Ari Bhöd

Welcome to Ari Bhöd the American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation. Established by the Venerable Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa Rinpoche in 2003, our mission is to preserve and transmit the priceless legacy of the ancient Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, a sacred culture of peace that has been kept vital and effective through more than fifty generations of lifelong practitioners and lineage masters.

Ari Bhöd’s retreat center, Pema Drawa, is located on 475 acres in the serene mountains of Tehachapi, California where northern and southern California meet. Ari Bhöd’s retreat land was given the name “Pema Drawa” (Lotus Web) by His Holiness the 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche in 2009. Ari Bhöd’s principle programs and activities include:

Traditional Tibetan Art and Architecture
Meditation Practice and Ceremonies
Facilitating Authentic Retreats and Events
Text Translation and Publishing

Preparing for Death Q&A | Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa Rinpoche

“All awakened beings, or wisdom deities, are one in the expanse of wisdom-awareness. And yet, countless emanations appear in a multiplicity of forms. Deities can appear in a range of peaceful and wrathful manifestations, arising in response to the needs and proclivities of sentient beings.”

— Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche

Chenrezig is the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas combined. Reciting his mantra (Mani-Mantra) brings immeasurable benefit to all who recite it. PLEASE CLICK HERE or visit our download page to find a wonderful and accessible practice to support Chenrezig mantra accumulation, written by the Mahasiddha T’hangtong Gyalpo. A short but thorough practice explanation by the Venerable Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche is included.

We aspire that you benefit from this very concise and blessing-filled practice that anyone—no matter their level of practice experience—may use to accumulate the Mani-mantra. T’hangtong Gyalpo received these practice instructions directly from Chenrezig when he beheld him in a vision.