Shiné and the Four Dharmas of Gampopa – Three-Day Retreat in Hong Kong

Drupon Rinpoche led a three-day retreat and teaching in Hong Kong with the Thrangu Dharma Centre of Hong Kong.

The teachings were devoted to shiné (calm-abiding meditation) and the Four Dharmas of Gampopa.

Rinpoche emphasised the causes of shiné, right conduct and freedom from busyness. He embellished the practical advice he gave with an explanation of the nine stages of mental abiding and how these are accomplished by way of the six forces.

The practical advice concerned how we should employ the methods of placement for a few minutes and then the methods of examination for a few minutes. We should alternate between these two during our meditation period, thus doing many short sessions.

Practicing in this way brings not only the resting aspect but also the understanding of the mind and what meditation is.

During the Four Dharmas teaching, Rinpoche encouraged us to do retreat, saying that if we want to be true Kagyupas then we should follow the example of the Kagyu masters of old: Marpa, Mila and Gampopa. He urged us to put aside our worldly concerns and to find an authentic lama and to stay with them in solitude, learning from them, and practicing under their guidance. This is the particular style of studying, contemplating, and meditating of the Dakpo Kagyu, and the style through which exceptional siddhas are born.

All participants kept four sessions a day during the retreat, with Rinpoche and the Lamas of the Dharma centre leading by example.

The teachings were translated with great skill into Chinese by Khenpo Tengyi whilst Karma Kunga provided English translation.