Vipassana not what you think (Rinpoche)

(Perfect Teacher) Vipassana (Buddhist "insight meditation") is not what you think, explains Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

Who is this teacher?

What makes you not a Buddhist?

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (Tibetan རྫོང་གསར་འཇམ་དབྱངས་མཁྱེན་བརྩེ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ།, born June 18, 1961) [1] is also known as Khyentse Norbu. He is a Tibetan Vajrayana lama, filmmaker, and writer who was born in Bhutan, high in the Himalayas.

His five major films are The Cup (1999), Travellers and Magicians (2003), Vara: A Blessing (2013), Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait (2017), and Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache (2019).

(Tibetan Nuns) This Tibetan monastic mantra has not stopped for centuries

He is the author of several published books such as What Makes You Not a Buddhist (2007), Not For Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices (2012), The Guru Drinks Bourbon? (2016), Living is Dying (2020), and several non-fiction works on Tibetan Buddhism for free distribution such as

• Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti’s Madhyamaka with Commentary (2003) [2] and
• Buddha Nature: Mahayana-Uttaratantra-Shastra with Commentary (2007) [3].

The Cup (1999 film)

He has also written an autobiography in process entitled Mugwort Born. Many of his teachings are available on the Siddhartha's Intent YouTube channel [4].

He is the eldest son of Thinley Norbu and therefore the grandson of Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. 

Khyentse Rinpoche has teachers from all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and is a follower and champion of the Rimé (non-sectarian) movement.

He considers Dilgo Khyentse as his main guru. He is also the primary custodian of the teachings of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. More

Brief History of Tibetan Buddhism (film)

(Golden Guru) This film is a brief history of the "lightning vehicle" (Vajrayana) explaining the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kadampa Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug. It is a well-rounded Dharma lecture on how Buddhism influenced Tibet from its indigenous black magic Bon tradition to the introduction of a world religion.

"Travellers & Magicians" (Himalayan film)

Part II: Travellers & Magicians

(Tangpa) Monk and filmmaker Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche's second visual reminder to the world to appreciate the present. Be aware rather than distracted, detached rather than placing too much importance on illusory hopes.

Locally, this film illuminates the situation most of the younger generation in Bhutan faces. It is confronted by newer, more exciting, seemingly more open Western culture. Such promises make traditional culture and a Buddhist way of life seem quaint to the youth of Bhutan.

Connecting the way previous generations have is becoming rarer. In this film Khyentse Rinpoche explores more intellectually satisfying media for modern Bhutanese viewers (and others facing a similar situation).

"The Life of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche" (film)

(Fayuyang) May all beings be happy. This film, "The Life of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche," is an authentic portrait of one of Tibet's great contemporary teachers, considered a "master of masters" among the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana).

He is renowned as a great meditator, guru, poet, scholar, and as one of the main teachers of the Dalai Lama. Nyingma Lama Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche died in 1991. Ten years in the making, this film began in 1989 when translator Matthieu Ricard and Vivian Kurz began taping extensive footage of their teacher.

Shot in rarely filmed Kham, Eastern Tibet, as well as Nepal, Bhutan, India, and France, this film shows the rich and intricate tapestry of the Vajrayana tradition. It is a witness to the strength, wisdom, and depth of this Himalayan culture. Narrated by Richard Gere, music by Philip Glass. Part II

Buddhism and Super Bowl Football

Wisdom Quarterly

Why are we Americans obsessed with football and football commercials? American football is stylized war, that's clear enough. So like the former British empire and their soccer obsession, which turned to indivdualistic cricket (like our baseball), we watch, we root, and come to expect that that's the way to resolve differences.

It is said that 51% of the ratings for the Super Bowl are accounted for by the commercials (and the half-time entertainment). Super Bowl ads are some of the most expensive on the boobtube -- because so many people are watching. And drunk. And mindlessly munching on acrylamides, MSG, and rancid trans fats. (You know, Lays, Pringles, Doritos).

VIDEO: Sneak peek at 2010 Super Bowl commercials

I think our obsession stems from something I once saw on "Planet of the Apes." All empires keep people distracted with "the games," and you can't take that away from them. The all-important games!

• Think Rome and the Coliseum.
• Think Greece and the Olympics.
• Think Maya and ball-through-ring/losers-sacrificed-for-losing.

It makes us competitive. It makes us singleminded. It makes us ruthless. But the Buddha advised we steer clear of the "teachings of the vicious." Instead, there's noninjury, helping, caring -- things we all love to receive but aren't so keen to give.

Better than all the celebrating on Super Bowl Sunday would be the bliss associated with a cleansed heart, a clear mind -- what we're trying to achieve with toxic booze (you know how many impurities are in there besides the alcohol?) -- focusing on the first absorption. We are what we eat and take in. Piti and sukha are "rapture and joy" unknown to couch potatoes. And it's why we sit. That reliable happiness, serenity, and energy leads to enlightenment.

WATCH THE ENTIRE FILM FREE ON YOUTUBE

Buddhist football obsession: The Cup (Phorpa) is a celebrated breakthrough film by Tibetan lama Khyentse Norbu. Prayer, meditation, rituals, soccer? World Cup soccer-fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan Buddhist monastery. Centuries-old traditions are threatened — the young novice-monks will do just about anything to watch the final match. This poses a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. An inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades, and daring secret plots. And it's a true story. Filmed on location at Chokling Monastery.

A Buddhist Superbowl

(BleacherReport) - In Buddhism there are the Four Truths. Mark and I were experiencing all four at the hands of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and a roomful of Buddhists.

1. There is suffering. (Certainly, the Broncos and we were).
2. There is a cause for suffering. (In our case, it was the 49ers and these Buddhists).
3. There is a cessation of suffering. (The game couldn’t end fast enough!)
4. There is a way to the cessation of suffering. (We were thinking of leaving early).

Suddenly, in the middle of the game — I think it was 4:00 (time and therapy have washed away many aspects of this day) — every Buddhist in the room got up, went into another room, bowed down (to the West, I presume), and started chanting and banging a little gong. More>>

Do Macho Ads Defuse Homoeroticism of the Games?
In the background, much like the Trocks, the players are in tutus. After years of homophobic ads broadcast to subconsciously defuse the homo-eroticism of the games, this spot is a welcome departure, if a shameless rip-off.

• EmpTV, empty calories: healyourhunger.com
• More Tiracchana-katha: animalatlas.tv

Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard (film)

He journeyed from France to the East. And according to brain studies, scientist and long-time Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard is "the happiest man in the world." Having met his teacher, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, while traveling in India and Nepal, he meditated in the Himalayas and took astounding photographs. He eventually became famous in his own right and has served as the Dalai Lama's translator as well as devoting himself to other important causes.

An Enlightened Bhutanese Lama?

From the World Cup to the mythical mountain kingdom of Bhutan, "Words of My Perfect Teacher" follows three students on a quest they hope will lead to wisdom. The catch is their teacher, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Football-obsessed, charismatic filmmaker, and citizen of the world, Khyentse may be one of the world's most eminent Buddhist teachers. But it's a job description he slyly rejects at every turn. "Words of My Perfect Teacher" is for those who wish they'd met Yoda or Merlin or long for the opportunity to engage with a teacher who defies convention.

Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu is one of the most important incarnate lamas in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition today. Known more widely by his ecclesiastical title, His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, he was recognized at the age of seven as the incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892), a great religious reformer and saint who played a pivotal role in the revitalization and preservation of Buddhism in Tibet in the 19th century.

As the living heir to the Khyentse lineage, Khyentse Norbu exemplifies a non-sectarian spirit. His rigorous training in the Buddhist classical tradition mixed with a deep interest in film making makes him one of the most provocative interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism today. In keeping with his lineage, he has sought to bridge both old and new, East and West.

Authenticity in his breakthrough film "The Cup" was paramount. So he chose Chokling Monastery, situated in a Tibetan refugee settlement nestled in the Himalayan foothills, as the main location for the film. The cast was mainly drawn from members of the monastery. None had any acting experience whatsoever, and most did not understand English. As Khyentse Norbu's script was written in English, no scripts were passed out in advance of the day's shoot. All actors were briefed scene-to-scene. Dialogue was prompted and memorized on the spot, and most scenes were completed within three takes — a testament to the actors' monastic discipline and concentration.

Khyentse Norbu continues to serve as throne-holder of the Dzongsar Monastery in Derge, Eastern Tibet, and as spiritual director of two meditation centers, in East Bhutan and in Sikkim, and two Buddhist philosophy colleges in India and in East Bhutan. In recent years, with the increase of his teaching activities, Khyentse Norbu has set up several Buddhist centers around the world, including retreat centers in Canada and Australia and numerous practice communities in Southeast Asia and Europe. His second feature film is "Travellers & Magicians."

Charity when it counts most (Lotus)

Thank you for your generous support. This is a message from the chairman and founder of Lotus Outreach, Khyentse Norbu:

“Times are hard right now. Economically, everyone in this world of ours is suffering in one way or another. As always, though, it’s the most vulnerable who suffer the most, and far too often find themselves facing privations so extreme that a simple act of kindness can mean the difference between life and death. When the stakes are so high, the kindness and generosity of others have a deeper significance than when life is relatively easy, and are both more appreciated and have a greater effect. So please, continue to support Lotus Outreach as much as you can in 2010.”

We have a wish list of greatly appreciated gifts, large and small. Thank you again for your dedication to serving the world’s least fortunate. -- Erika Keaveney, Executive Director, Lotus Outreach International

The Value of Life

In Buddhism, all life is extremely precious. The reason for this is simple. All living beings have within them an inestimable potential to achieve the perfection of Enlightenment, the state of Buddha, in their present or a future existence. This potential can of course be hidden, buried in ignorance, stifled by egocentricity, hemmed in by the flames of hatred and other mental poisons, but it is present in every being, just as the smallest sesame seed is impregnated with oil.

Ignorance simply means not being aware of that fact. We are like a beggar who does not realize that he has a pot of gold buried under his shack. To take the Buddhist path is to regain possession of this forgotten treasure, for our own good and the good of others.

But even if it is hidden in this way, the mere existence of that potential waiting to be realized gives life an incomparable value. Without it we would struggle in vain to attain perfection. If you work hard, you can extract a nugget of pure gold from a stone, but you would strive in vain for a hundred years to wash a piece of coal clean. It can never be restored to whiteness because that is not its natural color.

The obstacles to be overcome vary a great deal from one person to another, one type of living being to another. Take animals, for example. Their ignorance (in the sense used above) is so impenetrable and any means of communication that might enable them to escape it so limited that they will only be able to realize their potential for Enlightenment in a future life.If we think of all the different living species in the universe, we understand how rare and precious the human condition is. Human beings are in a unique situation: a feast, a banquet held only one day in a hundred, a privilege only to be enjoyed in one life amongst innumerable others.

As the great Tibetan teacher Khyentse Rinpoche explains, "If we do not take the opportunities that are offered to us, we will be like a beggar who picks up a jewel, clasps it in his hand for a moment and then throws it down in the dust, mistaking it for a piece of glass." But more seriously stil, the master goes on to say, "If we are fully aware of the value of human life, then to squander it in distractions and the pursuit of vain ambitions is the height of confusion. If a traveller returns from the treasure island empty-handed, then the incredible efforts he has made to cross the seas are all for nothing."

To be aware of the price of human life is to be like a beggar who suddenly realizes that what he is holding in his hand is not a piece of glass but a diamond, and decides straight away to use if for noble purposes. Although, through the force of intelligence, human beings are capable of perpetrating an immense amount of evil, they are also the only beings able to achieve an immense amount of good. Thus the jewel that is human life can fulfill all our aspirations. All we need to do is aspire to Enlightenment, to knowledge, love and compassion, rather than to selfishness, hatred and confusion.

(From The Rime Center for Tibetan Buddhism; originally from Buddhist Himalayas by Olivier, Follmi & Ricard).