Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche Completes
Her 2010 Spring European Tour (con't)

France

Finland was the last stop in Northern Europe and we were now headed south again to France where Rinpoche was scheduled to teach in Paris, Normandy and Marseille.

Last year Rinpoche finished a four year series of the detailed commentary on the Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva in the Paris Kagyu Dzong Centre. This year, the centre supplicated Rinpoche to begin a new series of teachings. Rinpoche therefore began a systematic and progressive series of teachings on the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, with this year's teachings focusing on the Four Noble Truths.

Rinpoche's program in Vajradhara Ling, Normandy, had two parts this year. The first four days were dedicated to the teachings on the Ocean of Definitive Meaning by the Ninth Gyalwang Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje and the next five days were a continuation of the Ati Zabdön Cycle of Teachings.

Photo Credit: Sangha members of Vajradhara Ling offer a mandala to Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche ©2011 Mindrolling International

Supplicated by Lama Gyurme and the sangha of Vajradhara Ling, Rinpoche began a series of teachings on the Ngedon Gyamtsho this May. Rinpoche announced that she intends to do a very detailed commentary of the text and that anyone who wants to follow the cycle will have to be ready to do a lot of meditation. During the program itself, the students were given meditation to do in between the teaching sessions.

Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche during the teachings at Vajradhara Ling
©2011 Mindrolling International

Vajradhara Ling under the direction of Lama Gyurme has been a most gracious host of the Ati Zabdön Cycle of Teachings since 2004. Over the years, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche has been guiding the sangha of practitioners from all over France and other countries through the phases of kyerim, dzogrim and dzogpa chenpo. Simultaneously, Jetsün Dechen Paldrön has led the sangha through the principles and the details of the Minling Dorsem sadhana practice.

Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Lama Gyurme (left) lead sangha members on a walk ©2011 Mindrolling International

Coming back each year to receive these most precious teaching, it seems like we never left, as if we have always been in this perfect place, so immensely fortunate to be in the presence of the perfect teacher, who most kindly bestows the perfect teachings, tirelessly in the perfect ever-revolving wheel of time. May we take these precious teachings to heart and through the blessings of the Guru, may we bring them to fruition for the benefit of all limitless beings.

Photo Credit: Sangha members practicing on a hillside at Vajradhara Ling
©2011 Mindrolling International

This year, Rinpoche emphasized stabilizing the view, teaching from the Precious Treasury of Basic Space and Phenomena by the Omniscient Longchen Rabjam. The students of the Ati Zabdön Cycle were asked to focus on strengthening the view throughout the year by practicing unelaborate kyerim practice followed by resting in the view. In post meditation they should always remember to apply the jung ne dro sum.

Photo Credit: The sky over Vajradhara Ling ©2011 Mindrolling International

From Normandy, Rinpoche and the entourage took the TGV train to Provence in the South of France, where as the natives proudly like to point out, the sky is bluer and the sun brighter than anywhere else. Moreover, no one could argue as they are right.

Rinpoche's program was hosted by the Association Boudhiste Tibetaine of Marseille, and the logistics of the visit were taken care of by our own Bruno Gregoire and Franc Arreghini. The association supplicated Rinpoche to teach on the topic of the Three Roots, and to bestow the Minling Dorsem empowerment.

Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche teaching students of the Association Boudhiste Tibetaine of Marseille ©2011 Mindrolling International

The program was attended by a large number of students who have known Rinpoche for many years and who have come from all over the South of France such as Nice, Marseille, Aix en Provence, Bordeaux, la Dordogne, Mougins and many other places. It was remarkable to see this group of old time practitioners come back together to attend Rinpoche's teachings. It almost felt like a big family reunion, not least because many of the old timers came with their spouses, parents, children and even grandchildren, who in turn all took refuge from Rinpoche.

Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche teaching students of the Association Boudhiste Tibetaine of Marseille©2011 Mindrolling International

Rinpoche's busy schedule in Marseille also included a visit to the Kagyu Shenphen Khakhyab centre and a public lecture in the neighboring town of Aix-en-Provence. We were thankful for our two savvy drivers who navigated skillfully through the busy streets of Marseille - a city known for it’s very liberal atmosphere, where even the traffic rules are liberally interpreted.

Photo Credit: Rinpoche and the nuns leaving the Marseille teaching
©2011 Mindrolling International
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