Rigpa News

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche: 1923-2011

2011-09-07T14:29:00.000+02:00

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, passed away on September 2 at his monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Trulshik Rinpoche was one of the seniormost masters of the Tibetan tradition. He was considered as the heart son of both Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, and was one of the teachers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He was much loved by the Rigpa sangha, and gave teachings and empowerments on several occasions in the United States, France and Germany. He provided guidance and advice throughout the construction of the temple at Lerab Ling, visiting in 2003 to bless the site, and returning in 2005 to give empowerments and transmissions at what was the first major event in the temple.

Trulshik Rinpoche lived in the Solu Khumbu region of north-eastern Nepal. Thubten Chöling, the monastery that he founded there, is renowned as one of the foremost centres for the monastic traditions of the Nyingma school.

After leaving Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche ordained nearly 10,000 monks and nuns, including members of Rigpa’s monastic community.

Trulshik Rinpoche became the head of the Nyingma school in 2010. He became a teacher to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as well as many of the younger generation of Nyingma lamas.

You can read more here.

Aerial Views of Lerab Ling

2011-08-27T22:09:00.000+02:00

This year it has been 20 years since the land was purchased on the beautiful Larzac Plateau in the Herault region of Southern France. Since opening in 1992, Lerab Ling has been blessed by visits from numerous great masters of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, most notably by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on two occasions, in 2000 and 2008.

The Lerab Ling temple, completed in 2006 and according to certain Tibetan masters, the largest and most authentic of its type in Europe was inaugurated in August 2008 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

thanks to Jan Pieters for braving the perfectly blue skies in a micro gyrocopter

HH Dalai Lama arrives at Toulouse Airport

2011-08-13T19:26:00.000+02:00

His Holiness arrives at Toulouse airport and is greeted, amongst others, by Sogyal Rinpoche, Tulku Pema Wangyal, Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche and Patrick Gaffney.
In the press conference he emphasizes his two most important commitments:
1. Promotion of human values, i.e 'warm heartedness' and
2. Promotion of religious harmony

thanks to Seth Dye for quickly producing this little edit

News from Bhutan

2011-07-31T09:44:00.027+02:00

Attendees of a weekend on Ngondro

Report by Dominique Side

Following Sogyal Rinpoche’s visit to Bhutan last May, and the extraordinary interest in his teachings there, a group of people has begun to meet regularly in Thimphu. All students are following What Meditation Really Is, with around 60 meeting on Saturday evenings and another 30 or so on Wednesday evenings. Rinpoche asked me to support the group, so during the months of June and July I have been leading most of the sessions briefly on audio or on pre-recorded video.

Rinpoche then asked me to visit the group in order to strengthen it and to help keep up the momentum until his next visit. It thus came about that I had the immense good fortune to visit Bhutan for two weeks at the end of July.

I started in Paro by working together with two teachers from Naropa University on a course in mindfulness and meditation for the staff of the Teacher Training College. Next I went to Thimphu where I began with a weekend of Facilitator Training, with 39 participants from both Thimphu and Paro. This was followed by a three-day course on Meditation and Health with 80 participants including doctors, nurses, school teachers, former drug addicts, psychiatrists and mental health patients. Finally I led the Introduction to Ngondro course over my final weekend with around eighty of the members of the Rigpa group. Many people wept with joy when Rinpoche joined us live through skype on the Sunday afternoon, sharing a teaching on Refuge from Lerab Ling and giving refuge.

The Thimphu group will now begin offering the Parallel Programme courses on ngondro alongside meditation, while in Paro a new Rigpa group within the Teacher Training College will start the first module of What Meditation Really Is in August. I have the distinct feeling that these genuine and warm-hearted people are already part of our family.

Famine in Somalia: Message from Sogyal Rinpoche

2011-07-24T08:05:00.000+02:00

It is truly shocking to see, once again, that people are dying from starvation in East Africa. My heart goes out to all the women, men and children of the region, and especially to the Somali people who have been hit the hardest.

It seems that half the population of Somalia, including one in ten children, are now at risk of starvation.

The media is reporting that that the current humanitarian response is totally inadequate and that millions more people will die unless the international community immediately sends aid.

In the face of so much terrible suffering, I ask you to please join me in praying for all the people of East Africa and for the humanitarian workers who are trying desperately to help them. May there be no obstacles whatsoever to their vital work.

Pray also for the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled Somalia and who are dying on their journey and in aid camps because of malnutrition.

Pray that the governments and people around the world give whatever assistance is needed to avert this catastrophe. Please also pray for peace in Somalia. It seems that the decades of war there are the main reason behind this terrible tragedy.

If you would like to know more about the situation in East Africa, or make a donation, you may wish to contact one of these charities working in the region: Red Cross (contact the Red Cross Society in your country), Medecins Sans Frontieres, Disasters Emergency Committee (UK), UN refugee agency, UNHCR, Oxfam International, or Care International.

In Memory of Khandro Tsering Chödrön

2011-06-08T17:36:00.005+02:00

Click here for a place to read—tributes, prayers, letters—and share your own memories of Khandro Tsering Chödrön. Many rare photos and videos are now available on the site.

Khandro Tsering Chödrön

2011-06-01T10:10:00.003+02:00

Lhasa, Tibet circa 1956 and Dordogne, France 1984

Khandro Tsering Chödrön, Khyentse Sangyum, beloved by so many, passed away on the 30^th of May 2011 at Lerab Ling in France.

Sogyal Rinpoche wrote about her in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: “In a figure like Khandro Tsering Chödrön, the greatest woman master of our day, who was the wife of my master Jamyang Khyentse, you see very clearly what years of the deepest devotion and practice can create out of the human spirit. Her humility and beauty of heart, and the shining simplicity, modesty, and lucid, tender wisdom of her presence are honored by all Tibetans, even though she herself has tried as far as possible to remain in the background, never to push herself forward, and to live the hidden and austere life of an ancient contemplative.”

Sogyal Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche were both present at the moment of her passing where she showed all the signs of attaining the final accomplishment of a great Dzogchen practitioner.

For Buddhist practitioners, Sogyal Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche have suggested that we accumulate 100,000 recitations of Narak Kong Shak, along with 100 million recitations of the 100-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva. This is not for Khandro’s sake, as she was such a great practitioner, but to purify the connection with all the sentient beings that came into contact with her. It would be wonderful if other sanghas would like to join the Rigpa sangha in this and for us to be able to offer and dedicate our practice together. (Accumulations from other sanghas could be sent to: practiceforkhandro@rigpa.org. Rigpa students should still go through their national & local accumulation coordinators.)

Sogyal Rinpoche also said that this is a very powerful time to do Guru Yoga practice. He said for us to consider Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lödro, Khandro Tsering Chödrön, and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s wisdom minds are one and to make strong aspiration prayers for our own accomplishment of Dzogchen practice and the spiritual path.

AWAKE! Amsterdam

2011-05-12T14:30:00.000+02:00

On the 4th of May, Sogyal Rinpoche taught 700 people at a special event in Amsterdam. Buddhism really is modern!

A collaboration of Rigpa and ID&T @ Muziekgebouw aan het Ij, Amsterdam.

Sogyal Rinpoche in Bhutan

2011-05-12T13:24:00.000+02:00

In April 2011, Sogyal Rinpoche spent 10 days in Bhutan, the only independent Vajrayana Buddhist country in the world and the birthplace of "Gross National Happiness". While in Bhutan, Rinpoche taught on "Compassionate Living, Fearless Dying" to over 2000 people in Thimphu.

He also spent time going on pilgrimage and practicing at some of the most sacred sites in the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" (Druk Yul)—as it is called in the national language of Dzongkha—ones that were even blessed in the 8th century by the great Buddhist saint, Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava, himself.

Paro Takshang (Tiger's Nest), where Guru Rinpoche assumed the form of Dorje Drölo

Kyichu Lhakhang in Spring!

Devastation in Japan - Message from Sogyal Rinpoche

2011-03-12T10:23:00.001+01:00

Dear Rigpa Sangha and Friends,

As you know by now, there was a massive earthquake in Japan on Friday, followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 10 metres that surged across parts of the country washing away everything and everyone in its wake. Whole villages have been washed away and huge fires caused by the earthquake are burning, affecting tens of thousands of people. The pictures of the devastation coming from Japan are shocking.

I want to express my deep sadness and heartfelt condolences to all the people of Japan, and especially to those who have lost loved ones. The next few days will be critical, and my prayers are also with all the rescue workers and everyone helping with the recovery effort.

Hundreds of people are already reported dead, hundreds more are missing, including four passenger trains, and police are reporting that 215,000 people have fled their homes. And we don't yet know the full extent of the damage.

There are also serious concerns for the safety of some of Japan's nuclear power plants in the earthquake affected area, and people living near them have been evacuated.

Please join me in holding the Japanese people in your prayers, especially those who have died or been injured, and their families.

Pray that there are no deadly aftershocks, no radiation leaks from the nuclear power plants, no more fatalities, and no obstacles for the rescue and recovery work.

Also remember that many people will have lost their homes and their livelihoods so please also pray for their well-being and safety.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has recommended that Japanese Buddhist practice the Heart Sutra for those who have lost their lives, and to help prevent further disasters in the future, and has organised for it to be recited 100,000 times in Dharamsala for this purpose. And His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has emphasised that joining together in prayer for those who had suffered in this natural disaster is one way of benefiting beings.

If you would like to make a donation towards the relief effort, you could contact the Red Cross Society in your country, or Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Losar in Lerab Ling - a Tibetan Holiday on Ice

2011-03-04T10:32:00.000+01:00

On an icy winter day a few monks attempt to perform their daily circumambulations while ice skating on a lake outside the temple at Lerab Ling. Soon they are joined by a crowd of kids and lay members of the Lerab Ling Community.

(If the youtube video does not display correctly go to http://vimeo.com/20552701 for an alternate version)

Remembering Gene Smith

2011-02-26T18:47:00.000+01:00

Sogyal Rinpoche shares his thoughts on the late E. Gene Smith (1936-2010), who dedicated his life to cataloging, preserving and generously making available Tibetan literature and, in the process, gained an unparalleled knowledge of all aspects of Tibetan history and culture.
To view teachings by Sogyal Rinpoche, or other videos from Rigpa projects and activities please visit the new Rigpa TV channel on youtube.

Vajrakilaya Drupchö and Losar Practices at Lerab Ling

2011-02-12T09:31:00.001+01:00

Photo by Victoria von Flemming

This year Lerab Ling is inviting all sangha members to participate in a Vajrakilaya Drupchö and other practices that are performed traditionally around the start of the Tibetan New Year (Losar) on the 5th of March. Students who are unable to travel to Lerab Ling are warmly invited to participate in theses practices by making a donation.

Yang Nying Pudri (Vajrakilaya) Drupchö: Starting on Dakini Day, Sunday February 27th. The practices conclude with 'receiving the siddhis’ on Losar, Saturday March 5th.

Photo by Thomas Fries

Riwo Sangchö Intensive: A three-day Riwo Sangchö Intensive will be held in Lerab Ling starting on Sunday 6 March and concluding on Tuesday 8 March.

Tertön Sogyal Anniversary Practice Day: In honour of Tertön Sogyal's Anniversary, a whole day of intensive practise will be held in Lerab Ling.

Dedicate your offering: Once you have made your donation on line you will receive confirmation email with a link to our special dedication page. Here you can submit a personal dedication that will be projected on the screens in the Lerab Ling temple during the practices.

Tibetan Buddhism in Modern Western Culture

2011-02-01T17:27:00.000+01:00

Tibetan Buddhism in Modern Western Culture from Carol Beck on Vimeo.

In October 2010, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was joined by a number of Buddhist teachers, scholars and translators at the International Conference on Tibetan Buddhism in the United States.
The conference at Emory University, Atlanta, was held to discuss the future of Tibetan Buddhism and included subjects such as modern science, social engagement, western culture, translation and academic study.
Sogyal Rinpoche was one of the speakers, and you can watch the video of his talk on Tibetan Buddhism in Modern Western Culture, and the subsequent panel discussion, above.

To watch videos of the other conference sessions, visit the website of the Tibetan Buddhism Conference at Emory

Announcing Rigpa Shedra East 2012

2011-01-25T04:28:00.008+01:00

It has been confirmed that next year's Rigpa Shedra East will mark the beginning of tantric studies with teachings on Mipham Rinpoche's famous commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra, the Essence of Clear Light. Sogyal Rinpoche described this text by saying:

"Succinctly elucidating all the key points of the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition's profound approach to Secret Mantra, it is one of the peerless Mipham Rinpoche's most important works."

This will be the second time the text has been studied in Rigpa. The previous occasion was in 1997 when the late Khenpo Petse taught the text at Lerab Ling. This course will be open to all senior students of the shedra who have a basis in sutrayana studies, but also to all Rigpa's Three Year Retreatants. The teachings will last for three months, providing opportunity to go into detail and gain a thorough understanding of the major themes. Students will be encouraged to stay in Pharping for an additional month of retreat immediately after the teachings, as an opportunity to put these precious instructions into practice.

Next year's shedra will also include a beginners' level class on the Bodhicharyavatara, based on the commentary of Khenpo Shenga and lasting for the full four months.

The exact dates and prices will be communicated later this year.

Meanwhile you can also follow Rigpa Shedra on Twitter, or become a fan of the Rigpa Shedra on Facebook.

Annual Summer Meditation Retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche 16-24 July 2011

2010-12-13T12:45:00.000+01:00

The dates for the annual summer meditation retreat at Lerab Ling with Sogyal Rinpoche have been announced for 16-24 July 2011.

This retreat is open to all.

Online registration will open in January 2011 at www.lerabling.org.

Dates for a Ngondro summer retreat (4-14 July), and Dzogchen Retreat (28 July-28 August), have also been announced.

Online registration for these retreats will also open in January at www.lerabling.org.

New Rigpa Spiritual Care Centre in Germany

2010-11-14T14:44:00.002+01:00

After more than a year’s painstaking search, Rigpa has found the perfect place for its new Spiritual Care Centre in Germany, and has acquired the land. Situated approximately 70km south east of Berlin, in the old spa-town of Bad Saarow, the land adjoins the largest lake in the region, the Scharmützelsee, with beautiful views across the waters.

Apart from the natural beauty of its lake-side location, the sense of peace and positive uplifting energy makes the location ideal for a spiritual care centre. Also, Bad Saarow has excellent transport connections to Berlin and a well developed infrastructure of local medical services.

The site has been visited by His Holiness Sakya Trizin (seated, 3rd from left) and

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (seated, centre), both of whom made prayers there.

The plot of land covers an area of approximately 8,000 square meters, which is an ample size for the project. A large, disused building already stands on the site. It will need to be demolished before future works can begin

In January 2011, an interview and selection process for architects for the new Centre will begin.
The land has been purchased by the recently formed Tertön Sogyal Foundation in Germany, which is currently responsible for the project.

For more information, or to support the project in any way, please contact the project team in Germany at info@tertoen-sogyal-stiftung.de or by telephone at: +49 (0) 30 23 25 50 27.

Colégio Rosário, Porto Alegre, Brasil

2010-11-12T16:54:00.000+01:00

At the invitation of Chagdud Khadro, on the 8th of November, Sogyal Rinpoche taught on "The Art of Living and Dying" to an audience of over 1000 people, including many doctors, nurses and health care professionals in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a nexus for medical care in South America. The above slideshow was posted by Brazilian photographer Pedro Rocha.

Sogyal Rinpoche in New York City

2010-11-09T18:16:00.001+01:00

Sogyal Rinpoche recently traveled to the United States where he attended and spoke at the International Conference on Tibetan Buddhism at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The conference was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Following this conference Rinpoche gave a public talk and weekend of teachings in New York City (21 & 23-24 October). The teachings were attended by many members of the New York Tibetan community. After the public talk Rinpoche spent a long time giving blessings and speaking with them.

Rinpoche will return to the United States to teach at Stanford University (17 November) and in San Francisco (19 November) before heading to San Diego for the Rigpa Autumn Retreat (26 November-5 December).

More information on the retreat is online here.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche convenes first meeting of Western Dharma Instructors

2010-11-08T15:32:00.000+01:00

As the Dharma becomes established, or re-established, in many different countries throughout the modern world, important questions arise as to which teachers are authentic and which are not, since would-be students often do not know what qualities they should be looking for in a teacher. This difficulty applies both to Tibetan teachers and also to the Western instructors now emerging in different sanghas.

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche has taken the initiative to bring together instructors from his own sangha, Chagdud Rinpoche’s sangha and the Rigpa sangha as a first step in cross-sangha collaboration on this issue.

Thirteen instructors met with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche from 25 to 27 October in Bodhgaya, including Chagdud Khandro herself and Dominique Messent representing Rigpa. Drubgyü Tenzin Rinpoche also attended. The discussions focused on the specific challenges faced by Dharma instructors these days. A document reflecting this exchange will soon be edited and made widely available. It will serve as the basis for a training programme for Dharma instructors, the core of which Rinpoche hopes could become common to all Dharma groups.

For the next step, Rinpoche proposed a three-day training for instructors from several sanghas to be held in the near future.

Rigpa Shedra East 2011

2010-10-31T09:58:00.007+01:00

The next study programme at Rigpa Shedra East will be held in Pharping, near Kathmandu in Nepal from January 3rd to April 30th, 2011. The main focus will be Maitreya's Abhisamayalankara, a commentary on the hidden meaning of the famous Perfection of Wisdom sutras, describing the entire spiritual journey of the bodhisattva, from the first generation of altruistic intention through to the eventual attainment of enlightenment.

As usual, the course will include opportunity for clarification, discussion and contemplation, and will also feature Tibetan language classes at different levels.

More information and details of how to apply can be found on the shedra website.

Sogyal Rinpoche visits Italy and leads first Rigpa retreat in Spain

2010-10-27T11:23:00.001+02:00

Sogyal Rinpoche recently travelled to Italy (September 17-19) and Spain (October 6-14).

Torino, Italy

In Torino, Italy, he taught to a sold-out crowd of 900 people in the magnificent Teatro Carignano.

There were more than 500 other people who could not fit into the venue. They sat on the pavement outside the Teatro listening to the teaching on loudspeakers that had been set up at the last minute so they would not miss it.

Sogyal Rinpoche went outside to address them before and after his talk.

Rinpoche's talk was part of Torino Spiritualita. Bob Thurman and Matthieu Richard also spoke as part of this event.

To find out what else is happening in Rigpa Italy, go to www.rigpa.it

First Rigpa Retreat in Spain, Tarragona

More recently, Rinpoche was in Spain where he led a 5-day retreat at Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. This was the first Rigpa retreat held in Spain and over 400 people from all over Europe attended.

Rinpoche taught on What Meditation Really Is: Getting to know your own mind - The Secret of Meditation and How to Actually Practice It.

Before the retreat, Sogyal Rinpoche gave a public talk in Madrid, his first in that city, and again in Vigo after the retreat.

For information about other Rigpa events in Spain, go to www.rigpa-spain.org

Lerab Ling hosts Buddhism and Medicine conference

2010-10-06T09:55:00.002+02:00

Conference speakers in front of the statue of the Buddha at Lerab Ling. From left to right: Ursula Bates, Dr Frederic Rosenfeld, Sara Lazar, Rosamund Oliver, Erika Rosenberg, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, Clifford Saron, Sogyal Rinpoche, Olivier Raurich, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Dr Lucio Bizzini, Dr Cathy Blanc, Dr Edel Maex and Laurence Bibas.

The Lerab Ling temple hosted its first major conference at the weekend as almost 1,000 people attended the Third International Forum on Buddhism and Medicine.

The two-day event brought together Buddhist masters, scientific researchers and leading experts in the application of meditation in medicine and therapy to discuss the health benefits of meditation.

Sogyal Rinpoche and Jon Kabat-Zinn

Speakers included Sogyal Rinpoche and Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, Jon Kabat-Zinn—the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)—and Clifford Saron, the principal investigator on The Shamatha Project, the most comprehensive study to date on the effects of long-term meditation practice.

Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche

Day one of the conference covered some of the latest scientific research on meditation. The Shamatha Project, for example, examined two groups of 30 meditation practitioners as they took part in three-month retreats in the United States. Many of the results are still being evaluated, but the initial findings appear to show a range of effects, such as sharpened and sustained attention, enhanced well-being and an ability to respond with more empathy to the suffering of others.

Clifford Saron gives a presentation on The Shamatha Project

The second day focused on some of the ways in which meditation is being applied in hospitals and other medical and therapeutic settings, through programmes such as MBSR and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Rigpa's Spiritual Care Programme, and the Association Tonglen, founded in France by Dr Cathy Blanc.

Speakers came together for a panel discussion and the conference delegates, many of whom were healthcare professionals, were also given the chance to take part in guided meditation sessions.

Compassion versus Competition: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, 1 October, Free Video Stream

2010-09-29T07:21:00.000+02:00

Her Eminence Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche will visit Lerab Ling for the first time this week.

She will give a public talk on Friday 1 October (5pm Paris time) on Compassion versus Competition: An Essential Teaching on the Buddhist Practice of Lojong.

She will also give a key address at the Third International Forum on Buddhism and Medicine, which is on the topic of Meditation and Health. For full details, go to www.forum-meditation.com

Everyone is welcome to attend these events at Lerab Ling.

Khandro Rinpoche's Public Talk will also be video streamed live for free.

3rd Buddhism & Medicine Conference, 1-2 October, Still time to register

2010-09-27T16:31:00.002+02:00

This week, Lerab Ling will host the 3rd International Forum on Buddhism and Medicine.

International leading experts will come together to present the latest scientific research into the therapeutic benefits of meditation, as well as results from the application of meditation in a number of different clinical settings. The Buddhist approach to meditation will also be shared, and there will be guided meditation sessions.

The topic of the conference: Meditation and Health, has generated lots of interest and more than 650 participants are expected.

Speakers include Jon Kabat-Zinn, Frédéric Rosenfeld, Clifford Saron, Erika Rosenberg and Cathy Blanc. Sogyal Rinpoche and Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche will present meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Places are still available. To register and for more information about the conference and the research to be presented, go to the conference website: Buddhism and Medicine.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits the monasteries of Sera and Namdroling

2010-09-21T15:46:00.001+02:00

Jurek Schreiner, who is studying Tibetan at Namdroling Monastery, as part of Rigpa's Tibetan translator training programme, reports on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's recent visit to the monastery.

On the morning of August 31st His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in the area of Bylakuppe in the Karnataka state of southern India for a four-day visit.

This area is home to the great monasteries of Sera and Namdroling, where Rigpa's Tibetan Translator Training has been taking place, and to a growing number of Tibetan settlements, making it one of the biggest gatherings of Tibetans in exile.

In anticipation of his arrival, the main street that leads to the Gelukpa monastery of Sera was decorated with flags and banners everywhere and lined by thousands of local Tibetans, as well as Tibetan visitors from other parts of the country. Every house along the road was sporting flowers and incense offerings.

Closer to Sera, thousands of monks were lined up along the road.

Upon his arrival, His Holiness was invited to the two big temples of Sera Jé and Sera Mé for a tea and rice ceremony.

Early the following morning, a huge assembly of monks and nuns and lay Tibetans, 450 delegates of the Tibetan Government in Exile, as well as a few Western guests gathered inside, and outside, of Sera monastery where His Holiness gave the long life empowerment of White Tara. A long life ceremony was offered to him in return.

The big temple of Sera Mé was bursting with thousands of monks, creating a very special, sacred atmosphere.

The morning of the third day was dedicated to the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Democracy for Tibetans in Exile and took place at Sera Jé.

Various international speakers who had come to Bylakuppe especially for this event, including members of the European Parliament, offered their respect to His Holiness.

On the fourth and final day of his visit, His Holiness arrived at the Nyingma monastery of Namdroling, for the graduation ceremony for monks who had completed Shedra in the past few years. Some of Namdroling's main lamas, and Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, the Tibetan Prime Minister in Exile, were also present.

His Holiness concluded by recalling the greatness of Namdroling's founder, the late Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche. He spoke about Namdroling as a special institute for learning, which has its root in Shantarakshita, the outstanding scholar from Nalanda university who, together with Padmasambhava, brought the Buddhist teachings to Tibet. As all schools of Tibetan Buddhism are thus connected with Nalanda, the Dalai Lama urged his audience not to fall into biased attitudes of considering any of the four schools as better than the the others.

Being so close to the Dalai Lama for a few days was an amazing experience. And seeing how he is present, vibrant and fully engaged in every second, no matter how many speeches he has to listen to, is truly an indication for him being an unfailing source of refuge.

For more photos please click here.

(Story and photos by Jurek Schreiner)

Mingyur Rinpoche - Live free video stream from Lerab Ling, 11 September 5pm

2010-09-03T06:41:00.000+02:00

Lerab Ling, Rigpa's main retreat centre, will soon welcome Mingyur Rinpoche once again. During his visit, he will give a public talk on The Joy of Living - Calming the Mind: The Practice of Awareness Meditation.

As Rinpoche will soon be starting a three year retreat, this will be one of the last opportunities to a receive teaching from him for quite a while.

Everyone is welcome to attend. But if you can't make it here, you can tune in via the live, free video stream.

When: 11 September 2010, 5pm (GMT+2)

Where: Lerab Ling, France (70km from Montpellier)

To register: To attend the talk at Lerab Ling, please go to www.lerabling.org

To watch the video stream: go to http://videostreaming.rigpa.org

The streaming of this exciting event is offered for free. If you would like to support it, you can make a donation on that site. Thank you for your support and hope you can join us.

Tibetan and Himalayan People's Cultural Festival, Paris 11-12 September

2010-09-01T11:44:00.000+02:00

Sogyal Rinpoche has been invited to speak at the Tenth Tibetan and Himalayan People's Cultural Festival in Paris, oganised by the House of Tibet.

Rinpoche will speak on Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World on Saturday 11 September, at 2.00pm

For full details of this event please visit the Festival website.

Video: Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi's Visit to Lerab Ling

2010-08-14T18:22:00.002+02:00

The much awaited film of Yangsi Rinpoche's visit to Lerab Ling.

If you are lucky enough to be in the USA and somewhere close to Colorado you can still see Yangsi Rinpoche live at Phuntsok Choling.

Tukdrup Barché Kunsel Drubchen begins

2010-08-13T20:32:00.000+02:00

First impression from the Drubchen at Lerab Ling

The monks circambulate the Lerab Ling Temple, establishing the 'boundaries'. Photo by Bart de Nartis

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche bless the central mandala. Photo: Bart de Nartis


Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche next to a statue of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. Photo: Jens Arnoul


Lama dance in front of the main Buddha image. Photo: Victoria von Flemming

Monks and over 650 lay sangha gather in the temple for the first session. Photo: Victoria von Flemming

Preparing ritual objects for the coming days. Photo: Elea Sevestre

more photos here

What Meditation Really Is - Weekend Retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche, 27-29 August

2010-08-05T18:04:00.000+02:00

We are very happy to announce that a new Meditation Weekend Retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche has just been added to this summer's programme at Lerab Ling.

Everyone is warmly welcome to attend!

'What Meditation Really Is"
Weekend Retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche
27-29 August
Lerab Ling

For information and to register, go to the Lerab Ling website: www.lerabling.org

New Video: Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche Teaching at Lerab Ling

2010-08-04T11:08:00.001+02:00

On 19 July 2010, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche gave a public teaching at Lerab Ling, in front of Rabjam Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche and a thousand people gathered in the temple. Thousands more, both Rigpa students and the general public, tuned in via the live video stream.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche to lead drupchen at Lerab Ling

2010-08-01T15:00:00.000+02:00

From 9-20 August 2010, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, assisted by over twenty lamas and monks from the Chokling Monastery in Bir, India, will lead a drupchen of Tukdrup Barché Kunsel ‘The Guru’s Heart Practice that Dispels all Obstacles’ at Lerab Ling.

A drupchen is a form of intensive group practice that continues through the day and night without break over a number of days.

Rigpa students in the Ngöndro or Dzogchen Mandala, and any Rigpa student who has received a Guru Rinpoche empowerment, are welcome to attend the Drupchen and participate in the practices. Please visit lerabling.org for more information.

And everyone is welcome to participate in the drupchen by dedicating an offering in the name of a family member, a loved one, or for a particular cause. All the names and dedications we receive will be kept in the shrine room where the drupchen will take place, and will be honoured at the conclusion of this great cycle of practice.

If you would like to do this, you can make an offering here. After you have made your offering, you will recieve a confirmation email that will explain how to make your dedication.

Rigpa Shedra is Coming to the USA!

2010-07-25T18:50:00.006+02:00

‘Exploring the View’

The First Rigpa Shedra Event in the USA

hosted by the Tenzin Gyatso Institute

With Professor Steven Goodman

September 25-29, 2010

In what promises to be a lively and engaged introduction to the Buddhist view, Professor Steven Goodman will explore the importance of contemplative inquiry and investigation as a support for our spiritual practice. By offering a fresh perspective on key topics like the Four Noble Truths, right view, the empty nature of all things, the eight consciousnesses, and buddha nature, Professor Goodman will show how our everyday experiences of suffering and change can be transformed into a mindful and wise attitude of acceptance, compassion, openness and devotion. The course will include presentations, discussion and guided meditation. Some prior knowledge of Buddhism is preferable, but not essential.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Professor Steven Goodman is Director of Research and Core Faculty for Asian and Comparative Studies Department, at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He received his Ph.D. in Far Eastern Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1984. He currently serves as a Board Advisor to the Khyentse Foundation, and is on the Working Committee for the Buddhist Literary Heritage Project, which will oversee the translation of the entire Buddhist canon into English. Professor Goodman taught on Abhidharma at the Rigpa Shedra in Lerab Ling in 2002, and a book based on the teaching he gave on that occasion will soon be published by Snow Lion.

Lerab Ling says goodbye to Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche

2010-07-25T11:27:00.002+02:00

An estimated 5,000 people around the world watched the live streaming
of Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's teaching at Lerab Ling.
Photo: Bart de Natris

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche concluded his visit to Lerab Ling with a promise to return after taking part in six days of celebrations with Rigpa students in southern France.

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, who turned 17 last month, has travelled to the West for the first time to mark the centenary of the birth of his previous incarnation, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Having begun his trip at La Sonnerie in the Dordogne, which was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's main seat in Europe, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche was welcomed by Sogyal Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and 1,500 others as he arrived at Lerab Ling.

He was accomplanied by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's grandson and spiritual heir, and Matthieu Ricard, who spent many years as Khyentse Rinpoche's translator and attendant.

The highlight of the visit was the teaching that Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche gave in the temple as he spoke on The Lineage of Good Heart. It was watched live via a free internet stream by an estimated 5,000 people around the world, including Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's mother in Bhutan.

Sogyal Rinpoche and Rabjam Rinpoche applaud as
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche finishes his teaching.
Photo: Ane Damcho Drolma.

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche granted the empowerments of Rangjung Peme Nyingtik and Pema Tseyi Nyingtik, 'mind treasures' revealed by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He presided over a full day of practice in the temple on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Rinpoche, as well as a sang offering practice on the hilltop at Lerab Ling.

He also met teenagers from Rigpa's youth group, answering their questions on how they could apply the teachings in their lives, and gave an interview for View magazine.

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's visit came almost exactly 20 years after Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche gave his last major teachings in the West.

In welcoming Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche to Lerab Ling, Sogyal Rinpoche said: “At Prapoutel in 1990 I requested Khyentse Rinpoche to return and he promised that he would. We have been waiting ever since. And now today, that promise has come true. This is why it is so incredibly moving, and meaningful, Rinpoche, to welcome you here today.”

Each day was packed with opportunities to remember Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and to hear about the incredible amount he accomplished in the service of the Buddha's teachings.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche shared stories of the time
he spent with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Photo: Jens Arnoul

Rabjam Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche both shared their own memories of Khyentse Rinpoche, and Matthieu Ricard showed photographs that he took during his time with Khyentse Rinpoche.

There was a screening of Brilliant Moon, the recent film made by Neten Chokling Rinpoche about Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's life, as well as an exhibition of some of the relics and artefacts that belonged to Khyentse Rinpoche, including relics of the Buddha.

Matthieu Ricard shows a selection
of his photographs in the temple.
Photo: Jon Schmidt

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's travels will now take him to Portugal, Croatia, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia before the centenary celebrations conclude at Bodhgaya, India in December.

As he prepared to leave, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche said: "I won't forget to come back again to Lerab Ling."

For more photos of the visit, click here.

1000's tune in to Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's Public Talk

2010-07-23T11:45:00.002+02:00

On 18th July, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche gave a public teaching to over 1,500 Rigpa students, guests and members of the general public who gathered in the temple at Lerab Ling, together with Rabjam Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche. Many thousands more watched via live video streaming in 23 Rigpa centres around the world, and in their homes.

Rinpoche taught on The Lineage of Good Heart and shared some key points from the teachings that he follows in his own life.

Khyentse Yansgi Rinpoche is conducting his first tour in the West. For the complete tour dates click here.

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche Arrives at Lerab Ling

2010-07-18T09:09:00.000+02:00

Yesterday afternoon Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche arrived at Lerab Ling to a traditional welcome. More than 1,000 students gathered along the road to the temple to greet him with white scarves.

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche arriving at Lerab Ling with Rabjam Rinpoche (behind), Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche (far right) and Namkha Rinpoche (far left)

Today (Sunday 18th) his Public Talk will be video streamed live in English, French, German and Spanish. Everyone is welcome to join in for free at: http://videostreaming.rigpa.org Tune in at 3pm (Paris time).

Sogyal Rinpoche greets Yangsi Rinpoche as Rabjam Rinpoche looks on.

(Photos courtesy by Jonker Burger)

His Holiness Sakya Trizin at Rigpa Berlin

2010-07-16T20:03:00.003+02:00

On 3 July 2010, His Holiness Sakya Trizin arrived at Rigpa's centre in Berlin to a traditional welcome.

Photo by Alexander Lauber

Photo by Jana Biedka

In the evening he gave taught on the Six Paramitas to nearly 300 students from different Buddhist groups, and to people new to Buddhism. At the same time, more than 20 Rigpa centres around the world joined the teaching via live video streaming.

Over the next two days His Holiness bestowed a very special Vajrakilaya empowerment of the Khön lineage.

L-R: Rangdrol Rinpoche, Tulku Pema, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Photo by Alexander Lauber

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, Rangdrol Rinpoche and Tulku Pema were also in Berlin and came to the Rigpa centre to offer their respects to His Holiness and to receive the empowerment.

Photo by Ane Damcho Drolma

His Holiness Sakya Trizin is the throne holder of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. He also is the 41st patriarch of the Khön lineage which dates back to 1073. He is a childhood friend of Sogyal Rinpoche and he regularly gives teachings and empowerments to the Rigpa Sangha.

Less than a week to go! Free Video Stream, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's Public Teaching

2010-07-13T10:03:00.005+02:00

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche at the opening celebrations for Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's Centenary, Nepal, February 2010

Hope you can all tune in to Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's Public Talk, The Lineage of Good Heart.

WHEN: 18 July 2010, 3pm (Paris time).

WHERE: Simply go to: http://videostreaming.rigpa.org for free video streaming.

Streaming will be in English, French, Spanish and German.

World Cup Winner Inspired by Tibetan Buddhism

2010-07-13T10:00:00.000+02:00

One of the members of Spain's World Cup-winning football team has a keen interest in Tibetan Buddhism which began when he read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.

Carles Puyol was part of the Spain side that beat the Netherlands 1-0 after extra-time on Sunday to win the World Cup for the first time.

According to a report on phayul.com, Ven. Thupten Wangchen, of the Casa del Tibet in Barcelona, told the Voice of America that “Puyol’s interest in Tibetan culture and Buddhism started after reading Sogyal Rinpoche’s book, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, which helped him deal with death of a family member.”

Puyol, who plays his club football for Barcelona, met the Dalai Lama when His Holiness visited the Spanish city in 2007.

Ven. Wangchen (pictured above on the right) added that Puyol has a Tibetan tattoo on his left arm which reads 'Power is inside the Mind. The strong can endure.'

To read the report on phayul.com, click here.

Sogyal Rinpoche Teaches in Mexico City

2010-07-13T09:30:00.003+02:00

At the invitation of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and in the context of the celebrations of the centenary of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche gave public talks for more than 1,000 people in Mexico City on 30 June and 1 July.

Rinpoche's visit to Mexico was an exciting and moving event for many, as The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying has already had an enormous impact and appeal in this country. The publisher of the book in Mexico expressed the feeling of many participants when he said the visit was like 'a dream come true'.

On this joyful occasion, Rinpoche's teachings transmitted the heart of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, with its profound wisdom on how to understand life and living, and how to approach death and dying.

Report by Javier Torales. Photographs courtesy of Shechen Mexico.

Grand Opening For Tenzin Gyatso Institute

2010-07-11T15:15:00.004+02:00

The Tenzin Gyatso Institute, founded by Sogyal Rinpoche in order to advance, explore and put into action the values and principles that His Holiness the Dalai Lama holds closest to his heart, has entered an exciting new phase in its work.

Last month, about 500 people travelled from across North America, as well as Mexico and Europe, for the opening celebrations at the Institute’s home, Tongnyi Nyingjé Ling—the ‘Center for Wisdom and Compassion’—in upstate New York.

The highlight was the open day on 19 June, when Sogyal Rinpoche was joined by Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Lobsang Nyandak, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Rinchen Dharlo and Daniel Goleman (all pictured above) in a number of talks and teachings.

Sogyal Rinpoche spoke about Tibet’s Buddhist ‘culture of compassion’ and how its practices can transform our lives. Lodi Gyari Rinpoche (right), HH the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy and a principal advisor to the Institute, explained ‘why the Tenzin Gyatso Institute matters’; and Lobsang Nyandak, the Dalai Lama’s representative to the Americas, offered support to help the Institute become a place of pilgrimage and a centre of activity for Tibetan and Himalayan people living in North America.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche (right) spoke eloquently about the benefits meditation can bring to our busy lives, and Daniel Goleman shared recent scientific research into the effects of meditation and compassion training on the brain. Rinchen Dharlo, the President of the Tibet Fund, joined the other speakers in paying tribute to the Dalai Lama, and highlighting the importance of the values that he embodies.

The Tenzin Gyatso Institute’s President, Patrick Gaffney, said the Institute would strive to make a real contribution in three fields that reflect HH the Dalai Lama's principal areas of concern: education, religious harmony and compassionate social action. He outlined the scope of the Institute’s programmes, and gave an extremely warm welcome to the Tibetan and Himalayan people present.

The audience included 100 Tibetans and people from the Himalayan region now living in America. Many were moved by the presentations, and the audience roared its appreciation when Tenzin Kunsel, a talented young singer (in the main photo at the top of the page), offered a Tibetan musical presentation. There was also an unveiling of the longest scroll of Tibetan calligraphy in the world.

With the support of local residents, Sogyal Rinpoche and Lodi Gyari Rinpoche opened a public trail that will enable people in the region to enjoy the beauty of the land. In the presence of local dignitaries and officials, Sogyal Rinpoche offered his gratitude for the help and encouragement that the Institute has received from the community.

During the weekend, it was announced that the inaugural class of Tenzin Gyatso Scholars will enrol in American universities in the autumn of 2010. Nine specially chosen Tibetan monastic scholars will journey from India to engage in one or two year-long courses of study in neuroscience, biology, physics, psychology and philosophy.

The aim of the initiative is to help broaden the base of education within the Tibetan Buddhist monastic system, enriching the tradition and shaping the emergence of a group of Tibetan men and women capable of taking on leadership roles in monasteries, in society or in government. At the same time, these scholars will be better equipped to communicate the teaching of Buddha in an accessible, effective and beneficial way in the wider world.

Six scholars, who will attend Emory University in Atlanta, were blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a special audience in Dharamsala, India in June. The other scholars, who will attend Hampshire College in Massachusetts, were personally selected by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

Over the coming months and years, the Tenzin Gyatso Institute will aim to provide an environment where Tibetan and Himalayan people can meet and continue their religious and cultural traditions. It will also develop ways to make the Buddhist teachings on ‘training the mind’ in compassion (lojong in Tibetan) available to the widest possible audience, and specifically to leaders from business, government, education, the arts and the helping professions. Tongnyi Nyingjé Ling runs weekly meditation courses, and spiritual care and traditional Buddhist education programmes are being developed.

For more information on the Tenzin Gyatso Institute, click here.

All photographs by Barbara Mullin.

Save the date: Free Live Video Stream: Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche: Public Talk, 18 July 2010, 3pm (Paris Time)

2010-07-09T09:49:00.001+02:00

On 18 July 2010, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will give a Public Talk, The Lineage of a Good Heart, during his visit to Lerab Ling, Sogyal Rinpoche's main retreat centre in France.

This teaching will be video streamed live and for free in English, French, German and Spanish.

Everyone is welcome to join.

Simply go to: http://videostreaming.rigpa.org

Details
Date: 18 July 2010
Time: 3pm, Paris time (GMT+2)
Video streaming website: http://videostreaming.rigpa.org
More information: http://www.lerabling.org OR http://www.rigpa.org

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who was one the greatest spiritual teachers of our time. A number of special gatherings, teachings and events have been arranged this year to celebrate his life and remarkable accomplishments, and to introduce his incarnation, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, to the world.

For more information about the tour and the anniversary celebrations, go to:
http://web.me.com/vsandoval/Shechen_News/2010_Centennial_Celebrations.html

Happy Birthday Your Holiness!

2010-07-06T20:37:00.001+02:00

On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Lerab Ling, Rigpa's retreat centre in the South of France, a group of musicians gives a rendition of a prayer for the Long Life of His Holiness based on a traditional Tibetan chant.

Free Streaming of Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's Public Talk at Lerab Ling, 18 July 2010

2010-07-05T06:59:00.000+02:00

In fewer than 10-days time, Lerab Ling will welcome Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche for the first time. Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche is, of course, the incarnation of the great Tibetan master Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who was one of Sogyal Rinpoche's root teachers.

On 18 July 2010, at 3pm (Paris time) Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will give a Public Talk, which will be video streamed live and for free. Anyone can join in.

Simply go to: http://videostreaming.rigpa.org

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's visit to Lerab Ling, Rigpa's main retreat centre, is part of his world-wide tour, which coincides with celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's birth.

The centenary celebrations began in Nepal earlier this year and will continue throughout the year with different events and teachings. See the full programme of events here.

And you can read about the opening celebrations in Nepal on this blog here.

Why is Sangha so Important? Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche Explains at Rigpa Berlin Centre

2010-07-01T06:34:00.003+02:00

On 26 June, 2010, under a brilliant blue sky, Dzongsar Khyenste Rinpoche arrived at Rigpa's centre in Berlin, to give a morning teaching to students from different Buddhist schools.

He taught on the importance of Sangha, one of the 'Three Jewels' (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), to over 200 people gathered in front of the 3-metre high Buddha statue in the Centre's main assembly room.

Rinpoche also taught on the practice of Tendrel Nyesel.

To read more about Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, go to: www.siddharthasintent.org

Celebrating the Return - Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche visits Lerab Ling 17-22 July

2010-06-23T18:48:00.000+02:00

In just a few weeks time, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, the incarnation of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, will visit Lerab Ling as part of his first world tour. This tour coincides with the worldwide centenary celebrations of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's birth, which began in Nepal earlier this year.

You can read about the opening celebrations, which were attended by many lamas including Sogyal Rinpoche, here.

Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will be teaching and giving empowerments over 5 days (17-22 July) during the annual All Mandala Retreat at Lerab Ling.

His public talk, The Lineage of Good Heart, (18th July), will be video-streamed live and for free via the internet.

For details about the visit, how to register and how to follow the video-streaming, go to www.lerabling.org

More news from Rigpa’s Tibetan Translator Training Programme

2010-06-22T06:58:00.002+02:00

Namdroling Monastery (Photo courtesy of www.namdroling.org)

Rigpa's Shedra, or study college, has been steadily educating a small group of students in Buddhist philosophy, the art of traditional Tibetan debate and Tibetan language, first in the West, at Dzogchen Beara and Lerab Ling and, since 2006, in Nepal under the guidance of Khenpo Namdrol, one of the most senior Nyingma khenpos.

The curriculum is designed with a view to supporting the needs of the wider Rigpa Sangha, complementing the teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche and also the courses offered in Rigpa centres throughout the world. It is entirely non-sectarian, and features the most important writings of the great Indian and Tibetan masters, including works on both sutra and tantra. The teachers providing commentary on these texts are highly qualified khenpos and acharyas. Additional teachings and guidance are also sought from many of the lamas connected with the Rigpa sangha. In addition to studying the most important classical writings, students have the option to study the Tibetan language, and all the major and minor sciences studied by the panditas of India and Tibet, including the history of Buddhism in India and Tibet, Tibetan medicine, astrology, grammar (according to the main Tibetan grammar treatises), poetry and arts and crafts.

Now the Shedra is offering its own intensive Tibetan translator training programme. The first group of students in the programme started in May at Namdroling Monastery, in the south of India.

Namdroling, the largest Nyingma center in the world, was established by the His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, and is home to over 4,000 monks and nuns and, currently, eight Rigpa students.

Rita Ives, who is one of these students, reports from Namdroling.

Together with our instructor, we are now fully immersing ourselves in Tibetan language. Our daily classes include classical Tibetan, colloquial Tibetan with monks and nuns for tutors, and listening comprehension with a Khenpo.

We also have the chance to participate in some of the life of the monastery, especially the main practice and anniversary days in the Tibetan calendar. Recently, we gathered for the anniversary of Mipham Rinpoche, a great master and writer in the Nyingma tradition.

On this evening, the entire community, monastic and lay, gathered to practice, offer kataks (ceremonial white scarves) under a thangka of Mipham Rinpoche. At the end of the evening, the monks held a traditional debate in honour of Mipham Rinpoche.

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche leads Rigpa students on a Pilgrimage to Skellig Island

2010-06-14T17:14:00.000+02:00

On 28 May 2010, on his way to Dzogchen Beara to lead a weekend retreat, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche led a pilgrimage of 40 Rigpa Sangha members to Skellig Michael, a rocky and steep island that is the site of an ancient Christian monastic settlement, 9 miles off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland.

Also in the group were representatives from Glenstall Abbey who welcomed Rinpoche onto the island with a Greek blessing (a language that the Skellig Island monks would have used) and sang a prayer of blessing from the celtic Christian tradition.

At the top of the island, amongst the ancient walls of the monastery's beehive huts, Rinpoche lead a practice of Riwo Sangchö.

During the retreat which followed at Dzogchen Beara, entitled Awakening the Mind, Softening the Heart, Rinpoche stressed the importance of strong faith, confidence and perseverance on the path of meditation for which the blessings of the environment is very helpful. He said:

Skellig Michael is a great example. For 600 years many great monks lived in these minimal, primitive conditions for a higher purpose, for a higher cause and have definitely had great results. I am sure many saints came from there. To visit this place is a great experience for us now, even after so many centuries, it has the power to inspire us. Ireland has a lot of great places like that, in the western world it is very unique.

(Story, Matt Padwick, Photos courtesy of Veronica Nicholson)

Khenpo Pema Sherab at Rigpa Shedra West

2010-06-09T17:34:00.007+02:00

Khenpo Pema Sherab, one of the seniormost khenpos in the Nyingma tradition, recently taught at the Rigpa Shedra West at Lerab Ling (26 May-6 June) on Mipham Rinpoche's Beacon of Certainty. Khenpo Pema Sherab is well known to Rigpa's Shedra students, having also taught them in Nepal at Rigpa Shedra East in 2008. He also visited Lerab Ling in August 2009 during the Three Year Retreat. On that occasion he taught on Longchenpa's Thirty Pieces of Advice from the Heart.
Read more on the Rigpa Shedra website

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche at Shedra West 2010: Teachings Now Online

2010-05-23T11:37:00.006+02:00

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

2010-05-14T09:17:00.000+02:00

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

2010-05-13T16:29:00.004+02:00

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

2010-05-07T06:19:00.000+02:00

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

Springtime in Paris - Sogyal Rinpoche Teaches in the Rigpa Centre

2010-04-30T12:37:00.002+02:00

Astrid Hubert, from the Paris Sangha, reports on Sogyal Rinpoche's recent visit to Rigpa's Paris Centre:

On the first warm days of Spring, Rinpoche came to Paris and taught for four days in the Rigpa Centre, to a rather new crowd who chose to leave the sun outside for the chance to spend the weekend receiving precious Dharma teachings.

Sogyal Rinpoche taught on the mind and on meditation.

On Sunday, there was a surprise visit from Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Special Envoy.

He arrived just as Sogyal Rinpoche was sharing a remarkable video teaching on meditation given by Dudjom Rinpoche, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche's own root teacher, to Rigpa students in London in 1979. Dudjom Rinpoche was also one of Sogyal Rinpoche's beloved teachers.

On the screen you can see Dudjom Rinpoche teaching in London in 1979, while Sogyal Rinpoche translates (right side of screen).

Gyari Rinpoche gave us some powerful and moving heart advice on appreciating our good fortune at having met the Dharma and being able to understand it, and the importance of always remembering this and being thankful for it.

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche - The new head of the Nyingma School

2010-04-26T20:14:00.000+02:00

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche has accepted the position of the new head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The previous head, Kyabje Minling Trichen Rinpoche, passed away in 2008, and so it fell to his monastery, Mindrolling, to initiate the process of deciding the next head of the Nyingmas.

You can read about the process by which Trulshik Rinpoche came to be the new head on the Mindrolling website.

(Photo courtesy of Raphaele Demandre)

Greening Dzogchen Beara

2010-04-23T10:45:00.000+02:00

Dzogchen Beara, Rigpa's retreat centre in Cork, Ireland, was pleased to take part in National Tree Week (7th - 13th March 2010), an annual event organised by the Tree Council of Ireland. The theme was ‘Twenty Ten – Plant Again’. The aim of National Tree Week is to raise awareness about trees and to encourage local communities to participate.

We were delighted to be offered two Rowan, four hawthorn, three oak and three ash saplings which were all placed around the car park and welcome area to shade and shelter future guests as they arrive at Dzogchen Beara!

In the preceding months we planted 200 pines and 150 broadleaves, and miscellaneous others that we had propagated ourselves.

Karen O'Neill (Head Gardener) and Noel O'Sullivan planting the trees

Dzogchen Beara thanks West Cork Development Partnership, Coillte, Glenmore Forestry Services, Green Belt Limited, Cork County Council (Southern and Western Divisions) and Hosford’s Garden Centre for their help and co-operation.

To support tree planting and other green and sustainability initiatives at Dzogchen Beara, go to: Rigpa Ireland site

1,500 People visit Lerab Ling on Open Day

2010-04-23T09:59:00.000+02:00

Last Sunday, Lerab Ling held it's annual Open Day. More than 1,500 people visited.

Under bright spring sunshine they roamed all over Lerab Ling, visited the different shrine rooms in the temple and retreat chalets. They were also given a tour of Lerab Ling's new renewable energy heating system, as well as other parts of the site.

It is also possible to visit Lerab Ling and take a guided tour of the Temple on Sunday afternoons. For information go to: www.lerabling.org

Help the people of Yushu

2010-04-19T06:47:00.027+02:00

On 14 April, an earthquake, measuring 7.1, struck Kyegundo, which is on the border of the two Tibetan regions, Kham and Amdo, in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The population of this region is 97% Tibetan. It is also one of the poorest and remotest regions in the country.

Current accounts say that the area has been devastated. More than 2,000 people have died so far, and 100's are still missing. 12,000 people are reported injured, many seriously, and 100,000 have been made homeless after their earth and timber houses collapsed. Many of these had been the homes for compulsorily resettled Tibetan nomads.

At an elevation of 4,000m, the people of Yushu now face freezing temperatures in makeshift tents or under blankets in the open. There is also shortage of food, water and basic supplies, and the altitude and the remoteness also make relief and rescue efforts more difficult.

Sogyal Rinpoche is greatly saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquake. Together, with Rigpa students around the world, he continues to pray for those have lost their lives or are injured, and their loved ones.

If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, these charitable organisations would welcome your donation. Both have a well-established presence in the region so they can provide assistance quickly, which is critical. Please be sure to note that your donation is for the relief effort in Yushu.

Tibet Foundation (UK) and The Bridge Fund (US)

(Photos courtesy of the Jinpa Trust)

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche Arrives in Lerab Ling

2010-04-15T06:46:00.003+02:00

The Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche visited Lerab Ling this week and taught Rigpa students on the Four Foundations of Shangpa (the Shangpa Preliminaries).

This text was composed by Tai Situ Rinpoche in 2009 at the request of Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche. It was Tai Situ Rinpoche who recognised this third incarnation of Kalu Rinpoche in 1992 and formally enthroned him as the holder of the Shangpa Kagyü and Dashang Kagyü lineages on 25 February 1993.

Greeting Mayum Tsering Wangmo (Sogyal Rinpoche's mother) at Lerab Ling

In September of 2008 Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche completed his first three-year retreat.

Teaching in the Lerab Ling Temple

This is the Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche's second visit to Lerab Ling. He first visited as a child in 1994, before the temple was built.

Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro teaches at Berlin Rigpa

2010-04-14T15:27:00.000+02:00

Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche recently visited the Rigpa centre in Berlin. This was her second visit. Last year she taught for several days on the “Essence of Buddhism” and “The Path of a Bodhisattva”. This year she gave extraordinary teachings on “The Healing Power of the Mind”.

Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 's teaching style was very direct, warm, humorous and extremely "down to earth". She covered the Buddhist view of healing and suffering and presented the method of meditation essentially - making it completely accessible to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

She explained how meditation and self-reflection can help to access the healing power of one’s own mind and that everything depends on our determination and how we put the teachings into action. She encouraged the audience to start immediately with little things and to do it in every single moment.

In the afternoon Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche met the Rigpa Sangha and the residents of the Rigpa Centre in Berlin. She gave advice and shared her experiences about how to build a genuine Dharma community and encouraged us to put all our effort into practising compassion amongst each other and to truly embody the Buddha Dharma.

About 200 people attended the teachings.

Biography

Khandro Rinpoche Tsering Paldrön (b.1967) is the eldest daughter of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Künzang Wangyal, the 11th Mindrolling throne holder of the renowned Mindrolling lineage. The Mindrolling lineage is one of the six main Nyingma Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

She was recognized at the age of two by the 16th Karmapa as the reincarnation of the great dakini of Tsurphu, Khandro Ugyen Tsomo, one of the most renowned female masters of her time.

Khandro Rinpoche began receiving teachings and transmissions from a very young age from some of the most accomplished and revered Tibetan masters of the twentieth century, such as His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, her father, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Kyabje Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche and Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche.

She holds the lineages of both the Nyingma and Kagyü traditions and teaches all over the world.

(Photos courtesy of Viktoria von Flemming)

Announcing the new Rigpa News Blog in French

2010-04-13T09:24:00.000+02:00

We now have a Rigpa news blog in French. It's called Rigpa Actualités and you can find it at www.rigpa-actualites.blogspot.com

Rigpa Actualités has news reports

If you would like to contribute news, in French, from your local Rigpa centre, including photos, or make a suggestion, we would love to hear from you. Just email us at rigpa.news@rigpa.org

You can also leave comments on the blog about anything you read there.

Nous avons le plaisir d'annoncer que Rigpa News est désormais disponible en français. Rigpa Actualités propose des traductions d'articles publiés sur Rigpa News ainsi que des reportages qui s'adressent plus spécifiquement au Sangha de Rigpa francophone.

Nous invitons tous les membres du Sangha francophones à soumettre des articles sur leur centre local et ses événements accompagnés de photos, ainsi que toute activité des membres du Sangha qui mérite d'être partagée, des réflexions et des informations sur le bouddhisme, les enseignements et Sogyal Rinpoché.

Nous sommes impatients de recevoir vos articles, photos et suggestions. Envoyez-les à rigpa.news@rigpa.org

À bientôt!

L'équipe de Rigpa News et de Rigpa Actualités

Sogyal Rinpoche gives Tendrel Nyesel Empowerment to Rigpa students around the world

2010-04-12T14:36:00.000+02:00

At the end of his annual Easter retreat in Haileybury, UK, Sogyal Rinpoche gave the empowerment of Tendrel Nyesel.

The empowerment was video-streamed live to Rigpa centres around the world so that, in addition to those attending the retreat at Haileybury, 1,500 of Sogyal Rinpoche's students were able to receive the empowerment in Lerab Ling and in their local centres.

(Photos courtesy of Graham Price)

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche teaching in Montpellier

2010-03-17T11:53:00.005+01:00

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche:

"I am not creating some new Dharma. I might have a new face and new body but the Dharma is the same."

This year students in the West will see the emergence of a whole new generation of teachers. Amongst others, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi and Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche are preparing for their international teaching tours, including a number of events at Rigpa centres.

Each of them an incarnation of a great master from the last century, it is amazing to see how quickly they are making a mark as teachers in their own right. While their predecessors might have been somewhat startled by the peculiarities of modern, western life, this group of young lamas are fully up to the challenge. Raised by English-speaking tutors and just as familiar with Playstation as they are with Madhyamika philosophy, they transmit the teachings of the Buddha in ways both authentic and accessible.

Last week Lama Sonam and Kagyu Rinchen Choling hosted Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche's public talk in Montpellier, near Rigpa's main centre of Lerab Ling in France. A number of Rigpa's monastic and lay community attended the teaching. They had the opportunity to meet Kalu Rinpoche after the talk, and to express both Sogyal Rinpoche and the sangha's excitement about his visit to Lerab Ling next month.

The Montpellier event is part of Kalu Rinpoche's first European tour since finishing a three year retreat in 2008, and he will teach at around 30 centres during this three-month tour. Kalu Rinpoche's teaching style was direct, warm and very natural. He covered a wide range of topics including bodhichitta, devotion, lineage, meditation, karma and motivation - making them completely accessible to both Buddhist and non Buddhists alike. Even though the words seemed clear and simple, one could feel a much deeper and direct teaching underlying!

When speaking about the motivation of bodhichitta, Kalu Rinpoche described 'all sentient beings' as an extension of our family. We simply need to extend the love and care we show our family to all sentient beings. 'All sentient beings' are just our family! As if hinting about the need for us to recognize our Buddha Nature, he referred again and again to 'being natural' and 'being yourself'.

Join us for Kalu Rinpoche's visit to Lerab Ling from 12 - 14 April where he will teach on the Four Foundations of Shangpa (the Shangpa Preliminaries). This text was composed by Tai Situ Rinpoche in 2009 at the request of Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche, so it is an incredible opportunity to receive teachings on this new text from the holder of the lineage! This event is open to all. For more information and to register visit the Lerab Ling website.

The previous Kalu Rinpoche during a teaching at Rigpa Paris in 1983

Rigpa Berlin - Recent Events

2010-03-13T22:33:00.000+01:00

Recently, Rigpa's Berlin centre hosted one of Rigpa's senior student teachers, Andrew Warr, who led a weekend of teachings on loving kindness and compassion according to Tibetan Buddhism, presenting Sogyal Rinpoche's teachings and guiding students through the practices themselves.

About 100 students attended, coming from as far away as the Czech Republic.

For more information about Rigpa activities in Berlin, go to the website of the Rigpa Berlin Centre (in English and German).

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Centennial Celebrations Begin

2010-03-01T12:20:00.008+01:00

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The celebrations commenced on 20 February with a three-day programme at Dilgo Khyentse’s Shechen Monastery, near the Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The festivities began with a traditional procession of lamas carrying sacred relics and personal artifacts of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. It seemed like every great master you could think of was there: Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s incarnation Khyentse Yangsi, Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, all of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s sons (Chökyi Nyima, Tsikey Chokling, Tsoknyi and Mingyur Rinpoche), Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Yangsi, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, and of course Sogyal Rinpoche, as well as many other rinpoches, lamas, khenpos and monks.

For three days, the assembly practised a Rimé Guru Yoga composed by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. On the evening of the first day, under a starry Kathmandu sky, more than a thousand people gathered in the courtyard of Shechen Monastery to watch a new and incredibly moving film about the life of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, directed by Neten Chokling Rinpoche.

All the buildings were glowing with garlands of light, adding an even more festive touch to the already electrifying atmosphere. Seeing all these amazing images of Khyentse Rinpoche and experiencing the love and devotion his students have, it felt like he was really present.

On the second day, there were performances of sacred dance and devotional songs. On the last day, offerings of body, speech and mind were made by the lamas to Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche (pictured above, and below with Sogyal Rinpoche). In the evening, Rabjam Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s grandson, led a Marmé Mönlam prayer to conclude the celebrations. It was so inspiring to see how Khyentse Rinpoche’s legacy is alive and thriving, and how his wishes are being fulfilled by Rabjam Rinpoche.

As part of this year's celebrations, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will visit several countries where his predecessor taught. Khyentse Yangsi and the sacred relics of Dilgo Khyentse will come to Lerab Ling this summer during the All Mandala Retreat, which begins on 14 July.

Report by Verena Pfeiffer. Photos by Jurek Schreiner.

Ato Rinpoche visits the Rigpa London Centre

2010-02-28T21:30:00.000+01:00

Recently, Ato Rinpoche, nephew of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and a great master of Mahamudra and Dzogchen, taught at Rigpa's London centre. A student reflects on the special evening.

After trekking across London carrying my friend’s massive harp (a remnant of a gig that we had just played) I staggered into the London Rigpa centre at 1 minute to 7 o’ clock and only just managed to get a cushion in the far right corner of the shrine room. I felt rushed and unprepared for the teachings, but soon my mind settled just like the glass of muddy water to which the teachings of the Buddha so often refer, and my long journey was quickly forgotten.

After a brief introduction to Ato Rinpoche’s lineage and upbringing (his uncle was the great Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche) the man himself glided into the room with a grace that belied his years. Then with a gentle voice, with fitting touch of middle England in the accent, Ato Rinpoche began to teach. He told us that he would teach "from the ground, not from the air", beginning with a reflection on the foundations of Dharma practice - meditation, the Four Thoughts (that turn the mind towards the Dharma, ie precious human birth, impermanence, karma and the suffering of samsara) and being in the present moment, rather than worrying too much about the past or the future.

He then started teaching on one of Milarepa's songs of realisation, the main topic of the evening. Milarepa, an 11th century yogi, is one of Tibet's most famous and well loved saints. He endured many great hardships in his pursuit of the teachings of the Buddha and gained great spiritual realisation. Ato Rinpoche reminded us that “the spiritual path is not easy, and whatever suffering is encountered must be faced”.

All too quickly, the teaching was concluded and our time with this extraordinary teacher came to an end. As usual, we dedicated the merit of the wonderful evening for the benefit of all beings, and with the wish that Ato Rinpoche would return again soon.
(Charlie Morley)

For information about Rigpa's activities in London and the UK, go to:

www.rigpa.co.uk

Losar Tashi Delek - Photos from the day at Lerab Ling

2010-02-27T20:49:00.000+01:00

This year Losar, Tibetan New Year, which fell on 14 February, was a bright and sunny day at Lerab Ling. About 170 students gathered in the Lerab Ling temple for a full day of practice and celebration.

Wishing Mayum Tsering Wangmo (Sogyal Rinpoche's mother) Losar Tashi Delek (happy new year).

On the same day, a week-long Vajrakilaya drupcho (practice intensive) was completed and the siddhis from the practice distributed.

The Lerab Ling ducks also enjoyed the day

(All photos courtesy of Jonker Burger)

Lerab Ling Goes Green, Adopts New Environmental Principles

2010-02-20T17:00:00.032+01:00

The Lerab Ling community is the custodian for a small, beautiful piece of land on the remote Larzac plateau in Southern France. As the custodian, it has a responsibility to protect this unique environment, and many steps have been taken in recent years to do just this. But the community, like each and everyone of us, also has a wider responsibility - what His Holiness the Dalai Lama refers to as a 'universal responsibility' - to protect the environment and respond to climate change. His Holiness always emphasises the need for us to develop this kind of responsibility while acting personally for the benefit of all beings and future generations.

Many other Buddhist masters have also emphasized how important it is to become more aware of environmental issues, and to make a real change in our personal and collective behaviour.

The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa said:

We humans have already done such immense damage to the environment that it is almost beyond our power to heal it. The challenge is far more complex and extensive than Buddhists can tackle alone. However, we can take a lead, and to do so we must educate and inform ourselves. This is the time when our pure aspirations and our bodhisattva activity must come together. Good wishes alone are not enough to bring about change. We have to assume active responsibility.

And, as Sogyal Rinpoche said recently: “We urgently need the vision and the courage to overcome our narrow, selfish interests. Our old attitudes and shortsighted ways of treating people and the planet have to change: they have brought us suffering, and they lie at the root of both the economic crisis and the destruction of the environment.”

In September, Rinpoche joined many other Buddhist teachers in signing the Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change, which was presented at the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009. The declaration is a commitment to help reduce the world's 'carbon footprint' so that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere falls from its current level of around 390 parts per million (ppm) to 350ppm, which is increasingly being accepted as the maximum level to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted.

Recognising its responsibility and, as Buddhists, the need to lead by example, Lerab Ling has made many changes to the way it governs its land and buildings and its patterns of consumption and use of resources. And, for the first time, it has also adopted the following six environmental principles which will guide all its future activities:

1. Integrating environmental sustainability and climate change responses in all our policy making;
2. Implementing energy efficiency measures and maximizing the use of renewable energy;
3. Adopting environmentally friendly design, products and building materials;
4. Supporting sustainable food production;
5. Protecting Lerab Ling’s environment—its air, water, land, flora and fauna;
6. Implementing best waste management—the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.

As Sogyal Rinpoche has said:

We have to put our minds and hearts together, with vision and with courage, for the future good of humanity.

Israeli sangha gather for annual Rigpa retreat

2010-02-11T11:39:00.018+01:00

More than 60 people from all over Israel gathered last weekend at Kibbutz Kadarim, in the north of of the country, for the annual Israeli Rigpa retreat.

There were established students of Sogyal Rinpoche, newcomers who learned about meditation for the first time, and others who follow and practice other Buddhist traditions or religions, such as Judaism.

The teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche were presented by Andrew Warr, a Rigpa senior instructor. This was Andrew's sixth visit to Israel to hold the annual retreat.

Last year, the retreat was on "Loving Kindness". This year, Sogyal Rinpoche's recent teachings on the Profound methods of bringing forth the Nature of Mind were shared. It was marvelous to see how this series of teachings brought the deepest meaning of meditation to an audience regardless of the level of their experience. Many were deeply touched and inspired, some moved to tears several times.

One participant said: “Rinpoche's teachings are so vast and deep, that even if the next retreat would be identical to this one, I would still learn so much from it”.

Another student, who had studied meditation in other traditions, remarked how tremendously helpful this retreat was for him. He said that even though he had studied many meditation methods in the past, this time he understood the deeper meaning of what meditation is, and its profound purpose.

About Rigpa Israel
Rigpa Israe l started more than 10 years ago. Although still a small group, it has developed over the years and there are now a number of students following Rigpa's Home Retreat and some who have just returned from Lerab Ling, Rigpa's main retreat centre, where they completed a three year retreat.

There are two groups that meet in Israel, one in Jerusalem and one in Zichron Yaakov. Next month the group hopes to hold its first Rigpa Youth event, hopefully to be followed by many more.

Even though the Rigpa Israel group is still quite small, Sogyal Rinpoche's book, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, available in Hebrew, is widely known in Israel and is read by many. It is a source of inspiration to people of all traditions, especially when facing death and sickness, and in a part of the world where there is so much suffering.

To contact Rigpa Israel, go to www.rigpa.il

(Story by Eszter Hoffman)

Who do Buddhists pray to? Sogyal Rinpoche explains

2010-02-04T16:05:00.000+01:00

Sogyal Rinpoche explains how prayers work from a Buddhist point of view.

He gave this teaching on 15 December 2009, during his recent visit to Vancouver, Canada.

Lerab Ling launches major renewable energy project

2010-02-01T10:26:00.000+01:00

On 3 December 2009, Lerab Ling officially launched its new renewable energy heating system in the presence of the Mayors of Lodeve and Roqueredonde, other regional officials and local media representatives.

You might wonder why a new heating system is worth reporting, what it has to do with Buddhism and why on earth busy government officials and local media would travel all the way to Lerab Ling on a freezing and rainy day to cut a ribbon. It's because the heater, Lerab Ling's first major renewable energy initiative, is a very important green project, which will significantly cut Lerab Ling's carbon emissions and our contribution to global warming. It is also an inspiration for others in the region to switch to renewable energy.

(L-R) Mme Christine Bouquet, Mayor of Lodève, Mme Béatrice Négrier, representative of the Region Languedoc-Roussillon and M. Jean Reverbel, Mayor of Roqueredonde launch the wood heater

Because it is highly efficient, the new heating system produces almost no ash at all, while reducing the production of both the greenhouse gas, CO2, (350 tons per year) and the acid rain producing SO2 (900kg per year).

It provides 80% of Lerab Ling's heating requirements via 900 metres of underground pipe network and 8 substations dotted around the Lerab Ling site, providing heating and hot water to all the buildings at Lerab Ling, including the temple. It was switched on in September 2009 and has been heating Lerab Ling ever since, keeping everyone warm and cosy during the recent cold snaps.
It uses waste wood, sourced from Lerab Ling and other local forests, reducing fire hazard and improving the sustainability of the forests. The heating system also reduces Lerab Ling's dependence on fossil fuel and will save Lerab Ling up to 50% on its annual heating bill.

It was built with the support of sangha members and grants from regional government agencies.

At the launch, Mme Bouquet, the Mayor of Lodeve, spoke about the very positive contribution Lerab Ling has made to Lodeve and the region. You can watch her speech (in French) here.

As Buddhists, we should lead by example and our understanding of the teachings should be evident in our actions. His Holiness the Dalai Lama always emphasises the need for us all to develop a sense of universal responsibility and to act personally to protect the environment for the benefit of all beings and future generations. He recently said:

I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.

The wood heater is a major step towards addressing our carbon footprint. But there are others the Lerab Ling community plans to take, so stay tuned for updates.

Twenty-One Rigpa retreats: A Report from Myall Lakes, Australia

2010-01-28T12:15:00.017+01:00

This year, Australians celebrated 21 years since Sogyal Rinpoche first began to teach us at Myall Lakes, in New South Wales, Australia.

While he may have made a dent in taming our minds, the animals here remain wild. Retreatants were treated to a whole array of wildlife sightings including dolphins in the surf and a very large and confused goanna dashing through the tent during one of Rinpoche's teachings.

A recording of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was accompanied by the local kookaburras who, apparently realising the illusory nature of everything, burst out laughing. Even Rinpoche was lucky enough to spot a wallaby early one morning breakfasting on the lawn at Blueys.

Of course it is Rinpoche himself we come to see, and this year we once again turned out in record numbers to make the retreat bigger than ever before. Rinpoche gave Dzogchen teachings, and it seemed that everyone, from those who have been attending the Myall Lakes retreat from the beginning, to those who were here for the first time, was blown away by Rinpoche sharing such precious and profound teachings so openly.

No one missed out on the special atmosphere, with Rigpe Yeshe (Rigpa's programme for children and families) having its biggest year so far. As the retreat falls during the Australian summer school holidays it has always had a family atmosphere, and certainly by the pool the children outnumber the adults. While many of the children do attend some of Rinpoche's sessions, they were also lucky enough to have him sit with them and teach them directly. Some excellent questions were asked, including one young boy who wanted Rinpoche's advice on "how to be sensible". (For those who are interested, Rinpoche defined "sensible" as looking both ways before crossing the road).

As the tents are packed away for another year and fond farewells are made, the Australian sangha reflect on just how blessed we are to be able to share this time with Rinpoche every year and pray that he returns for 21 years more at the very least.

(Story by Elena Marie)

Help the people of Haiti

2010-01-22T09:31:00.025+01:00

Avalokiteshvara, Buddha of Compassion
(image courtesy of Lama Tsondru Sangpo)

Here is a letter from a Rigpa sangha member to each and every one of of us.

I am writing about the critical situation the people in Haiti are currently facing.

Haiti is a country I have loved so much. I lived there for 4 years whilst working for the United Nations in the field of human rights and justice, and during that time I got to know so many people who I still hold dear in my heart. Many people, both Haitians and people from different parts of the world, who were dedicated to working for peace.

The capital, Port-au-Prince, has been completely devastated and there are ex colleagues and friends of mine who have lost their lives under the ruins. The situation the people there are now facing is tremendously sad. There are no words to express it.

I think that if we want to do something to help alleviate the suffering in the world, we should try to support Haiti now! Just to look at the situation brings so much pain. I wanted to share this pain with you because the Haitians really need our help.

They need our prayers and our support. They need our compassion to help them find their way to a better future and a more lasting happiness. I am also sure any donations we make now will benefit the people in Haiti.

I really wanted to share this message and encourage people to make prayers and where possible to donate to the relief effort.

One really reliable organization working on the ground in Haiti is the Red Cross, and it is to them that I would recommend making donations.

The Red Cross is among the first to have been able to actually deliver aid since 12 January. The Canadian section of the Red Cross is known to be very effective in Haiti in times of disaster; both because of the geographic proximity of the two countries and because of the important Haitian community established in Montreal.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross appeal then you can click on the links below.

www.ifrc.org

With all my love

Marie-Claude Nielly

Watch a recent interview with Sogyal Rinpoche at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

2010-01-22T07:51:00.009+01:00

On 15 and 16 December, Sogyal Rinpoche gave two free public talks at the Chan Center for Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Rinpoche taught on Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World, How to Discover Inner Peace and Contentment. On the 16th, he taught to a sold-out audience on The Heart Essence of Tibetan Buddhism, The Profound Method of Meditation for Bringing Forth the Nature of the Mind.

Rinpoche was hosted by the Buddhism in Contemporary Society Program of the Institute of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Watch this interview Sogyal Rinpoche gave at UBC's College for Interdisciplinary Studies, where he spoke about Buddhism as a science of mind and not only a religion.

Some days the sun shines more brightly on the Rigpa Shedra

2010-01-20T11:11:00.013+01:00

(L-R) Khenpo Pasang, Richard Gere, Khenpo Namdrol Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Khenpo Sonam Tobten, and Ani Samten Palmo, with some of the Rigpa Shedra East students

The life of Rigpa Shedra students is mostly study and practice, but there are some days that shine especially bright. One such day came in the second week of January when a very special teacher, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and a celebrity student, Richard Gere, came to the Penor Rinpoche Retreat center in Pharping, Nepal, where the shedra is held, and visited both its students and its illustrious khenpo, Khenpo Namdrol Rinpoche.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche took advantage of the visit to encourage Rigpa students in their studies. “I'm happy to see you studying and practicing to be able to hold the authentic Buddha Dharma. The Western world really needs it,” he said. “Without real human values, life is really plastic.” He also urged students to be steadfast in their commitment, and thoroughly dissipate any doubts about what they are doing.

“I think there is not much danger practicing Buddha Dharma, because the Buddha gave permission to check his teachings based on common sense, and make sure they don't clash with basic morality,” Tsoknyi Rinpoche told the students, “Love and compassion is one pillar, and another is thorough investigation, and another is trust--but trust based on investigation.”

Tsoknyi Rinpoche encouraged students to drop their expectations to achieve something, and just work hard to understand the teachings, as well as nurture their practice. “The goal is to embody the teachings, not just know them,” he said. “Everyone in the world is looking for beautiful, compassionate, honest persons, someone who is like His Holiness.”

He also encouraged students to relax, just breathe out, breathe in, and appreciate their studies in a joyful manner. “From time to time, just drop everything. Go back into the basic space,” he advised. “Don't lose the simple beauty of the Dharma.” As you can see by the smiles on the faces of the students present, his visit had an immediate effect. Richard Gere attended the special class, too, and was as joystruck as the twenty shedra students in attendance.

“If you really become a good practitioner, if you really study hard, I think you might become like Milarepa,” Tsoknyi Rinpoche told the students. “Milarepa was the most fanatical Buddhist. But nice, no? If you really practice hard you'll end up like Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Do you mind? Or you'll end up like Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche—it's OK, no? Just think about those teachers, and dedicate to the practice.”

(Report by Rob Spaulding, a 3^rd year Rigpa Shedra student. Photo by Jurek Schreiner)

See what else the Rigpa Shedra East students have been up to, at www.ripgashedra.org

Learning how to be, Aussie style

2010-01-20T05:35:00.013+01:00

The most laid-back retreat on the Rigpa calendar is taking place this week at Myall Lakes in Australia.

The 10-day retreat with Sogyal Rinpoche is now in its 21^st year, and for a first-time visitor, it is easy to see why the Aussie sangha have never sought out an alternative venue.

Around 500 people are staying here in tents and cabins, and they have been enjoying a double treat: crystal-clear teachings on meditation and the nature of mind, and pretty much the perfect environment.

The campsite sits on a narrow strip of land in northern New South Wales. On one side is a wild beach where swimmers fear to dip their toes, and on the other the vast, tranquil Wallis Lake.

The view from the teaching tent beside the lake is spectacular, and crickets and birds provide the backing vocals for any teaching or practice session. Between sessions, the prospect of a surprise encounter with a goanna, snake or spider is a constant aid to mindfulness.

The title of the retreat is Gaining Confidence in our Innate Wisdom Through the Teaching of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. After leaving behind the snow in London, Rinpoche began teaching on the 17th, and he has already given several profound, experiential teachings.

“The main point is learning how to be," he has repeated again and again. "Meditation is a process of coming to know the nature of your mind. It is the art of learning how to be with your mind.”

Rinpoche has also been sharing teachings from his own masters, including rare video footage of Dudjom Rinpoche teaching on meditation in 1979, when he spent a month at the centre of Dzogchen Orgyen Chöling in north-west London, which was later to become Rigpa.

The retreat ends on the 26^th, Australia Day, and Rinpoche will continue his teaching tour of Australia when he leads a retreat at Tuncurry from 26 February-1 March. He will also give a teaching weekend in Sydney in March, and lead the annual Practical Wisdom retreat for business leaders.

Khenchen Namdrol's Opening Address at Rigpa Shedra East

2010-01-16T00:13:00.007+01:00

Khenchen Namdrol's opening address at this year's Rigpa Shedra East in Nepal is now available for free download as an mp3 from the Rigpa Wiki. In his introduction to this year's text, the "Introduction to the Middle Way" (Skt. Madhyamakāvatāra) by Chandrakirti, he explained how the teachings of the intermediate and final turnings of the Wheel of the Dharma fit together and eventually culminate in the Dzogchen teachings.

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche "defrosts" Rigpa London with teachings on Madhyamika, Mahamudra and Dzogchen

2010-01-12T17:59:00.022+01:00

With the UK in the grip of the biggest ‘cold snap’ since the sixties, we were definitely in need of some antifreeze, and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche ’s visit to Rigpa London certainly supplied the antidote! It was wonderful to see over 150 people in spite of very difficult travelling conditions – and to welcome so many students from different sanghas to the centre.

Surveying the shrine with its magnificent Buddha statue, Rinpoche uttered a ‘wow!’ before doing prostrations and ascending the throne.

The title of the teaching was “The Three Great Views – Madhyamaka, Mahamudra and Dzogchen” which Rinpoche delivered with incredible clarity and precision. Although this involved quite a plethora of Dharma terminology, it was punctuated by some very pithy gems such as the analogy of oxidisation on copper for the stains that obscure our Buddha nature, the phrase “Samsara is mere thought” and Rinpoche, when speaking of emptiness, encouraging us to ‘freak out’ in a good way when we understand that all our thinking is delusional!

When Rinpoche invited questions from the audience we had a real treat as he spoke about his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and a delightful reunion with a man in the audience who had been invited to dinner with the great master’s family in Nepal in 1978 – Rinpoche remembered the man very well, and this inspired him to speak very intimately about the incredible kindness of his mum (Rinpoche’s word!).

To round off the afternoon, Rinpoche spoke very inspiringly on devotion, explaining so movingly why it is that masters display such emotion – perhaps seemingly inappropriately to us – when thinking or speaking of their own teachers. Without them how could we finally ‘quit the habit’ of our afflictive emotions and uncover the Great Compassion that wishes only to bring all sentient beings to the same realisation?

It was a truly fabulous mix of the highest teaching and the warmest and most intimate anecdotes and interactions…thank you Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche… I am certain that like me, everyone left with an inner glow that may even have melted some of the snows around us on our homeward journeys!

(Story by Jim Peters, Photos by Sasha Radovic)

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche visited Rigpa's London centre on 9 January 2010. For information about upcoming Rigpa events and meditation courses in the UK, go to: www.rigpa.org.uk

24th Annual German Retreat at Kirchheim, The End of an Era?

2010-01-07T18:58:00.048+01:00

Rigpa's annual German retreat, held at Kirchheim, possibly for the last time, has just ended. The 10-day retreat (27 December-6 January) was led by Sogyal Rinpoche.

About 750 people attended the retreat and, as usual, they came from all over Europe and the world.

Rinpoche taught on Dzogchen.

Also, his most recent teachings, including from the December retreat in Lake Tahoe, California, were shown so that everyone is up to date with his current teaching cycle. In addition, there were periods for study and reflection and group meditation practice sessions. The wonderful team of Rigpa Instructors, supported by an equally wonderful team behind the scenes, led all of these sessions.

Rinpoche also gave a special teaching to the children, many of whom followed the children's retreat organised by Rigpa's programme for families, Rigpe Yeshe.

On New Year's Day, in a most powerful way to start the new year, Rinpoche taught on, and gave a tendrel nyesel empowerment, which was video-streamed live to Lerab Ling and more than 50 Rigpa centres around the world. The Australian sangha stayed up till 2am for it, and students gathered in Uppsala, Sweden, Montreal, Dzogchen Beara and across Ireland, all over Europe, as well as in Taiwan and the US. All in all, 300 people received the empowerment via the video-streaming.

The German winter retreat has been held at Kirchheim, at the SeePark Hotel, for the past 24 years, but at the end of the retreat Rinpoche said that it is possible that the retreat will be held somewhere else in Germany next time. So, the whole assembly joined him in thanking the manager of the Hotel and all her staff for their extraordinary care in looking after Rigpa for all these years.

A new venue for the retreat has not been chosen yet.

After the retreat, Rinpoche taught for two days in the Paris centre. Next stop for him is Australia and the annual Myall Lakes retreat, which starts this week (16 January). Go to Rigpa Australia's website for information about the Myall Lakes retreat and all of Rinpoche's teaching events in Australia.

Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche - A Great Master Remembered

2010-01-04T21:19:00.004+01:00

His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

Yesterday was the anniversary of Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987), was one of Tibet’s foremost yogins, scholars, and meditation masters, and one of Sogyal Rinpoche's root teachers.

Recognized as the incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904), whose previous incarnations included the greatest masters, yogins and panditas such as Shariputra, Saraha and Khye'u Chung Lotsawa, and considered to be the living representative of Padmasambhava, Dudjom Rinpoche was a great revealer of the ‘treasures’ (terma) concealed by Padmasambhava.

A prolific author and meticulous scholar, Dudjom Rinpoche wrote more than forty volumes, one of the best known of which is his monumental The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its Fundamentals and History. Over the last decade of his life he spent much time teaching in the West, where he helped to establish the Nyingma tradition, founding major centres in France and the United States.

In 1972, 1976 and 1979 Dudjom Rinpoche visited London at the invitation of Sogyal Rinpoche, who travelled with him during his tours of the West as his translator and aide.

In 1979 he spent the whole month of May at the centre of Dzogchen Orgyen Chöling in north-west London, which was later to become Rigpa. He gave public talks, empowerments and teachings in central London, and special instructions to small groups.

Dudjom Rinpoche was undoubtedly a fully realized master, yet, every day he would rise hours before dawn in order to practise; in the mornings he would pray for all those who had taken refuge in him, and in the evenings for those who had died. Continually he prayed that all those who saw him, heard him, came in contact with him or even thought of him would be freed from suffering. He always made a point of being accessible to people from all walks of life, and anyone who had the good fortune to meet him could not fail to be touched by his warmth, simplicity and vivacious sense of humour, as much as they were awed by his presence, deep wisdom and vast learning.

You can read more about this extraodinary master on the Rigpa wiki

Daughters of the Buddha: Reports from the 11th Sakyadhita Conference for Buddhist Women

2009-12-30T18:31:00.014+01:00

A rainbow of robes; nuns and buddhist women from all Buddhist traditions of our world are meeting this week in Vietnam at the 11th Sakyadhita International Conference.

Ane Damcho, a member of Rigpa's monastic community, is attending the conference. You can read her reports and watch video footage from the conference on the new Rigpa monastic blog, Rigpa Vihara.

Video of Lerab Ling in the Snow

2009-12-26T13:25:00.013+01:00

This video was recorded in the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Lerab Ling, France almost exactly a year ago when we had snow for weeks on end. One day a group of three year retreatants were trapped for hours when a rooftop avalanche blocked the exit to their shrine room!

While other areas of Europe reported catastrophic weather, the snow provided ideal conditions for around 200 practitioners in strict retreat. Starting their days between 4am and 5am, all days were spent in silence and meditation, while thick snow turned the whole place into a perfect Himalayan backdrop that made contemplation and meditation almost naturally arise.

As you know, we've had some snow at Lerab Ling already this winter, but the big falls are still to come. Stay tuned.

A belated Merry Christmas from Lerab Ling

2009-12-25T11:29:00.022+01:00

Mayum Tsering Wangmo, Khandro Tsering Chodron, Sogyal Rinpoche (L-R) and Namkha Rinpoche

It's a little bit late, but here are a few photos from Christmas which was, as usual, celebrated at Lerab Ling in grand festive style.

Sogyal Rinpoche, Namkha Rinpoche, who was visiting Lerab Ling for Christmas, as well as Sogyal Rinpoche's mother, Mayum Tsering Wangmo, and Khandro Tsering Chodron, were there along with more than 100 friends and students.

Namkha Rinpoche

The Lerab Ling choir sang beautifully and a joyous time was had by all.

Winter Scenes at Lerab Ling

2009-12-24T09:00:00.000+01:00

Guru Rinpoche statue and stupa in front of the Lerab Ling temple

A light dusting of snow confirms that winter has truly descended on Lerab Ling. The last of Guru Rinpoche's lake has frozen over, and the waterfall turned to ice seemingly overnight.

Gone are the crowds of three year retreatants, replaced with a soft silence punctuated every so often by the sound of the choir practising Christmas carols.

For the small number continuing their retreat over the winter, the cold wind is excellent encouragement to stay warm indoors practising. For the rest of us, there is an atmosphere of transition as we readjust to a more public Lerab Ling post three year retreat. The stillness that comes with our reduced numbers does not mean that we are in hibernation.

Workers now join the small but dedicated group of practising students living at Lerab Ling for daily practices, and the local sangha join for special tsok days twice a month. This coming together has enhanced the strong sense of community here, keeping us all cosy as we gather in the temple on chilly mornings or in the dining hall for a cup of tea.

Preparations are well underway for the Christmas meditation retreat at Lerab Ling (26 December-1 January), not to mention Christmas itself. Everyone seems as busy as ever!

(Story by Elena Marie)

Sogyal Rinpoche meets His Holiness Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche in Seattle

2009-12-21T10:13:00.055+01:00

His Holiness Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche (L) and Sogyal Rinpoche, Seattle, USA

Following his annual 10-day retreat on the West Coast of the US, Sogyal Rinpoche travelled to Seattle where he taught for two days at Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's Nalandabodhi centre on Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World. He also gave a public talk to a sold-out crowd at the Sakya centre on the Guru Rinpoche tsok (feast offering) practice.

Before giving his public talk, Rinpoche met with His Holiness Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche and Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya at the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang (Sakya family residence).

His Holiness was born into the Phuntsok branch of the Khön lineage of the Sakya school in 1929 in southwestern Tibet. H.E. Dagmo Kusho Sakya is the niece of one of the most highly realized Sakya masters of the twentieth century, H.E. Deshung Rinpoche III, and her training in Buddhist practice began at an early age. She has received extensive teachings and empowerment from many revered lamas throughout her lifetime.

Dagchen Rinpoche, Dagmo Kusho and their family settled in Seattle in 1960 after having fled Tibet in 1959.

His Holiness Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche (L), Sogyal Rinpoche and Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya (R)

The three masters, all students of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, met for lunch and an exchange of gifts, laughter, katags (ceremonial white scarves), and good wishes.

Several students of HH Dagchen Rinpoche were also there and Sogyal Rinpoche said to them several times how lucky there were to know such a mahasiddha.

Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya holds a copy of Rigpa's View magazine

Watch HH Dagchen Rinpoche and HE Dagmo Kusho Sakya talk about their teacher, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, on Remembering the Masters.

From Seattle, Rinpoche travelled to Vancouver where he gave two free public talks at the University of British Columbia on Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World, How to Discover Inner Peace and Contentment and The Heart Essence of Tibetan Buddhism, The Profound Method of Meditation for Bringing Forth the Nature of the Mind.

Rinpoche will be teaching next in Germany, at the annual retreat at Kirchheim. For information about this event, please go to: http://www.rigpa.de (In German and English)

(Photos courtesy of Linda Lane. CC BY 2.0)

Khetsün Zangpo Rinpoche (1920-2009)

2009-12-15T21:28:00.005+01:00

Khetsun Zangpo Rinpoche with Sogyal Rinpoche, Prapoutel 1990

Sadly, it seems that the great Nyingmapa master and scholar Khetsün Zangpo Rinpoche passed into parinirvana on 6th December. You can read about Rinpoche's remarkable life and accomplishments here. As many Rigpa students will remember, Rinpoche participated in the unprecedented gathering that took place at Prapoutel in 1990.

Sogyal Rinpoche to give free teachings, Vancouver, 15-16 December

2009-11-30T11:46:00.011+01:00

As part of his annual visit to the United States, Sogyal Rinpoche will be giving two free talks at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, in the evenings of 15 and 16 December 2009 (6-8pm).

Everyone is welcome to attend.

On 15 December, Rinpoche will teach on

Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World, How to Discover Inner Peace and Contentment.

And, on 16 December, he will teach on

The Heart Essence of Tibetan Buddhism, The Profound Method of Meditation for Bringing Forth the Nature of the Mind.

For more information and to register go to: http://www.cfis.ubc.ca/rinpoche.html

A Joyous Conclusion to the Three Year Retreat at Lerab Ling

2009-11-23T10:14:00.046+01:00

Lerab Ling

On Saturday, 21 November 2009, the first Rigpa Three Year Retreat concluded joyously with a full day of practice, a long-life ceremony for Sogyal Rinpoche and a party.

The retreat, one of the largest long-term Buddhist retreats to take place in the West, was held at Lerab Ling, Rigpa's main retreat centre in southern France, with more than 400 people from all over the world taking part.

Students practising in the Lerab Ling Temple on the last day of the Three Year Retreat

While traditional three-year retreats in Tibet are mainly dedicated to personal practice, this retreat focused on both study and practice. Sogyal Rinpoche led the retreat and spent up to seven months each year teaching the retreatants, who received a complete and in-depth training according to the Tibetan tradition. There was a particular emphasis on compassion and bodhichitta and the practices of the Vajrayana, and the retreat concluded with teachings on Dzogchen.

Over the three years, masters from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism gave teachings, transmissions and empowerments in the temple at Lerab Ling, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, HH Sakya Trizin, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Garchen Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Jetsün Kushok Chimey Luding.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at Lerab Ling, August 2008, with Sogyal Rinpoche

Many commented on the significance of the retreat. Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche described it as unique in this day and age, particularly in the western world.

Garchen Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche at Lerab Ling, 2009

The students who took part were able to follow in several different ways. Nearly 200 people stayed in closed retreat for the full three years and three months, living on site in retreat rooms. Another 200 or so students attended the 7-month teaching period each year and then returned home to continue to practice, and to work and spend time with their families.

The retreatants felt an enormous gratitude for the opportunity to do such a long retreat. As one retreatant said as she prepared to return home to Australia after three years:

It was hard at many points, but I'm so, so glad I've done it. I knew instinctively at the beginning of the retreat that if I kept on going the way I was, and how I was relating to things in my life—career, work, family—I would have been a bit of a wreck by the time I was 40. This time has helped me to sort out a lot about myself, and to know what's real and what's not in terms of how I've been seeing the world, and my relationships with others.

And another retreatant said: My greatest aspiration is that everybody gets this deep taste of being in retreat, and how wonderful, beneficial and healing it is.

Of course Rigpa's Home Retreat continues. It began in September 2006 and there are more than 3,500 Rigpa students following teachings from the three-year retreat at a more gradual pace in centres around the world. They spend up to four hours each day to study and practice, while continuing to work and lead family lives. The home retreat continues for about another four years.