Sankisya, the place where the Buddha came down from Tushita
By Matthieu Ricard on February 19, 2011From Shravasti, our pilgrimage proceeded to the long journey to Sankisya (called Sankassa in the scriptures, or Sankasya) the place where the Buddha is said to have returned to earth, after preaching the Abhidhamma in Tushita Heaven and teaching his deceased mother. Until recently, Sankisya was rarely visited, since it lies in very remot...
The Dalai Lama Speaks on Science (2nd part)
By Matthieu Ricard on February 14, 2011Over the past thirty years more and more scientists have been showing genuine interest in the Buddhist views of the mind and of its relation to the body. As a result some scientific institutions, in America and in Europe, have undertaken some research. This collaboration has two purposes: First, simply to expand our knowledge, not only a...
The Dalai Lama Speaks on Science (part 1)
By Matthieu Ricard on February 08, 2011From November 20 to 23, at New Delhi in India, the XXIII meeting of the Mind and Life Institute gathering a remarkable array of contemplatives of the ancients Indian traditions (Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism) together with Indian and Western scientists, in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai-Lama, who had long aspired for such a meeting t...
Shravasti
By Matthieu Ricard on February 02, 2011Shravasti, located approximately 175 kilometers from Lucknow, is the place where the Buddha spend the longest period of his life, including twenty-five rainy seasons retreats. It is said that this is also the place where he began to perform a series of miracles. The merchant Anathapindika, who was very devoted to the Buddha, as well as t...
Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha
By Matthieu Ricard on January 27, 2011The 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...
The eight main Buddhist sacred places of India
By Matthieu Ricard on January 22, 2011From 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 50 disciples from...
The (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 5
By Matthieu Ricard on January 16, 2011From 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, blending my mind with that of my spiritual ma...
The (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 4
By Matthieu Ricard on January 10, 2011From 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. C...
Rights and Aspirations
By Matthieu Ricard on January 04, 2011Thorbjorn 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 ...
The (modified) Proust Questionnaire — 3
By Matthieu Ricard on December 29, 2010From 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 not forget that to ‟produce”...