Would you care for some Madhyamaka?

In case you wonder what the hell we are actually doing here, here is a short Videosnip that might give you an impression, or not...

Maratika

The entry to the mane cave of Maratika, the Long Life Cave, where Buddha Amitayus blessed Guru Rinpoche and his consort Mandarava with immortality.


A panoramic view of the place I stayed there, the so called Manjushri-Hill, being blessed by Manjushri.


The Sangha (monastic community) of Maratika together with guests.

The monastery of Maratika. Right next to it is the gathering place of the Hindus, who also consider Maratika to be a sacred site.


Losar, the Tibetan new year, is extensively celebrated with meals and tea. This is a tent in front of my room at Maratika. With me were 20 nuns from Trulshik Rinpoche's monastery, the 15 monks of Maratika, the Lama of Maratika and the Maratika-Tulku and few others.

Losar, the Tibetan New Year

Khenpo Namdrol Rinpoche, our Khenpo Sönam Thobden and the Shedra students posing for the annual Losar photo.

Latest developments

Since it's always a headache to upload pics in Nepal, here's a link to the most recent events. Take care, Jurek

New Year's stuff

Dears, I'm wishing you all the best for this new year. May your wishes come true and your minds find happiness!
After a couple of weeks some news from me from the Himalayan plateau. Things are alright here, but our text is quite difficult and our brains are looking forward for the holidays in 3 weeks. In case you're interested, check the "News" section of our Shedra-website for more infos and pics.


To celebrate the anniversary of the death of Khenpo
Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche the Shedra students joined
Khenpo Namdrol in the main templehall for an evening
Tsok-practice in December.


At the 30th of December we had a evening together
uniting Christmas and New Year's Eve with a delicious
buffet and nice a decoration.


This is a view of the Shedra East crew while discussing
difficult philosophical points. Usually there are more
materials on our tables and our faces look more
participating, too.


A selftimer shot taken during a short walk in the
beautiful surrounding fields and hills. NYC in the
Nepali countryside...


This one's from last weekend. In the back you see the
thrilling mountain ranges of the Himalayas! We've got
winter here, too, but nevertheless it's often T-Shirt time.


Kids in the middle of the mountain forest.
No money, no toys to play with, but the
most beautiful and content smiles in the
world. Wherever you go here in the
countryside, you'll find them, smiling at you.

Nepal sweet Nepal

The first days of this year's Shedra East have passed and already many things happened. I had planned to leave Kathmandu and drive up to Pharping on Saturday, but the road was blocked with burning tires etc. due to a demonstration with regard to an accident that happened where children where involved. Welcome back to wild Nepal! Thanks to this I could participate in the 10th anniversary-feast of the Rangjung Yeshe Institute which was founded by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and hosts the world's 1st Shedra for westeners. Among the speakers at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kathmandu was Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche who I had not seen live before. It was a very humorous teaching, as could be expected, but also much more than that.
A day later 3 small taxis with Shedra-students made it to Pharping where this year's Shedra started on monday. Most of us are staying in the newly enlarged monastery-accomodation building, including me. I am lucky enough to have a southside room where the sun is shining on...


Students of the Rigpa-Shedra infront of Khenpo
Namdrol's newly renovated and enlarged accomodation
building.


My 1st evening in Pharping. This is more or less
the view out of my window.


Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche at the
10th anniversary of the Rangjung
Yeshe Institute teaching during the
Institute's 5th Symposium of Buddhist
Studies.


Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche &
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche


The City of Kathmandu. Alive and noisy.

Back in the East

Following Thursday I will head towards Nepal for the 3rd time now. Let's see what is awaiting us this year in this beautiful but difficult country.