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.

Phakchok Rinpoche in Lerab Ling

Phakchock Rinpoche teaching in Lerab Ling, June 2009 A few days ago the Sangha in Lerab Ling had the fortune to welcome Phakchok Rinpoche, a young Lama from Nepal, son of Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, and grandchild of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. With his humour and ease he covered a variety of aspects of the Buddhadharma and had an refreshing and stimulating impact on everybody. I don't know exactly why, but I had the honour to thank him in the name of the Sangha for his teachings and answers he gave in response to a number of questions.