Key Events, visiting Teachers and Empowerments
Marpa House (previously Kham Tibetan House) is a Buddhist retreat centre dedicated to advancing Tibetan Buddhism. It was established in 1973 by Lama Chime Rinpoche, who came to the West from Tibet in the 1960s. Located in Ashdon, Essex, it was the first Tibetan Buddhist retreat centre in England.
Rinpoche was helped in its initial founding and search for a suitable property by several kind students. Built in 1890, the house was originally called ‘All Saints’ Home’. It has a positive history, as it served as a refuge for homeless children for 83 years. Find out more here.
Since 1973, our centre has been blessed to host many authentic teachers, and some incredible empowerments, events and celebrations.
We are aware of additional teachings and courses led by Rinpoche between the 1970s & 1990s, which we are currently verifying dates and subjects.
History Timeline
1973
Marpa House (originally Kham Tibetan House) opens in February.
10 November
Official opening ceremony with the Crown Prince of Sikkim.
1973-1974
First issues of Vajra Magazine were published.
1974
Visit of H.H. 16th Gyalwang Karmapa.
29 November
The following Rinpoche students were ordained by H.H. 16th Karmapa: Christopher Sladdin (Tenzin), Alasdair MacGeagh (Gyaltsen), Deirdre (Pema Chodron), Michael Woods (Tashi), Frank McAllan (Rabsal), Jonathon (Zangpo), and Gerald (Yeshe).
2-10 December
H.H. 16th Karmapa gave several empowerments at Marpa House, including the Milarepa empowerment.
1975
20-23 April
H.E. Kalu Rinpoche visited and stayed at the House.
1976
15 January
H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche – Dorje Phurba (Vajra Kilaya) Empowerment.
16 January
H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche – Guru Rinpoche Empowerment.
17 January
H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche – Green Tara Empowerment.
14 February
H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche – The Yeshe Tsogyal Nam Thar Lung (Life Story of the consort of Guru Rinpoche).Teaching on the 9 Yanas and Maha Ati.
Geshe Rabten also taught for 4 days at Kham House.
1977
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche gave the Vajrapani Lung at Kham Tibetan House.
December
H.H. 16th. Karmapa visit. Refuge ceremony.
4 December
H.H. 16th Karmapa – Vajra Crown (Black Hat) ceremony.
4 December
H.H. 16th. Karmapa gave the Bodhisattva Vow.
5 December
H.H. 16th Karmapa – Dorje Phakmo (Vajra Yogini) Empowerment.
There were other Empowerments (Dorje Bernakchen and Milarepa), but these were given at Marpa Institute in Bury St. Edmunds.
1978
May
Dr. Tashigang (Tibetan Medicine).
12 August
H.H. Sakya Trinzin – Dorje Sempa Heruka yab yum Father Tantra Empowerment.
13 August
H.H. Sakya Trinzin – Manjushri Empowerment.
1979
28 January
Ato Rinpoche – Milarepa Guru Yoga Lung.
April
Gendun Rinpoche.
5 April
Tenga Rinpoche – Karma Pakshi Wong and Guru Yoga.
12 April
Tenga Rinpoche – White Tara Empowerment.
28 April
Tenga Rinpoche – Shing Chong Wong instructions.
31 May
Shing Chong Lama Dance.
13 June
Thrangu Rinpoche – 4 Armed Chenrezig Empowerment.
18 June
Thrangu Rinpoche – White Tara Empowerment.
20 June
Thrangu Rinpoche – Vajrapani Empowerment.
1980
October
Thrangu Rinpoche – White Tara Empowerment.
4-8 October
Thrangu Rinpoche – Garuda, Hayagriva and Cakrasamvara Empowerments (these were mainly given for Chime Rinpoche, but students were allowed to take them as a blessing).
1980-1981
Building of the retreat extension.
1981
January
Gendun Rinpoche – Chöd practice week.
March
Chöd Practice Week with Lama Thubten Namgyal Rabgay and Lama Lodro Rabgay.
October
H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche – Instruction text for practice of Mikyo Dorje Guru Yoga & the Bodhisattva Vow ceremony.
1982
Tenga Rinpoche teachings.
April
Tenga Rinpoche – Khorlo Demchok (5 deity Cakrasamvara) and White Tara Empowerments.
1986
January
Tenga Rinpoche – Mahamudra Ngöndro (preliminaries) Lung.
1990s
2 November 1994
H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche – Tara and Chenrezik Empowerments.
2-3 January 1996
H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche – Guru Devotion / Marpa Guru Yoga Empowerment.
June 1997
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche - Lojong (Mind training)
August 1997
Visit of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
May 1998
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche - Gampopa Phases of the Path
2000
22-29 May
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche – Teachings on The Madhyamakāvatāra.
2001
Making and raising of the first 1000 Prayer Flags at Marpa House.
2003
May
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.
July
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Refuge & the Noble Sangha.
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche – Teachings on Noble Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.
November
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings on the Four Noble Truths & the Noble Eightfold Path.
Lho Kunsang Rinpoche – Medicine Buddha Empowerment and teachings.
December
Lho Kunsang Rinpoche – Chod Empowerment and teachings.
2004
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Bodhicitta.
June
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche – Teachings on Perfect Purity.
November
The Venerable Lama Samten – Teachings on the Four Dharmas of Gampopa.
2005
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Impermanence, Death & Mahamudra.
September
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche – Visit and Teachings.
October
The Venerable Lama Samten – Teachings on Lojong.
2006
January
H.E. Mingyur Rinpoche – Teachings on the Dorje Chang Prayer; Chenresig and Green Tara Empowerments.
July
Lama Dudjom Dorjee visited and gave various teachings.
August
H.E. Dulmo Chöje Rinpoche – Visited and gave teachings.
2007
January
First Young Sangha Retreat.
March
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings on The Noble Eightfold Path as an Aid to Buddhist Practice in Everyday Life.
November
Lama Samten – Teachings on the Six Perfections of Wisdom (Generosity, Moral Discipline and Patience).
December
Lama Samten – Teachings on the Six Perfections of Wisdom (Diligence, Concentration and Wisdom).
2008
January
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings on the Four Reminders.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Dzogchen.
2009
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Khenpo Gangshar.
September
Lama Samten – Teachings on Living in the Dharma.
September
Lama Samten – Teachings on ‘What to do when you die’.
2010
March
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings on the Guru Yoga of the Seven-Line Prayer by Mipham Rinpoche.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on the Oral Transmission on Mahamudra given by Tilopa to Naropa.
2011
March
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings from the Songs of Milarepa and Patrul Rinpoche’s Words of My Perfect Teacher.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on How to practice Vajrayana Buddhism in Everyday Life.
October
Shinay Retreat with Kyabje Chime Rinpoche.
2012
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Dzogchen according to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
2013
Khenpo Gyurme Tsultrim – Teachings on Guru Rinpoche.
April
Khenpo Gyurme Tsultrim – Teachings on Dzogchen.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on the Heart of Compassion.
November
40th Anniversary Live Streaming from Marpa House Shrine room.
2014
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Khenpo Gangshar’s Dzogchen.
2015
March
Ato Rinpoche – Teachings on the Importance of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in Everyday Life.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Mahamudra, Dzogchen and Chod.
Khenpo Tseten – Teachings on Karma and Emotions.
September
Lama Samten – Teachings on How Wisdom Creates Compassion.
November
Lama Samten – Teachings on Mahamudra Meditation.
2016
May
The 50th Anniversary of Vajrayana Buddhism Coming to the West with KCR and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche at Friends House in London.
November
Khenpo Tseten – Teachings on the Four Dharmas of Gampopa.
December
Traleg Khandro – Teachings on Integral Buddhism – Bringing all Aspects of Oneself onto the Path.
2017
April
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on Khenpo Gangshar, Dzogchen and Mahamudra.
June
H.H. Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin - Vajrakilaya Empowerment over 2 days.
August
Creation of White-robed Sangha – Rinpoche presents the first five robes.
2018
January - February
New commissioned shrine fitted.
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Teachings on the Four Foundations.
July
Traleg Khandro – Teachings on Building Confidence and Positivity on the Spiritual Path.
September
Lama Samten – Teachings on Base, Path & Fruition.
November
Lama Samten – Teachings on the Unity of Creation & Completion Stages.
2019
May
Tulku Pasang Rinpoche – Teachings and Green Tara Empowerment.
December
Ato Rinpoche teachings.
2020
COVID-19: Marpa House goes into lockdown.
December
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Songs of Tilopa, Ganges Mahamudra (online via Zoom).
2021
January – March
Sean Price – Khenpo Gangshar (online via Zoom).
May
Lama Ngawang Tsultrim – Amitayus (online via Zoom).
May
Khenpo Tseten – Vasabandu’s ‘Three Natures’ according to Mipham, and the ‘Three Samadhis’ according to Shechen Gyaltsap Gyurme Pema Namgyal (online via Zoom).
October 2021 - April 2022
Elizabeth Callahan – Moonbeams of Mahamudra (online via Zoom).
2022
April – May
Lama Kunga Dorje – Mahamudra Ngöndro.
July
Tulku Pasang Rinpoche the Four Dharmas of Gampopa & Guru Yoga (online via Zoom).
2023
February
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche Losar teaching.
April
Tulku Pasang Rinpoche – White Tara Empowerment & teachings.
May
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche's Teachings on Lojong, Mind Instructions from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, plus Dorje Drollo, Vajrayogini, and Chöd empowerments.
July
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche – Ageing, Youth, Illness, Birth & Death.
2024
May
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche on Khenpo Gangshar.
2025
April
50th Anniversary celebration weekend (delayed from 2023).
May
Filling and consecration of the new Tara statues with Lama Kunga Dojre.
June and July
Venerable Sean Price - Teachings from ‘The Emanated Scripture of Manjushri’.
July
Tulku Pasang Rinpoche - Amitabha Empowerment and Teachings.
Dorzin Lama Lungrik Nyima Rinpoche - Chime Palter (White Tara) Empowerment and Teachings from Milarepa's Song of Advice to Paldarbum.
October
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche - Teachings on ‘Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones’ (Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s commentary on Patrul Rinpoche’s teachings on path, meditation and view). Plus Green Tara, Chenrezik, Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva) initiations, and Konchok Chidu empowerment
ADDRESS
Marpa House,
Rectory Lane, Ashdon,
Saffron Walden, Essex
CB10 2HN
United Kingdom
CONTACT
T: +44 (0) 1799 584 415
E: mail@marpahouse.org.uk
“One sky, one mind”
Kyabje Chime Rinpoche
Marpa House is conducted by The Dharma Trust, a company limited by guarantee (no. 04332473) and registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1090628).
Photographs © The Dharma Trust or Kyabje Chime Rinpoche unless stated. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission.
