Ringu Tulku Rinpoche at Shedra West 2010: Teachings Now Online

Rigpa's Shedra West in Lerab Ling recently recommenced after a four-year break to accommodate the Three Year Retreat. The first event of 2010 was a weekend of teachings, from May 14-16, by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche on Patrul Rinpoche's Instruction on the View of the Mahayana, Clarifying the Two Truths.

The teachings, in which Rinpoche displayed his customary clarity, humour and uncanny knack for conveying difficult points in a practical and accessible way, were attended by more than a hundred students in Lerab Ling, and simultaneously streamed via the internet to centres in Dublin, Barcelona, Madrid, Sydney, Düsseldorf, Munich and Nice.

We are very happy to announce that the audio files are now available online for free download here.

The Shedra West will continue on May 26th with teachings by Khenchen Pema Sherab on Mipham Rinpoche's Beacon of Certainty.

Meanwhile, a small group of shedra students recently began a programme of intensive training in Tibetan language in Namdroling Monastery, South India. You will be able to follow their progress on the shedra website.

Sogyal Rinpoche in Bhutan

Taktsang Monastery, or Tiger's Nest, in Paro, Bhutan

This weekend (14-16 May), Sogyal Rinpoche will be teaching in Bhutan on The Heart Essence of the Buddha's Wisdom and its Practical Application for Transforming our Daily Lives

During this most recent of his visits to Bhutan, Rinpoche wants to make his teaching simple, practical, and easy to follow and remember. He will give a clear, accessible and in-depth introduction and grounding in the teaching and practice of Buddhism.

The Buddha's wisdom is as relevant and inspirational today as it was 2,500 years ago. Rinpoche will give guidance on how we can bring these principles into our lives, allowing us to taste the Buddha's wisdom so that it becomes a natural part of our daily experience.

Rinpoche will also give the lung (aural transmission) for Refuge, Bodhichitta, Guru Rinpoche practice and the mantra of Buddha, Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig, Tib.), and Tara.

First 5-day retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche in the Dutch capital

From 5 to 9 May 2010, 500 people gathered for the first 5-day retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche in Amsterdam. Of those, 140 people were new to Rigpa.  As the retreat unfolded, Rinpoche showed us how to be with the mind more and more, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

A student new to Rigpa commented:

What touched me was that we all have Buddha nature which is as open as the blue sky above the clouds and that there is nothing that can damage it.  What a liberating knowledge! I was new here and truly warmly received. I want to thank everyone with my whole heart for this.

 And another said:

Rinpoche was so warm and loving and joyful and so powerful in the teachings. From loving advice to someone on their deathbed, to loudly singing Happy Birthday, from a teaching to a circle of mothers and babies to an incredible demonstration of the nature of mind. I feel as if, in one day, I've been around the world seven times with Rinpoche!

When Rinpoche left he promised to come back next year for another retreat.

(Photos courtesy of Jeroen Top)

Berlin in a state of joy! Sogyal Rinpoche at Rigpa, Berlin

Sogyal Rinpoche taught at the Rigpa Centre in Berlin last weekend on Gaining Confidence in Our Innate Wisdom.

More than communicating through words, Rinpoche actually showed how, through processing our thoughts and emotions with the profound methods of meditation, we can truly gain confidence in our innate wisdom.

One student said:
Being with Rinpoche gives me the opportunity to experience another way of being
 

And another said:
The way Rinpoche teaches, demonstrates and shows another way to view things, enables me to deeply relax and release my anxieties.

350 people not only recieved the teachings on the mind, but also enjoyed the good and healthy food served from the Lotus Lounge, the Centre's café and restaurant.

For information about upcoming events at Rigpa's Berlin Centre, go to: www.rigpa-zentrum-berlin.de