Words of My Perfect Teacher
Drupon Khen Rinpoche has just (December 18th 2023) finished teaching Patrul Rinpoche’s Words of My Perfect Teacher to the students of Thrangu Sekhar International Meditation Centre*. These teachings commenced on March 14th 2021, and were simultaneously translated into English and Chinese. Those who know Rinpoche will not be surprised to hear that he taught for two hours every day without break, other than the short periods during which he travelled abroad.
Rinpoche’s copy of the text is not ready to return to its place on the bookshelf just yet, however, since he has now started to teach the Words of My Perfect Teacher to the retreatants of Tilo Ling and Naro Ling*. This will be the fifteenth time Drupon Khen Rinpoche has taught this precious text.
The daily two-hour teaching session for the Words of My Perfect Teacher was one of three teaching sessions Drupon Khen Rinpoche has been giving daily in Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre.
The manner in which Rinpoche imparted these teachings seems to align perfectly with Patrul Rinpoche’s intention for this most treasured text. Toward the end of the text, Patrul Rinpoche states:
“On separate occasions, my teacher [Jigme Gyalwa Nyugu*] also used to give numerous special instructions for exposing hidden faults, and I have added whatever I have been able to remember of these in the most appropriate places. Do not take them as a window through which to observe others' faults, but rather as a mirror for examining your own. Look carefully within yourself to see whether or not you have those hidden faults. If you do, recognize them and banish them. Correct your mind and set it at ease on the right path. As Atisa said:
The best spiritual friend is one who attacks your hidden faults.
The best instructions are the ones that hit those faults.
The best friends are mindfulness and vigilance.
The best incentives are enemies, obstacles and the sufferings of illness.
The best method is not to fabricate anything.
It is extremely important to bring the instructions to bear on your hidden faults, to use the Dharma to correct your mind, to maintain mindfulness and vigilance all the time, to take upon yourself full responsibility for whatever happens, never to let even a single negative thought run loose, and to use the teachings to tame your mind. If you can do all that, you will be doing yourself a favour. The Dharma will be of benefit to your mind, and following a teacher will begin to have real meaning.”
(Excerpted from the Padmakara Translation Group’s translation)
Notes:
* Thrangu Sekhar International Meditation Centre is a retreat and study centre that forms part of Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre. It is home to monks, nuns and lay Buddhists from around the world who wish to study and practise the teachings authentically and intensively. It offers a selection of different courses and retreats, although free spaces are extremely limited.
* Tilo Ling and Naro Ling are two retreat centres that form the heart of Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre. They follow the traditional three-year, three-fortnight six yogas of Naropa retreat format, with a number of additional practices.
* If you would like to learn more about Jigme Gyalwa Nyugu, Patrul Rinpoche or Drupon Khen Rinpoche himself, for that matter, you are welcome to visit www.druponrinpoche.org
Jigme Gyalwa Nyugu:
https://www.druponrinpoche.org/…/jigme-gyalwa-nyugu/
Patrul Rinpoche
https://www.druponrinpoche.org/…/nying…/patrul-rinpoche/
Drupon Khen Rinpoche
https://www.druponrinpoche.org/…/drupon-khen-rinpoche…/
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