Supporting our Precious Teacher Druponla and His Incredible Dharma Activities and center Chicago Ratna Shri! If you would like to be one of our Monthly Benefactors Please Join us in this Meritorious Opportunity Select Monthly Recurring Donation on PayPal Choose Amount & Dharma Activity You Wish to Support Monthly ***No Minimum to Become a Benefactor*** Chicago Ratna Shri Monthly Benefactors Will be Listed with the Dharma Activity they are Sponsoring May All Beings Benefit contact [email protected] with any questions Monthly Benefactors of the Dharma
Lama Meals Karen Zielke Dhyana Wilde Yuval Ahlfeld Karmen Lääne Bolortsetseg Ayush Jain Chakrasamvara Tong Tong Li Chöd Alina Peftieva Takiko Larson Joseph Alexis Weekly Teachings Karen Zielke Alisha Cartwright Domagoj Miskovic Lynn Dean A Rainfall of Benefit and Happiness Alisha Cartwright Carolyn Lewis Medicine Buddha Lou Farley Munkhtsetseg Bondoo Vajrayogini Elizabeth & Patrick Gergaud Crystal James Wendy Hung Nathalie Gareau Chiasson White Tara Claire Higham William Evans 100 Lamp Prayer Khorolsuren Jantsan General Supporters of Ven. Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche & Chicago Ratna Shri Bill Evans Unurtsetseg Erdenebat Elizabeth Gergaud Emily Webber Molly Jones Lisa Lam Paula Macali Javier Garcia Andrei Gheorghe Jonathan Martin Karen Smith Heather Lindquist Emily Kohl Jay Halverstadht Przemyslaw Lukacz Iwona Lippert Kind Anonymous Donors Chicago Ratna Shri is Deeply Appreciative of your Generous Offerings Thank you for Supporting our Kind & Precious Lama Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche & Chicago Ratna Shri ***no monthly offering too small, please join us and become a monthly benefactor!*** contact [email protected] May the Dharma Flourish & May the Benefactors be Abundantly Blessed May Peace & Goodness Prevail Everywhere & May All Dharma Wishes Be Achieved 
Please visit Friends of Lapchi website friendsoflapchi.org/ Find out about the beautfiul projects they are supporting to uphold this holy site beloved of Milarepa.
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Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha
1038 Woodlawn Ave. Des Plaines, IL 60016 info@chicagoratnashri.com [email protected] With your support- May the fruits of loving-kindness, compassion and wisdom be fully blossomed into the hearts of every sentient being! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation helps support and preserve the teachings of the Drikung Kagyu lineage |
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We are so thankful for your support.
May all beings benefit!
May all beings benefit!
