A LAMA'S JOURNEY IN LATIN AMERICA
Author: Jennifer Estevez | lamadorje.net
Photography: Brad Dean | westviewstudio.com
Drupon Lama Dorje, a Buddhist Lama of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, embarked on his spiritual journey from a very young age in the remote Himalayan village of Limi. After spending four years in solitary retreat, Lama Dorje ventured to South America, dedicating over 14 years to spreading Buddhist philosophy in Chile and other parts of South and Central America.
In 2018, he was honored with the title of Drupon (retreat master). With great determination, he immersed himself in the Latin culture, learning the local language, collaborating with indigenous elders, organizing events and retreats, writing a book on applying Buddhist principles to modern challenges, and recording mantra music on Spotify. Currently, he resides in Costa Rica, fulfilling his lifelong aspiration of establishing Dewachen World Peace Sanctuary, a meditation and retreat center, to pass on the teachings that have profoundly impacted his own life.
The Story of Dewachen
Lama and his soon-to-be CCo-Founder, Carolina Putnam, came together in Costa Rica to share Dharma teachings during the pandemic, a time of need. During a casual conversation with a friend, Lama mentioned his desire to build a Dharma center in the area. Several months later, she called with the news that she had found the perfect location. Viewing the photos, Lama felt a Deep conviction that this was the place he was searching for. After a short conversation, the landowner was moved by Lama's intention, and with tears in her eyes, she generously reduced the land price by a third. She gave them until the end of 2021 to gather the funds for the land purchase.
During this time, Lama and Carolina continued their travels, sharing the Dharma across the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. Along their journey, two newfound acquaintances learned about their vision to establish a permaculture-focused Dharma center in Costa Rica. One friend generously sold his motorcycle, and the other matched his donation, just in time, providing them with enough resources to finalize the land purchase mere hours before their deadline.
In January 2022, Lama and Carolina visited the property for the first time before making the final decision. To their surprise, they were warmly welcomed by one of the neighbors, Joseph, whom they later affectionately named "The Oracle." Joseph handed them the keys to his newly constructed house on the adjacent property and shared his story with them. For years, he had envisioned a "community of light" that would come to live here. Despite skepticism from loved ones, Joseph felt compelled to build a house for the anticipated spiritual leader and community, confident that they would arrive.
Moved by Joseph's story, Lama and Carolina felt they had found the land they had been searching for. That night, Lama had a vivid dream in which the spirit of the land urged him to bring his lineage to this sacred place, and it was blessed by his two root gurus, His Holiness Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche and His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche.
This dream served as the final determining factor, leading Lama to name the property Dewachen, the Tibetan word for "Pure Land" of the Buddha of Infinite Light, Amitabha. From the flourishing fruit trees and vibrant flowers to the natural water sources and the majestic ancient mother tree, known as the"Tara Tree," this pure land abounds with life, wisdom, and blessings. Dewachen would indeed become home to a compassionate community, just as Joseph had foreseen.
In the subsequent months, a dedicated team settled in to begin working with the land. The building started with a humble hut, a modest kitchen, a small food forest, and a few rented houses scattered across the nearby lands. Presently, permaculture master planning is underway to initiate the comprehensive construction and realization of Lama's dream.
The property's expansive acreage will extend into the neighboring hills, featuring stupas (dome-shaped Buddhist shrines often containing relics of the Buddha or Buddhist monks, serving as places of meditation and veneration), temples, meditation decks, gardens, and cabins for both short-term and long-term retreats. Countless teachings, classes, and retreats will attract individuals from near and far, eager to delve into the depths of the Dharma. Dewachen will become a beacon of inner peace and happiness for all sentient beings, radiating its influence outward into the world.
