"Buddhism is a way of life through which we develop the qualities of our mind.
This way of life is very unusual, as it is a means to attain happiness without harming others.
THE 17^thGYALWA KARMAPA

January: The Month of Discernment

Last December 29, close to 300 people gathered in the Institute for Lama Jigme Rinpoche's winter course. It's three o'clock. There is neither Rinpoche's throne in place for the teaching, nor a scholar from Kalimpong arrived to teach philosophy, nor even one of Dhagpo's lamas. Under the benevolent regard of the Buddha, and before the slightly surprised one of the public, sit Julien and Olivier. Both are volunteers and residents at Dhagpo, and they are preparing to begin the explanations of the first chapter of The Gateway to Knowledge by Mipham Rinpoche.

Best Wishes 2017

Guided by knowledge, the fruit of Dharma study, let us attentively observe what arises in us!. [...]

Kagyu Monlams Reports # 3 - What is the red hat that’s been given to Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche?

Today, I’d like to go back to a ceremony which was the object of inquiry of many of you. I’d like to talk about the ceremony during which the Gyalwa Karmapa bestowed a red hat on Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Kagyu Monlams Reports # 2 - Mysticism, Reality and Quantum Mechanics

Why spend time and money to come and meditate where the Buddha attained enlightenment? Why put up with the generous noises of India, the discomfort of a frugal room, dust which clogs up your nose, diseases? (...)

Kagyu Monlams Reports # 1 - From one Stupa to Another

From one Stupa to Another

Three weeks ago marked the inauguration of the stupa commemorating the presence of Shamar Rinpoche at Dhagpo. This morning I find myself in front of the great stupa in Bodhgaya, the site marking the enlightenment of the Buddha of our time (...)

Lama Purtse: To Keep the Example Alive!

Nearly all of Lama Purtsela's life has been told and recounted. Beginning the day after Lama Purtsela's death, just as he was entering tukdam, Khenpo Chodrak Rinpoche explained, “He was a bit wild, someone who did not easily mold to the rules of society. With time and practice, he became a disciplined and peaceful person. His year of service to the accomplished master Gendun Rinpoche and to Jigme Rinpoche were the source of this change. He met and followed the teachings of the 16^th and 17^th Karmapas as well as Shamar Rinpoche. They witnessed the devotion that he developed over the years.”

News of Lama Jigme Rinpoche's health

Hello all. Here is the most recent news of Lama Jigme Rinpoche's health. He wished to speak directly to the community.

Beru Khyentse Rinpoche: Transmission

The system of recognizing incarnations (tulkus) is sometimes complicated! For example, after his death, the great 19^th century master Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892) reincarnated in five aspects: body, speech, mind, qualities and activity. The lineage of the Beru Khyentses is said to be the incarnation of the aspect of speech.

Nagarjuna, Trinlay Rinpoche, and the Middle Way

Dhagpo has known Trinlay Rinpoche since he was a child in the early 1980s. A promising child, he was born in Switzerland to an American mother and a French father. The 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa and venerable Kalu Rinpoche quickly recognized him as the reincarnation of an important Buddhist master.

With Shabdrung Rinpoche, the Middle Way Means Looking for What is Natural

“When I'm with Sakyapa practitioners, they tell me that I'm Kagyu and when I'm with Kagyu practitioners, people are always reminding me that I'm Sakya,” jokes Shabdrung Rinpoche

Jigme Rinpoche absent (but very present…)

Study and Meditation Retreat

It is Wednesday evening and the teaching begins on Saturday: emergency meeting (tranquil none-the-less).
We decide to mobilize the available teachers who support Rinpoché’s activity.

Compassion, British Humor, and Transmission

A debonair stride, a checkered shirt, and a straw hat. Who would think that this describes a scholar—a meditation master trained in both the Sakya and Kagyu Buddhist traditions? It's a bit of wry, very British humor.

Powa Retreat: The Transference of Consciousness

Lama Nygyam is completely unknown to the 170 people present in the Institute. When he enters the room, the silence is complete. He prostrates before the altar and places his golden monk's shawl over his shoulders. Each gesture is composed. He settles onto the throne and, for this first session of powa retreat, he transmits the ritual reading of the commentary.

Accumulation of long life prayer for Lama Jigme Rinpoche

In response to Thaye Dorje, the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa's request, and to support Lama Jigme Rinpoche's health and activity, several sessions of accumulation of his long life prayer are carried out daily at Dhagpo.