Celebrating the Return! is about to Commence

?"There is no better reality than the one we live in – where a good heart can be realized." - Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche

NSS NOTEBOOK

Excerpts from the Nyingma Summer Seminar with Kongtrul Rinpoche, 2010, at Phunstok Choling, in Ward, CO

From Rinpoche's Introductory lLasang talk, July 10

Respect and appreciation for the bigger vision of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas has to be our core. However much we admit that we are distracted most of the time, even from our presence of mind, we can maintain this respect. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the dharmapalas and dakinis (these are the dralas), they are not subject to the rule of law of karma of confused mind, rather they rule karma through awareness, the awakened state of mind, and they do so to promote the cause of the well being of all beings. For this we respect them.

The purpose of life is to have a higher of vision for oneself. The purpose of life as a sentient being is to move foward toward enlightenment. To have real wisdom and skillful means to transform a mind that is confused to one that is awakened and clear. To have this, and to respect this in those who have gone before us, gives us a sense of human dignity.

So we want to invoke their blessings; just appreciation and connection and respect alone invoke their blessings. This is important to know: you don't have to flatter them, or get in their favor; you don't have to lower yourself in any way that is not natural. You only have to rise yourself within, to have respect, appreciation and connection.

If we follow them diligently so, in one lifetime we can be in there place. If we follow diligently but distracted, hopefully in a couple of life times so. If we have vision and connection but with 1% progress in this way, then in 100 lifetimes we will be in there place. In that way our lives in the circle of birth, of pain, will not be all in vein, just wasted in birth, old age, sickness and death. So we want to invoke their blessings; just appreciation and connection and respect alone invokes their blessings - important to know, you don't have to flatter them, or get in their favor; you don't have to lower yourself in any way that is not natural. You only have to rise yourself, to have respect, appreciation and connection."

Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel from NSS 2010 Talk #3 July 11

"Beliefs in and of themselves are very fragile. Beliefs are static but the world is moving. We believe in the church until there is a scandal. We put our faith in diets until they don't work. We believe in ideas but they wear out. Then we fall into doubt, which is another a belief. Nagarjuna said about the Buddha, "I prostrate to he who has abandoned all views." So that gives us some indication of how to relate to beliefs on our spiritual path."

Kongtrul Rinpoche from NSS 2010 Talk #4 July 11

"To be Buddhist or even just a healthy person requires a deep honesty with yourself. You have to be able to ask questions of your own experience. Hand in hand with the dharma, you then see how it explains and examines what you are questioning. In particular, this is what path of Hinayana is."

Kongtrul Rinpoche from NSS 2010 Talk #5 July 12

"Vicarious joy is a fundamental characteristic of a Mahayana practitioner. It tops out our practice of loving kindness and compassion, by feeling joy for anyone's happiness and freedom from suffering, even more so than feeling kindness and compassion. 'He or she who has promised to lead all sentient beings into state of enlightenment, but when sentient beings get some freedom and joy out of their own merit, can't feel happy for them: Won't that be hypocritical?' (Shantideva) As Mahayana practitioners, then we must always have unlimited, unconditional vicarious joy with anyone and everyone. Doing so, bliss increases in one's mind. And the strength to deprive the small self to which we aspire—for that you need this vicarious joy. Over time we must all learn to deprive the small self. If you don't you won't be any different than any addict. We have to work on this. Even Buddha did, not cause we are bad, but we've been involved in this habit of protecting and cherising the small self for so long.

Raise your hand for those who want to practice:

Strength of vicarious joy.
Strength of depriving the small self all the time."

Kongtrul Rinpoche from NSS 2010 Talk #8 July 13

"If in our old age we self-reflect on our long held shenpas, and we let go, old age becomes a great new flower in bloom, with many experiences as its petals. These experiences glow with a radiance. I didn't see Khyentse Rinpoche or Kalu Rinpoche feel impotent in their old age. They just became this beautiful, shining glowing flower, with many of life's experiences as petals, with what they had resolved in themselves on their path to freedom adding only more glitter to their presence. This achievement comes from where? From the ability to self-reflect, to self-analyze, to generally and specifically locate one's shenpas, this deep-seated emotional enmeshment with self and phenomena. And then to let go of them with the sophisticated traditional methods of practice and wisdom. Even age and time will help you to let go, even your own suffering will help you to let go. At that point, there's no feeling of anything being robbed from you by impermanence and old age. In fact impermanence becomes your personal 'attaché' to assist you to grow. Impermanence graciously brings you to the glory of freedom!"

Kongtrul Rinpoche from NSS 2010 Talk #11 July 15

What is the meaning of life? If you simply indulge in the same basics as our primate ancestors as the primary accomplishment of life, it becomes dusumpa - to eat, shit, sleep. To accomplish something different than one's primate ancestors, or beings in the animal kingdom, to have success beyond the mission of sperm and egg, our focus has to be transformation of the mind. For this transformation we must shift our focus from our small self to a 'bigger self' - all mother sentient beings. And while peace may be achieved individually, this shift and it's goal - the joy all beings need - is absolutely not possible without care. This care has to be for the bigger self, the self of humanity, of all sentient beings as one race. That race is our bigger self.

Dungse Jampal Norbu Namgyel from NSS 2010, Vajrayana Talk #1,
"Lineage and Devotion", July 16

‎"Devotion in general is about seeing where our actions will take us. Seeing how we connect and fit in to whatever is going on. It's hard to have devotion without any idea of what's going on. Devotion is not confusion; devotion is not ignorance; and it's a bit of an upgrade from faith. But it's not blind faith, also; devotion has a goal, has some more understanding."

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, final talk from NSS 2010, Vajrayana Talk #3, July 17

"The intelligence that comes from one's own application of the dharma: this is what we live for, that joy, and clarity, and self-empowerment. We're not all victims of outside forces, of others, of something external, and we find this more and more as we take this great self-empowerment of freeing our mind that is chained up in the shenpa.

This self-empowerment is incredible to me, a strength beyond any power you could obtain from outside. Someone could make me powerful, give me power to rule for example; but if I'm not free inside, from my own shenpa in this way, I could be President but continue to have internal suffering, and never gain the peace of my own clarity and wisdom.

Many people are very intelligent, smart, knowledgeable, but they don't have the freedom of adressing their shenpa as well. These qualities do not necessarily give them the sense of deep self-empowerment that one can have as a practitioner to honestly, sincerely, tenaciously address one's shenpa - and get free.

Initially, it's difficult to confront our shenpas, our deepest emotional sticking points. But, no pain, no gain. These big, strong shenpas, for a long time held so dear to you as if it's your very identity; if it falls apart, you fell you may fall apart. So initially it's uncomfortable and unpleasant to examine - but that itself is a shenpa, needing to be busted furthermore in this kind of way. As it becomes more natural to examine our shenpas, those very shenpas become a liberator for us."

Celebrating the Return in the news

http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=17018

The Earthquake in Tibet - A Personal Letter
from Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

April 21, 2010

Dear Friends,

As we have heard over and over, impermanence comes to all unexpectedly and seemingly unwarranted. Yet we tend to take this as teachings on paper, without further pursuit. During our day-to-day lives we never think it could come so suddenly and on such a devastating scale as this earthquake in Tibet. This tragedy is a great chance for all Tibetans and non-Tibetans who believe in Dharma to rise in solidarity in seeing how impermanence could come to anyone at any given moment. Therefore, we should give all we can while we have the chance. It is our time to give, because though we may not have been struck where we live now, one day it could be us, and we can well imagine how much we would appreciate any support at that time.

Humbly with my prayers, Kongtrul Jigme Namgyel

Read statements by HH Dalai Lama, the 17th Karmapa, Thrangu Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and Khenpo Khartar.

Offer support via the following foundations and organizations.

Surmang Foundation
Thrangu Monastery Relief Fund
American Himalayan Foundation
Konchok Foundation
Himalayan Children’s Fund

Piongant video news about the event here. Please do what you can.

Uncommon Happiness reviewed in tricycle magazine

Buddhadharma magazine writes of Kongtrul Rinpoche's new book, Uncommon Happiness (2009, Rangjung Yeshe Pubs) "The chapter on 'digesting pain' is particularly effective in communicating the book's central point that transforming the mind and developing bodhicitta involves rethinking daily experiences, not just engaging in sophisticated and challenging meditation techniques." (Buddhadharma, Spring 2010).

From 2005 to 2007, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche taught on Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde. His commentaries inspired Marcia Binder Schmidt to transcribe, edit and publish them for other students of Buddhism. Filled with humor and keen insight into the vulnerabilities and pain of our self-centeredness, Uncommon Happiness convinces us that bodhicitta is the only logical and practical approach to true happiness. Rinpoche’s voice of reason, experience and consistent encouragement pervades every page of this book.

available in fine retailers and online

Light Comes Through featured in
The Best Buddhist writing 2009

Rinpoche's second book has received generous coverage in the yearly review of Buddhist writing and teaching published by Shambhala and edited by Melvin McCleod. For more preview the book on Amazon.com.

The Mark of Non-Creating

Shumei International in Crestone, CO, recently exhibited a selection of works on paper and new oils on canvas by Kongtrul Jigme Namgyel. Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel will speak about Rinpoche's creative process as it relates to meditation practice on October 11, at 3pm, at Shumei. Her teaching coincides with the annual Crestone Sangha Yard Sale - we welcome you down for both events.

Long Life Empowerment with HH Karma Kuchen
September 17, 2009

Mangala Shri Bhuti was delighted to receive HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the regent of HH Penor Rinpoche, at Phunstok Choling on September 17, 2009, for a traditional greeting and Long Life Empowerment.

His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage of Nyingma School, was considered one of the foremost masters of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Throughout the Tibetan Buddhist community, he was respected for his vast knowledge and accomplishment and for the integrity and strength with which he upheld the Buddhist teachings. Having passed into Nirvana on March 27, 2009, HH Penor Rinpoche's heart son and Dharma Heir, His Holiness the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, officially became the 12th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage.

Having been recognized by His Holiness Dujom Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche as the incarnation of previous Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, His Holiness the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was invited to Namdroling Monastery in India at a young age and Penor Rinpoche personally looked after him for many years in order to insure he received a complete, traditional buddhist education. At Namdroling, Karma Kuchen Rinpoche excelled in monastic training, mastered all the traditional knowledge of the Palyul Lineage, and received numerous Nyingma teachings from great masters such as His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche. His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche also became well known for his strict observance of all the monastic vows and his selfless embodiment of pure conduct. In 1994, in view of these and many other wonderful qualities, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche formally empowered him as a lineage holder and appointed him to be the Head of the Palyul Mother Monastery in Tibet. Under the direction of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Karma Kuchen Rinpoche moved to Tibet where he has work to propagate the Buddhadharma ever since, not only through teaching and giving empowerments, but also through overseeing the construction of a grand temple within the Palyul monastery premises and personally supporting the creation of many other temples, stupas, prayer wheels, images of deities and other objects of veneration and faith. On many occasions, Penor Rinpoche praised Karma Kuchen Rinpoche's accomplishments in upholding the pure lineage of Palyul tradition and his personal efforts to propagate the Buddhadharma in Tibet, Land of Snows.

Announcing the LINK teachings

Many years ago, when Kongtrul Rinpoche entered an extended period of retreat in Southern Colorado, he kindly decided to offer a weekly teaching to our sangha by phone, which he named, the “Personal Link”. And that’s exactly what these teachings were: “personal”, because Rinpoche’s pith instructions spoke directly to our individual experience; and “link” because they kept us intimately within the realm of our teacher’s care and vision. Now again, in August of 2009, Rinpoche has returned to giving regular teachings remotely, now via web conference and once a month, with two wonderful additions. His son and dharma heir, Jampal Norbu Namgyel and wife, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, will also give teachings once a month, as well as a senior student of Mangala Shri Bhuti.

Altogether the LINK provides a month replete with dharma and discussion. We welcome you to listen and tell a friendIf you are not able to tune in live, we invite you to subscribe the LINK Podcast and receive these teachings in your iTunes after they are given. Visit the LINK website to sign up.

Recent News

Glimpses from NSS 2009

"Merit is being a bodhisattva. Always being kind and compassionate to others, a "caregiver" to others. Generating good motivation first, then re-arranging mind, speech, actions, work, social structure - all according to that motivation. So that you are some service to mankind, humanity, beings, as a bodhisattva in this world. Past merit has got you here with good wind behind you; then this meritorious life will serve in the future. ...Do you have a zeal for altruism? Or zeal for yourself? If the later, things are certainly not going to turn out well. You'll be a lonely old man or woman, alienated in your self-centeredness, trouble to society. Karma works this way irrefutably. So a life of merit, based on the past merit that got us here, to sail into the future, is what we must focus on." 7/14/09, AM Talk.

Upcoming Programs: Teachings with Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel

Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel has studied and practiced the Buddhadharma for 25 years under the guidance of her teacher and husband, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. She delights in wrestling with the 'koans' that challenge modern-day practioners. In her upcoming seminars, "Embracing Complexity" and "Fixing versus Healing", Elizabeth explores the Middle Way teachings on interdependence and emptiness. These teachings offer us a simple and immediate way of looking into the complex inner and outer worlds we experience and the attitudes we have developed in relation to them. Seeing our experience clearly brings relaxation, humor and compassion to our lives. More information.

Words of My Perfect Teacher continues February 20-22

"The whole path of dharma is to pop the bubble of samsara with some sharp prajna. This is what we aspire to when we recite Gampopa's Four Dharmas, especially, 'May confusion dawn as wisdom'. When confusion dawns as wisdom, this is when the bubble of samsara pops. How do we do this? First, by developing a positive attitude toward our mind and experience; a positive attitude is a devotional attitude. Then, essentially, 'guarding your mind' through mindfulness practice. This is what hits the nail on the head."

Listen to entire talk.

light comes through in the news

Catholic Online (www.catholic.org) lists Kongtrul Rinpoche's Light Comes Through: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to Our Natural Intelligence as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2008.
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Recent Teachings at words of my perfect teacher

2/7/09 - "Not Becoming a Fool of the World". A talk on the limits of worldly things in providing security in the face of impermanence, birth, old age, sickness and death.

Excerpt: "Where can we find security, then, on the relative level, if fame, wealth, family and friends and possessions are all subject to impermanence? In a good heart, bodhicitta. The more free we are of self-concern, how could we ever go wrong in the face of impermanence? The more we are in the world not for ourselves, but for others who are in need - how could this ever go wrong?"

Light Comes Through: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to Our Natural Intelligence

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche's newest book - Read More