Ripa International 2021 Fall & Winter News & Events

Last summer, we had the great joy of meeting once again as a Sangha here at the RIC in the presence of Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche and Lama Tenzin Phuntsok. It was the first gathering of the International Sangha after several lockdowns and health restrictions imposed by Covid-19. A group varying in size from 30 to 60 people gathered for the teachings on Lojong and the two annual Drupchös, Yeshe Tsogyal and Enriching Gesar. Many others also joined online.  The joy of meeting again was greatly reflected in the blog written by Michèle that you all received some weeks ago, which you can read again here. As Autumn settles in, we wish to share with you the upcoming programs that will take place, both online and onsite, starting with onsite teaching with Lama Tenzin at the end of October. You can register at the link below.

We are also extremely happy to announce that Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche will visit us here at the RIC for our traditional Winter Retreat which will take place onsite and likely online as well. More details will follow and registration will open soon!

We are also glad to remind everyone that regular Tsok practices will continue to take place online – via Zoom and Facebook – each month. More information is listed below. We are looking forward to seeing you at these events very much. We do hope that many of you will decide to travel and join us for these auspicious teachings!

Different Buddhist traditions offer various methods to work and train the mind. For instance, in the Theravada tradition, Shamatha–calm abiding and Vipassana–insight meditation help practitioners gain insights into the true nature of the mind and the three characteristics of existence–suffering, impermanence and non-self. Metta or loving-kindness–one of the Four Incommensurable Thoughts, anchored in the Mahayana tradition, brings in the Boddhisattva perspective by expanding altruistic motivation for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Tonglen, a meditative practice pertaining to the Lojong training of the mind in seven points, goes a step further by inviting the practitioner to exchange himself for others and take on sentient beings’ suffering. One of the functions of this powerful practice of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism is to reverse the habitual tendency to turn away from difficult experiences, a tendency well rooted in self-clinging and open up to reality as it is.

Throughout the course of this retreat, which is open to beginners and advanced meditators alike, Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche will explain the roots of mind training in the various Buddhist schools and will guide the various stages of meditation from Shamatha to Tonglen.