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T A S H I C H O L I N G D H A R M A F O U N D A T I O N I N C .
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NEWSLETTERIncluding Dorje Ling Retreat CentreTasmania
Spiritual DirectorTashi Choling Dharma Foundation has a long-standing relationship with the Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, a meditation master of the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche received his training under some of the most competent Buddhist masters in Tibet prior to the Chinese invasion of that country. Later on in India he graduated from Varanasi Sanskrit University with an Acharya degree and spent 18 months in Thailand at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He first came to Australia in 1977 and taught for three years before leaving for Canada. He has established Buddhist centres and taught throughout North America. Rinpoche has also been the Spiritual Director of Dorje Ling Retreat Centre (formerly Illusion Farm) in Tasmania for many years. He is recognized as the 13th incarnation of the great Kagyu teacher Lama Chabdak who lived in the Kham region of Eastern Tibet and founded Zuru Gompa 600 years ago. Rinpoche is known for his gentle compassion and good humoured wisdom.
In this issue ...President’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2Sustainable Open Day Lorinna . . . . . . . . . Page 2Support for Dorje Ling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3Vajrasattva 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 42013 Retreat with Rinpoche . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5Caretaker’s report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6New temples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Tarchin Hearn in Tasmania . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Geshe Sonam Rinchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Traleg Rinpoche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Vision survey responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10
PROGRAM: Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre
Tuesday evenings, October 2012: Charles Chadwick
November 27, 28 29: Tarchin Hearn (TBC)
Tuesday evenings, November/December 2012: (TBA)
PROGRAM: Dorje Ling Retreat Centre
• Liberation through the body with Leander Kane, starts Friday October 10 until Sunday October 14
• Tarchin Hearn retreat starts 30 November until 9 December
• Lam Rim Retreat with Zasep Tulku Rinpoche starts February 15th Friday until Saturday 23rd.
• Vajrasattva Retreat and Initiation with Zasep Tulku Rinpoche starts February 24th until Sunday March 3rd
For more information please see our upcoming events web page.
Hobart BuddhistMeditation Centre
TCDF Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2012 edition
HOBART BUDDHIST
MEDITATIONCENTRE
Meditation, teaching & discussion
Tuesday evenings 7.30 pm2nd Floor, above Gould’s
NaturopathicaLiverpool St Hobart
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
New temples
New temples opened in Canada and in Darwin.
P l e a s e see page 7 inside for more.
S E Q U O I A C L U B
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T A S H I C H O L I N G D H A R M A F O U N D A T I O N I N C .
P R E S I D E N T ’ S R E P O R T
Greetings and welcome to the Spring Newsletter.
Hooray! Spring is here!. It is finally in the air. The long awaited change of winter to spring. The sun begins to warm and cheer us, the earth warms, seeds sprout, flowers bloom. A sense of renewal and new life, potential for growth, change and most of all regeneration and new beginnings. At Dorje Ling we have some wonderful retreats coming up over the spring and summer season. We hope you find something of interest to support your practice and path.
Leander Kane is coming in October from the 6th to the 12th. Leanders retreats are always very popular and we have many booked in already and there is a limit on numbers, so book soon if you're interested. Details inside the newsletter.
We have Tarchin Hearn coming in November and there are more details on his visit inside too. Again Tarchin is a popular teacher so let us know if you are interested in coming along.
Our beloved spiritual director Zazep Tulku Rinpoche will be with us in February 2013. There will be an opportunity to spend time with Rinpoche at Dorje Ling for 2 weeks from mid February....We have something to offer beginners and more familiar practitioners. Rinpoche will teach on Lam Rim for the first week, followed by Vajrasattva. For those of you who may not be familiar with Lam Rim, its considered to be the definitive teachings on the path to enlightenment.
...Continued next page
Dorje Ling at the Sustainable Living Open Day.If ever there was a day to be at Dorje Ling it was last Sunday. Imagine, a brilliant spring day, the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky, not even a breath of wind, and a sea of yellow daffodils to mesmerize the eye and uplift the spirit. Exquisite, and a sharp contrast to the wildest windy weather that battered the State the day before bringing trees down on the Lorinna Rd and beyond.
The reason for my quick trip to Lorinna was to accompany our caretaker in hosting Dorje Ling as part of the Sustainable Living Open Day. This is a national initiative that supports sustainable practices, and by way of an open day invites the public to see and be inspired by alternative power systems. Lorinna is perfectly positioned being off the grid, and displays were set up in the community hall, there were open houses, and Dorje Ling was able to show off its solar thermal shower block, off-the-grid power systems and garden. A first for Lorinna, and a fabulous success.
We had approximately 40 people drop in, some having never heard of Dorje Ling, and others knowing of the mythical Illusion Farm, a place they had wanted to visit but hadn’t had the opportunity until then. Everyone was delightful, interested, respectful and in awe of this beautiful place. It really was a great pleasure to be able to share a little of the history and vision of Dorje Ling, the second oldest Buddhist Retreat Centre in Australia. Many people shared something of their lives, and what gave them spiritual nourishment, which I suspect was inspired by the peace and sheer beauty of the place and the day.
My reflection is that most people who retreat to Dorje Ling are coming from the south of the State. Everyone who visited on the Open Day was a Northerner. It behoves us to spread word of our visiting teachers and retreats, and make known the availability of Dorje Ling as a retreat space to those all around the State. If you feel you could pin up posters in your town or pass on Dorje Ling activities through your networks, we would love the support. Simply contact us at [email protected].
Kate MacNicol
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A truly practical teaching for those new to the path and also the more familiar students. Vajrasattva is a preliminary practice, a tantric deity purification practice. What does this mean? Rinpoche offers a very detailed explanation in this newsletter. See inside for more...
Tuesday nights at the Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre are going well. Thanks to all the students who volunteer to lead these sessions. The sessions are a wonderful opportunity to share our experience and ideas whether you are an old hand or new to the centre. Great discussion is had as well as an opportunity to experience some different meditations and the benefits of meditating with others. A very supportive activity on the path.
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to invite you to offer financial support to contribute to the mortgage repayments of Dorje Ling. Many people offer a small contribution of a few dollars a month, others feel they can offer more. Regular contributions of any amount would really help out. Please consider if you have a few dollars on a regular basis, or even a one off donation to help out. The centre offers so much benefit to the local, national and international community and we would love to see this continue into the future for the benefit of those interested.
...and the beat goes on...
Wishing you joy and appreciation.
Madhu Lilley
Support for Dorje Ling Retreat Centre – Red alert!Our most recent financial report has shown the committee that despite a strong core of committed people who regularly donate, and several large once-off donations, we are heading for a shortfall in payments on our mortgage before the end of this calendar year.
It’s really important for the upkeep of our beautiful Retreat Centre at Lorinna, that we are enabled not just to keep pace with the mortgage but to keep improving and adding to the resources available there for retreatants into the future.
One way in which you can help is simply by becoming a financial member. Membership is only $45 per year, and members receive discounts at retreats, access to our extensive library, and have the knowledge that they are supporting the Buddhadharma in Tasmania. Our recent survey showed us that many would like to become financial members, and we as a committee are endeavouring to find some ways to make this process easier for you. In the mean time please remember that our AGM will be coming up in December and so this will be a great time for you to become a member or to renew your membership. You can pay by direct deposit into our working account Dharma Foundation of Tasmania, CBA BSB: 067000, Account number: 28042904
A second way in which you can help is by donating a regular monthly amount to our mortgage repayments. Just set up a regular bank transfer to the building account Dharma Foundation of Tasmania, CBA BSB no. 067002, account no. 10162638, with your name as a reference. No amount is too small.
You can find out more information, along with alternative forms of payment (e.g. PayPal) and a membership form here: http://www.tashicholing.net/htm/join.htm
If you have any questions you can send them to [email protected]. We deeply appreciate your generosity.
Maria Grist
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Vajrasattva Retreat at Dorje Ling Tasmania 2013Benefit and the purpose of Vajrasattva practice
The first Panchen Lama, who was most important teacher of fifth Dalai Lama, said that in order to understand the true nature of your mind, you have to do two important practices, intense purification and accumulate vast amount of merit. We as Dharma practitioners, would like to get Dharma realizations sooner rather than later and we do practice what we can in our everyday life. Sometimes we experienced sign of some realizations happening, but most of the time there is no realizations after practicing number of years. You are wondering why, because we encounter all kinds of mental garbage, wandering mind, distraction, agitation, sluggish, sleepy mind etc., without any control, thousands of ideas and concepts and negative thoughts galloping like wild horses on the steppes of central Asia. That means something is missing. We need to do purification of our mind. We need to purify our Karmas of the past and present.
Vajrasattva is an aspect of Buddha representing the fundamental purity of enlightenment and activities of all the Buddhas of the past, present and the future. Vajrasattva means Vajra power and diamond like, strong and beautiful, perfect enlightened mind of all the Buddhas.
Vajrasattva practice is one of the great foundation practices of the Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, it is the most important foundation practice and preparation for different levels of Vajrayana and Tantric sadhana practice.
On such a foundation one can build a solid Dharma practice. When you practice the Vajrasattva meditation you will gain self confidence that you are capable of being purified.
Vajrasattva practice allow you to overcome all kinds of mental defilements such as the three major delusions, attachments, anger and ignorance. Once you overcome major delusion it will be easier to overcome the secondary delusions and your Karmas will be purified. Vajrasattva practice is one of the most powerful methods of purifying of Karma. There
is also great blessings associated with Vajrasattva practice.
If you recite the Vajrasattva mantras 21 times every day it will purify your body, speech and mind. This is the reason Vajrasattva Mantra recitation is part of major Tantric sadhanas of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Vajrasattva himself symbolizes great bliss, his consort Dorje Nyenmakarmo symbolizes emptiness, their union as male female deities represents the inseparability of bliss and emptiness.
MEANING OF MANTRA?
Mantra is a Sanskrit word - it means protection of the mind and heart. All the mantras of Buddhas have the similar effect for our mind. Mantra recitation generates inner peace and calmness of the mind. Mantras help you to overcome fear, grief, pain and all kinds of mental defilement. Mantras help to generate more compassion, forgiving, acceptance and love for your self and love for other living beings. Mantra recitation generates trust and devotion. Mantra is medicine and food for the human mind and human spirit. People say “How do Mantras work for our mind?” We can’t really show you mechanically how the Mantras work but it has worked for thousands years for the yogis, yoginis and common people. Why do we say Mantra so many times and is there benefit saying so many times? Repeating Mantra so many times allows you to become closer to the Buddhas and closer to your own enlightenment, for that reason you need to say many times. The more you do recitation of the mantra you become more closer to the Buddhas. When you say holy mantras you will experience deep peace within your mind and compassion for others beyond explanation and beyond words. During the retreat at some point you go will experience regret, shame due to self abuse and self destructive things you have done for yourself and you hurt others, so you could go through period of sadness. Also you will go through periods of anger and even hate to someone who hurt you mentally and physically. All of these are purification, the Vajrasattva mantra power bringing all this purification for you, at the end you will feel free from defilement and you will achieve great purification of your mind during the three month Vajrasattva retreat. Traditionally we do three month retreat so that you will accomplish hundred thousand recitation of Vajrasattva Mantra.
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
(See Rinpoche’s translation of Varjasattva mantra on next page)
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The Translation of Vajrasattva Mantra.
Om VajrasattvaProtect my commitmentVajrasattva, may I be upheld by youRemain firmly with meMay you be pleased with meMay you be happy with meHave affection for meBestow on me all powerful attainmentsMake all my actions goodMake my mind most gloriousHung! Ha ha ha ha hoO Endowed Transcendent DestroyerThe Vajra of all Ones Thus-GoneDo not abandon meYou whose nature is adamantineOne with great commitmentAh Hung Phat
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
February Retreats at Dorje Ling with Zasep Tulku RinpocheLam Rim Retreat starts February 15th Friday until Saturday 23rd.
Vajrasattva Retreat and Initiation starts February 24th until Sunday March 3rd
To begin his time here Rinpoche will lead a 1 week Lam Rim retreat, followed by initiation of Vajrasattva and for those interested a 3-4 week Vajrasattva retreat. Rinpoche will be with us only for the first week of the Vajrasattva retreat. He will be in Tasmania for 2 weeks in total. For those who have no experience in tantric deity practices or are new to Buddhism, Rinpoche insists the Lam Rim retreat be done before starting Vajrasattva. If participants in the Vajrasattva retreat would like to continue to the traditional 3 month retreat, this may be possible, both in consultation with Rinpoche and also subject to finalisation of the logistical and other details of how that might be organised.
Costs for the summer Lam Rim/Vajrasattva retreat.
The Lam Rim is 8 nights and the Varasattva is also 8 nights. Costs for 8 nights for
• waged is $640
• TCDF members $600
• Concession $520.
so if you are doing both it will be double depending on your situation.
We have a few cabins available a n d s o m e dormitory style accommodation. We prefer to give priority for the dormitories to those of us who are unwell or need to be close to facilities like the shower, toilet etc. Fami l ies are usually given priority on the cabins. Please let us know if you have special needs. The cost is the same if you camp or use a cabin.
We prefer to keep the costs low to cover food and facilities etc. We do suggest that people give a Dana of financial offering to the teacher as an act of appreciation and generosity.
Dorje Ling is 5 hours drive from Hobart. Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours drive from Launceston and 1 hour from Devonport & Deloraine. Of those of us travelling from Hobart, many will be leaving 1-3 days before the start of the Lam Rim retreat to prepare. I don't have any information at this time of anyone that will be coming from Hobart purely for the Vajrasattva retreat. Most it seems at this stage are doing the Lam Rim initially. So, if you are flying into Hobart, please arrange it so you arrive 1-3 days before the Lam Rim retreat begins so we can work to arrange transport with those driving up. You can fly to Launceston or Devonport too, and we can arrange someone to collect you. A bus can be taken from Launceston to Deloraine or Devonport for collection. Both Deloraine and Devonport are about 1 hour away.
There are some details on our website. Look under 'Dorje Ling" "getting there" http://www.tashicholing.net/htm/bookings.htm
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A Caretaker’s Spring MadnessAfter the slow, seemingly indefatigable creep of winter, a persistent bustle now reverberates within the landscape of Dorje Ling, calling all life-forms to wake. It is an expectant promise of renewal that comes in brief snippets of madness; maverick bulbs are flowering weeks ahead of their neighbours, male thrushes squabble and fight over un-chaperoned females, old-guard possums beat up on the opportunistic young bucks that have the audacity to test their territory and I’m left wandering around the grounds in a state of constant wonder, divining whether to wear thermals or shorts in the four-season days of late.
It is as though all is in confusion, befuddled by electro-magnetic, chemical and hormonal cues. Each collective organism is sending out the pioneer messengers, scouting the air for fertile and sustaining conditions, awaiting the interpretation of change before the explosive, coherent mass of group-will strives to partake in the joyous union of becoming.
This nurturing backdrop narrates the reason why we all cherish the sacredness of this centre and why we do what we do to support, maintain and develop its existence both physically and spiritually
w i t h i n t h e c o l l e c t i v e consciousness. It is a cherished, heartfelt space, co-created through the long-term commitment of many beings that have chosen to awake and grow and offer to others a hearty sip from this stored reservoir of nurturing ambrosia we all secretly call home.
Ongoing membership and commitment has ensured a small pool of capital and energy that has been busily put to use over the winter hibernation period. The major earthworks and electrical grid laying has been completed. Beyond has now joined the 21st alternative energy century and is fully operational for any retreatant seeking a little extra comfort. Speaking of which, the outdoor toilet at Beyond is very close to completion, no more mad dashes across the paddock to the other side of the property in the rain.
Two major projects currently in the planning and development stage to be completed during the spring/summer season are a fenceline along the front boundary of the neighbouring property along with a large cyclone gate across the entrance driveway, followed by a full refit/upgrade of the villa.
Dorje Ling will also be opening its doors for sustainable housing day this year. It is part of a larger initiative within the
valley to showcase the vast amount of alternative energy, building infrastructure and community initiatives that have been developed over many years.
Hopefully, this may allow others who have not had exposure to these ideas to see what is possible and may even compel some to seek and support the sangha.
The Sunday meditation sessions in the gompa, facilitated by Todd Wilson are still going strong. They are currently still on winter hours at 12:30pm and will be moved to a later time slot as daylight hours increase (to be advised). Unfortunately, the 2:30pm Sunday sessions of Feldenkrais movement in the gompa facilitated by Catriona Scott have ended with the last session on the 19th August. Hopefully, Catriona will restart the classes at a later date after her sabbatical.
There are a few facilitated retreats and activities slated for this coming spring season. It is opened with Leander Kane’s retreat in October. This is almost immediately followed by the annual show weekend working-bee, with an open invitation to any person feeling like a bit of steady physical labour and relaxed company. Then in late November, Tarchin Hearn will lead a retreat.
So hopefully, once spring has settled into its rhythm and the last vestiges of hibernation have been shaken off some of you will feel the urge to make the journey up the winding track into the
wilderness and join in the celebration of renewal. You are always welcome to partake.
Caretaker
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New temple in Canada
Many of you know that Rinpoche has been building a new temple in Nelson Canada, since April 2009. The temple is now complete. A grand opening ceremony and consecration is scheduled for October 6-7 2012. Many well-known members of the global Sangha will be present, and our own Guy Turnbull is travelling to represent our group at the opening..
Remembering 30 years
We at Tashi Choling have long been ruminating on the absence of actual recorded history of Tashi Choling and Dorje Ling and as a result invite anyone and everyone who may have a story to tell, a memory to share, photos and film footage and interviews.
There has been over 30 years in the history making that had humble beginnings with a small group of people in Hobart wishing to mediate and provide teachings and Dorje Ling whose beginnings were seeded out of Illusion Farm in Lorinna.
Maria Grist is working on a timeline that will be in a google document which anyone may add to.
However in the meantime any contributions will be gratefully received via the email address [email protected]
New temple in Darwin
Vajrabhirava Temple, Darwin, Australia.
Tarchin Hearn in TasmaniaTarchin Hearn will be once again visiting Tasmania, from 26 November until 13 December this year.
Tarchin will teach 2 or 3 evenings in Hobart, with possibly some daytime teaching as well, if people wish it.
He will then travel to Dorje Ling on Friday November 30 for a nine day retreat at Dorje Ling.
There is then a possibility of an overnight walk in the Cradle Mountain area, should people be interested, followed by an evening of teaching in Devonport before he and Mary head home to New Zealand.
While the full program is still being developed, the theme of all of his teaching this time will be
Samatha/Vipassana - the heart of wisdom practice
Detailed information, including costs and registration details, will be available shortly, but if you would like to express your interest in the meantime for the retreat, the walk, or possible daytime teaching in Hobart, please contact Ross Coward on 62249806 or Sue Willey on 62657387.
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Introduction To Meditation course report.We asked students for feedback from our recent Introduction To Meditation course.
Some of the positive comments were: Enjoyed the discussion, the meditations were lovely, the leaders were fabulous and displayed loving kindness. Very nice, friendly, comfortable atmosphere.
Things that could be improved: Course not long enough, it's a vast subject, maybe need to either cover less or allow more time for the teaching, for the discussion and for meditation.
Geshe Sonam RinchenWe are sorry to hear that Geshe Sonam Rinchen, who is well-known to many in our group, and has taught in the early days of our Centre, has had some health problems, which have necessitated his withdrawal and retirement from the teaching program to Western Students at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala.
Gen-La was born in Kham, in Eastern Tibet in 1933 and was forced to flee to India in 1959. He was appointed as the resident teacher and research scholar at the TLWA in 1978, succeeding Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey. His extensive and generous teachings, facilitated by his devoted student and translator Ruth Sonam both in Dharamsala (where members of the Tashi Choling community first met Gen-La and Ruth) and via the many published books of his teachings, have assisted countless Westerners in the study of the Buddhadharma. Geshe Sonam Rinchen is known for his extensive understanding of Buddhist philosophy, especially the teachings on wisdom and emptiness, but those who know him are also inspired by his peerless compassion, kindness and generosity.
Gen-la’s connection with our centre was firmly established when he and Ruth stayed with TC members for an extended period in Hobart in mid 1986 whilst teaching at Tashi Choling and Dorje Ling. For many years he acted as an advisor to our centre and an on-going teacher and inspiration for several of our members.
We join Ruth and the sangha in offering prayers for the improvement of his health so that he can enjoy his retirement and continue to be such an amazing example of the path.
Ruth has told us that we can access some of his most recent teachings on line via the LTWA website. Go to http://ltwa.tibetanbridges.com/Dharma_Class/. Gen and Ruth taught Arydeva’s Four Hundred on the middle way from chapt. 5 in 2011 and this year, several chapters of Shantideva’s Way of the bodhisattva from March 15th to May 16th.
Roger McLennan
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX
I am very honored to have been asked to write a piece about my beloved teacher, Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche, who passed into parinirvana on 24th July 2012. This is also somewhat of a daunting task as Rinpoche was such an extraordinary teacher, such a learned scholar, such a kind and compassionate guide, such
a visionary leader and such a uniquely spirited master that it will be difficult to capture the essence of him in a relatively small number of words, but I will give it a go. I will start with a traditional introduction regarding his status in Tibetan Buddhism.
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche was born in1955 in Nangchen (Eastern Tibet) and was recognized early in his life as the ninth incarnation of the Traleg tulku line, a line of high lamas in the Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana. The Traleg line is one of the most important Kagyu tulku lineages in Tibet. It is traced back to the time of Saltong Shogam, one of the Three Men of Kham who were among the five closest students to Gampopa and the only students to receive the complete transmission of both Vajrayana and Mahamudra instructions from him.
Rinpoche was enthroned as the Supreme Abbott of Thrangu Monastery at age two by His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa. Rinpoche had to flee his native land at the age of four and escaped with his party to Bhutan and from there to Rumtek, the headquarters of His Holiness the XVI Gyalwa Karmapa in Sikkim.
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Rinpoche was educated by His Holiness with the other young tulkus in exile until he was nine, when he went to a centre near Darjeeling, studied under the guidance of His Eminence Thugsey Rinpoche and taught exclusively by Khenpo Noryang and Khenpo Sodar for many years. At sixteen, His Holiness Karmapa sent Traleg Rinpoche to study at the Sanskrit University of Varanasi, where he had the opportunity to study with khenpos and geshes of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism until he was nineteen. When Rinpoche was twenty-two, he returned to Rumtek to be with His Holiness Karmapa. In 1980, at twenty-five years of age, Rinpoche arrived in Australia and established Kagyu E-Vam Buddhist Institute two years later. Rinpoche was also the spiritual head of Kamalashila Institute, one of the main Kagyu centres in Europe, for five years.
Rinpoche was prolific and generous in his offering of Dharma to the West. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate indeed to have had the opportunity to have a connection with him, and to have had my life transformed through digesting some of the profound teachings that he has given us. Rinpoche’s grasp of the English language was more advanced than many of us who have been born into it, and I often found myself running to the dictionary to fully understand something that he had said after teachings. Rinpoche was also well known for promoting the notion of integral Buddhism; Buddhism as not some spiritual practice that is somehow separate from our everyday life, but rather all of life's experience make up the path.
Of particular significance was Rinpoche’s efforts in making connections between Western Psychology and Buddhism, and he offered a regular Buddhism and Psychotherapy Conference at his retreat centre in Healesville. This forum enabled many practitioners to deepen their understanding of the Dharma’s potential to fully heal and transform the human mind. Rinpoche was keen to promote understanding between different religions through multi-faith dialogue and was working on hosting a multi-faith forum this year. Traleg Rinpoche was also a strong of advocate of a non-sectarian approach to study and practice. This was evidenced in the program of courses at E-Vam Institute and the annual Buddhist Summer School. Rinpoche had teachers from many traditions teach at
the centre as well as scientists, scholars and philosophers.
Although Rinpoche was one of the highest Lamas in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, he made himself available to his students in a very real, humble and heart warming way. My experience of Rinpoche, having had the extraordinary blessing of being on annual retreat with him over many years, was that he was always fully present, always kind and compassionate, and always challenging his students to move beyond the mundane into a profound appreciation of the path. Rinpoche offered his students many precise translations and commentaries on both esoteric and exoteric texts, and was also generous in offering occasional spontaneous teachings from his own realisation. These were a precious gift to anyone fortunate enough to be present.
I recently attended Traleg Rinpoche’s Cremation ceremony, a full Vajrayana Tibetan Cremation offered only to the Highest of lamas in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. This was a rare occasion conducted by Rinpoches, Ritual Masters and Lamas, who travelled from different parts of the world to attend, including Tulkus from Rinpoche’s own monastery in Tibet, Thrangu Monastery. This was the first of it’s kind in Australia, and it was inspiring to see the devotion that had gone in to preparing the event, particularly in the beautifully decorated stupa that Rinpoche was cremated in. It was also a miraculous achievement to have gained council approval in a very short amount of time for a non-western cremation in the country town of Healesville!
When I think of all that Rinpoche has offered me over the years, it is hard to think of what to say or how to say it. I guess the simplest way I can put it is that he taught me how to relax, how to completely and deeply relax into a state of being that is present and aware, but not fixated on neurotic distractions. This is a monumental gift! We are all praying for Rinpoche’s swift return to this world, which is in so much need of a clear, compassionate and wise voice. Rinpoche has left a very strong and thriving community with centres in Melbourne, Healesville, Sydney, New York and Auckland and he has also left very clear and precise instructions on how these centres are to continue to thrive and develop, which is a great consolation to all
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those mourning his loss. His teachings will continue to inspire and enlighten long after his passing.
I would like to finish this piece with an excerpt from the last communication Rinpoche had with his many students worldwide via Facebook, which to my mind gives a good picture of his uniqueness, his delightful sense of humour, his humility and his profound devotion in the Dharma.
“Some of you may be a little surprised or even and little bit shocked by this post - perhaps? Like many of you I have just learned that the disco diva Donna Summer has passed away. In the late 70s the disco fever had spread, even to the Himalayas. Even though I was cloistered in the monasteries disco music was all around us. Every time when I had the opportunity to go to Gangtok in Sikkim disco music would be blaring in the main street. While other monks were listening to Bollywood movie songs I started to take an interest in Western pop music and that went with my effort to learn English. I have good memories of listening to classic disco tracks including many of Donna Summer’s hits. Music always brings a lot of memories back- at least in my case that is so. I hope no one finds a cure to that disco fever unleashed in the 70s. I hope the oldies are still swinging from its enduring effect.
I was in two minds about putting this post up because my Facebook is suffering from some sort of identity crisis- I think, because of its personal/public (official) nature, and in some ways I too have grappled with my own identity as a Tibetan Lama living in the West. I have spent more years living in the West than I have in the East. How I perceive myself and how I am perceived by others, I find to be ambivalent and ambiguous. For instance often people say that lamas who live in the West should become more Westernised and eschew many of our Tibetan cultural trappings yet on the other hand if you behave in a very Westernised way sometimes even the same people then may accuse you of not behaving as a Tibetan lama should or must. Sometimes it seems like 'you are damned if you do and damned if don’t' type of situations. But these things no longer unduly concern me. Gradually over the years I personally have more or less learned to manage different roles I need to play. But no one, unless one is enlightened, can be all things to all people at all times. So therefore I know my limitations and I know that I can't please most people, let alone
all people all the time. However, disco music had zero effect on diminishing my faith in the Dharma then and my interest in things Western since then have had no corrosive effect on my continuing commitment to the Dharma. For me there is nothing more attractive and alluring than the overwhelming potency of the teachings of the Buddha.
Donna Summer gave us a lot of temporal joy and happiness through her music and I thank her for that. Donna Summer, wherever you are, may you be happy and in peace. Maybe you are playing some of your music in heaven so that the harp music can have a rest.
http://youtu.be/mRwjYZzvGkY
Warmest Regards,TR”
Diane
Another response from the young people’s surveyPlease see our previous newsletter for more about this survey.
Do you do any formal or informal practice? If so what form does it take?
Reading Buddhist books and doing yoga stretches regularly at home.
Do you have any visions or ideas for how you would see Dorje Ling serving your needs or others in the future?
I would love to go to more retreats there in the future and take my children to teach them about the Buddhist thinking and way of life. in the future I would like to visit at least once a year.
What are important things we as a committee need to consider to enable the centre to maintain value and integrity for its purpose in your lifetime?
Don't stop teaching. I hope once my children are a little older and more self sufficient that I can attend a Buddhist group on a regular basis.
Is there any particular way you would like to be involved?
Not at this stage, but I’m sure in the future I would be happy to help in some way. maybe on creative working bees for the Centre or something ... a sculpture trail??
