January 31, 2004.

We bow in devotion to the inseparable minds of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Palden Khyentse Oser, and the third in their jewel line of incarnations, Lodro Chokyi Senge. The inspiring history of their awesome activities, their wealth of qualities as Buddhist Masters, and their exemplary conduct as human beings will remain our legacy and guide.
   This booklet is dedicated to His Eminence the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lodro Chokyi Nyima, with devotion and faith that the activities of his awesome lineage forebears will continue to flourish through him, for the temporal and ultimate benefit of all beings.
   It has been more than ten years since the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche dissolved his mind in parinirvana and our Labrang is still engaged in trying to fulfil his vast wishes for the benefit of beings. In the course of attempting to carry out his wishes, we came to realise that the task of fulfilling them benefited ourselves too, in a deep and profound way. This has been the grace of the Guru's blessings, which has strengthened us to cintinue serving his activity.
   Like those of his previous incarnations, the activities of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche are not bound by the duration of his lifetime. They continue to grow and evolve through changing times and conditions and through the wisdom of his succeeding incarnation. Though still tender in years, shoots of the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's activity have already sprouted and there is great cause to rejoice in his presence in the world.
   Even at this booklet is being prepared, Rinpoche's activities are evolving and by the time it is published some information will have changed. Therefore, this booklet reflects the activies from 1992 to March 2004.
   In the first years after the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's parinirvana, his spoken wishes were our guide. We kept closely to what he had told us, like children on their own for the first time. However, in the course of time his vision became clear to us, and it became our inspiration. Today, as we witness the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's acitivities unfold, we are treated to glimpses of the extremely profound and selfless quality of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's vision for Buddhism, our Karma Kagyu lineage and for all beings.
   An introduction to the activities of the Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoches would be incomplete without mentioning Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok, who will be 89 yeras old this year, 2004. He was the General Secretary to the Second Jamgon Kogtrul Rinpoche, Palden Khyentse Oser, and was selected for the position by Rinpoche himself to assist Changdzo Tsering Dhundrup, the General Secretary of the First Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lodro Thaye, who was already very, very old.
   Despite severe personal hardships during the turbulent years in Tibet, Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok did not waver in his commitment to the Guru's activities. For more than 70 years, he lived and cared for Tsandra Rinchen Drak in Tibet, the seat founded by the First Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lodro Thaye. His life has been exemplary in terms of devotion, commitment, courage, and fortitude. Moreover, his friendship and support have been invaluable to me and to the younger generation of the Jamgon Kongtrul Labrang.
   The Guru's wisdom mind, the devotion of those with faith, the times and conditions, and other factors coming together have kept the wheel of Rinpoche's activities on course, and in harmony with the current age.
   The activities have also been made possible due to the generosity and personal effort of many disciples, devotees and freinds. We are deeply grateful.
   With prayers for the peace and happiness of all beings.

Yours in the Dharma,

General Secretary to H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche
Pullahari Monastery & Retreat Centre
P.O. Box 11015, Kathmandu
Nepal.