The Dharma Wheel Hermitage Is Established
We arrived here at the property on October 5th, which from this day forth will be the official anniversary of the establishment and founding of the Dharma Wheel Hermitage. The first sentient being to cross the property line and claim the land for the sangha was....Xander. And he christened the first tree he came to! Among the many signs, wonders, portents and auspicious omens - the first night was crystal clear, dead silent - and the brightest full moon I have ever seen in my life!
The weather has been near perfect. The only unfortunate issue so far is the lack of cellular connectivity. This was not anticipated, and I am a wee desperate to solve this problem with Starlink internet. To that end, we are running a brief fund raising appeal to purchase a Starlink kit. With that, we will not only be able to produce tons of content for you all, connect with our online sangha - and even live stream regularly. Please help if you can.
Any donation of $300.00 USD or more and you can be designated as a "Founder" of the Dharma Wheel Hermitage. Founders will have their names on a plaque in the prayer hall, will be acknowledged on the website - and possibly have their names inscribed elsewhere on the Hermitage property. If you would like to be a Founder, please choose that perk on the special Land Appeal fund raising page linked below.
A Vajrayana Buddhist Hermitage
The Dharma Wheel Hermitage is a permanent Buddhist hermitage in Alturas, California - USA. In addition to a place of retreat for the resident Warden, it is an open camping retreat space for Buddhists worldwide, regardless of school or lineage.
The Hermitage is located on 2 lovely acres of pristine land in the "Trinity Alps", a few miles north of Alturas, California. On a high ridge overlooking a lovely valley, this quiet and serene property is truly a sanctuary of peace and solitude.
A Wandering Hermit & Gypsy Dharma
The Bois and I may travel, especially for pilgrimages to three epic monasteries that lie due north of us - tracking from northern California all the way to the Washington/Canadian border. They are Rigdzin Ling, Tashi Choling, and the epic Sravasti Abbey in Washington State near the Canadian border.
With the famous wandering hermit the great Khendrup Norsang Gyatso as our inspiration, we spend our days moving about our little local community, trying to spread some cheer and make things nicer by cleaning up a bit. We ask for nothing and rely entirely upon our karma each day. In the evenings, we retire to the wild areas nearby and spend our nights in nature.
A Life Of Dharma & Dogs
My name is Christopher Doyon, and my two incredible companions are Prince Xander Bai II and Prince Xavier Fox. I have been a practicing Buddhist since 2010. I at last received the Bachelor's Degree that I began some three decades ago at Ball State University - where I studied Comparative Religion and Western Philosophy. I am currently working towards my Master of Buddhist Studies while I finish my first dharma book. I aspire to be a Buddhist hermit and monk in the Vajrayana school.
My ministry, such as it is - revolves around my own experience as a Western Catholic convert to Vajrayana Buddhism. I have spent the past 15 years navigating these troubled spiritual waters, and try and share a bit of my wisdom on how to be a good Buddhist in the West, and in these times. My approach is completely orthodox, I do not believe in New Age innovations or secular psychology ideas. I follow the Kagyu lineage headed up by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. However, I remain open-minded to wisdom from any of the authentic schools or lineages of worldwide Buddhism that can help me understand suffering and death better.
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