i remember when i first came to KTD many years ago, i was trying to get all the teacher/newbie protocol down and it seemed to me, not doing so well.

One day, i was walking up the back stairs in the old building, and just as I got to the top, Rinpoche was there ready to walk down the hall. Instead of stopping and letting him pass, i walked right in front of him to my room. Eek! i knew i had made a big mistake, and vowed to really work on showing him respect.
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In the next two weeks though, it seemed whenever i tried to do something for him, i failed. i was growing frustrated, and then i saw my opportunity. Rinpoche was coming down the Green Tara Shrine Room stairs to the courtyard by himself, heading toward the kitchen (in old building), and i was just coming from front of Main Shrine Room. I had plenty of time to get to the door to hold it open for him.
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But it seemed no matter how fast i ran, i just could not catch up to him. Then, just as he got near the kitchen door, i made an extra spurt – i knew i could do it! and got there just in time for Rinpoche to open the door for me!… with that impish smile of his.
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From that day on, the whole protocol thing just never mattered.
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Now it is 2017, twenty-two years later, and through the years, we have become close as i finally “got” some of his wise teachings. i am on retreat at Karme Ling, KTD Retreat Center, Rinpoche’s home. He is sitting on a bench on the little front porch, and i am sitting on a chair across from him – barely two feet away..We just sit in silence, i am basking in the blessing of just being with him in that beautiful silence, the main way we communicate.
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Suddenly he says, “Going inside.” And i jump up, “I will open the door for you Rinpoche.”
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He motions me away, but i laugh and grab the door handle and Ta Dah! Open the door for Rinpoche!
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He goes inside the open door, smiling.
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Khenpo Chenno!
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Thank you dear Rinpoche for opening so many “doors” for so many of us through the years! i know that wherever we are your kindness, wisdom and compassion will always be with us.