The pilgrimage led by Yangsi Khyentse Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche began on December 9th at the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni, at Lumbini in Nepal. On 10th morning, the Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial Stupa dedicated to universal peace was consecrated by the Lamas and monks of Shechen monastery, together with a hundred monks of the… Read more »
Read moreThe eight main Buddhist sacred places of India
From December 9th to 26th, a group of pilgrims, led by Yangsi Khyentse Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, visited the 8 major Buddhist sacred places of Nepal and India, to consecrate 8 Stupas that were built, one in each place, in fulfillment of the wishes of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991). About 60 monks and another… Read more »
Read moreAbout vacuity
On emptiness When Buddhism states that emptiness is the ultimate nature of things, it means that the things we see around us, the phenomena of our world lack any autonomous or permanent existence. But emptiness is not at all a void, or the absence of phenomena, as early western commentators of Buddhism once thought. Buddhism… Read more »
Read moreIn Memoriam: E. Gene Smith (1936-2010)
It is with immense sadness that we heard of the untimely death of our dear friend and mentor Gene Smith. Gene was one of those luminaries that come once or twice in a century, unbelievably learned, entirely dedicated, entirely selfless. At any time in history, he would have stood as the perfect example of an… Read more »
Read moreRights and Aspirations
Thorbjorn Jagland, the Chairman of the Nobel Prize Committee said at the recent ceremony in Norway: ‟People like Liu Xiaobo are not dissidents, they represents the world’s common values and standards.” Pointing to Liu Xiaobo’s empty chair, Jagland said: ‟This fact alone suggests that the Price was necessary and appropriate.” He also reminded us of… Read more »
Read moreWhat does Buddhism mean by “Enlightenment”?
Enlightenment is a state of perfect knowledge or wisdom, combined with infinite compassion. Knowledge in this case does not mean merely the accumulation of data or a description of the world of phenomena down to the finest details. Enlightenment is an understanding of both the relative mode of existence (the way in which things appear… Read more »
Read moreThe (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 5
From an interview recently published in the French press (end). For what cause would you be ready to die? If it could save a few lives. I hope that I will have the courage to do so, would such circumstances occur. How would you like to die? The mind filled with joy and fully lucid,… Read more »
Read moreThe (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 4
From an interview recently published in the French press (continued). According to you, the height of luxury is ? It is spending a few months in retreat, facing the Himalayas. Which object is indispensable according to you? There are only useful objects. The only thing that is indispensable is to put an end to suffering. Could… Read more »
Read moreThe (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 3
From an interview recently published in the French press (continued). What do you think is the most important ecological step we can take? We should not live off the death of sentient beings who ask only to remain alive. Although this is not the main reason for my being vegetarian since 40 years, we should… Read more »
Read moreThe (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 2
From an interview recently published in the French press (continued). What is your first thought in the morning? ‟May I progress on the spiritual path and be of benefit to others.” What moral quality do you regard as essential? Benevolence. What is the most overestimated virtue (or value) today? A brilliant yet superficial intellect. What… Read more »
Read more