Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Blog, page 18
December 4, 2013
Tsoknyi Gechak Ling Picnic Days
by Fionnuala Shenpen (Director/Tsoknyi Gechak School)
“To mark the end of the traditional rain retreats, Tsoknyi Rinpoche joined us at Tsoknyi Gechak Ling for two picnic days. Rinpoche’s maternal grandfather, Lama Tashi Dorje, his mother Mayum la, wife Chime la and two daughters, Kunchok la, on a short trip home from her studies at Namdroling in India and Labhu la all attended. Delicious lunches were offered to all the community, and the nuns had lots of fun. The first afternoon we had a singsong in the Lhakhang. Day two was very sunny so after lunch everyone enjoyed some outdoor games including a big tug of war match between the Shedra nuns and the Trasang (practicing community).”
Note: Please view the gallery photos at the end of this post!
Thank you, Fionnuala, for the wonderful photos and TGL update!
December 3, 2013
Tibetan Students Outreach
Rinpoche met with Kalmyk and Tibetan students attending the Wisdom in Aging retreat at Garrison Institute through the Himalayan Heritage Scholarship Fund. Since 2012, Rinpoche has been a part of this important program which provides opportunities for young Tibetan Buddhists to connect with Tibetan teachers in a retreat setting. Through this program Rinpoche has connected deeply with the younger generation, and he and Garrison Institute encourage Tibetan students to participate in future projects and retreats. To apply for a Himalayan Heritage Scholarship, please click on this link:
http://www.garrisoninstitute.org/himalayan-heritage-scholarship-application
November 21, 2013
Holy Isle Retreat (9/12-18/13) Recap
From Carole Bishop of Pundarika UK: “This was quite an adventure–we had to fly to Glasgow, then travel to Ardrossen Harbour on the West Coast of Scotland, take a ferry to the Isle of Arran, then a little 10-seater open boat across to Holy Isle. At this point of course it was raining hard! It was a retreat for new people–several years had passed since Rinpoche taught an open retreat in the UK. Rinpoche talked at length about Essence Love and how to cultivate it. His talks were peppered with anecdotes and jokes, so everyone was very mellow and open by the time he gave pointing-out instructions. Most of the retreatants were ‘over the moon’, as someone put it, and many will be joining us at Bruton next year. The Island is owned by the Samye Ling Monastery, and it was good to continue the link with their community. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, Abbot of the Holy Island Project and brother of Akong Rinpoche (who sadly died in China shortly after this) had received the transmission of the Bardo Retreat Practice from Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Altogether an interesting and worthwhile retreat!”
November 18, 2013
Iron Bird and Blessings in Africa
Following the Iron Bird around the planet, it was recently shown at three sold-out screenings in the U.K., then traveled to South Africa where it was shown together with the film Blessings in Capetown, Johannesburg, and Plettenburg Bay. Be sure to visit Chariot Videos to read the travelogue news, and also click on the CTAwake link that will connect you to the Cape Times (Capetown’s largest newspaper), where it presents a remarkably good article on both films.
November 11, 2013
Angela Center Retreat Open for Registration
Angela Center, Santa Rosa, CA
We are happy to announce that Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s retreat, Liberating the Heart: Fearless Love, held at the Angela Center near Santa Rosa, California, (May 2 – 8, 2014) is now open for online registration. Just click on the retreat title and you will be taken to the registration page. This is a 6-day open retreat with no prerequisites necessary.
Additionally, Rinpoche’s 2014 program schedule is online here. All programs will be receiving updates as they occur, so please be sure to check the web site from time to time. Our goal for opening the August 2014 Crestone, CO retreats is approximately February 3rd, so please check back!
And finally, ’tis the season, so please remember the Pundarika Foundation online store when you are shopping for loved ones or treating yourself! (Remember all proceeds go to Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s global humanitarian projects.)
Warmest holiday wishes,
The Pundarika Staff
October 21, 2013
Garrison Institute: Wisdom in Aging
September 20-26, 2013
Rinpoche, in this experimental retreat, explored the wisdom aspect of aging and the vital role of the subtle body in staying youthful as the body ages. Many practices were given by Rinpoche to connect with the physical body, subtle body, and mind.
Amidst exquisite stained glass and stunning thangkas, small group audiences met with Rinpoche and brought up many important issues connected to aging, such as loneliness and isolation, chronic pain management, side effects of medication, death and the need for more community. To continue opening the heart, Krishna Das sang two very moving songs of Sarasvati and Tara at Rinopche’s invitation. Also, Rinpoche was able to meet with young Tibetans for which Garrison provides scholarships, so they can attend teachings. Many thanks to Doug Beechwood and Esteban Hollander for the inspiring photo-narrative.
October 16, 2013
News of Tsechu Gompa’s Ongoing Restoration
Adeu Yangsi Rinpoche
In 2009, a major earthquake destroyed the gompa (meditation hall) at Tsechu Monastery in Eastern Tibet. This is the main monastery headed by Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s teacher, Adeu Rinpoche, who passed away in 2007. His yangsi (reincarnation) was discovered in 2008. The restoration of the gompa will be accomplished by the time he is formally enthroned in 2015. Tsoknyi Rinpoche was able, with the help of many kind donors across the world, to help plan and fund this building project so that the important teachings of Adeu Rinpoche can flourish for the many thousands of monks and nuns connected to Tsechu Monastery. Please click on the .pdf link below to see an artist’s rendition in 3D of the new monastery in process and to read more about the renovations.
Tsechu Gompa Monastery – Brochures
Below is an excerpt from Rinpoche’s letter to the sangha written in March 2010 wherein he talks about the importance of restoring the gompa:
Tsechu Gonpa
“I have to share with you some sad news regarding Tsechu Gonpa, the monastery in Nangchen founded by my esteemed teacher, Adeu Rinpoche, who passed the Drukpa Kagyu lineage on to me. As many of you know, the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, which holds the teachings and practices of Milarepa’s “secret student,” Rechungpa, is in danger of extinction. Preservation of this sacred lineage of teachings and practices is extremely important. Many core teachings and practices could be lost to the winds of time without effort.
“As some of you may know, an earthquake in Nangchen devastated Tsechu Gonpa in November 2009. Of the 150 monks who survived, only 50 can gather now in a smaller shrine hall for prayers and group practice. The main assembly hall–once capable of accommodating nearly 700 people, who gathered there to receive empowerments and teachings–was mostly destroyed.
“Rebuilding Tsechu Gompa must begin soon, before the temperatures begin to warm. The monastery is full of precious statues and relics acquired by Adeu Rinpoche after the end of the Cultural Revolution. These relics and statues are as important as the oral and written teachings of past and present masters. Removing the relics to a safe place is the first stage of the massive project of rebuilding.”
Adeu Rinpoche & Tsoknyi Rinpoche
October 9, 2013
Rinpoche’s Condolence Letter to the Family of Akong Rinpoche
“I was so shocked and sad to hear of Akong Rinpoche’s sudden passing. I wanted to send my sincere condolences to Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, all his family and the greater sangha. Akong Rinpoche was a very important Lama in the Karma Kagyu School. He was very socially conscious. He helped many people all over the world, but his work in Tibet was particularly impressive. He even funded the building of nuns’ quarters at Gechak Gompa in Nangchen Tibet, the largest nunnery practicing in the Tsoknyi tradition there. I think Rinpoche was very special to many, many Tibetans. It is great loss for us all but especially for Tibet.
“At a difficult time like this it is very important that all his students come together harmoniously and support Lama Yeshe Rinpoche’s work.
“I will ask all my Nuns in Nepal and Tibet to pray, and I sincerely wish Akong Rinpoche’s activities continue.
“Sincerely,
Tsoknyi Rinpoche”
October 4, 2013
Dorje Yudronma Update
There has been a lot of activity recently around the Dorje Yudronma shrine located on the Yeshe Rangsal retreat land in Crestone, CO! In preparation for her consecration in mid- to late spring, many students brought offerings of semi-precious stones and jewelry items to the August retreats, which Rinpoche blessed, for the future filling of the rupa. Local sangha members met on the land a few weeks ago under Tenzin Namsel and Gary Simonson’s direction and gathered fresh juniper for the preparation of incense. Vajra Vidya Retreat Center’s Khenpos assisted students in several mantra rolling sessions. As soon as all the components have come together for the filling of the rupa, Pundarika will be respectfully inviting Tulku Sang-nak of Santa Fe to come to Crestone and oversee the consecration of this beautiful and blessed shrine. More information about the spring consecration will be posted as it unfolds, so please keep checking back!
September 26, 2013
Dzogchen & Zen: Exploring the Direct Experience of Mind/Heart with Joan Halifax Roshi; Santa Fe, NM (8/23-25/2013)
The “Ordinary Mind” retreat with Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Joan Halifax Roshi was filled with warmth and laughter. Although Rinpoche provided the bulk of the teachings, Roshi Joan joined him several times, and their interactions brought humor and depth to the conversation about the value of practicing from the stance of ordinary mind. Comparing how Zen and Dzogchen share similar viewpoints on certain subjects stimulated lively question and answer sessions. The welcoming and tender environment created by Roshi Joan and the Upaya sangha was an extraordinary container from which to explore the concept of “ordinary mind.”
