Bhutan May-June 2016

Day of arriving in Bhutan, lunch offered in family home. Khadro-la arrives and Rinpoche is taking her to the seat, which she won't sit down on - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche had lunch with Khadro-la on his first day in Bhutan - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche's first day in Bhutan, doing tsog offering at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the most holy places in Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche with Khadro-la doing tsog at one of the most holiest places in Bhutan - Kyichu Lhakhang; Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche and Khadro-la blessing people with a text at Kyichu Lhakhang - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche and Khadro-la at Kyichu Lhakhang. - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Stupa at Kyichu Lhakhang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khadro-la in Bhutan; 2016-05

Looking up at Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), a very special temple complex associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) on the steep cliffsides of the upper Paro valley; Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Picnic with Khadro-la at the base camp of trail to Paro Thaktsang Monastery - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

View at the base camp of trail to Paro Thaktsang Monastery - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche with Khadro Dhamcho, Khadro-la, Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi, and Geshe Tenzin Khenrab at the base camp of trail to Tiger's Nest Monastery, Paro Taktsang - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche and picnic, with Khadro Damcho, Khadro-la, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi, and Geshe Tenzin Khenrab at the base camp of trail to Paro Thaktsang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche after the picnic at the base camp of trail to Paro Thaktsang, walking down to car - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Khadro Damcho and Khadro-la - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Inside Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, a Buddhist stupa-shaped temple in Western Bhutan between Paro and Dopchari valleys, built by Thangtong Gyalpo in 1421 (or 1433 depending on the source) to counteract malevolent spirits; Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi explains the details about this incredible holy place - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche visiting Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Rinpoche, Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi, director of the National Bhutan museum, and Bhutanese family - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche and Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi of the National Bhutan museum with precious Namtose image painted by a famous artist - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche begins the three-hour journey to Tiger's Nest Monastery; Twelve men divided into two rotating teams to carry the palanquin - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

The walk up to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Thaksang) Rinpoche is being carried in a palanquin - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche being carried up to Paro Thaksang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

More than half way up to Thaksang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

View from place where we did the puja and had lunch about 2/3rs of the way to Tigers nest - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Most Secret Hayagriva tsog puja over half-way up to Tigers Nest Monastery Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gazing on Tiger's Nest Monastery - Bhutan; 2016-05

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the overlook of Tiger's Nest Monastery - Bhutan; 2016-05

View of Tiger's Nest Monastery - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-05

On the way to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Thaksang), getting quiet close - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Paro Thaksang (Tiger's Nest Monastery); this is the view from where Rinpoche stopped - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Paro Thaksang Monastery and Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the people who helped to carry the palanquin and Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and others - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Paro Thaksang and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Vens. Sherab, Tendar, and Roger Kunsang - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

After coming down from Paro Thaksang with all the kind Bhutanese who helped to carry Rinpoche up and down - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-05

Rinpoche outside the Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Offering goddesses outside the Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche and Sangha and students doing extensive prayers outside the Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche arrives at Buddha Dordenma, the 169-foot statue of Buddha - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Inside Buddha Dordenma - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Statues inside Buddha Dordenma; “On a mountain above Thimphu is an extraordinary 169-foot (52-meter) statue of Buddha Shakyamuni called Buddha Dordenma. We were fortunate to be traveling with someone who was very much involved in the building of the statue and who had made arrangements for Rinpoche to enter inside the base of the statue, where there is a beautiful gompa, and to meet the head monks and project director," Ven. Roger Kunsang said - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche inside the throne of the Buddha Dordenma statue - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche inside the throne of the Buddha Dordenma statue - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Part of the throne of Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche and friends in front of throne with elephant at Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Visiting the Buddha statue in Thimbhu Rinpoche visited. The statue itself is 169-feet high and made of bronze. Lama Zopa Rinpoche making prayers in front with students - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

The statue itself is 169 feet high and made of bronze. Lama Zopa Rinpoche in front - Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rinpoche and sangha and student at Tashichö Dzong Monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Visiting the Tashichö Dzong in Thimphu with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and students - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

VisitingTashichö Dzong in Thimphu with the abbot - Lopen Sangay Dorji - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Visiting Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche visiting the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body called Drakarpo, walking down to the small gompa on the edge of the cliff - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche walking to holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Drakarpo - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche going down to the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Drakarpo in Paro, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche with Geshe Tenzin Khenrab and Ven. Tendar going down to the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Drakarpo in Paro; Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering blessing strings and Namgyälma protections at Drakarpo - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche visiting the holy site of Guru Rinpoches body - Drakarpo - walking down to the small gompa on the edge of the cliff - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rinpoche walking down the mountain of the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Drakarpo - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

View from the gompa at Drakarpo, the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche visiting Drakarpo, the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body; Climbing up the ladder to the gompa - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rinpoche walking to Holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Drakarpo - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Outside the tiny gompa of Drakarpo, the holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche giving a teaching to the yogi meditator about the importance of one's motivation in retreat at Drakarpo, the Holy site of Guru Rinpoche's body - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche visiting Drakarpo, walking around the mountain; Rinpoche met this yogi and nuns and gave a small teaching on correct motivation for retreat - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rinpoche meeting Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Rabjam Rinpoche at Satsam Chorten - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Statue of the past life Dilgo Khyetnse Rinpoche at Satsam Chorten - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche taking blessing from the actual skull of the past life Dilgo Khyetnse Rinpoche at Satsam Chorten - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

The actual skull of the past life Dilgo Khyetnse Rinpoche at Satsam Chorten - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Dilgo Khyetnse Yangsi Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Rabjam Rinpoche, at Satsam Chorten - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Paro, Bhutan; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with a Bhutanese family in front of Rinpung Dzong; the mother of the family is Tibetan and took care of Rinpoche many years ago when he was a boy studying in Tibet - Paro, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

View of Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche in the garden at Damcho Khadro's house in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche at the annual flower show in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Flower show in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Small boy with Rinpoche very respectfully covering his mouth at the annual flower show in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

At a flower show in Paro, people coming up to Rinpoche for blessings - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

At a flower show in Paro, people coming up to Rinpoche for blessings - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

After the small boy, many people came up for a blessing from Rinpoche at the annual flower show in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

People lining up for a blessing from Rinpoche at the annual flower show in Paro - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche at the flower exhibition at Paro display with small yaks - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rescued dogs resting in the sun at Jangsa Animal Saving Trust in Thimphu - Bhutan; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2016-06

Jangsa Animal Saving Trust in Thimphu - Bhutan; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2016-06

Rinpoche blessing and saying mantras at Jangsa Animal Saving Trust in Thimphu - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Ven. Roger with rescued dogs - Bhutan; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2016-06

Rinpoche visited Dzongdrakha, the place of Guru Rinpoche’s mind. According to Lonely Planet, “Dzongdrakha is one of several local sites where Guru Rinpoche suppressed local demons …. A string of four chapels and a large chorten perch on the cliff face.” - Paro, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Dzongdrakha - Place of Guru Rinpoch'es mind in Paro, Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Views from Dongkarla - one of the highest mountains in Bhutan, India, and Sikkim. Rinpoche went here to offer an incense puja. - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Rinpoche went to Dongkarla Lhakhang, one of the highest holy sites in Bhutan at an elevation of 11,975 feet (3,650 meters) - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Ven. Roger taking in the view at Dongkarla Lhakhang - Bhutan; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ven. Thubten Tendar doing an incense puja at Dongkarla Lhakhang, Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Dongkarla Lhakhang, Bhutan; 2016-06

Ven. Roger Kunsang and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dongkarla Lhakhang, Bhutan; 2016-06

Dongkarla Lhakhang - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

At Dongkarla - one of the highest mountains in Bhutan, India, and Sikkim. Rinpoche went here to offer an incense puja - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) - Bhutan; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2016-06

Rinpoche being carried from Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) - Bhutan; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2016-06