Lecturer: Rigdzin Tingkhye
Friday, October 25th
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Cultural Hall
Suggested contribution: $20 Public, $15 Members
Prerequisite: None
No outer enemy can take us to a hell realm; only our own ego, pride, jealousy, and anger can take us to such places. If we have a difficult supervisor or neighbor, we can change jobs or move out. The other enemy that always comes with us, sleeps with us, eats with us; even when we are happy, they are right there with us — that enemy is the most dangerous. Whether we are an agent or recipient of these unstable and powerful afflictions, their capacity for dealing out destruction and suffering is overwhelming.
Using the Tibetan Buddhist teaching Eight Verses of Training the Mind as a guide, we will discuss how to identify and locate the sources and effects of these harmful states. Rather than seeking to shut down or expel these energies, we will learn instead how to foster a mindful practice of becoming intimate with our inner enemies (the giving and receiving technique of tonglen will also be discussed). This practice will include the cultivation of loving-kindness and wisdom to support the health and balance of the most neglected parts of ourselves.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has described the Eight Verses of Training the Mind as the concentrated expression of the entire essence of Buddhist teachings.
Rigdzin Tingkhye was born in Tibet in 1957, two years before his family followed His Holiness the Dalai Lama into exile in India. There, along with other first generation Tibetan refugees, they supported his efforts in preserving Tibetan heritage and building a thriving community in exile. Rigdzin spent his formative years studying under a faculty body comprised of some of the leading scholars of old Tibet. The blessing of receiving teachings in Tibetan history, culture, language and philosophy from these eminent masters has been one of the great joys of his life.
Living in the United States over the past twenty-five years, Rigdzin has sustained his passion for philosophy and everyday loving-kindness through his work as a language teacher, private chef, business owner and interpreter for distinguished lamas, astrologers and political activists. More information about Rigdzin can be found at his website: www.thislimitlesslife.com
A loving family man, Rigdzin is known and appreciated as an accessible contemporary teacher whose exceptional wit brings clarity and delight to his commentaries. He follows in the path of his ancestors, yogis of Tashi Chopel monastery in Tingkhye, Tibet (founded in 1385).