The Conclusion

The 3-Year-Retreat in Lerab Ling is over. On the 21st of November Sogyal Rinpoche practised together with his students for the last time within the framework of this event. Never before in the history of the world a retreat like this, in which more than 450 students participated, has taken place. So much practice, so many teachings, so many invited teachers, so much blessing and so much personal transformation!

This last day began at 6.30am with the long life-practice of Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik, followed by the daily practices of Riwo Sangchö and Tendrel Nyesel Tsok. At noon Sogyal Rinpoche joined the Sangha, and after another short practice-time the Tenshyuk ceremony could start. It was a firework of performances which all delivered the message of "Thank You, Rinpoche!". Rinpoche's work and training of his students found expression not only in various personal stories of transformation, but also in the way of how these perfomances and media-products like films were produced. It was amazing! And Rinpoche and everybody present enjoyed it.

Without a longer break the ceremony and the conclusion of the practices took as long as 8pm in the evening, and to top it all, a proper fireworks display took place above the lake with the statue of Guru Rinpoche. Afterwards everybody rushed to the exquisite buffet in the former teaching tent. The very last hours of this retreat were celebrated by again various live performances and lots of music and dancing. I was very happy to see that after having been isolated from the rest of the normal world for such a long time, people haven't lost their love of partying. And in my opinion, it was the best Rigpa party ever!

Sogyal Rinpoche practising at the feet of his Root-Lama Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

Khandro Tsering Chödrön, resident at Lerab Ling, in front of the looks-like-me-statue of Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

Lama Yönten heading the group of students that offer statues, texts, precious substances etc. for the long life of Sogyal Rinpoche.

Lerab Ling's nuns cheerfully watching a movie about themselves.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche

Tsoknyi Rinpoche in Lerab Ling, Nov. 2009

As the last Lama visiting Lerab Ling during the 3-year-retreat, Tsoknyi Rinpoche spent a whole week with us and taught on various subjects as well as answering countless questions of students that had not been resolved before.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche is a frequent guest at Rigpa retreats in Lerab Ling and elsewhere. Not only is he a son of one of Sogyal Rinpoche's main teachers Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he is also one of Sogyal Rinpoche's closest friends.

Once again his deep knowledge of the teachings, his thorough familiarity with the western mind, and his wonderful humor captured everybody's hearts and minds. Over the years the connection between the students and Rinpoche has grown very intimate, and many were sad having to say goodbye after days of receiving illuminating instructions and clarifications.

Erik Pema Künsang

Present with Tsoknyi Rinpoche was the great translator Erik Pema Künsang. Like last year, when he accompanied all three of Tulku Urgyen's sons that visited Lerab Ling, he was invited again to translate. Erik is an example of a translator: He has been translating for approximately 30 years, has a phenomenal memory and remains completely undistracted when listening to a Lama teaching, and he is the same on stage as in private: very relaxed, warm-hearted and not taking himself too serious.

Besides translating for Tsoknyi Rinpoche, he was also invited by Rigpa Shyönnu, Rigpa's younger generation of students between 18-30 years. Erik answered questions concerning being a Dharma-student in the west, translating and other topics. Without a need for a break before the next teaching, he sat together with the small group in the Nirmanakaya of Lerab Ling's temple for almost 2 hours.

Erik Pema Künsang & Jurek

Having acted as Erik's attendant earlier this year, when he translated for Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, I was given the opportunity to receive some personal advice by him about how to approach Tibetan studies.

Rainbow Land

Sogyal Rinpoche, 28.10.2009, Lerab Ling

An amazing double-rainbow on the way up to Lerab Ling

In this last phase of the 3-Year-Retreat Sogyal Rinpoche is revealing to his closest students the heart of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings. The 28th of October has become an historic date for all of us here in Lerab Ling. Everybody participating in these last weeks experiences the depth and unlimited vastness of what these teachings actually offer to whoever is willing to commit his- or herself fully to this Path. Eventhough Tibetan Buddhism can appear tremendously complex, often maybe even unaccessible to our ordinary mind, in its essence the teachings show that, behind the manifold aspects and features, the way things are is so simple and yet so profound.

And having a master like Sogyal Rinpoche who embodies the richness of the teachings so perfectly, is the greatest treasure. And as if nature wanted to emphasise the importance and beauty of what is happening in Lerab Ling, on our way up to the mountains this incredible vivid double-rainbow appeared a few days ago. So close I could swear I was able to see its ends. But also in Lerab Ling itself rainbows were visible.

Sogyal Rinpoche sitting in front of Guru Rinpoche statue

Since 2008 the lake in Lerab Ling has been graced with a beautiful and magnificient statue of Guru Rinpoche, a gift from Khenpo Namdrol. The statue symbolizes the miraculous birth of the great master in the lake Danakosha. The Sanskrit name Padmasambhava means the 'Lotus Born', as he took form on a lotus in the lake.

Not only do the 3-Year-retreatants use the statue as an object for meditation, but also Sogyal Rinpoche frequently sits in front of it to practice. Also in this picture are the two resident ducks that are said to be a sign of auspiciousness.

After the Storm

Palri Pema Ösel Dargyé Ling

The All-Mandala-Retreat is over. The masses are gone. And with the people the sun. Silence has returned to the Pure Field of Padmasabhava on the Larzac-plateau. And with the silence the weather the 3-Year-Retreatants in Lerab Ling know the best. After weeks of a perfect summer, we are now practising and working in a partially cloudy, rainy and sunny Sanctuary of Enlightened Activity.

And after a busy time in the last weeks we are having a few days of relaxed time now before the Master will continue to bestow on us what we are eagerly waiting for.

Something special happening?

Another ʻwowʼ-moment in Lerab Ling's light show. Getting up early for practice in the Guru Lhakhang, I was gazing outside into the wide open. The clouds kept on formatting in more and more surreal forms, and the rising sun shone its red light on this amazing display of nature's unending beauty.

As if there was anything special happening in this part of the world these days...

Hill-top practice

Recently Lerab Ling's 'die hard'-practitioners gathered on the hill-top at an early hour to celebrate the Local Deities' day, Dzam Ling Chi Sang. Smoke and other ingredients were offered to the local deities on this day. The rest of the day the Sangha continued to practise in the main temple hall.

Later that morning Sogyal Rinpoche practised with us via a conference call from Dzogchen Beara, Rigpa's retreat centre in Ireland.