Excerpt from the weekend teaching in Kagyu Samye Ling, October 2018
A good student will appreciate and feel fortunate to have their faults pointed out by their lama, because they are trying to change and improve themselves. Since they are a good student they will know that their ultimate nature is good and pure, and that the faults are transient or incidental. So they will not […]
Meditation Retreat - PM Teaching, Kagyu Samye Ling, UK, 9 October 2016
Summary: An explanation of the need for setting a good motivation; Different levels of motivation; How making the benefit of others our priority unties ego’s knots; The importance of having practice as a constant companion. Reminder for correct conduct and motivation at the beginning Please listen to the teachings thinking, ‘I will listen to […]
Discussion in a local Buddhist study group in Taipei, Taiwan, 24 October 2017
Student’s Question: How should we respond if some of our family members challenge our belief in Buddhism as being just blind faith? Rinpoche’s Answer: The way I think about it is, if our families say that our belief in Buddhism is just blind faith, they are right. I’d tell them they’re spot on and […]
An excerpt from Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s final day teaching on The Seven Commitments from Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Heart-Nectar Advice, given to the shedra students at Namo Buddha. 8th July 2018.
We should think constantly about where we are placing our efforts each day, and what good comes from it. Then we should think about what changes we might need to make. The dharma teachings given in the texts and oral instructions are there to help us change ourselves; this is the way we should think […]
Teaching on 'The Precious Garland of the Supreme Path' to the retreat staff, Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Center, Nepal
The Sanskrit word ‘guru’ translated as ‘lama’ in Tibetan, has the sense of weightiness; meaning the individual is laden with excellent qualities. These qualities have nothing to do with a person’s position or status, nor with their level of education, but are principally concerned with the way they think: their renunciation, bodhichitta and view of […]
Words of advice from Drupon Khen Rinpoche in response to a student's wish to become a bodhisattva
Try not to think about yourself too much and instead focus on the well being of others. Try to feel, ‘If I’m sick, fine. If I’m having a hard time, fine. As long as others are well and happy, that is enough for me.’ If you can think and feel like this you will become […]
Teaching at First UK Kagyu Monlam 2018
To those of you who have deep feelings for the Dharma, you need to be clear about what you need to do. You need to give the priority to study and practice rather than focusing on the external conditions for practice. Better buildings doesn’t mean better study; it’s quite possible that simpler buildings and simpler […]
Teaching at First UK Kagyu Monlam 2018
We only make plans for living and we do not make plans for dying. When there is an important task and a big event we count down the days. But we do not do this for our death. The truth is we are moving closer and closer to death each minute.
If we forsake a single sentient being, we break our Bodhisattva vows. ~ Teaching at First UK Kagyu Monlam 2018
Teaching at 1st UK Kagyu Monlam, Samye Ling, Scotland, 2018.
In the Dharma there are often illustrations given, such as ‘like a dream or like a mirage’. For example, ‘wealth and property are like a magic show or illusion.’ You could think, ‘yes, I understand that’. If, on hearing a teaching like this, your attachment to your wealth and property changes, then that shows you […]
First UK Kagyu Monlam 2018, Samye Ling, UK
Most beginners see the three jewels as an outer object, as something separate from ‘me’. This is the beginner’s view, and it will not lead us to Liberation. The basic Buddhist view is that the Three Jewels are not something that truly exists externally. Buddha, Sang-Gye in Tibetan, shows us, or demonstrates to us our […]
Teaching at 1st UK Kagyu Monlam, Samye Ling, Scotland, 2018.
Having our faults pointed out is receiving the Dharma, Seeing our faults is understanding the Dharma, Eradicating our faults is practising the Dharma.
Kagyu Samye Ling Zimbabwe, 10 September 2017
Meditation is to leave the mind just as it is, relaxed and easy, without thinking too much. But we find this incredibly difficult to do. As soon as we sit down and relax, we feel we have a bit of free time and start thinking and making plans. It is for this reason that when […]
Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, Nepal, 14 March 2018
The true study of Buddhism is a quest to establish the truth; to ascertain the basic reality of things. When that happens for someone, their intelligence and understanding blossom; they become clear about the whys and wherefores of life. This intelligence and insight permeates and transforms their whole perspective and behaviour.
Teaching on the Precious Ornament of Liberation at HwaYue Foundation, Taiwan, 21 October 2017
Gampopa said, ‘Rely on a holy lama endowed with realisation and compassion.’ This tells us that a genuine lama is someone with realisation, who has wisdom and compassion, and directs all their efforts to teaching and guiding students on the path to liberation. Such a lama is a holy lama. When I was staying in […]
