About the teachings
According to the supplication by Drikung Kagyu Seattle disciples, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche kindly agreed to visit the center again in 2014 and graciously offered to teach for two consecutive weekends. Rinpoche granted the Amitabha empowerment and Phowa instructions as well the Shitro empowerment and Bardo teachings. Finally, Rinpoche offered the White Tara long-life empowerment.

Even though practitioners of the modern day do wish to practice the Dharma, they are busy and do not have sufficient time. The Buddha taught countless Dharmas with great love according to the needs of diverse sentient beings. Je Marpa Lotsawa said: “All others have instructions that lead to enlightenment if one meditates. But I have an instruction that will lead to enlightenment without meditation.” Thus, we are extremely fortunate to receive the instructions on Phowa, a practice that does not require long periods of meditation, from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, for these instructions will place a powerful imprint into our minds. Even if we are not able to train in Phowa perfectly throughout our lives, the mental imprints of these instructions will be of tremendous benefit to us at the time of death. Whether or not we wish to die, or are powerful, smart, rich or poor, we are all bound to die sooner or later. The Shitro empowerment, then, introduces us to the true nature of our body and elements. The Bardo instructions explain the nature of the visions that will appear to us during the Bardo state after death.