Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche at Lerab Ling
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche at Lerab Ling, July 2010. Photo by Jon Schmidt.
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche concluded his recent visit to Lerab Ling (17-22 July) with a promise to return after taking part in six days of celebrations with Rigpa students in southern France.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, who turned 17 last month, has travelled to the West for the first time to mark the centenary of the birth of his previous incarnation, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He is touring Europe and North America.
Having begun his trip at La Sonnerie in the Dordogne, which was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's main seat in Europe, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche was welcomed by Sogyal Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Namkha Rinpoche and 1,500 others as he arrived at Lerab Ling on 17 July 2010.
He was accomplanied by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's grandson and spiritual heir, and Matthieu Ricard, who spent many years as Khyentse Rinpoche's translator and attendant.
The highlight of the visit was the teaching that Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche gave in the Lerab Ling temple as he spoke on The Lineage of Good Heart. It was watched live via a free internet stream by an estimated 5,000 people around the world, including Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's mother in Bhutan.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche granted the empowerments of Rangjung Peme Nyingtik and Pema Tseyi Nyingtik, 'mind treasures' revealed by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He presided over a full day of practice in the temple on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Rinpoche, as well as a sang offering practice on the hilltop at Lerab Ling.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's visit came almost exactly 20 years after Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche gave his last major teachings in the West, including at the Rigpa retreat at Prapoutel, in France.
In welcoming Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche to Lerab Ling, Sogyal Rinpoche said: “At Prapoutel in 1990 I requested Khyentse Rinpoche to return and he promised that he would. We have been waiting ever since. And now today, that promise has come true. This is why it is so incredibly moving, and meaningful, Rinpoche, to welcome you here today.”
Each day was packed with opportunities to remember Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and to hear about the incredible amount he accomplished in the service of the Buddha's teachings.
Rabjam Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche both shared their own memories of Khyentse Rinpoche, and Matthieu Ricard showed photographs that he took during his time with Khyentse Rinpoche.
There was a screening of Brilliant Moon, Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the recent film made by Neten Chokling Rinpoche about Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's life, as well as an exhibition of some of the relics and artefacts that belonged to Khyentse Rinpoche, including relics of the Buddha.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's travels will now take him to Portugal, Croatia, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia before the centenary celebrations conclude at Bodhgaya, India in December.
As he prepared to leave, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche said: "I won't forget to come back again to Lerab Ling."
More information on www.rigpa.org and www.lerabling.org
Text from www.rigpa.org
Photo Gallery of the event
All pictures by Jon Schmidt
