Birth of Guru Rinpoche celebrated today at Lerab Ling & Rigpa Centres around the world

Guru Rinpoche in the lake at Lerab Ling

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava. Guru Rinpoche brought the Buddha's teachings to Tibet in the eighth century, founding Tibetan Buddhism.

While Buddha Shakyamuni is known primarily for having taught the teachings of the sutra vehicle, Guru Rinpoche is known for his teachings of the tantras. Also, while Buddha exemplifies the buddha principle, the most important element in the sutrayana path, Guru Rinpoche personifies the guru principle, the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism, and he is therefore known as the ‘second Buddha’.

There are many accounts of Guru Rinpoche’s life, written by great scholars or revealed by the tertöns. A list of some of the more important accounts, along with a brief biography, can be found at www.rigpawiki.org.

The statue of Guru Rinpoche shown above in the lake at Lerab Ling, was a gift from Khenchen Namdrol, a senior master from the Namdroling Tibetan Buddhist monastery in India, who has donated statues of Padmasambhava to many Buddhist centres around the world to promote peace. It is said that images of Padmasambhava such as this one can spread blessings of wisdom and compassion wherever they are placed.

(Photo courtesy of Jonker Burger)

Anniversary of the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje

Rangjung Dorje, the Third Karmapa (1284-1339), was recognized at the age of five as the reincarnation of the previous Karmapa by Orgyenpa Rinchen Pal, and later enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery. He then studied both the Nyingma and Kagyü traditions and took full ordination at the age of eighteen.

Longchenpa and Rangjung Dorje shared a particularly close relationship since they both counted Rigdzin Kumaradza as one of their root teachers and studied together. The Third Karmapa is responsible for introducing Dzogchen vocabulary into the Mahamudra tradition and bringing these two traditions closer together.

It is said that during a retreat in his early twenties he had a vision at sunrise of Vimalamitra and then Padmasambhava, who dissolved into him at a point between his eyebrows. At that moment, he realized and received all the teachings and transmissions of the Dzogchen tantras. He wrote many volumes of teachings on Dzogchen and founded the Karma Nyingtik lineage.

Today, 4 August, is his anniversary.

(Image courtesy of www.rigpawiki.org)

Sogyal Rinpoche: His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Contribution to the World

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, pictured in the Lerab Ling Temple, August 2008

On 5 July 2009, the 74th birthday of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama was celebrated in London with an event hosted by the Tibetan Commemorative Committee (comprising Tibetan Community in Britain, Office of Tibet and The Tibet Society).

As part of these celebrations, Sogyal Rinpoche was invited to share his views on the enormous contribution that His Holiness has made to the world.
You can read the full text of his speech here.

(Photo by Graham Price)

New Buddha Statue Installed at Lerab Ling

A new Buddha statue was recently placed on the lawn in front of the Lerab Ling Temple.

The statue was made in Orissa, in eastern India. It was hand-sculpted by an artist who follows a tradition dating from 11th century, and is a copy of the original Saranath standing Buddha, which is in the museum of Saranath in northern India. Sarnath is where the Buddha taught for the first time after his enlightenment, referred to as the first turning of the wheel of Dharma.



















The Buddha stands with the right hand held up at shoulder height, palm facing out, in what is known as the abhaya mudra, which symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear.


(Photos courtesy of Barry Beckett & Heinz Nowotny)

Anniversary of Lungtok Shedrup Tenpé Nyima, Incarnation of Nyoshul Lungtok

Today is the anniversary of Shedrup Tenpé Nyima (1920-?). The incarnation of Nyoshul Lungtok, he was a student of Khenpo Ngakchung (with whom he studied from the age of eight to twenty-two) and Nyoshul Khenpo's principal teacher.

Lerab Ling: Some Summer Pictures

These photos were taken recently at Lerab Ling, Rigpa's main retreat centre, which is located in Southern France.

The two trees on the hilltop at sunset

Hilltop lookout

Prayer flags on the hill

Later that evening

(All photos courtesy of Heinz Nowotny)

Anniversary of the fourth Shechen Gyaltsab, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's root teacher

Today is the anniversary of Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal (1871-1926), the fourth Shechen Gyaltsab.

Shechen Gyaltsab was recognised by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, from whom he received many teachings and empowerments. His other teachers included Patrul Rinpoche and Mipham Rinpoche. He was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's root teacher and also one of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö's main teachers. Many other great masters and holders of the teachings also became his students. He passed away at the age of fifty-five.

Read Alak Zenkar Rinpoche's short biography of Shechen Gyaltsab here.

Anniversary of Nyoshul Lungtok

Today is the anniversary of Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpé Nyima (1829-1901).

Nyoshul Lungtok was the greatest disciple of Patrul Rinpoche from whom he received Dzogchen teachings.

Amongst Nyoshul Lungtok's own great disciples were Tertön Sogyal and Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, who wrote the Kunzang Lama'i Shelung Zindri, or A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher.

Phakchok Rinpoche visits Lerab Ling

Phakchok Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of the Taklung Kagyu lineage, recently visited Lerab Ling for the first time.

Phakchok Rinpoche is the abbot of a monastery in Chapagaon in the southern Kathmandu Valley, and the Head of Riwoche Monastery in Tibet.

The recently reconstructed Riwoche monastery in Tibet. The original monastery was destroyed in the early 1950's.

Phakchok Rinpoche is the grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and the eldest brother of the Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche. His father is Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche. Recognised by the Kagyü regents and ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Phakchok Rinpoche studied with a number of great lamas, including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, Trulshik Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.

He completed in seven years the traditional nine-year curriculum of Buddhist philosophy at the Dzongsar Institute of Advanced Buddhist Studies, in Bir, India and received the khenpo title from the Dalai Lama and H.E. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

During his brief visit to Lerab Ling, Rinpoche taught the Three Year Retreatants and local sangha, as well as the children in the Rigpe Yeshe program.


He also addressed students in the Rigpa Youth group, a new project that brings together young members of the Rigpa Sangha, who range in age from late teens to early thirties.

Phakchok Rinpoche, who is only 28 years old himself, showed a remarkably good understanding of young people in the modern world and was able to give invaluable advice, including how to deal with parents who do not support their children following the Dharma, to how to practise while watching a movie or when you're at a party.


(Photos courtesy of Jurek Schreiner Bart de Natris & www.phakchokrinpoche.org)

Tenga Rinpoche visits Lerab Ling

Tenga Rinpoche arriving at the Lerab Ling Temple.
Jikme Khyentse Rinpoche is standing behind

This week, Lerab Ling and the Three Year Retreatants were extremely fortunate to host H.E. Tenga Rinpoche.

His visit coincided with Guru Rinpoche's birthday (2 July 2009) and he practised with the sangha after his teaching.

Teaching in the Lerab Ling Temple

Tenga Rinpoche was recognised as the incarnation of Lama Tendzin Chögyal by the previous Tai Situ Rinpoche, Pema Wangchok Gyalpo, at the age of seven. He was given the name Karma Tenzin Trinlé Pal Sangpo at the age of 19, when he received his full ordination vows. He received extensive and thorough Buddhist training and education at Benchen Monastery from the Ninth Benchen Sangyé Nyenpa Rinpoche, Karma Shedrup Tenpe Nyima, and at Palpung Monastery from Tai Situ Rinpoche and Karse Kongtrul.

He studied all the tantric rituals and philosophy with many different masters. From his uncle he learned about traditional Tibetan medicine and he completed his studies with a three-year retreat.

Tenga Rinpoche is also an expert in mandala painting and sculpture.

In 1959, after the Chinese invasion, he left Tibet and, after spending one and a half years in Kalimpong, he settled in Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, the main seat of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa. There he served the Karmapa for 17 years, the last nine years of which he acted as dorje lopön (vajra master). In 1974 he accompanied the Karmapa on his first tour to America and Europe.

Since 1976, Tenga Rinpoche has been living in Swayambhu, Nepal, where he founded Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery. He also founded a retreat centre in Pharping. Since 1978, he has been touring Europe extensively, and has centres in Poland, Italy and Germany.

Tenga Rinpoche is one of the few living meditation masters who hold the still unbroken lineage of the Karma Kagyu tradition.

In 1982 he accompanied Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche when he visited the Rigpa centre in London.

This week's visit to Lerab Ling was his first visit to a Rigpa centre since then.

Tenga Rinpoche in London, 1982.



(Photos courtesy of Heinz Nowotny and www.rigpawiki.org)