H.E. Ling Rinpoche at Shantideva Meditation Center, Brooklyn, New York, US, July 2019. Photo by Leonard J. Wilson.

His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Ling Rinpoche visited North America from June to August 2019 and engaged in many activities including teaching at US FPMT centers Shantideva Meditation Center in Brooklyn, New York, Milarepa Center in Barnet, Vermont, and Kurukulla Center in Medford, Massachusetts. On July 31 Rinpoche taught the Eight Verses of Mind Training at Shantideva Center, sponsored by Himalayan Elders Project; from August 9-10 Rinpoche taught “The Importance of Private Retreat in the Development of Your Dharma Practice” and “How to Develop Bodhicitta and Emptiness” at Milarepa Center; and from August 16-18 Rinpoche taught The Bodhisattva Jewel Garland by Atisha and gave the Amitayus Long Life Initiation at Kurukulla Center. Jennifer Kim, Shantideva Center board member, and Dawn Holtz, Milarepa Center director, share the story.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche taught on the Eight Verses of Mind Training at Shantideva Center as part of Rinpoche’s North American tour, which has been part of Rinpoche’s Sentient Being tour—visiting the world of us sentient beings who are trapped by the mental afflictions that create suffering situations for ourselves and others.

Like others who make world tours, Rinpoche is a bit of a rock star. Recognized as the reincarnation of the senior tutor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche is well-known and the visit was much anticipated.  

H.E. Ling Rinpoche at Shantideva Meditation Center, Brooklyn, New York, US, July 2019. Photo by Leonard J. Wilson.

Yet unlike a stereotypical rock star, Rinpoche highlighted the greatness of others instead of highlighting Rinpoche’s own. Rinpoche repeatedly emphasized the kindness of others. Without our mother caring for us in the womb and looking after us day and night, and without the unnoticed beings who provide our food, shelter, and necessities for survival, we could not be here today. The only reason we are here is because of the love and care from others. Sentient beings are also essential on our path to Buddhahood. Without them we could not practice the six perfections. For instance, if we give charity to others we usually consider ourselves the benefactor. But if looked another way they are our benefactors, giving us the opportunity to practice Dharma and benefit from it. If we are given harm by others we usually consider ourselves the victim. But if looked another way they test the strength of our own wisdom and our willingness to help.  

Rinpoche also offered advice on how to subdue our own minds, the aim of Buddha’s teachings. Rinpoche warned us about the bias we often have for those within our social class, nationality, religion, or ethnicity. Rinpoche reminded us of our current state, fraught with uncertainty, as we might be in another existence before the sun rises tomorrow. Rinpoche also shared advice for how to respond to the habitual delusions that arise in our minds, especially when we are provoked by others who remind us of our karmic role in a situation and blindly create suffering for themselves in the future.  

While sharing this wisdom of the eleventh-century master Geshe Langri Tangpa, Rinpoche said that these eight verses are easy to read but difficult to practice. Rinpoche also provided an oral transmission of the verses and suggested that we should take them up as our main practice to subdue our minds. Our bodhisattva rock star has shared the song, and now it’s up to us to practice the tune. With gratitude, we hope to create harmony with our practice and create the causes to see Rinpoche again soon.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche teaching at Milarepa Center, Barnet, Vermont, US, August 2019. Photo by Dawn Holtz.

Milarepa Center was incredibly fortunate to host His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche on August 8-10, 2019. Rinpoche arrived on the afternoon of Thursday, August 8, and departed after lunch on Saturday, August 10.

With its beautiful and serene private landscape, Milarepa Center was able to offer Rinpoche and attendants Ven. Tenzin Khentse and Geshe Lobsang Yonten a retreat atmosphere during their stay. Rinpoche, Ven. Tenzin Khentse, and Geshe Lobsang Yonten enjoyed walks on the beautiful land and surrounding areas, and a sailing trip on a local lake. 

As a very small and simple center hosting such a highly realized and amazing being was far more than we could have ever imagined. Months and months of planning were involved, especially since we are in a rural area that does not have access to a lot.

Almost immediately upon Rinpoche’s arrival we could feel the blessings raining down, and the energy in the air was electrifying. It was a very special time for us. There were no teachings scheduled for the first evening of Rinpoche’s arrival, so we were able to enjoy some very special and private time with Rinpoche, just relaxing and talking in the dining room. Rinpoche and I even traded eyeglasses to see who had the stronger prescription (we were pretty even!), and Rinpoche joked with me that my glasses “look ancient, like from a museum!” Many many laughs were shared during the visit; we were so incredibly fortunate.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche and Dawn Holtz at Milarepa Center, Barnet, Vermont, US, August 2019. Photo by Meri Stiles.

Rinpoche gave the first teaching at 7 p.m. on Friday evening titled “The Importance of Private Retreat in the Development of Your Dharma Practice.” This teaching was requested to coincide with advice given from Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2017 for Milarepa Center to focus on offering students a private solitary retreat facility. With Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice currently being at the forefront of our operations, we made a request that His Eminence Ling Rinpoche offer a teaching on the importance of private retreat in developing one’s  Dharma practice.

During that particular teaching Rinpoche spoke about the extreme importance of study, and also having a conducive environment in which to engage in both practice and study. Rinpoche also spoke about how the environment here at Milarepa Center is very very good for this and that there are many very happy nagas present here, which is why our land is so beautiful and feels so incredibly prefect for retreat.

The Saturday morning teaching that Rinpoche gave was titled “How to Develop Bodhichitta and Emptiness.” The program was attended by a mix of lay and ordained students from both near and far, including local Tibetans from the Burlington, Vermont, area as well as a few local Sherpa families. Both talks were very well attended.

For more information about H.E. Ling Rinpoche’s schedule, visit Rinpoche’s website:
http://lingrinpoche.info/

For more information about Shantideva Meditation Center, visit their website:
https://shantidevanyc.org/

For more information about Milarepa Center, visit their website:
http://milarepacenter.org/

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