Rinpoche inspects the grounds and buildings of Pema Choling — and is delighted by what he sees…
On Friday, June 20th, 2025, Rinpoche comes to his Pema Choling in the Historic Parsonage in the Mecklenburg Lake District for the first time. He is [ceremonially welcomed by the sangha]→Link zu “Arrival” and blesses the parsonage house.
Afterwards, we carry two folding tables and a few camping chairs out of the workshop, set up an improvised table by the pond, and have dinner with Rinpoche.
Curry with rice.
That’s Rinpoche’s favourite. Because he — otherwise a man of great modesty — is particular about his rice, I bought a rice cooker especially for him.
After dinner, the sleeping arrangements are worked out.
That’s no simple matter. And this on a Friday evening when there are only twelve of us. With 450 square metres of living space at our disposal.
At least in theory.
Because in practice, it comes down to the fact that none of the guests can quite bring themselves to spend the night in the unrenovated part of the house.
The rooms in my renovated flat in the main house are all spoken for: Rinpoche, his manager, and a Dharma brother with his small son.
Everyone else has to figure out where to sleep.
Me too. Because I’ve given up my room to Rinpoche.
That’s how it’s done, Suriyel explained to me while we were planning the consecration weekend: the lama always gets the nicest room!
Which, in this case, is mine.
Rinpoche is a little uncomfortable when I assign him my room. He asks twice where I’ll be sleeping.
I assure him that I’m taken care of.
I don’t tell him that I’ll be sleeping in my Crafter van.
It might be too much for him.
Even though the van’s cargo area looks very cosy, with a mattress, bedding, and cuddly cushions.
Suriyel sleeps in the workshop.
Two Dharma brothers spend the night in the pavilion.
Two sangha members have arrived in their camper vans, which are parked next to my Crafter in front of the workshop.
Beside them stand two more tents.
I hand out warm blankets, thick jumpers, and jogging bottoms. It’s around 10 degrees at night — a fact that startles a few of the guests.
When I climb out of my Crafter the next morning, I’m greeted by the warm rays of the morning sun.
I slept wonderfully.
So did everyone else, I’m assured over breakfast.
We eat it at our table by the pond.
A gentle breeze skims the water’s surface and rustles the leaves of the walnut tree.
Starlings chirp in the cherry trees as they help themselves to the ripe cherries.
Rinpoche sits on my garden sofa — which Suriyel has placed at the head of the table — and enjoys the perfect scrambled eggs made by our star chef.
The [consecration of Pema Choling]→Link zu “Pema Choling”/Consecration is due to begin at two o’clock.
There’s still time before then.
Rinpoche has Suriyel and me show him around the grounds and outbuildings.
The overgrown vegetable garden, where currant bushes and strawberries battle brambles and nettles.
The large barn with the crooked ridge wall.
The small barn with the holey roof.
When Rinpoche hears that Suriyel wants to keep sheep in the barn — once it’s renovated — he’s horrified!
“No sheep!” he declares firmly.
“Sheep,” Rinpoche says, “are always trouble! They wander off, eat poisonous plants, get sick, need shearing!” Rinpoche grew up in a small mountain village at the foothills of the Himalayas. He knows about sheep. Unlike Suriyel, who spent his childhood in the heart of Warsaw.
“There you go,” I say to Suriyel. “Do you really want me calling you in Berlin at three in the morning to tell you that one of YOUR sheep is sick and you need to come right away?”
Suriyel looks disappointed. No sheep — which also means no one to keep the grass short.
Apart from a lawnmower…
When we reach the chicken coop, I explain to Rinpoche that I’d like to keep chickens. A few days ago, I happened to come across a farmer in the neighbouring village who sells young chickens. I can keep ten hens and a rooster in the small coop, the farmer told me.
Rinpoche nods. “Chicken are okay. Chicken are not complicated. Not like Sheep. So Chicken yes, but Sheep no!”
We finish our walk in front of the large workshop. Suriyel hurries off.
Rinpoche and I stay behind.
I wait, curious, to hear what Rinpoche will say about Pema Choling.
He lets his gaze sweep over the large meadow behind the house before nodding in approval. “A really good place! And you did find it through [a dream]→optional Link zu “The Pond”?”
“Yes.”
“This is really auspicious!” Rinpoche nods once more, emphatically, then hurries off to join Suriyel at the pond.
Who is already waiting for him.
With the prayer flags.
Which urgently need to be hung up.
Because here and now, the Historic Parsonage becomes the Buddhist centre Pema Choling.
