RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE: CULTIVATING ALTRUISM FOR ALL BEINGS

Teachings on Chapter 10 of the Bodhicharyavatara

Dates: from 22 to 27 October

During this retreat, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will conclude his teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara, or the Introduction to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, the classic masterpiece composed by Shantideva, the 8th century Indian saint.

H.H. the Dalai Lama says: “If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it.”

These sacred teachings encourage us to recognize the immense potential for altruism within us, waiting to be awakened. Shantideva's words illuminate the path toward the cessation of suffering, inspiring us to embrace wisdom and compassion as our guiding lights.

This year, in a culmination of the past 9 years of teaching on this text in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche will focus on the last chapter of the book, chapter 10: Dedication, and also grant the Bodhisattva Vow.

In Chapter 10, Shantideva dedicates the merit derived from practicing the Bodhicharyavatara to benefit all sentient beings in an inspiring and deeply heartfelt manner. This compassionate act serves as a profound inspiration for those who embark on the Bodhisattva path, nurturing a genuine desire to bring happiness and liberation to all sentient beings. Through these teachings, we learn to cultivate altruism, making it the foundation of our actions and the essence of our spiritual journey.

Chapter 10 concludes with the famous verse which is quoted time and time again by all great Buddhist teachers:
For as long as space exists

And sentient beings endure,

May I too remain,

To dispel the misery of the world.

During the first 4 days of the event, there will also be review sessions of the text with Chantal Bergers, a Rigpa Shedra teacher who is well-versed in this text.

BODHISATTVA VOWS

At the conclusion of the event, Rinpoche will grant, to those who wish, the Bodhisattva Vow: the commitment to become a bodhisattva, one who works to lead all sentient beings to perfect enlightenment. This marks one’s formal entry on the Mahayana path.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of whether you've attended previous years or not.

You can watch his last series of teachings on Chapter 9 of the Bodhicharyavatara here, on the Prajna website.

You are also invited to attend Rinpoche’s public talk: Meditation, spirituality: is it for me if I am not a buddhist?
The Bodhicharyavatara event ends on Sunday 1st October at 12pm - however Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will be giving a public talk from 2:30pm to 4:00pm, to which you are invited to stay for.

NEW! For this event, you can stay for up to 3 extra days. To take your time, contemplate and enjoy the Lerab Ling environment. This option is included in the registration process.

RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan teacher renowned for his clarity, humor and approachable style. He frequently illustrates teachings with vivid stories.

He was trained in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism under many great masters such as H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and H.H. Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche. He took his formal education at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok and Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India and has served as Professor of Tibetology in Sikkim for 17 years. His doctoral thesis was on the Ecumenical Movement in Tibet.

Since 1990 he has been traveling and teaching Buddhism and meditation at more than 50 Universities, Institutes and Buddhist Centres in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. He also participates in various interfaith dialogues. He authored several books on Buddhism as well as some children’s books both in Tibetan and European languages.

He founded Bodhicharya, an international organization that coordinates worldwide activities to preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings, to promote intercultural dialogues and educational & social projects. He also founded Rigul Trust which supports his projects in his birthplace, Rigul, Tibet.

Rinpoche is the Official Representative of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa for Europe and the Founder of Karmapa Foundation Europe.

CHANTAL BERGERS

Chantal Bergers (Shedra Teacher and Rigpa Shedra director) has been studying and practising within Rigpa since 2002. She has been attending the Rigpa Shedra almost every year since 2010, as a student and a review holder, and was the first Western shedra student to teach at the Rigpa Shedra. In 2016, at the request of Khenpo Namdrol, she taught the Bodhicharyavatara, with the Nectar of Manjushri’s Speech commentary combined with several written and oral commentaries by contemporary Tibetan teachers, always striving to make it most relevant for a modern Western audience.
Apart from studying and teaching at the Rigpa shedra, Chantal is also involved in Rigpa's spiritual care program as an educator, and she is a senior trainer in Awareness Centered deep Listening, a method that combines the insights and methods of contemporary Western psychology with the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of awareness, mindfulness meditation and compassion. Chantal is a teacher within Rigpa.
In her daily life, Chantal works as a medical doctor specialized in palliative care.

PROVISIONAL DAILY SCHEDULE

22-25 October
09h – 09h45 Meditation
10h – 11h30 Teaching with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche 
15h – 16h30 Review session with Chantal Bergers
17h – 19h00 Tendrel Nyesel Tsok

26 October
09h – 09h45 Meditation
10h – 11h30 Teaching with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche 
15h – 16h30 Teaching with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche / Bodhisattva vows
17h – 19h00 Tendrel Nyesel Tsok

27 October
09h – 09h45 Meditation
10h – 11h30 Teaching with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche (end of the Bodhicharyavatara event)
14h30 – 16h Public Talk with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche 

Tags: PUBLIC, MAHAYANA