2019 Fall
Happy Time, Happy Pretending: Christmas 2019
Rinpoche’s message about Christmas: “It’s samsara—that means pretend. Christmas time, we pretend Christmas. Everybody happy and naughty. That way it’s good. We get nothing, but still we enjoy it. Happy time, happy pretending.”
Happy Time, Happy Pretending: Christmas 2019
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Which One Can You Change? On Politics and Practice
In this teaching, Rinpoche says: “Your government is giant. How many people are in it, top to bottom? Are you going to change them? Can you change even one person, let alone all those hundreds or thousands? Actually, which one can you change? Yourself. Therefore, just practice.”
Which One Can You Change? On Politics and Practice
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On Being Satisfied
We are never satisfied. Therefore, we never know good from bad. What do we know? Only “More! More! More! More! More!” We are professional at “More!” That’s our problem, the real one!
On Being Satisfied
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On Vajrasattva’s Pure Land
In this teaching, Rinpoche says, “Hey! Do you know where you’re standing? This is our pure land, our Vajrasattva pure land. Nothing’s missing here….”:
On Vajrasattva’s Pure Land
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At the Conclusion of the 2019 Vajrakilaya Retreat
Rinpoche sent the following message to retreatants on the last day of Tashi Choling’s 2019 Vajrakilaya Retreat:
At the Conclusion of the 2019 Vajrakilaya Retreat
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On Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche: A Wonderful Teacher, Person, Scholar, and Joker!
On hearing that Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche was coming to Tashi Chöling to act as the vajra master during the 2019 Vajrakilaya retreat, Rinpoche gave the following praise of his qualities:
On Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche: A Wonderful Teacher, Person, Scholar, and Joker!
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On the Power of Making Tormas and Other Offerings
There are so many teachings about the power of making offerings. All the lamas and buddhas have taught about making offerings, how powerful it is and so much benefit…
On the Power of Making Tormas and Other Offerings
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Praying For Our Dharma Family
On hearing that long-time student Les Collins was in the hospital, Rinpoche asked for a message be sent to all the sangha to pray for him and his family, “whether you know him or not!” Rinpoche also went on to comment on the tradition of praying for our dharma family in general:
Praying For Our Dharma Family
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The Basis for All Dharma: Faith and Compassion
What is a real Buddhist? Someone who has faith and compassion. Without those, it doesn’t matter if you are a scholar, even the highest scholar. Without faith and compassion, how can you even call yourself a Buddhist?
The Basis for All Dharma: Faith and Compassion
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“My Heart Prayer”–That Beings Can Connect With the Dharma
I have always just tried to help the students make dharma connections. For that I worked so hard. … Not only myself! Lots of people worked hard, for so many years. … For what? … So that beings can connect with the dharma.
“My Heart Prayer”–That Beings Can Connect With the Dharma
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2019 Summer
Seeing Our Bardos All the Time: Part 2
Each and every moment is a bardo. “Bardo” doesn’t just mean the unbreakable, unshakable nature of the bardo of dharmata:
Seeing Our Bardos All the Time: Part 2
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Seeing Our Bardos All the Time: Part 1
We go here and there on outings for fun, wandering around. But we are already wandering in our bardos:
Seeing Our Bardos All the Time: Part 1
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Every Day Look at a Buddha’s Face a Little Bit
Rinpoche recently gave this teaching on the kayas and the meaning of dzogchen:
Every Day Look at a Buddha’s Face a Little Bit
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Harmony: Holding the Dharma’s Essence–A Message to All the Centers
Rinpoche asked about what is going on at the centers these days and was very pleased to hear about the regular practices and teachings that are happening at each one. He sends this message to all:
Harmony: Holding the Dharma’s Essence–A Message to All the Centers
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All These Buddhas: What Are We Talking About?
Rinpoche was looking at photographs of a giant statue of Buddha Shakyamuni in Bhutan:
All These Buddhas: What Are We Talking About?
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Things We Don’t Need to be Taught
Rinpoche frequently makes comments while watching television about how the Buddha’s teachings are being demonstrated onscreen for all to see:
Things We Don’t Need to be Taught
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Party Advice from the Lama: Be Careful Not to Gossip
When a student mentioned they were going to a family gathering this summer, Rinpoche gave this advice:
Party Advice from the Lama: Be Careful Not to Gossip
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On Delicious Ngondro Breakfast
Rinpoche was delighted to hear that senior student, Matthew Small, recently gave a day of instruction on ngondro (the five-part “preliminary practices”) at Dorje Ling in Portland, Oregon. Rinpoche sent his thanks to Matthew and all those who came to study and practice and gave the following teaching:
On Delicious Ngondro Breakfast
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On Seeing Your Own Dirty Face
The night before the conclusion of the 2019 Saga Dawa Retreat at Tashi Chöling, Rinpoche spontaneously joined in a video call to test the internet connection to the temple and he gave the following teachings throughout his conversations with students working there preparing for the next day’s festivities:
On Seeing Your Own Dirty Face
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On Post-Retreat Instructions
I have heard that everything has gone very nicely at your retreat, Vajrasattva and Chimed Sok Tig, and that people are trying to pay attention to the practice. That is wonderful. I hope you also have not been forgetting all sentient beings as you practice.
On Post-Retreat Instructions
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On The Fulfillment of Our Lamas’ Wishes, Hopes, and Prayers
Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche’s 2019 Vajrasattva Retreat Last Day Message:
On The Fulfillment of Our Lamas’ Wishes, Hopes, and Prayers
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Vajrasattva: Wisdom Revealing Wisdom
When you practice, each practitioner is your Vajrasattva. Don’t look around and think, “That one’s pretty, but that one’s ugly; that one’s smart, that one’s rich, that one’s poor; that one’s wonderful, that one’s a disaster!…” No, no. Each one is your Vajrasattva.
Vajrasattva: Wisdom Revealing Wisdom
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On Practicing Together in Retreat
The Vajrasattva Retreat at Tashi Chöling started a few days ago, and Rinpoche was asked how going to practice Vajrasattva at the retreat is different than practicing alone in your own house:
On Practicing Together in Retreat
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2019 Spring
On The Turkeys
Recently, several wild turkeys have been spending a lot of time nearby. Rinpoche has been watching them preening and chasing each other, and says mantras to them when they brazenly come up to the windows:
On The Turkeys
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On Accumulating the Ngondro (Preliminary Practices)
Rinpoche saw some photos of the Ngondro Accumulation Team in Ensenada doing prostrations and practicing. He sent them the following thank you:
On Accumulating the Ngondro (Preliminary Practices)
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On Computers
These machines are amazing. You can find so many things inside, instantly….You can learn lots of things. That way wonderful…. But! Also one way I can say computers are stupid. Particularly they are dharma practitioners’ enemy….:
On Computers
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Your Own Nature’s Picture on the Wall
Rinpoche was looking at the thangkas of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and the picture of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa on his walls. He gestured to them and said…
Your Own Nature’s Picture on the Wall
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Of Course Faith is Difficult!
Absolutely, of course faith is difficult! It means you understand the buddhas’ nature!
Of Course Faith is Difficult!
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2019 Winter
Thank You for Making My Work Useful
When asked if he wanted to send any message to the sangha gathered to practice at Orgyen Dorje Den on Guru Rinpoche Day, Rinpoche said:
Thank You for Making My Work Useful
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Liberation From Self-Cherishing: Further Comments on the Troma Retreat at Orgyen Dorje Den
A few days after the conclusion of the 2019 Troma Retreat led by Sangye Khandro at O.D.D., Rinpoche was again watching some short videos from the retreat and shared the following remarks:
Liberation From Self-Cherishing: Further Comments on the Troma Retreat at Orgyen Dorje Den
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His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche’s Wish: Message to the Troma Retreat at Orgyen Dorje Den
During the 2019 Troma Retreat led by Sangye Khandro at O.D.D., Rinpoche was very pleased to see photos and hear reports of the practices and teachings taking place. He sent the following message to the retreat participants:
His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche’s Wish: Message to the Troma Retreat at Orgyen Dorje Den
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That Kind of Power
We pray to the buddhas, the three roots, our own guru. In this teaching, Rinpoche asks: “Why do we have to pray to them?”
That Kind of Power
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This Wonderful Time: A Message for Losar 2019
Rinpoche sent the following message in time for Losar:
This Wonderful Time: A Message for Losar 2019
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Benefit for Thousands of Years: Keeping our Beautiful Lineage
This year at O.D.D., the sangha is gathering for a few days of Vajrakilaya practice before Losar (Tibetan New Year), for purification and to remove obstacles. Rinpoche saw photos of the practice and sent the following message:
Benefit for Thousands of Years: Keeping our Beautiful Lineage
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Kilaya is Not Stingy: On Learning and Practicing Vajrakilaya
In this teaching, Rinpoche says: “I heard you are going to do Kilaya practice at ODD before Losar. Good! Thank you! Finally you are standing up!” And then he continued:
Kilaya is Not Stingy: On Learning and Practicing Vajrakilaya
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Not Just Wasting Tsampa: On Learning to Make Tormas
At the last Guru Rinpoche tsok at ODD, some students gathered before the practice to start learning how to make the tormas and talk about the meaning of the ritual. Rinpoche saw photos of them working and said:
Not Just Wasting Tsampa: On Learning to Make Tormas
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A Peaceful Mind
Rinpoche had this to say about the importance of maintaining a peaceful mind:
A Peaceful Mind
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On Saying Mantra While Working
Everybody is always working. Cleaning, sweeping, blowing the leaves, so many things. Driving here and there. We do get ourselves busy. But don’t forget to say Vajrasattva!
On Saying Mantra While Working