Ringu Tulku’s visit to London, 8 - 11 May, 2009

 

 

This year we were fortunate enough to have Ringu Tulku Rinpoche in London with us over a four day period.

 

The first teaching was on meditation.  As usual when Rinpoche entered the room all chatter spontaneously dissolved and gave way to an atmosphere of calm and stillness allowing for focus, clarity and insight to arise more effortlessly.  In his calm, warm and friendly manner Rinpoche taught for two hours constantly reminding us to try and relax when we practice, relax in whatever thoughts and feelings come and just be without following or running away from them.  Rinpoche taught and answered the many questions put to him with the little stories that we all love to hear infused with a humour that instils a light heart in the listener allowing them to let go of whatever was bothering them and if like me laugh at themselves while they did.  Oh and did I remember to mention that he told us to relax?  

 

During the following two days Rinpoche taught on, Beginners Mind: Some Heart Advice from the Lineage.  Rinpoche explained many things about the teachings from his all-encompassing perspective.  He gently reminded us that the essence of the teaching is Mind Transformation and that every particular method, master, lineage or even tradition exists for that very purpose.  Ultimately what is important for the ordinary practitioner is what touches their heart and best serves to help them develop Wisdom and Compassion in their every daily life and not where or from whom a particular teaching, method or practice is perceivably coming from.  It was suggested that we bring the practice down to the essence and the essence into our experience and the more clear, uncomplicated and simple the method for doing so the better.  Rinpoche helped us sweep away the clutter from and open the windows to our minds so we may experience a new space and freshness in our approach to our practice.

 

The teachings ended with a Medicine Buddha Empowerment that symbolically represented the healing that had been going on continuously during the teachings.

 

The following day there were interviews with Rinpoche both private and a group one for the Bodhicharya London Sangha followed by a Refuge ceremony.  The group interview was touching as Sangha members found the courage to ask deeply personal questions that must have not only been difficult to contemplate for themselves but even more so amongst others.  Such is the informal, friendly and relaxed atmosphere that Rinpoche and the Sangha engenders.  A number of people took Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha that day and I hope none of them received a Refuge name like the one Rinpoche told some used to receive back in Tibet! After the ceremony a buffet or should I say an absolute feast with the most varied and delicious foods, prepared and offered by Sangha members, was enjoyed with Rinpoche.

 

What strikes me most about Rinpoche is how ordinary and down to earth he is.  In fact he is extraordinary in just how ordinary he is!  Here is a person who is truly relaxed and at ease in every moment.  Just watching him and soaking in the atmosphere surrounding him is a teaching in itself.  The stillness and calm that Rinpoche exudes from his solid presence subdues and reflects the many thoughts, feelings and emotions that constantly fill the mind and obscure its natural calm, clear state, a state that Rinpoche embodies and allows us to recognise within ourselves through his presence and it is wonderful to behold!  Such an experience can help point out our true nature and remove doubt from our mind about ever realising it.  Gratitude, Joy and Wonder spring to mind, thank you Rinpoche for such a precious gift!

Cesare Saguato

May 2009