Open Your Heart

The New Year and what i am doing.....

2012-01-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

Very little! Some practices and then catching up on all the small jobs I put on "hold" until I had time to deal with them. My schedule is nearly finished for this year, with subjects for the teachings being finalised. A new country this year will be Lithuania. As soon as the calendar is ready I will publish it on this blog. Otherwise there won't be much news until March-April when I start teaching in Tushita Dharamsala. If you have been putting off writing to me because you assume I am busy, now is the time to do so, I do have time for you and will reply quite quickly. Take care and much love,

2012

2011-12-29T21:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all my teachers, my students, friends and benefactors.

May all your wishes on behalf of all sentient beings be fulfilled.

Wellington-Sydney-Adelaide-Mumbai

2011-12-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Gosh that was a long journey and very chaotic when arriving at nearly 2am in Mumbai. Now I have rested for a day and have been thinking back over my time in Wellington, I remembered how there was a good crowd of very interested, engaged people listening to the teachings.

By the way, I really enjoyed Wellington, as a city. Ok, so that's it for the year and I am now going into "teaching hibernation" until March when I return to Tushita Dharamsala for a lam rim course.

Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year to you all.

Projections....

2011-12-11T00:53:00.001-08:00

Adelaide to Wellington

2011-12-10T16:19:00.001-08:00

The teachings finished in Adelaide yesterday with a Vajrasattva purification day followed by an afternoon tea. There were lots of delicious cakes and biscuits and it "sounded" as though people really enjoyed themselves. I sat in the corridor and offered an ear to those who needed an ear. We finished around 6pm with Lyndy and Cathy making a very kind, heartfelt speech, apparently not wanting to let me go....then two students had appeared who wanted to take refuge, which I had given the day before. They were very sincere and so at the last minute I ended up giving refuge, which seems to me a very auspicious way to finish my time at Buddha House. A sincere thank you to all the volunteers who took care of me and helped me during my visit to Adelaide.
Tuesday the 13th December, the flight is through Sydney to Wellington and then teaching on Friday evening, The Art of Happiness and a weekend workshop on Healing Disturbing Emotions. Organised by LKPY.
Take care and keep developing the good heart. Please.

Kopan November Course 2010

2011-11-12T23:09:00.000-08:00

This is my last photograph with Khen Rinpoche before his passing. I will always treasure Rinpoche's kindness and compassion towards me. I am sure those of you who met him will feel the same. In the photo is the reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog.

Choeding Rinpoche in Pokhara

2011-11-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

Choeding Rinpoche's small monastery in the last year has taken on the responsibility of educating 14 new monks. They need Dharma and secular education, and they also need feeding! Rinpoche has asked me to appeal to my students and others for help. It costs $365 per year to support one monk. If you can help, please make a donation through my paypal account on my webpage - http://www.venerable-namgyel.com

Thanks so much for your kind and open heart.

I have been busy....

2011-11-06T23:17:00.000-08:00

The month in Adelaide was spent busily teaching and we also had a fundraiser for the hospices in the SA region, which was a really nice morning with good hearted people.
Ten days ago I flew from Adelaide to Kathmandu and taught a group of business people in kopan monastery. After the group left Kathmandu, I travelled to Pokhara to see Choeding Rinpoche and then found out I couldn't get back to Kathmandu because of fog. It took six and a half hours to drive back in a taxi as I was flying out the next day, returning to Adelaide. Next day, the flight to Singapore was late, because of fog!
Anyway, I am back in Adelaide and looking forward to Healing Disturbing Emotions starting on Wednesday. Come along if you can!

Australia, Adelaide

2011-10-06T02:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, a really long flight from Mexico to Adelaide. I reckon around 30 hours altogether, one flight after the other. However, when I arrived I didn't feel jetlagged at all, which I thought was very unusual for me. Must have been the warm welcome from George and Lyndy who were at the airport waiting for me. On the long weekend I taught 8 verses of thought transformation, together with some meditation on Chenresig. Yesterday (Wednesday) the first evening of four on Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying. Big crowd of around 40 people. Yours in Dharma,

Xalapa

2011-09-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all, this is my last blog before leaving Mexico. The retreat was well attended and enjoyable, meditating and talking and Bodhicitta. Teachings this week on 8 verses of thought transformation and this weekend Reiki for beginners. Unfortunately, there is a lot of violence in this area, kidnappings, murders etc. so people are really unnerved and anxious. Next time I write will be from Australia. Bye!

Photo from Vera Cruz University

2011-09-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Rinpoche: Bodhisattva attitude

2011-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

THIS MONTH: Bodhisattva Attitude

Rinpoche at Lawudo Retreat Centre,
Nepal, 1970.
By dedicating your life to others in this way, you can enjoy every day. There is always DEEP happiness in your heart instead of jealousy and so many other sufferings. When you follow your ego, negative emotional thoughts and self-cherishing, even though nobody else tortures you, you are constantly tortured by attachment, anger and so on. You create so many problems and so much negative karma and then you suffer. You harm others and yourself and then you have to experience the result by again having so many problems. Your whole life goes by like this until one day death comes and that's it. Life finishes in suffering.

With this bodhisattva attitude, you can enjoy life. You experience it with Dharma. Letting go of delusion, ego and especially the self-cherishing thought, you live with inner peace and happiness, in deep joy and satisfaction, by practicing Dharma. Then your heart is opened all the time, day and night. You are able to help other sentient beings and yourself. All your activities are accomplished and you achieve enlightenment, ceasing all gross and subtle delusions and completing all the qualities of realization. You are able to liberate others from sufferings and delusions and bring them to enlightenment.

If you live your life in this way with this total change of mind to the bodhisattva's attitude, you have deep happiness all the time. There are no regrets now and no regrets in the future, just greater and greater happiness up to enlightenment. You are able to help both yourself and others.

In the West, millions of people suffer from depression, but if you dedicate your life in the morning to numberless sentient beings, there is unbelievable joy and happiness the whole day. Cherishing the I opens the door to all suffering, while cherishing others opens the door to all happiness. When you live your life every day for others, the door to depression, relationship problems and all these things is closed and instead there is incredible joy and excitement.

With this bodhisattva attitude you become wish-fulfilling for others. All sentient beings have been wish-fulfilling and kind to you since beginningless rebirths and now you become wish-fulfilling for them. From this, all your wishes for happiness are fulfilled, even your wish to achieve liberation and enlightenment and to benefit others by causing them happiness this life, future lives, liberation and enlightenment. You become the cause of all this for others. This is how to overcome all problems.

Recite this motivation in the morning and then during the day, if somebody gets angry at you, scolds, abuses, or says nasty words, whatever happens, remember this motivation. If you ask somebody for help and they refuse, remember this motivation. Then, instead of rising anger, delusions and all that junk and garbage, you will have great peace and happiness. The point is to generate this motivation in the morning and then remember it throughout the day, especially when something happens and there is a danger to rise harmful thoughts of anger, attachment and so forth. By remembering this motivation and keeping your mind in it, you are free from creating negative karma. There is so much peace and happiness now, and in the future, the result will be enlightenment for you and for all sentient beings.

Mexico City returning to VC

2011-09-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

His Holiness's teaching was wonderful, of course. Sitting so close to HH and surrounded by loving Sangha. Who could ask for more? There is a hurricane heading towards Vera Cruz, winds around 65mph and I am on the bus this afternoon back to VC. Not sure what I will experience. Have never been in a hurricane. Tuesday evening meditation in VC and then to Xalapa where we start a Bodhicitta retreat on the 15th.

Tribute to Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup

2011-09-08T20:37:00.001-07:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rn02KJbb_Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Update on VC

2011-09-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

A public talk in one University and then another public talk yesterday in another University. Yesterday was a bit of a shock. I had said I would like to talk to a small group of students, maybe 40-50, but I found out when I arrived there were hundreds in a big auditorium. Apparently when the students heard about the talk they said "How can you shut out some students" and so insisted on being included. The time was definitely positive and the students told me they received a lot of encouragement from the talk.

Tonight we finish Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying and then tomorrow I travel to Mexico City for His Holiness's teaching on Saturday, returning to Vera Cruz on Sunday for my last talk on Tuesday evening.

15th September the retreat starts with the Xalapa group. We are meditating on the 11 steps to Bodhicitta. Followed by teachings in Xalapa from the 19th.

Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup

2011-09-07T17:41:00.003-07:00

Khen Rinpoche has passed away (7th September Nepal)......please do Medicine Buddha puja if you can. Thank you so much.

Vera Cruz

2011-09-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

A wonderful start to my time here. Around 75 people turned up for the three day workshop on Transforming Problems into Happiness. It was a hot, humid night so the air conditioners were working very hard and the subject probably added a bit more heat!
Well done Ceci and Oscar for organizing such a good turnout. Ceci has been on the radio and Oscar put up posters.

Inspiration from Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche

2011-09-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Good Heart is the Root of Happiness
[posted Aug 2011]
Rinpoche gave this advice about the good heart at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in June 2011. Scribe, Ven. Holly Ansett.

Since I had a stroke, I started to see a physiotherapist in Nepal. Suddenly my physiotherapist asked questions while doing physiotherapy, then at the very end he said, “not so many people in the world have a good heart.” Usually when we say that, it means being rough and tough to others.
Here is my answer to that question, my way of thinking about that. Usually it is regarded as less important in the world to have a good heart, instead we are very tough and uncaring, we cheat and hurt others, we tell lies and cause loss to others to get our own happiness, profits and so forth.
Even if other people don’t practice the good heart, still we should practice the good heart because we want happiness and we don’t want suffering. Even if other sentient beings don’t practice the good heart or they try to harm us, cause us loss, kill us and so forth, if we practice only the good heart from our own side—if we are kind and only benefit others with our body, speech and mind or at the very least we don’t cause harm to other sentient beings, then we will experience happiness.
As a result of one act of kindness, the good heart, we will experience the result, happiness, for thousands of lifetimes. From that one act of kindness, benefiting someone with our body, speech and mind or at least not harming another, the result is happiness. This is the result, even if we are looking only for our own happiness.
Generating the good heart helps all sentient beings, and at least not harming sentient beings purifies instantly our negative karmas and defilements created from beginningless rebirth and we collect unbelievable merit.
It is mentioned in the Bodhicaryavatara by the great holy being, the bodhisattva Shantideva, that even thinking about healing the headache of sentient beings has benefit. No question if we are actually working for the happiness of all sentient beings. There is no need to mention the benefit from that, the most unbelievable, unbelievable great benefit that has.
By having a good heart, and at the very least not harming others, it brings us happiness and by the way brings happiness to all sentient beings. If we harm someone, whether an animal or human being then we receive harm from others for many hundreds and thousands of lifetimes, and we can’t benefit others for that length of time. When we can’t benefit others, then the purpose of our life becomes meaningless, the purpose of our life is lost and we become totally lost, like being stuck in a quagmire of mud or in the ocean.
By generating compassion, the good heart and loving kindness to someone—to even one sentient being—it brings us to full enlightenment. We achieve not only liberation from samsara, but also full enlightenment, buddhahood—the complete cessation of all the defilements and sufferings and the complete realizations, omniscience.
So, the purpose of generating the good heart is incredible. We can gain all the realizations—whatever we want to achieve and we will have no obstacles, no blockage to benefit ALL SENTIENT BEINGS, to free them from all the sufferings and causes of suffering, and to be able to give them all the causes of temporal and ultimate happiness, liberation from samsara and full enlightenment.
It is common knowledge even in our own lives, that someone who has a good heart not only makes himself happy, but also makes his family and parents happy. He can even make someone who doesn’t know him happy, without even mentioning being able to bring ultimate happiness, enlightenment, to all sentient beings. Definitely that person can bring peace to this world. Living life with the good heart is the most important thing, and even animals become happy with us—even the birds and dogs, everybody.
We must care for this tiny sentient being, this ant, that has been our brother and sister in the past. All these ants have been human beings before, like us, then due to ignorance and not knowing the I, not knowing Dharma, from anger and attachment they are born in the lower realms as an ant and so forth, due to delusion and karma. We can’t imagine falling into the lower realms and being born as an ant after we die. It’s hard to imagine. By not understanding Dharma and not practicing Dharma, then due to delusion and karma we may be born as ant. Can you imagine?
We have been born like that numberless times, after being a human then we are reborn in the lower realms as an ant. We have been exactly the same as this ant or another insect so tiny that we can only see it through a microscope. We have been exactly the same as this tiny sentient being, or as a being with a body as huge as a mountain.
Since I had this stroke, paralysis, it gives an idea how it is possible. We can’t imagine being born like this, as an ant and so forth—we can’t imagine the suffering. We can’t even stand the human beings' problems and sufferings, so no way can we stand the sufferings of the animals, hell beings, pretas and so forth. This is why we must understand Dharma and practice the good heart now. It is very important.
Buddha taught 100 volumes called the Kangyur, and then the great scholars and many Indian pandits—the six ornaments and the two sublime disciples and so forth—gave commentaries on these texts. The commentaries are called the Tengyur and there are more than 200 volumes. Then there are also the great scholars and holy beings in Tibet and all their teachings.
Buddhism came from India, from Buddha, and then went to Tibet and Nepal. Buddhism became well established in Tibet, so many people practiced and served and so many became bodhisattvas and buddhas in Tibet. Tibet is unbelievable; there are so many holy places, also in Nepal. When Buddhism in India degenerated, then in Tibet it became like sunshine.
Buddhism is not made up or created by Tibetan lamas, without a lineage from ancient times. In the early days Tibetan Buddhism was referred to as Lamaism but it is totally wrong to call it that.
With Buddhism, the more we learn, the deeper our knowledge. Buddhism goes deeper and deeper, but with other religions that have just a little learning, we touch the bottom. Buddhism is like an ocean and the real understanding is when we achieve omniscient mind, when we become Buddha.
Therefore, generating the good heart to everybody—towards insects, hungry ghosts, hell beings, human beings, suras and asuras—is the very essence of life. The good heart is the real meaning of life and the most important education; it is the root of our happiness and the happiness of all sentient beings.
Thank you very much.

With much love and prayers,
Lama Zopa

PHOTOS OF THE PUBLIC TALK

2011-08-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Durango to Vera Cruz

2011-08-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

A really busy time in Durango, Mx. Started with a big public teaching "The Art of Happiness" based on HH's teachings. 3000 people turned up and as observers told me, became very peaceful and happy. That was followed by a 3 day workshop on Disturbing Emotions, around 150 people and then the Governor asked me if I could teach near Torreon. The Government organized it at very short notice and on Sunday I flew there and back and taught to a few hundred people. Very nice to see some old friends from the Rinchen Zangpo Centre in Torreon who were in the front row. The reason the teaching happened is because the Government received more than 80 phone calls asking why I wasn't teaching in that area. Fantastic! Now I have arrived in Vera Cruz and start teaching tomorrow. Bye!

Mexico - Guadalajara to Morelia.

2011-08-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

My first teaching engagement has been in Guadalajara. A weekend of Bodhicitta, teachings during the week and then another weekend of Healing Disturbing Emotions. I travel tomorrow to Morelia and teach for the weekend, returning to Guadalajara. Then I travel to Cozumel for a Medicine Buddha retreat.

Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup

2011-07-09T18:52:00.001-07:00

Dear friends,

Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup is now in an advanced stage of cancer.
Our Most kind Guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised today that it would be very beneficial for Khenrinpoche if those who have karmic connections with him ( eg. have received advice, oral transmission, other teachings, or taken refuge with him) can do the Ksithigarba practice as many times as possible.
Please pass this message on to students of Khenrinpoche who might not be on this mailing list.

Please find this practice below.

With many thanks

Kopan office

Kshitigarbha Practice

I prostrate, go for refuge, and make offerings to the bodhisattva Kshitigarbha who has unbearable compassion for me and all sentient beings who are suffering and whose minds are obscured, who has qualities like the sky and liberates sentient beings from all suffering and gives every happiness. Please grant blessings! (3x)

With hands folded in prostration, you can visualize doing the prostration to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas – that becomes prostration when you say the word “prostration.” When you say “refuge,” think that you are asking to be free from the two obscurations (to be able to achieve enlightenment). When you say the word “offering,” think all the offerings that you have are then offered.

Then, when you ask for “blessings,” think in the mind the whole path to enlightenment – this is the blessing to be received. So the extensive benefits of this mantra will be translated. This is the mantra that Kshitigarbha heard from buddhas equaling the number of sand grains of the river Ganga (in India). He made offerings to them and then received this mantra. This is the story of the mantra – how to receive all of the benefits.

This mantra is to be used for any difficulties of problems. It is the best one to do for any problems in any situation. Even reciting it only four or five times – just a few times – is very powerful. It speaks so much of power, showing how important the bodhisattva is. Even to recite or just to think of the name of the bodhisattva is very, very powerful.

Long Mantra:

CHHIM BHO CHHIM BHO CHIM CHHIM BHO / AKASHA CHHIM BHO / VAKARA CHHIM BHO / AMAVARA CHHIM BHO / VARA CHHIM BHO / VACHIRA CHHIM BHO / AROGA CHHIM BHO / DHARMA CHHIM BHO / SATEVA CHHIM BHO / SATENI HALA CHHIM BHO / VIVA ROKA SHAVA CHHIM BHO / UVA SHAMA CHHIM BHO / NAYANA CHHIM BHO / PRAJÑA SAMA MONI RATNA CHHIM BHO / KSHANA CHHIM BHO / VISHEMA VARIYA CHHIM BHO / SHASI TALA MAVA CHHIM BHO / VI AH DRASO TAMA HELE / DAM VE YAM VE / CHAKRASE / CHAKRA VASILE / KSHILI PHILE KARAVA / VARA VARITE / HASERE PRARAVE / PARECHARA BHANDHANE / ARADANE / PHANARA / CHA CHI CHA CHA / HILE MILE AKHATA THAGEKHE / THAGAKHI LO / THHARE THHARE MILE MADHE / NANTE KULE MILE / ANG KU CHITABHE / ARAI GYIRE VARA GYIRE / KUTA SHAMAMALE /TONAGYE TONAGYE / TONAGULE / HURU HURU HURU / KULO STO MILE / MORITO / MIRITA / BHANDHATA / KARA KHAM REM / HURU HURU

Short Mantra:

OM AH KSHITI GARBHA THALENG HUM

Buddha’s Praise of Kshitigarbha

You have generated stability of thought and the pure altruistic thought of bodhichitta and have eliminated the sufferings of immeasurable sentient beings. I see (sentient beings) receiving happiness as from a wish-granting jewel, and like the vajra you cut the nets of others’ doubts. You offer holy offerings to the foe destroyers, the qualified ones gone beyond, with great compassionate thought and perseverance. You liberate sentient beings from their sufferings with oceans of wisdom. Because you have no fear (delusions), you have gone beyond samsara.

Brahma heard this mantra and then said to the entire assembly, “Please rejoice in the mantra I have now said.”

And Buddha said, “Great, great.”

This practice is especially beneficial for those who have heavy problems, serious health problems, big projects, or financial difficulties. I suggest it is extremely powerful to recite every day for protection, at least four or five times or more, depending on how crucial it is.

This practice is effective even to grow crops well and to protect land and crops. In the sutra of the bodhisattva Kshitigarbha are explained the extensive benefits and qualities: they are like the sky, like skies of benefit to all beings. There have been experiences, similar benefits (to those spoken of in the sutra) received by those who practice Kshitigarbha.

Colophon:

This practice was compiled and dictated to Getsul Thubten Nyingje by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Madison, Wisconsin, June 30, 1998 and subsequently checked. Lightly edited by Murray Wright & Kendall Magnussen, Land of Medicine Buddha, August 24, 1998. Revised April 5, 1999 in Aptos, CA.

Onwards ......

2011-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

From Riga to Moscow, nearly finished teaching. On Sunday to Helsinki for a couple of days and then USA to attend HH's birthday celebration and Kalachakra. After that Mexico for a few weeks. Take care and much love.

Busy, busy and more busy

2011-05-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been updating so often lately, but it has been busy. I taught near Munich, an amazing group of business coaches and met Burgel in Munich who took me to a really nice restaurant near a lake. On to Vienna and Andrea who is an amazing woman - very dedicated and always busy! Taught Reiki One and gave Dharma teachings and then to Switzerland and Bern. Home to Ani Rita. Really nice group of young people - I taught Healing Disturbing Emotions and then went out of Bern for lunch at Lama Yeshe's old students with a beautiful gompa in the roof and then to a small country village for some teachings. Back to Bern and the flight to Madrid. Three courses for business people and coaches and then to Riga. Take care and thanks for all your kind thoughts manifesting as emails!

Our Guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche

2011-05-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

For updates regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s health:
http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/rinpoches-health-updates-and-practices.html

Serious news for natural healing

2011-04-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

To put your name on the petition, go to www.avaaz.org

224,827 have signed in the first 24 hours. Let's get to 1,000,000
In 2 days, the EU will ban much of herbal medicine, pressing more of us to take pharmaceutical drugs that drive the profits of big Pharma.

The EU Directive erects high barriers to any herbal remedy that hasn't been on the market for 30 years -- including virtually all Chinese, Ayurvedic, and African traditional medicine. It's a draconian move that helps drug companies and ignores thousands of years of medical knowledge.

We need a massive outcry against this. Together, our voices can press the EU Commission to fix the directive, push our national governments to refuse to implement it, and give legitimacy to a legal case before the courts. Sign on the right, then forward this campaign to everyone, and let's get to 1 million voices to save herbal medicine:

Guru manifesting sickness

2011-04-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

Just received a newsletter from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive and they mention advice Rinpoche has given to students regarding other teacher's manifesting sickness. I thought it would be beneficial to reproduce it here:

Regarding the guru having sicknesses, and whether to have treatment or not, this answer is not for every single guru, but a general answer.

The disciple should pray for the long life and health of the guru, because disciples’ prayers have power. Why? Because there is a Dharma connection.

You can’t leave this out, saying, “This is Buddha, who does not need anything,” and then do nothing. Because the guru is showing an ordinary aspect, such as having suffering and sickness, you should offer service, get medicine, and so forth. The need for your service is also part of the manifestation, and it is for us sentient beings to collect merit and purify. Those sentient beings who offer service need their negative karma to be purified. These are the reasons for the guru’s sickness, because it makes possible very powerful purification for sentient beings, for them to achieve enlightenment quicker.

It is good to recognize this. When Lama Atisha showed the aspect of diarrhea and loss of control of his bowels, Drontompa cleaned it with his hands, without any thought of its being dirty, and from this he achieved clairvoyance. Because his mind was clarified from these actions, he was able to read the minds of sentient beings, even ants, even the minds of people as far away as an eagle can fly in 18 days.

Thank you very much for your concern and for your guru devotion. That is your jewel, the root that eliminates all defilements and obstacles, and achieves all realizations and enlightenment, and enlightenment for all sentient beings. (Advice given by Lama Zopa Rinpche).

Our Guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche

2011-04-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

I recently received the news that Lama Zopa Rinpoche is manifesting illness. I know many students are extremely concerned about Rinpoche and how to create the karma to have the perception of Rinpoche being totally healthy. Practices have been recommended and I do urge you to check the FPMT website for updates on Rinpoche's health and how you can be of service. Even this manifestion of sickness is empty of inherent existence and is impermanent, therefore it can be changed. However, it is a dependent arising and that's where we come in!

Thank you.

Teaching schedule for 2011

2011-03-04T03:48:00.003-08:00

http://venerable-namgyel.com/archives/251

2011-02-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is an extract from a teaching given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the 1970's. It has been published by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive as a booklet. Do look at their site, it has an amazing amount of resources available.

By dedicating your life to others in this way, you can enjoy every day. There is always DEEP happiness in your heart instead of jealousy and so many other sufferings. When you follow your ego, negative emotional thoughts and self-cherishing, even though nobody else tortures you, you are constantly tortured by attachment, anger and so on. You create so many problems and so much negative karma and then you suffer. You harm others and yourself and then you have to experience the result by again having so many problems. Your whole life goes by like this until one day death comes and that's it. Life finishes in suffering.

With this bodhisattva attitude, you can enjoy life. You experience it with Dharma. Letting go of delusion, ego and especially the self-cherishing thought, you live with inner peace and happiness, in deep joy and satisfaction, by practicing Dharma. Then your heart is opened all the time, day and night. You are able to help other sentient beings and yourself. All your activities are accomplished and you achieve enlightenment, ceasing all gross and subtle delusions and completing all the qualities of realization. You are able to liberate others from sufferings and delusions and bring them to enlightenment.

If you live your life in this way with this total change of mind to the bodhisattva's attitude, you have deep happiness all the time. There are no regrets now and no regrets in the future, just greater and greater happiness up to enlightenment. You are able to help both yourself and others.

In the West, millions of people suffer from depression, but if you dedicate your life in the morning to numberless sentient beings, there is unbelievable joy and happiness the whole day. Cherishing the I opens the door to all suffering, while cherishing others opens the door to all happiness. When you live your life every day for others, the door to depression, relationship problems and all these things is closed and instead there is incredible joy and excitement.

With this bodhisattva attitude you become wish-fulfilling for others. All sentient beings have been wish-fulfilling and kind to you since beginningless rebirths and now you become wish-fulfilling for them. From this, all your wishes for happiness are fulfilled, even your wish to achieve liberation and enlightenment and to benefit others by causing them happiness this life, future lives, liberation and enlightenment. You become the cause of all this for others. This is how to overcome all problems.

Recite this motivation in the morning and then during the day, if somebody gets angry at you, scolds, abuses, or says nasty words, whatever happens, remember this motivation. If you ask somebody for help and they refuse, remember this motivation. Then, instead of rising anger, delusions and all that junk and garbage, you will have great peace and happiness. The point is to generate this motivation in the morning and then remember it throughout the day, especially when something happens and there is a danger to rise harmful thoughts of anger, attachment and so forth. By remembering this motivation and keeping your mind in it, you are free from creating negative karma. There is so much peace and happiness now, and in the future, the result will be enlightenment for you and for all sentient beings.

Kopan monsoon programme

2011-02-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to say that I will not be teaching in Kopan this monsoon. I will be attending His Holiness's Kalachakra in the United States in July.

My programme

2011-02-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

End of April, Vienna, followed by 16th May teaching business coaches for three days in Munich. Then Bern, Switzerland from the 20th May for a few days. June will be Riga and Moscow. Exact dates to be confirmed.

Karma and moving on!

2011-02-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

Ani Rita taught the Karma course very well, although it was a small group, they were very interested and involved in the subject. Then I taught Reiki Two for a wonderful trio, immediately followed by Reiki One. Next weekend is another Reiki course and then What Colour is Your Mind? for three days. The Reiki course at the end of the month has changed dates to the afternoon of the 28th and all day the first, followed by a course starting on the 2nd March: 6 Causes and One Effect.

The Nyingma Monlam just finished and suddenly there are thousands of monks and nuns and lay practitioners leaving town. Such an amazing energy when the Monlam is happening and so quiet after they leave.

Bodh Gaya

2011-01-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time at His Holiness's teachings in Sarnath and must report that I did not get sick at all, not even a sniffle! From what I hear from many other people, my good health was the exception to the rule. Many people seemed to get really ill and some of them are now in Root Institute recuperating. We have just started Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying and quite a few of the participants have come from the November course and then Sarnath. I rejoice! It is truly beautiful here at Root. The gardens are magnificent. Huge flowers of various colours in a tranquil garden setting. The stupa is really busy, attracting people from all around the world. The next course is "Karma" with Ani Rita teaching and me leading meditations. Then I teach Reiki 2 on the 10/11th February followed by Reiki One on the 12/13th February; 19th/20th February and the 26th/27th February.

If you are looking for my schedule, it is on the www.fpmt.org website. Look under touring teachers and you will find my schedule there.

I send you all my love and prayers from the Buddhist power spot!

Geshe Khamlungpa said.....

2010-12-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here's my Christmas/New Year message to all my students and others.....

As it is so very difficult to obtain a life of leisure and opportunity, guard moral practice as you would your eyes. As it is not certain when your illusory body will be destroyed, practice the Dharma with body, speech and mind. As impermanent virtuous work is ineffectual until dedicated, make heartfelt prayers for the benefit of all living beings. As all that is impermanent is illusory, abandon attachment, not holding anything as truly existent.

With much love and many, many, many prayers for your long life, good health and success in all your Dharma work......

November Course Kopan Monastery

2010-11-15T20:10:00.000-08:00

The course has started and it is busy. I am leading the morning and afternoon meditations and have interviews with the students during the lunch break. Somehow I thought that would leave me lots of free of time for my own practice, but this is reality, ha ha! The course seems to be going well. Venerable Steve is a knowledgeable teacher with training in Tibetan monasteries but also with experience of teaching in the west. We are very fortunate to have such a qualified teacher. He also has a good sense of humour and I very much enjoy talking to him.

Unfortunately, I received very sad news yesterday that Alejandra Sarmiento from Guadalajra is in hospital very sick, paralyzed down one side, and her son, Osel is of course, terribly upset. I would request you to include them in your prayers and pujas. Thanks so much.

That's all my news for now. I probably won't write again until the end of the course. I will be attending His Holiness's teachings in Sarnath and then teaching in Root Institute, Bodh Gaya, from end of January to the end of February. Take care and remember to put the teachings into practice.

Dhaka

2010-10-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

My first teaching is tonight and then all day tomorrow and Saturday. They are expecting 30 or so people, some Bangladeshi, so that is wonderful for a fairly new group. All thanks to Laura's energy in putting out the word.
Just received a photo from my "minder" in Bunbury - Michael. He did a truly great job organising food, people, and whatever needed to be done during the time I was there (including driving me for many hours to places like Dunsborough and Denmark). When he saw this photo, he realised how much bigger than me he is - he is tall!

Heart Advice of the Kadampa Masters

2010-10-26T02:09:00.000-07:00

As Shantideva said in the Bodhicaryavatara:

If one who is influenced by fettering passions

Will even kill himself,

How can it be

That he will not harm others?

Influenced by fettering passions

He will destroy himself and others, too.

If I am angry and have no compassion,

I am worse than he.

"The third meditation of patience is on teacher and disciple. If there is no lama to impart instruction, there can be no vow. If there is no teacher to explain the Dharma, there can be no realization. Similarly, if there is no enemy who harms you, there can be no practice of patience. Thus, feel that those who abuse you are the teachers of patience. Be happy at this opportunity and concentrate on repaying their kindness. Meditating that you are a disciple being taught patience, do not be angry."

Bangkok

2010-10-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Bangkok at first sight seemed fairly similar to my last visit. However, I slowly realised that the water level is very high and many people are really suffering from floods within the city. There is more rain predicted so the danger has not passed. I am enjoying a bit of relaxation (apart from many looks from people wondering what I am!) and tomorrow on to Dhaka and some teachings.

Bunbury-Denmark-Bunbury

2010-10-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

On the weekend, Michael one of my past students from Medicine Buddha in Kopan, drove me down to Denmark on the coast, which took four hours and I taught all day Saturday and Sunday on Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying. It was a very enthusiastic crowd with lots of questions and feedback. Tonight we have the last of my formal teaching in Bunbury. Thursday is a meditation evening and Saturday morning again meditations based on Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying.

A good friend of mine, Gonpo la from McLeod Ganj, HP, India has just started his own website, which is very nice, if you are interested in natural healing, he is wonderful. The site is: www.gonpotherapy.com

Sunday I fly to Bangkok, then on to Dhaka and a few days of teaching on Destructive Emotions and then to Kathmandu where I am leading the meditations on the November course.

Take care, much love and remember to Open Your Heart!

Bunbury

2010-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Since arriving I have taught a reiki course, Peaceful Living, meditation for busy people and today, the funniest day, Dorje Khadro fire puja in the rain! Next weekend I teach in Denmark. Back to Bunbury for a few days and then the flight to Bangkok.

Hello Down Under

2010-09-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Well, again, I could give many excuses why this blog is late, but let's not bother! After nearly 24 hours of travel I have arrived in Perth, Australia. The worst part is always the customs here and whether I have items made of wood, bone etc. Michael and his wife along with another student met me at the airport and soon I was at home. Lots of chat, good dinner and now catching up on emails before an early night. Tomorrow we drive to Bunbury and my teachings begin. At the end of this month I will be giving some teachings in Dhakka, then back to Nepal and the November course. January/February 2011 I am sure I mentioned will be spent in Root Institute, Bodh Gaya teaching some Reiki courses and two Dharma courses together with my Dharma sister, Ani Rita.

Please open YOUR heart!

2010-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

The two courses in Spain, from the feedback I received, were useful for the participants and it seems successful. We raised some money for the Kopan nuns, which always pleases me....

I just heard from a friend of mine who is the Director of Root Institute in Bodh Gaya and she urgently needs a volunteer for the office and also people to help with meditations. If you are interested to help please either email me, or Root Institute. Thanks so much.

I will be in India for three weeks and then off to the Hospice of Mother Tara in WA, Australia for a month. Returning to Dhakka for a few days teaching and then Kopan and the November course.

Hello from Doha!

2010-08-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

I am really sorry the posts have been few and far between. A few excuses include the very slow and difficult line at Kopan but more than that would be how busy I was at Kopan. There was little space between the courses and when I did have time off the broadband was either off, or too slow. Many people came for the courses and now BodhiTV have made a DVD of Healing Disturbing Emotions which is on sale in Kopan already. We hope to make it available through the Kopan webshop. I am now on my way to Spain for a course on the 8 verses of thought transformation followed by a course for business people. Then returning to India for a short break before Australia.
My health is fine, thanks to those of you asking and I hope and pray you are all well and happy and putting the Dharma into practice.

Monsoon continues

2010-07-11T02:14:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first real downpour of the monsoon. Now we are back to sunny with clouds in the afternoon, not difficult to manage as long as you have a big umbrella! So, to update you on what has happened since the last course. Around 25 people participated in Peaceful Living and I must say the course became very subdued and quiet near the end. Perhaps it is as the Kadampa lamas used to say that meditating on death is extremely important for change to happen. When Khen Rinpoche came for Question and Answer, KR asked the students which questions do you have, and they just stared at him, quietly, not looking like they had any questions! I got worried!! Anyway, then KR gave a wonderful teaching on the whole path, gave oral transmissions of mantras and asked all the people in the room to work for world peace.

We start the Medicine Buddha retreat today and it is full. People are coming from all over the world and some are even having obstacles to get here, which I always think is very beneficial. Following the retreat is Reiki for beginners and Reiki Two for more advanced students. Then a Discovering Buddhist course for 7 days and a Tara retreat and then my teaching time in Kopan is finished. I will be traveling to Spain to teach a thought transformation course.

The next time I give you news will be at the end of the Medicine Buddha retreat. Don't forget on the 15th July is a Wheel Turning Day, the merit is multiplied and it is International Sangha Day. Take care of your monks and nuns! Thanks and much love.

Kopan Monastery

2010-06-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

We had a busy time with the Healing Destructive Emotions course. Around 40 people working hard on their emotions, with some good positive results. Khen Rinpoche came on the last day and gave a really inspiring talk and answered many questions. Following that we had a Reiki course which was over-subscribed and people seemed to be happy and full of energy at the end. Today is an auspicious day as it is the full moon and an eclipse, I heard. Do your best to accumulate positive energy today and at the end of the day please dedicate to all suffering sentient beings that they may never suffer ever again.

Thank you.

Our next course is Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying for seven days from the 30th June.

Donations - paypal

2010-06-03T00:57:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I have been using paypal for many years. It was a useful way to receive donations and disburse to various good causes. However, recently, paypal has changed it's rules and it has become difficult for me to receive money this way. I am trying to resolve the problem, but right now, if you want to make a donation for anything, please let me know and we can do through bank transfer.

Kathmandu Nepal

2010-05-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

I have received some emails from concerned people wondering whether it is safe to travel to Kathmandu at this time. Therefore, I contacted Kopan Monastery and asked them about our safety and they have assured me there are no problems affecting the monastery, it is only a political problem and now that seems to have been sorted out for a while. Please rest assured that if there is anything disturbing about the situation in Nepal, I will post it on my blog immediately. With much love, Venerable Namgyel.

BodhiTV

2010-05-24T22:14:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to tell you that the second part of the video series, taught in Kopan, has just been put on the BodhiTV site (see previous blog note).....love, Venerable.

Great News fro Nepal!

2010-05-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

One of my friends, Mausham Shakya, recorded some of my teachings in Kopan last year and they have just been put on Mausham's site. They will also be broadcast on public TV in Nepal.

Here is the link: http://www.bodhitv.com/view/76/opening-the-doors-to-mahayana-dharma/

Helsinki-London-Mumbai

2010-04-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

I must confess that I felt some trepidation about leaving Mexico, 28C and traveling to Helsinki where it was minus 8C. However, when I arrived it had warmed up to around zero in the day!! The warmth of the people and the response to the teachings more than made up for the cold. Stina and Eeva went more than out of their way to make sure I was well taken care of. Stina gave up her flat and kept taking me to really nice restaurants. Eeva also made sure all big and small details were covered for the retreat outside of Helsinki. I very much hope I can return to Helsinki and continue teaching the students there.

Xalapa-Mexico City to Helsinki

2010-03-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Nearly two weeks of teachings, taught at the public university today, many people turned up and we ended on a high in the Xalapa Centre today with teachings on tong len. I feel very satisfied that this long tour has been beneficial from many points of view but now I feel I need a few days rest, but won't get it in Mexico City as it is going to be busy there with many meetings.

Helsinki then on to India. Won't be in touch for a while, so please put into practice the Dharma. That makes your life totally beneficial.

Vera Cruz-Xalapa

2010-03-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all - just finished Vera Cruz which was hectic. We enjoyed a weekend retreat on lam rim, which seemed to be enjoyed. Just arrived in Xalapa and after Mexico City. Just heard marvellous news that I am leading the meditations for the November course in Kopan Monastery. More news soon!

Meeting with the Governor of Durango

2010-03-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

The Governor offered me extremely nice and meaningful presents and then I promptly offered them to Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, as a means of creating an auspicious occasion. Hope I was successful!

Durango-Ags-Durango-Guadalajra

2010-03-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

It has taken me a little time to sit down and write some news for you all. The time in Durango was busy, as I previously said, with both public talks of nearly two hours on television and then repeated on television. There was an enormous response. During lunch with some important people from Durango, I mentioned that perhaps Durango needed a stupa in order to change the energy of negativity to positive. This was received very enthusiastically by non-Buddhists and the suggestion was put to the Governor. The Governor then said he wanted to meet me, but unfortunately on the day it was supposed to happen, there was a security crisis (also proving the need for a stupa!). So, I drove in pouring rain to see a potential site in a park that the Government would like to offer for the stupa, then drove over six hours to Aguascalientes, taught Living Peacefully, Dying Peacefully to a big crowd of over 50 people, heard Martha resign as the Director and Victor appointed as the temporary Director, then drove back to Durango on Sunday evening, met the Governor on Monday and we put the project to him. He was very kind and said many complimentary things, and said he liked the project very much and it would be put to the Municipal Government as a proposal. Then we drove to Guadalajara which is many hours away and then I gave a teaching on Thursday night on Forgiveness. Friday and the weekend we had a Tara retreat. Sunday evening Refuge and Bodhisattva vows. Monday we met my friend who owns the beautiful restaurant where I took the photograph with the Buddha last time. Today I have some meetings and then I leave tomorrow for Serlinpa and Destructive Emotions. Then Vera Cruz and a retreat, plus Reiki for beginners, then Xalapa and 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Kopan calendar

2010-02-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody, I am very busy, as usual, in Durango, north Mexico, with TV and radio appearances plus two public talks and two retreats. However, I have managed to work out the dates with Kopan for the next monsoon. Please look at my google calendar for the details. See you all soon!

Guadalajara

2010-02-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

The Director of Khamlungpa Centre, Guadalajara, invited me for a farewell lunch at a restaurant in the city and on my way out of the door, surprise, look at the photo! I also met the owner, who is an extremely nice man. I am now in Durango and have started the teaching programme here with a public talk - we had over 200 people on a freezing cold night. This evening we start a weekend retreat on the 12 links.

An image of Guru Devotion

2010-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Lama Zopa Rinpoche exhibiting his superlative Guru Devotion for Geshe Sopa (Wisconsin University) and this photograph was taken at Maitripa University, Portland.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche

2010-01-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

A beautiful poster from Rinpoche's previous visit to Guadalajara in Mexico.

A wonderful new book from Rinpoche....

2010-01-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

I am very fortunate to have been offered a copy of a book published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. The book is entitled “The Heart of the Path” by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, edited by my dear friend Ven. Ailsa Cameron.

Here is an extract, to encourage you to buy this book immediately! Page 21:

How does this power of the guru come about? It is a dependent arising; it comes about through causes and conditions. Phenomena exist in dependence upon many factors and each phenomenon has its own nature, power and function. The power created by the meeting of the guru and a disciple is a dependent arising, like two atoms meeting to produce nuclear power or two batteries meeting to produce a charge. For example, a flashlight needs two batteries to produce light; one battery is not enough but if we align the positive and negative ends of two batteries, light is produced.

How does that person become the most powerful in our life? It happens the moment we make a Dharma connection with him. The moment we establish Dharma contact with someone with the recognition of a guru-disciple relationship, that person becomes the most powerful object in our life, more powerful than numberless buddhas. Once we recognize that person as our guru, the one we will rely upon to guide us to the happiness of future lives, liberation and enlightenment, and ourselves as his disciple, that person – whether he is an enlightened or ordinary being, lay or ordained, Tibetan or Western, male or female – becomes the most powerful object for us. So, it’s a mental thing. The power is created by our making that decision to recognize someone as our guru and then making Dharma contact, not from whether or not the person is an enlightened being. The moment that person becomes our guru, he becomes the most powerful being in our life, even if he is not a buddha or even a bodhisattva but just a very ordinary being.

I have arrived in Gudalajara, Mexico and we start the teaching programme this Thursday for two weeks and then on to Durango. I am well, my arm is receiving physiotherapy which helped enormously, but still it is going to take more time to heal completely. With much love from Venerable.

Christmas retreat in Serlinpa

2010-01-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

There was a surprising number of people for the Christmas/new year retreat and then an even bigger crowd for the Reiki class. Two groups came specially from Morelia to attend Reiki and it gave me an opportunity to talk about afflictive emotions. We then spent a couple of nights in Toluca and I was very fortunate to experience a really nice hotel with heating as Toluca is now cold. We drove to Puebla through Mexico City and we are back with Marie Carmen and her great hospitality. Guadalajara is next. Wishing you all the very best for this year. Let's aim for Bodhicitta and Enlightenment!

CANCUN TEACHING FINISHED

2009-12-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend teaching 16 people Reiki for beginners and we had a really good time, especially as the weather decided to cool off. When we first arrived in Cancun it was around 30C but now it is 22C today and heavy rain. On Thursday we take the flight to Puebla and then drive to Zitacuaro on the 26th ready for the Medicine Buddha retreat on the 27th......Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

Luxury retreat in Cancun

2009-12-13T15:28:00.001-08:00

This may well be the most luxurious retreat yet. I am sitting in my air-conditioned room with ensuite bathroom and an outdoor Jacuzzi all to myself, and they expect me to lead a retreat! It is difficult enough leaving the room, ha ha! Anyway, we are a few hours drive from Cancun in the countryside. This is an eco-resort which belongs to a relative of Sonia’s. Around 17 people in the group and we are discussing Atisha’s Precious Rosary for the development of Bodhicitta. Ani Paldron is assisting me with meditations and Moya from the Cozumel FPMT group is very ably translating. Next Tuesday I teach on the practice of forgiveness; Thursday I will talk about how to develop a daily practice and then on the weekend there is a group of people learning how to give Reiki. The following week we travel to Cozumel, the island paradise, for two days, returning to Cancun to fly out on the 24th to Puebla and then on the 26th December we drive to Serlinpa, Zitacuaro for the Medicine Buddha retreat. It is really busy in Mexico, so if I don’t get a chance to do this before Christmas, I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year. We should remember at Christmas that Jesus taught how to develop qualities, particularly love and tolerance and as Buddhists we should pay attention to the many opportunities we have to subdue the afflictive emotions and develop qualities. Thank you. (this was a reminder to myself, of what I should do)….......much affectionate love, Venerable Namgyel.
Ps from my room I am looking straight out onto the swimming pool, which would be incredible, but as most of you know I don’t like swimming, but I do like looking at water, so that’s another benefit of being here, from my bed I can see blue water and behind blue sky……very cooling.

Puebla retreat

2009-12-08T07:07:00.001-08:00

A beautiful photo of the volcano at night, taken by Ceci and a group photo at the end of the retreat. You can see my new attendant on my left, Venerable Paldron.

Puebla

2009-12-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Hello, just returned from a four day retreat on a mountain, at 3,500metres looking onto a volcano. Here is a photo from the window of my room. The venue was a Christian monastery and very well organised by Ma. Carmen. Ani Paldron has been attending me and leading the meditations and will continue to travel with me to Cancun and Serlinpa. She was one of my students from last year and has now taken ordination. Some good karma ripened! I think the people enjoyed the retreat and many were psychologists. They said they would use the teachings to change and that is encouraging. On Tuesday we fly to Cancun. With all best wishes, Ven.

Xalapa

2009-11-30T10:00:00.001-08:00

We spent a nice day out yesterday, driving from Puebla to Xalapa to look at land for the hospice project. The land really is beautiful, about 45 mins drive from the city. Flat, with many mango trees but also space to build. The director of the project, Salvador did a great job finding it. We are a bit short of money for the total price, so I go into negotiations tomorrow - please add the Mother Tara Hospice into your prayers! On the way back, we experienced absolutely beautiful cloud formations and I tried to capture it, hope you can understand a little of the beauty from these photos:

Puebla Mexico

2009-11-26T16:40:00.001-08:00

I was invited to teach at the biggest university in Puebla today. Over 100 people attended the talk on the Art of Happiness which lasted for nearly two hours. I gave some practical hints for people without Dharma knowledge and particularly I am now recommending meditation for beginners as a way of understanding their behaviour and how to change. Tomorrow night I speak to a new Buddhist group in Puebla, then Sunday we travel to Xalapa to look at possible land for the hospice project. Wednesday the retreat at a Christian Monastery starts. Then Cancun from the 8th December....

Beautiful Barcelona

2009-11-20T01:36:00.000-08:00

The news from Spain

2009-11-20T01:23:00.000-08:00

Just a short blog to tell you what has been happening, before I fly to Mexico on Sunday. As you may know, I was invited to Barcelona to speak at a conference organised by the International Coaching Federation. The conference hosted participants from all around the world. I was the first speaker, which made me feel nervous, as my talk was from 11am until 2.30pm. However, from the beginning, the audience made it very clear that they understood and appreciated the tenets of Buddhism and we had a good time working out how to use those tenets in business. Fernando, who had organised my participation at the conference, was also on stage with me and helped enormously to translate what I was saying into something the coaches would appreciate and understand.
I have also been meeting with business leaders trying to help them increase their people-managing skills.

I know this is a bit backwards, but I forgot to mention my time in Shambala Retreat Centre which is situated in Scotland. Nearly two weeks passed very fast, as I was busy most of the time. The house is really in a beautiful location looking on to a bay and very close to Findhorn. I enjoyed going over to Findhorn and finding out about how they manage the Foundation and their activities. If you have time for a retreat or you are looking for a Buddhist course or even something like yoga or tai chi, I would definitely recommend Shambala be placed on the list of good places to be! Thank you to all the staff for taking care of me so well while I was there.

Unfortunately, Venerable Tsering fell ill and has had to return to India. I would like to say a very warm thank you to him for all his hard work. It was sad to lose him but I also understand travelling so much is stressful and does not suit everybody. I don't know if I will be able to find somebody else so capable of being an attendant, as Tsering's English was excellent and he is a fine monk, but I hope in future my karma will produce another attendant. I had some tests recently on my wrist and unfortunately it is not healing very quickly, so I need to be very careful when travelling that I don't injure it. In Mexico there are so many kind people willing to be of assistance, so I think that will not be a problem at all.

So, thank you all for reading my blog and for trying to put Dharma into practice and I look forward to meeting you all somewhere in this world, sooner rather than later. With much love, Namgyel.

New meditations on Mp3

2009-11-04T23:57:00.000-08:00

Hi, i just found out one of my kind students has put many meditations on Podomatic, so here is an address so you can find them:

http://breathinginpeace.podomatic.com

Mexican Schedule-onto Helsinki

2009-11-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

Many people have been asking for the 2009-2010 schedule, so here it is:

Mexico November 2009 to March 2010
30th November - 7th December: Puebla
10th December – 20th December 2009: Cancun
27th December – 3rd January 2010: Zitacuaro
7th January – 15th January: Huatulco
19th January – 30th January: Guadalajara
3rd February – 14th February: Durango
17th February – 20th February: Aguascalientes
23rd February – 28th February: Guadalajara
4th March – 7th March: Zitacuaro
11th March – 24th March: Xalapa. Leaving Mexico
1st April – 10th April: Helsinki

Lama Zopa Rinpoche speaks....

2009-10-29T02:46:00.000-07:00

THIS MONTH'S TEACHING: How To Be Happy To Practice Dharma
The next verse in The Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland is:

Thoroughly abandon sleep, drowsiness and laziness.
Always attempt to have perseverance.
Perseverance is a mind that is happy to practice Dharma. The easiest, most powerful way to have perseverance is by reflecting on impermanence and death. First reflect on how precious this human body with eight freedoms and ten richnesses is, how you can achieve the three great meanings with it, how it will be difficult to find such a body again and how you will have it just this one time. On the basis of this, remember that death can happen at any time. Impermanence and death is very powerful--the most powerful meditation for us beginners. Also, relate impermanence and death to negative karma and its result, rebirth in the lower realms. Remember again and again the unimaginable sufferings of the hell beings, hungry ghosts and animals. As Nagarjuna explains, we should remember the hot and cold hells every day. Nagarjuna advises this because when we think of the hot and cold hells we have no space in our mind for attachment and anger, these negative emotional thoughts that disturb and obscure our mind.

Whenever thoughts of the happiness of this life comes, we delay or stop our practice. Whenever attachment clinging to this life comes, laziness comes, and we don't want to practice. We want to spend our time enjoying the comforts of this life instead of practicing Dharma. At that time we should remember that death can happen at any time. Then what happens after that? The most unbearable suffering. We can't bear even a small problem in this human realm; we can't bear to have a headache, a toothache, some stomach pain or even to be a little hot or a little cold. When we experience even a small problem in this human realm, because we can't bear it, we give up practicing Dharma.

Think, "If I were now in the lower realms, in the hot or cold hells, in the preta realm or in the animal realm, my suffering would be far greater. The hunger and thirst of the preta realm is thousands of times greater that that of the human realm. Let alone the major hot and cold hells, if I were born now in a neighboring hell or even an ordinary hell realm, my suffering would be unbelievable."

We can't bear to put our finger in boiling hot water; but compared to being born in the neighboring hell where there are oceans of lava, the boiling hot water of the human realm is extremely cold. Imagine suddenly being in such a hell.

Death can happen any day, any hour, any moment--even this moment. And what comes after death is the lower realms. As Nagarjuna advises, we should remember the unbearable sufferings of the lower realms.

The cause of rebirth in the lower realms is negative karma, or nonvirtuous action, and any activity we do with a motivation of attachment clinging to this life is a nonvirtue. For example, if we got dressed today with a motivation of attachment clinging to this life, that action of dressing became nonvirtuous because our motivation was nonvirtuous. What was our motivation when we were washing? For many of us, it was simply attachment clinging to the happiness and comfort of this life, so again that washing became negative karma. It was the same when we ate lunch and dinner, and it will be the same when we go to sleep. With any activity we do, if we analyze our motivation for doing it, we find it is nonvirtuous, attachment clinging to this life, so all those activities become negative karma.

Negative karma is very extensive. It's not limited to just the ten nonvirtuous actions, but within the ten nonvirtuous actions are those nonvirtues that we collect many times every day--though we mightn't kill or steal. However, His Holiness Ling Rinpoche once made the comment that the subject of stealing is extensive and detailed. It depends on the individual person, but we generally commit many of the ten nonvirtues many times in one day. We also break the vows we have taken: pratimoksha vows, lay or ordained; bodhisattva vows; tantric vows. This is talking about just today. The negative karmas we have created from the time of our birth in this life are unimaginable, and then there are all the negative karmas we have created in beginningless past lives.

In his lam-rim teachings, Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo says that an ordained person being careless about and not immediately confessing a downfall is heavier negative karma than having killed one hundred human beings and one hundred horses. (I don't think it has to be only horses--it can be any animal. In the past in Tibet they used horses a lot as there were no cars.) If you have taken ordination and are intentionally careless about your vows, this is how heavy the karma that you create is.

When you think of how death can happen at any time and of the lower realms, in relation to karma, you can't ignore it. You have to get up and practice. You can't stand it. You've got to do something immediately; you've got to purify, collect merit, meditate on the path.

It is also very useful to think about people you know who have died, like Andrea [Antonietti], the Italian monk. On my advice, he took ordination for a second time and died as a monk. Many of us here, those who have been here in Bodhgaya and in Dharamsala many times, will remember Andrea. He was an old student, an Italian, who was a monk before. He then changed his life, but before he died, while he was sick, he again took ordination. Now he's gone. He doesn't exist. There's no Andrea. Before there was Andrea, but now there's not. Before we used to joke and play with him and enjoy his humble, good personality, but now he doesn't exist. Think, "It is the same with me. There will come a time when I don't exist any more, a time when I'm not here in this world. This could happen at any time. By this time next year, I could be the same as Andrea, whom we can't see, who doesn't exist in this world. This could happen. By this time next year, I could be like that--not to be seen in this world. Some people have Andrea's malas and other possessions; the same thing could happen to me. Any day this could happen to me."

There was also another Italian, Stefano [Piovella]. He was a monk before, but he wasn't a monk when he died. It is the same. We used to joke and play with him, making fun of him all the time, but now he's not here. Now he's not here in this world. Think, "Exactly the same thing could happen to me at any time. I could be gone from this world. I won't exist. This could happen at any time."

There was also Tenzin Konchog, the nun who was here making tsa-tsas about five years ago. She was the main person responsible for making tsa-tsas. A few years ago she was here, in Bodhgaya, but now she is not here. She's gone. Think, "Exactly the same thing could happen to me any time, any day. I will not be here. There's a time when I will be gone from this world. I won't exist. This could happen any day."

Your body could be carried to the cemetery or the crematorium. Any day this could happen. You could suddenly have a heart attack or a stroke. Something could suddenly happen, and the time of your death come. Your precious human life would be gone.

If you had done continual strong practice of purification, practiced morality well, lived your life with bodhicitta and correctly devoted yourself to the virtuous friend, you would have no regrets. Even if some sickness came and your death happened, it wouldn't disturb you. It wouldn't upset you at all. You would be very happy, as you would feel completely confident that you would go to a pure land or receive a perfect human body in your next life. Your mind would be happy, or at least you would have no fear. Even if death suddenly came to you, you would not be frightened of being born in the lower realms.

If we really bring our attention inside, if we really think about the nature of our life, impermanence and death, we realize that our death could happen at any time and, in particular, all the unimaginable sufferings of the lower realms could happen at any time. Relate this to all the negative karmas you do--in one day there are so many, like rainfall. Committing one complete nonvirtuous action has four suffering results. One of them is creating the result similar to the cause, which means doing that action again, which again produces four suffering results, one of which is creating the result similar to the cause, so you commit the action again.... It goes on and on in this way. Committing one complete nonvirtuous action, from the ten nonvirtuous actions, produces suffering results that go on and on and on, so that there is unending suffering of samsara.

We've done so many of the ten nonvirtuous actions in this life, since our birth, and so many others during beginningless rebirths. The results of them will go on and on in that way. There are numberless of them left on our mental continuum that we haven't purified and that we haven't finished experiencing.

Since committing even one negative karma from the ten brings this endless ongoing suffering, you can't stand it. You have to get rid of it, purify it, immediately. It's as if you have swallowed some poison and could die at any time. It's as if a poisonous snake has bitten you: the poison is spreading and you could die at any time. But ingesting poison or being bitten by a poisonous snake is nothing. That alone can't make you be reborn in the lower realms, but your negative karma can.

I've been talking about just one negative karma, but we have created so many negative karmas today, in this life and during beginningless past lives. There's no way you can stand it--you have to purify it all right away! And at this time, by having received this perfect human body, you have all the opportunities to purify it. If death comes before you have purified your negative karma, you are finished. When will you meet Dharma again? When will you be able to purify all those negative karmas? When will you be able to actualize the path? It is extremely difficult to say.

Now, on top of having committed the ten nonvirtuous actions and degenerated or broken all three levels of vows, you have collected negative karma in relation to the guru. Even the smallest of these negative karmas is very powerful, and you have created so many with heresy, anger and other negative thoughts. These negative karmas are much heavier than all those others.

In the lam-rim outline of the shortcomings of having made mistakes in correctly devoting to the guru, the first shortcoming is that criticizing the guru is like criticizing all the buddhas.

Second, if you get angry with your guru, you destroy eons of merit equal in number to the moments of your anger, and for the same number of eons you will be reborn in hell and experience suffering.

Third, even though you practice tantra, you won't achieve the sublime realization.

Fourth, even though you attempt to practice tantra, it will be like achieving hell. Even though you practice tantra for many years by not sleeping, not eating, not talking and living alone in a cave, it will be like achieving hell. Why? Here you have to understand that when you make a mistake in devoting to the virtuous friend-even showing some small disrespect, criticizing them, harming them or giving rise to negative thoughts--it is so heavy that even though you are practicing virtue and collecting merit by doing retreat sessions, it is very small compared to the heavy negative karma you have collected in relation to the virtuous friend. That negative karma is so huge that any virtue you practice by reciting mantras and so forth becomes insignificant. The negative karma is overwhelming, and you are reborn in the hell realm. This is what happens unless you change your mind, stop following those negative thoughts, recognize the mistakes you have made, confess them to the guru and purify them. By using logical reasoning and the quotations from Shakyamuni Buddha and Vajradhara, you have to transform your mind into devotion by seeing the guru as a buddha.

It doesn't mean that you have no hope--it's not saying that. There's hope, if you change, if you recognize the mistakes you have made and, with strong regret, confess and purify them. In order not to commit the mistakes again, you then have to keep your mind in devotion toward that guru. You can change; it's not saying you can't change. But if you don't change, no matter what practice you do--many years of chanting mantras in retreat with no food and no sleep--even though you may be collecting merit, it will be insignificant compared to the heaviness of the negative karma you have created. Even though you attempt to practice tantra, it will be like achieving hell. As long as you don't change, it will be like achieving hell. Instead of achieving enlightenment, you'll be achieving hell, because that karma is so heavy.

What I am saying is that there's no time to be lazy. Reflect on the negative karmas you have collected and the sufferings of the lower realms, and remember that this is the only chance you have. If you cherish yourself, if you love yourself, this is what you have to do. If you want to take care of yourself, this is the practice you need to do. If you think about this, there's no time for laziness, no time to be distracted by the appearances of this life or works for this life.

As mentioned in the motivation for taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts by my root guru, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche*, which is similar to the motivation for taking refuge in Jorchö, if you think of all the endless sufferings of samsara that you will have to experience, particularly those of the lower realms, you don't dare to eat or sleep. When you're very frightened, you can't eat, or even if you do manage to eat, you vomit. If you think of all the past beginningless sufferings of samsara, in particular those of the three lower realms, it's something that cracks your heart. It's very frightening.

Here The Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland says:

Thoroughly abandon sleep, drowsiness and laziness.
Always attempt to have perseverance.
Of course, it's not saying not to sleep at all at night. There is sleeping yoga. I heard that His Holiness Chogye Trichen Rinpoche sleeps for only two or three hours, and sometimes only one hour. During the daytime he gives initiations and teachings, then does his own practice for many hours. Also, I think His Holiness the Dalai Lama gets up around three o'clock in the morning. Peljor-la, His Holiness's attendant, offers tea around 3:30, then His Holiness begins his practice. Of course, Compassion Buddha doesn't need to practice....

As mentioned in The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, in the middle part of the night you do sleeping yoga, then you wake up very early in the morning and practice. My sleeping is at the wrong time, the totally wrong time. When it's time to practice, I'm sleeping.

With remembrance, awareness and conscientiousness,
Always protect the doors of your senses.
Three times day and night, again and again,
Examine your mental continuum.
You have to protect your body, speech and mind from engaging in negative actions. As mentioned, three times in the daytime and three times at night, you should examine your mental continuum.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Root Institute Bodhgaya, India, 30 December 2003. Edited from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive by Ven Ailsa Cameron and soon to be published in Kadampa Teachings, a free book from the Archive.

Comments from Tsering

2009-10-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed being in Latvia because I find it quite easy to find places and to get around. The people are nice and kind. They were offering us warm clothes because it was getting cold there at that time. We are thankful to all the people who made effort to buy some clothes and offered them to us. The clothes we didn’t need when we left Riga, we offered to the beggars living on the street.
Ven. Namgyel led a Tara retreat and it was beneficial, we enjoyed a lot. I hope and pray that Tara will always bless Latvians and help them to get rid of the crisis and bring prosperity and success in their country. During the lunch break we would have our lunch at Hari Krishna restaurant which is located about ten minutes walk from the centre and when people looked at us they were saying Hari Krishna and Hari Rama to us. Maybe they thought we are Hindu priests, well that was also very good because at least people have some idea that we are sort of Religious people.
I like Ganden centre very much because it has a very nice and beautiful gompa and Venerable Namgyel and myself did protector puja every evening which makes me feel very peaceful and calm. I felt very peaceful whenever I recited my morning prayers in that gompa. I think because of High Lamas having been there, the place was blessed and I think I can feel it.
Ven. Namgyel was invited to give a public talk on Art of Happiness in a university and there were around 70 or 80 people came and listened very carefully. Some of them were very young and they were writing everything Ven. was saying and they asked good questions and at the end they rushed down to the front with more questions and requests. It seems like people have much interest to learn something good about Buddhism.
So many things happened there but I can’t say all of it. I would recommend visiting Riga any time. Just before leaving Riga Ven. had the wires cast removed by very kind doctor friend of a friend. We then flew to Madrid and stayed with Fernando and his family. I like Fernando’s family open heart and welcoming people. We stayed there for couple of days then we flew to Granada and stayed at Buddhist centre where then met an old friend of Venerable Nmgyel’s, Ani Gloria. For me it was good to meet Ani la as she has been a nun for so long.
Granada is a beautiful city where you could spend days walking around the old city. The people were very friendly then on to Oseling Retreat Centre near Bubion, which reminds me of Tibet. It is a very nice place, very quiet with beautiful scenery. A perfect place for retreat. Around 25 people attended the Medicine Buddha retreat. At the end of the retreat, some people said they wanted to visit Kopan and continue the Medicine Buddha practice.
12th of Oct we flew to Bologna and have been staying with nice and kind people Andrea and Pierra in a quiet country area. We visited Venice for 2 days and Ven said he was completely exhausted from walking and going up and down bridges. However he also said it was the best holiday he had had. I wanted to eat Indian food and Venerable said we will go and find one. So there is a very nice Indian restaurant called IL GANESEH, but we needed to walk a little bit further from our hotel to get there. It was very nice restaurant and the food was very delicious and we can see everywhere Ganesh pictures and statues and it makes us feel that we are back in India. That was very nice and my best memory of Venice.
Now we are on the train to Rome to visit a friend of Ven then tomorrow we return to Argenta. Ven is teaching all day Sunday then Monday we fly to Granada. Tuesday morning we visit Alhambra. Tuesday afternoon bus to Malaga and Wednesday Ven flies to Scotland to teach at the Shambala Centre and I go to Madrid where I do retreat for few days then we meet up in Barcelona where Venerable is the keynote speaker at the International Coaching Fedreration conference.
22nd Nov to Mexico. It has been very nice and interesting to travel to different places and meet different people and to learn many things. I have met many nice and kind people and I will never ever forget them. They are also in my thoughts and prayers. I am learning many things on my travels. It is very interesting to see how Dharma is being preserved in the west and how important it is to have Dharma centres and how hard the Dharma centre volunteers try to make Dharma available. We have been taken care of so well at every centre, despite the staff being really busy.
Thank you.
Many people have been asking for the 2009-2010 schedule, so here it is:

Mexico November 2009 to March 2010
30th November - 7th December: Puebla
10th December – 20th December 2009: Cancun
27th December – 3rd January 2010: Zitacuaro
7th January – 15th January: Huatulco
19th January – 30th January: Guadalajara
3rd February – 14th February: Durango
17th February – 20th February: Aguascalientes
23rd February – 28th February: Guadalajara
4th March – 7th March: Zitacuaro
11th March – 24th March: Xalapa. Leaving Mexico
1st April – 10th April: Helsinki

YouTube

2009-10-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

YouTube

2009-10-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody, yes, it is technologically correct me, ha ha and I have joined YouTube and put two videos there for you to watch, both made, very kindly, by Venerina. One is about me and the other about the Kopan nunnery. My account name is VenNamgyel please look soon!

Spanish retreat

2009-10-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is a happy group at the end of the Medicine Buddha Retreat in Osel Ling Retreat Centre, Bubion, Spain.

Ganden Buddhist centre,Riga Latvia

2009-10-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

This is the photo of some happy students having just taken refuge and/or Bodhisattva vows with Venerable on the 30th September 2009. Thank you all for your kind comments about what I wrote on the blog. I will update you all soon. Best wishes Tsering Phuntsok.

I am a Mover and Shaker!

2009-09-30T02:19:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the very enthusiastic response from my Podomatic listeners, I have become a Mover and Shaker. Here is a copy of the email just received from Podomatic:

Congratulations! Your podcast made the Movers & Shakers list on PodOmatic. This means your show was among 50 podcasts in the top 500 that climbed the most number spots overall on Sep 30, 2009.

To view the Movers & Shakers list featuring your podcast, follow the link below:
http://www.podOmatic.com/rankings/1254294000

Our recordings are now at no. 374 which is unbelievable (as Rinpoche would say!) considering we are compared to all other categories, including music. Well done all of you for your interest and dedication to the Dharma.

Much love and prayers,
Venerable Namgyel.

ps many people keep asking about my arm - there is pain 24 hours a day, it is uncomfortable to sleep and sometimes the hand is very swollen. The plaster comes off next Monday. However, the Doctor in Moscow said it could take a year for the thumb to heal and it will still give pain for a long time. Thank you all for your kind emails and many prayers and a lot of Reiki for my healing. From my heart, I can assure you it has all been very humbly received and appreciated.

Mexico Hospice

2009-09-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note for those of you "in the know" - today, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche approved the hospice project, saying it was very, very beneficial. It will be called the Mother Tara Hospice for Peaceful Living and Peaceful Dying and will be located in the Xalapa area. If you are interested to help in any way, please write to me personally. With big love from Riga.

Riga

2009-09-20T03:42:00.000-07:00

Riga

2009-09-20T03:40:00.000-07:00

Riga

2009-09-20T03:39:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T03:34:00.000-07:00

Well now we are in Latvia and we reached here on 16th night from the Moscow. I would like to tell you about my experience in Moscow. I was sick all the time in Moscow but it didn’t affect me much because the organisers in Moscow are very, very nice and kind people, they are Sergye, Galina and Andrea. Oh they are really nice and kind people. I notice that Moscow don’t have a permanent Buddhist meditation centre where they can do retreat and meditation courses on a regular basis but because of these organiser’s great effort they organise it in different places and I am sure it’s quite difficult for them to organise it. But no matter how difficult it is they are doing their best to bring Pure Dharma to Moscow to benefit all sentient beings. I am very pleased to meet such nice and kind people like Sergye, Galina, Andrea and Edmond . I really appreciated what they are doing to bring pure Dharma in Moscow. I noticed that it is very important for the centre people to have very good and highly learned teachers to visit there and to give pure Buddha’s teachings and lead them to the Path to Enlightenment. I wish and pray that all their wishes come true and they can benefit all sentient beings and bring pure dharma in Moscow. My prayers and wishes are always with you hard working people.
We had a very wonderful Tara retreat out of the city for three days and some people came from very far away. Ven. Namgyel helped many people to guide them in to the right path and to make right decisions. I can see many people want to talk to him and ask many questions about their practice and their problems. I could see he was very tired because of all day teaching but despite being tired he was ready to help whoever wants to talk to him. That is very kind of Ven. Namgyel.
Ven. Namgyel offered a Reiki course and there were around 22 or 23 people and some people came all the way from Siberia and Kalmyk! I came to know that those places are very far and very cold but people have very much interest to learn which is very good for them. They have very sincere wish to help others with Dharma and Reiki. I wish and pray that their wishes be come true and they can indeed help as many beings as they can. I noticed that it was quite difficult for Ven. Namgyel to teach Reiki because he needs to use his both arms quite many times to teach hand position and I know it is hard for him to use his both arms because you know 3 or 4 weeks ago that he broke his wrist and he has plaster on his arm. So you can imagine how difficult that will be if you have plaster on your arm and you need to move it again and again. I know it is very hard and difficult but Ven. Namgyel was doing quite well with the people. I know he is suffering from the inside but he swallowed that pain and was ready to help others. Isn’t that wonderful and kind!
Now we are in Latvia at Ganden meditation centre which is part of the FPMT centres. I found Riga very nice and beautiful place and let’s see how it goes our time here. I will let you know more about the place and centre after a few days.

Kremlin in Moscow

2009-09-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

We took this photo on a very nice day out for Sergey and Galina in Moscow.

Nearly goodbye Moscow - from Ven Tsering

2009-09-13T23:49:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Tsering Phuntsok and I am from Kopan monastery. I am very fortunate that Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup allowed me to join such a wonderful monastery when I applied in 1997. Since then I have studied English and Tibetan languages as well as Buddhist philosophy. I also worked for the monastery in the reception for 3 years.

Kopan offers many courses for people who are interested in Buddhism and we have many kind and highly qualified teachers and amongst them is Venerable Namgyel. He is very nice, kind and very down to earth. Our precious Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundup gave me permission to travel with Ven. Namgyel and told me to assist him when he is travelling. I think I am very fortunate to get such a precious opportunity to travel with him and to benefit others.

My first experience of long distance travel was flying to Moscow. I flew from Delhi on 2nd of September and Ven. Namgyel flew from Madrid to Moscow on the same day. Andrea, Galina and Sergye were waiting for us in the Moscow airport and that was my first time meeting with them. The first big surprise came when. as we were driving back to the city, Andrea said at 5.30pm, would you mind if a TV crew comes at 7.30pm to interview Venerable for the public TV channel in Moscow. This was a big opportunity for Buddhism to be shown on main stream TV with millions of viewers. I was surprised when Venerable agreed to do the interview (as I thought he must be exhausted, it taking two days for him to get to Moscow, as his plane broke down - another story!), but then Andrea had said it would only take 15 to 20 minutes. It ended up being about an hour and a half, and later the interviewer phoned to say that it had had such a big effect on her personally that the channel had decided to do a series of programmes with the assistance of the FPMT centre in Moscow.

To be continued.....

Delhi gift!

2009-08-21T03:07:00.000-07:00

Well, this was a bit of a surprise! Walking through Delhi while raining, I found myself flying up in the air and then my hand hit the ground. The wrist is broken. For the next two hours I had to ignore the incessant pain and get on with the visa work I was in the middle of, until I could get to a hospital. Thursday, I checked into hospital for the day and the bones were wired together and a cast put on. The fingers are swollen and it is awkward, but manageable. My new assistant Venerable Tsering was marvellous throughout the whole thing, taking care of me very well, but now I am in Moscow and realise how difficult it is to travel with one arm plus luggage! The Green Tara retreat finished on a high note in Kopan, many people had good experiences of some sort, the most notable comments being that they felt the retreat deepened their understanding of the lam rim. Take care and much love.

ZA PALTRUL RINPOCHE'S WORDS.....

2009-08-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

If your actions conform with Dharma, you'll antagonize everyone;
If your words are truthful, most people will get angry;
If your mind is truly good and pure, they will judge it a defect.
Now is the time to keep your own way hidden.

Hide your body by staying alone in a mountain wilderness;
Hide your speech by cutting off contact and saying very little;
Hide your mind by being continuously aware of your own faults alone.
This is what it means to be a hidden yogi.

Disgust, because there's no one to be trusted,
Sadness, because there's no meaning in anything,
Determination, because there'll never be time to get everything you want;
If you always keep these three things in mind, some good will come of it.

There's no time to be happy; happiness is over just like that;
You don't want to suffer, so eradicate suffering with Dharma.
Whatever happiness or suffering comes, recognize it as the power of your past actions,
And from now on have no hopes or doubts regarding anyone at all.

Extracted from "The Heart Treasure" by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse, Shambhala Publications.

Medicine Buddha Finale

2009-07-29T02:03:00.000-07:00

On the 28th we all went down by bus to the nunnery and fortunately, I was able to offer 90,000rps. from my side, due to the kind donations I have received recently. This money will go towards supporting nearly 200 nuns who are coming from all over India to debate with the Kopan nuns. Ani Jangsem, the Manager of the nunnery offered me a khatag and very kind words of thanks along with tea and biscuits. We toured the new gompa building, which is going to be absolutely beautiful.

Afterwards we arrived in Boudha and lit many butterlamps on behalf of the group and the people they dedicate for and then circumambulation (some shopping might have been done on the side!) and then back up to Kopan for dinner and a movie: Home. See it if you can, definitely see it if you are concerned about the environment and what the consequences of our actions will be, unless we change.

This morning was our last meditation session on Medicine Buddha and then the fire puja, followed by goodbyes with a group photo. Many special things happened to many people on the retreat....thank you to everybody.

Monsoon in Nepal

2009-07-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

We have now finished two courses, Thought Transformation and an Introductory Course. They were both full of extraordinary people and I think we all had a good time. Tomorrow the beginner's Reiki course starts and then next Wednesday is the Medicine Buddha retreat. Recently, an offshoot of the BBC here in Nepal, came to film my introductory course and they are really inspired by the Dharma so now they want to return and film more. Their programmes will be available on the website: www.bodhitv.com
after about ten days. Isn't it great that Buddhism will be offered through mainstream TV in Nepal? That's all for now. Do take care and keep praying for World Peace and Harmony. Thank you.

The Art of Happiness - in Spain

2009-06-07T03:54:00.000-07:00

The art of happiness
…developing patience, generosity, perseverance, joy, concentration, wisdom and kindness in everyday life and work...

Happiness: what every human being wants.
All human beings, independently from their culture or race, want to be happy and don’t want to experience suffering.
On the other hand, our happiness is very conditioned by external factors so that makes it an ephemeral and unsettled feeling.
Nowadays we can all experience the effect of the crisis in our happiness and optimism in ourselves and in those around us. We will help each others if we are capable of maintain our happiness and energy, we have to bear in mind that we can only give from what we have.
As we observe Tibetan Buddhist practitioners some questions might arise:
Why does it make them so happy with so little? Why don’t they feel bitter when they are assaulted or tortured? How do they achieve so much recognition (acknowledgement) without power and with China against them?
The biggest question is: How can we apply Buddhist Philosophy in our private and professional world?
What has been acknowledged worldwide by people of many different countries is that we can learn a lot from Tibetan Buddhism. There is a history of 2600 years focused in the nature of the human mind, managing of oneself and the search for paths to long lasting happiness.
The initiative
In 2006 I met Venerable Lobsang Namgyel at Kopan Monastery, in Kathmandu, Nepal, in an introductory course to Buddhism. His skills in the subject, his ability to deal with any topic, his capacity to discuss people’s problems and his great sense of humour inspired me to organize learning initiatives connected to Buddhism with him.
Last year we arranged a workshop in Toulouse which had a great influence on me and left long lasting effects on those who participated.

The workshop is limited to 12 persons only as we want to give much importance to discussion during the teaching times.
It consists in exploring the paths of happiness and the peaceful actions, as a way to be better and more effective persons.
The workshop is based in Buddhist philosophy, ignoring religion, and its practices, with a very unusual focus: possible learning for business.
Days go by with three different activities: teachings given by our guide; meditations and discussions. During the teachings our guide will introduce us to the different aspects of his philosophy, we'll discuss the topics in order to understand and to draw our own conclusions, we'll meditate to internalize and to learn a skill to manage our mind.
Our Guru
Venerable Lobsang Namgyel, from Australia, has been living in India and studying Buddhism here for more than 20 years with such Masters as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Denma Locho Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Sonam Rinchen. Having completed numerous Lam Rim (sutra) retreats, as well as many tantric retreats, Ven. Namgyel has 20 years of experience teaching Buddhism in FPMT Centres in India, Nepal, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Finland, France, Spain and the USA. He’s well loved by students for his humour and open heart. http://venerablenamgyel.blogspot.com
Here’s what our beloved Ani Rita had to say after teaching with him at Root Institute India 2007:
“Wherever he goes and teaches, he is always asked to come back. Because he is in contact with his own good heart, he is able to touch people on a level that goes much deeper than just intellectual understanding. Having done a lot of individual retreats he has familiarized and integrated the topics in his way of living, and so teaches out of experience. Through his humour he relaxes people totally, and even difficult topics seem a piece of cake. He is especially loved for the deep concern that he has, and shows, for the wellbeing of the participants of the course, and puts a lot of energy and time into helping them to find a way to practice what suits them.”

Logistics
The workshop will be from the 23rd to the 30th of August inclusive – starting in the evening of the 23rd and finishing after lunch on the 30th (it has been impossible to convince our master to shorten the course!).
It will be held at the centre www.oselina.es in Granada, Spain.
In the centre they only serve vegetarian food. You will be asked to respect five precepts: to avoid killing/stealing/lying/sexual conduct/intoxicants and the course will be taught in English, although there are skilled people who speak English and Spanish who would be happy to explain particular concepts, if you find them difficult!
Silence will be maintained for half the day to encourage participants to reflect on their own situation in relation to the teachings.
Our contribution
This workshop doesn't pretend to be a business, but an invitation to study together and also as a way to provide some sponsorship for poor Buddhist nuns. On the other hand, Venerable Namgyel didn't wanted to settle a price, as for them it is contradictory to the Buddhist culture, so he asked me to decide the donation.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The food and accommodation cost per person is very cheap, approx. 35€ per day. Logistically it is very modest which helps to create the correct atmosphere for the workshop. Please contact Fernando for details of other expenses.
You are responsible for your own transport to and from the teaching centre. Food and room are supplied but anything other than that is not covered by the fees as stated above.
Fernando Iglesias Eciolaza
620 50 31 63
figlesias@evocalia.com
www.fernandoiglesias.com

Bangladesh and Beyond

2009-05-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my dear friends and students, it has been quite a while since I wrote something for this blog. Just to fill you in, I have just been teaching in Dhaka which was a very enjoyable experience. Really nice people hosting me, quite a few people turned out for the teachings and there is now a stable group of interested students. I hope to return there one day. I then flew into Kathmandu and Kopan Monastery. The Monastery is looking more and more beautiful every time I return here. There is a new building for the monk's school and a new building of accommodation with really nice rooms for westerners and a gorgeous view down onto Boudhanath stupa. My first course starts on the 12th June and I will be here until the middle of August. I would definitely recommend anybody to come here and experience the place plus one of my retreats! In August I then fly to Spain and will be teaching a one week course entitled "The Art of Happiness" in Osel-Ling retreat centre. After Spain is Moscow, then Riga, Shambala in Scotland and that takes us into November....with all my very best Dharma prayers for your long life, good health and success in all your activities.

New Sites

2009-04-10T05:25:00.001-07:00

Hi Everybody,
I have finished teaching in New Zealand and will not be teaching again until Bangladesh in May, followed by Kopan Monastery from June onwards. My news is that I have started a Reiki and prayer website for those of you who are concerned about somebody and want extra help; then I have a site where you can download MP3's and I have a website. Please check them all out. Sorry they are not all under one roof, but I cannot afford to pay for sites, although I had to pay out some money for the
MP3 site. If you can help by giving a donation, that would be helpful.
www.venerable-namgyel.mysite.com (prayers)
venerable-namgyel.com (website)
www.venerable-namgyel.podomatic.com (MP3)

Still in New Zealand??

2009-03-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

That's the exclamation I hear when people write to me and ask "Where are you now?" it is surprising, but since the teachings were cancelled in Australia at the Atisha Centre, it seemed best to stay on here at Mahamudra Centre and give more courses and teachings. Which we did. It has been quite busy. Fifteen people turned out in a cyclonic storm which was unbelievable! Thought the roof of the gompa was going to take off in the wind and the rain was so heavy. Anyway, people seemed to have a great time and I certainly enjoyed myself. The following weekend was on the road to Thames and then Tauranga, where I taught the Bodhisattva's path and caught up with old friend Loren and his new wife and baby. Such a sweet child who sat through some of the teaching without yawning once, unlike the father, ha ha! A long drive back from Tauranga to Colville, about five hours and then some rest. Tonight (Wednesday) Hannah and myself drove into Coromandel and I gave a public talk on the Art of Happiness and then back here around 8.30pm and now the blog since I feel really bad that I haven't updated recently. This weekend we have a meditation weekend, no teachings, only meditations and that is it, my programme is over. I now have 18 public broadcasts on Podomatic which you can just listen to, or download, they are MP3 format, and that has taken a lot of effort, but i really think it is worthwhile. Thanks for your support.

You Tube

2009-02-12T01:40:00.000-08:00

and now we go even more digital and I enter the world of YouTube with six short videos in English, translated into Spanish especially for the business world.

www.youtube.com/fernandoiglesiascom

Auckland - DCI

2009-02-07T11:58:00.001-08:00

Fairly busy since I came here from Colville. We started the teachings with inspiration and auspicious prayers, then talking about the Perfection of Generosity. Yesterday, Saturday, all day we discussed Ethics and how to keep them and how to benefit others with Ethics. Today we will be talking about anger - a subject always interesting to many people and very applicable to city living.

In the breaks between teachings, I have been uploading soundtracks from teachings, editing, putting them on the web (now there are four episodes) and all that takes a lot of time. I have been working a little on the website, although not much is changing there at the moment. Catching up with friends from last year and having some good talks with Venerable Gyalten who resides at DCI. We watched a video of Lama Yeshe giving advice on how to develop western centres - for instance, in the city centres, Lama thought people should meditate for a short time then get up and dance and then sit down and meditate again! He was so far ahead of his time, I think we should be very proud (in a positive sense) of being the lineage holders of Lama Yeshe's tradition.

More teachings to download

2009-02-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

I was amazed at the response to my putting audio teachings on the web. Here is another place you can find them, they were given in Latvia last year on the Lam rim and thought transformation.

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Venerable%20Lobsang%20Namgyel%22

Website

2009-02-03T00:44:00.000-08:00

My website is up and running, but certainly not perfected. Anyway, it is good enough for you all to be looking at it and enjoying the information that is there. Over time, I will phase out this blog and only use the website which contains a blog. You can join the website through "Subscribe RSS feed" and it will keep you updated. Please let me know if you have suggestions. With all best wishes,
Venerable Namgyel.

site: http://Venerable-Namgyel.com

Body Scan meditation

2009-02-02T00:13:00.001-08:00

here is the second one, available on MP3 PODCAST:

Episode 2

http://venerable-namgyel.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-02-02T00_03_43-08_00

Quick news

2009-02-01T23:24:00.000-08:00

I am leaving Mahamudra for two weeks, will be in Auckland from tomorrow with a great programme organised through DCI - their website is: www.dci.org if you want to view the teaching programme.

When I arrive back in MMC, we immediately have a five day lam rim course starting on the 19th February, all welcome!

I just joined podcast, as it is taking me a little while to figure out how to operate the new website. If you would like to listen to me leading two meditations, here is the address:

http://venerable-namgyel.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-02-01T23_14_25-08_00

My news from Coromandel

2009-01-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

I really am sorry that the news hasn't been coming very quickly, but we have been busy since I arrived. First the Tara retreat, which produced a great change in some of the people and transformed Mahamudra Centre into the Potala. Anyway, the retreat was great. I enjoyed tremendously. Followed by "Subduing the Demon of Anger" and during that time we had lots of rain and the wind kept changing directions, so it seemed as though the elements got involved in the retreat! All the people attending said they got something from it and we even had one Italian guy who turned up at 7pm, just as it was starting, asking to stay the night and realising there was a course, immediately joined. How is that for karmic imprints ripening?

After the Anger course we had a two day Reiki for experienced students - my old friend Marc turned up, he is a great healer and Grace from Auckland, also a sincere Reiki practitioner. This weekend is Healing Emotions; the last time I did a course like this was not so long ago in Mexico and it was amazing how non-Dharma people really benefited from approaching emotional problems in a different way. However, the problems of Mexican people and New Zealanders are bound to be very different, so it will be interesting to see what we are healing on the weekend.

Thanks for keeping up with me and reading the blog. The website is coming along, but it is slow and I am sorry about that. We are trying as hard as we can, but the people who are kindly helping me also have to work on other projects. As soon as it is operational, I will let you know through the BLOG. Take care and please remember to take time out to BE KIND every day!