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Lama Zopa Rinpoche with monks and nuns, Choe Khor Sum Ling, Bangalore, India, January 2015. Photo by Deepthy Shekhar.
“Choe Khor Sum Ling in Bangalore, India welcomed the new year with showers of blessings from Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his retinue of venerable monks and nun,” wrote student Deepthy Shekhar. “Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited our little center and taught students in Bangalore January 9-17. The center transformed into a hub of festive activity with prayers, pujas and sutra readings in the auspicious presence of our esteemed precious and pure guru. Choe Khor Sum Ling welcomed students of Rinpoche from South Africa, Singapore, Sweden, Argentina and other states in India.
“Rinpoche’s teachings began with a public talk on the topic of ‘Transforming Problems into Happiness.’ During this talk, Rinpoche advised all students to develop an attitude of bodhichitta, which was crucial for transforming any problem with a positive attitude:
“‘Even if you don’t believe in reincarnation and karma, if you want to have success in this life and all future lives up to liberation and enlightenment, don’t harm others and instead fulfill others’ wishes as much as you can in everyday life. Fulfilling others’ wishes, whether humans or animals, should be our main practice.
“‘In Buddhism, happiness comes from the mind; suffering also comes from the mind. If you want to change your reality, change your mind. This is the most important thing. Not external change, but changing the mind. Meditation means keeping the mind positive and pure. Do those things that bring happiness to others. This is the essence of the Buddha’s message to numberless beings from his own omniscient wisdom and compassion: subdue your mind. If that is happening, you are practicing Dharma.’
“On the same day, Rinpoche released a publication of Praises to 21 Taras in Sanskrit. This was published by Choe Khor Sum Ling as a two-part book containing The Heart Sutra and Praises to the 21 Taras. The publication of the text completed one of many pieces of advice that Choe Khor Sum Ling had received from Rinpoche. Choe Khor Sum Ling was also able to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wish for the installation of statues of the Twenty-One Taras, Guru Padmasambhava, Manjushri and Four-Arm Chenrezig in the center. These statues came to our center through the benevolent donations of its many students, teachers and friends from all over the world. They were filled with mantras, sutras and other holy objects. Rinpoche expressed his happiness at these accomplishments.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the students of Choe Khor Sum Ling, Bangalore, India, January 2015. Photo by Deepthy Shekhar.
“Rinpoche also conferred the Five Deity Heruka initiation to some of his students at Choe Khor Sum Ling, over seven days. During these teachings, Rinpoche explained the need for students to practice the three principal aspects of the path and gave us good advice on the actual tantric path. During the mornings of these teachings, the assembled monks and nuns organized the collective reading of the Sutra of Golden Light, the Sixteen Arhat puja and a Medicine Buddha puja. They encouraged all members in participating in collectively writing out the Arya Sanghata Sutra and Amitayus Long Life Sutra for the long and healthy life of Rinpoche.
“During the second public teaching – ‘How to Make Life Happy’ – Rinpoche encouraged students to complete the path, saying, ‘Only Buddha doesn’t make mistakes, right? That’s why we need to become Buddha!’
“Choe Khor Sum Ling celebrated the harvest festival of Sankranti, which coincided with one of the days Rinpoche was in the center and the night of the tsog, by decorating the center with sugar cane and plantain leaves and flowers. The center bore a festive look and spirit during the teachings. Choe Khor Sum Ling prays and hopes Rinpoche comes to the center again and again and again.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.