"The more we know ourselves the happier we will be."
- Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche
Awakens
Insight
Deepens
Compassion
Heals
Mind & Body
What is Pema Karpo Meditation Center (PKMC)?
PKMC is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is inspired and guided by the teachings of Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism. The Center is located on eleven acres in Memphis, TN. It was founded by Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche who is the spiritual director and a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, monastic, and meditation teacher. He was sent to teach in the USA by his main teacher, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. The center hosts local and regional practitioners who come for meditation, classes, feasts and celebrations.
When was PKMC formed and what is the origin of its name?
On November 23, 2008, Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche formally announced his acceptance of the center as his seat of dharma activities and gave it the name Pema Karpo Meditation Center. Rinpoche had chosen the name Pema Karpo, which means White Lotus, on his first visit in January 2006.
What is the Eight Fold Meaning of Choosing Pema Karpo (White Lotus) as the name of our center:
1. When Shakyamuni Buddha was born, it is told that he took seven steps in each of the four directions. As he took each step a white lotus appeared behind him.
2. Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the great tantric master who truly brought Buddhism to Tibet, was said to have been born in the middle of a beautiful lake on a large white lotus. One of his names is Pema Jungney - the lotus born one.
3. The root teacher of Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche, His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche's name means Jewel Lotus.
4. The white lotus is commonly used in teaching stories as the lotus grows in the mud and up through the mud but is not stained by it.
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas take birth in samsara yet their nature remains purely awake.We are born into and believe in samsara but our indwelling Buddha nature is never stained by samsara.
5. The center is dedicated to the dharma of awakening and we are located on the banks of the Muddy Mississippi River.
6. We use a Shakyamuni Buddha practice as the main sutrayana litergy for the center. It was composed by Ju Mipham (1846-1912) and the commentary's name is Pema Karpo.
7. In the Seven Line Supplication to Padmasambhava he is referred to as Padmakara which means the Lotus Born.
8. For the Vajrayana we use the commentary by Ju Mipham on the Seven Line Supplication named Pema Karpo.