Starting at the end of August 1997, Gendun Rinpoche gave what would be his last teachings over several days at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, twenty-two years after his arrival in France, where he had been sent by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje to share the wisdom of the Dharma with Westerners and establish conditions conducive to its authentic and lasting practice.
How can we be at the heart of Dharma? Gendun Rinpoche’s entire last teaching answers this fundamental question. Weak but joyful, in his singing voice, Rinpoche, an eighty-year-old meditation master, taught the essential steps of the Buddhist path, as if he wanted to share its essence by giving spiritual advice to both newcomers and long-time disciples.
Lama Tsony, his translator and close disciple, recalls, “This teaching was really special. I didn’t want to think in those terms, but I knew that he knew it was his last teaching to such a large crowd. No one wanted to think about it, but everyone felt it. At the same time, he was as present and clear as always.”
Rinpoche explains the profound meaning of each step on the gradual path to enlightenment and warns against false pretenses in practice.
The essential prerequisite for entering the path to enlightenment is taking refuge. Taking refuge means developing the altruistic intention, the perfectly pure intention, to liberate all beings,” explains Rinpoche. “As soon as we discover this deep motivation born of confidence in the Three Jewels and compassion for all beings, the path is simple.
He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of coming back to the right intention daily as the core of all practice, because it is this intention that generates an altruistic mind and also reduces the disturbing influence of emotions.
The feeling of humility, equality, and compassion towards all beings must be the cornerstone of our path
The Buddhist path requires “a necessary readjustment of our worldview,” explains Rinpoche. It is about seeing the essentially painful nature of the conditioned cycle of existence.
It is about seeing the essentially painful nature of the conditioned cycle of existence. “When we realize this from within, from the depths of our being, a feeling of immense compassion arises for the essential suffering of all beings. […] When this deep compassion arises, practice comes naturally. We know that it is through meditation and practice that we will attain freedom and the ability to help others. […] We must therefore arm ourselves with patience, developing this quality as a kind of armor that will protect us on the path.
Then we must see the inescapable reality of impermanence and understand the law of causality.
We live with a certain view of things that is also the result of what we have been or what we have accomplished through body, speech and mind. […] This moment we are living now is totally conditioned by the processes of karma. We must understand this process […] We must learn from the past so that in this moment, with the little freedom we have, we can prepare a future that is more open, more free and, in general, leads to awakening. […] There is a notion of individual responsibility at play.
Gendun Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of deepening our understanding of these fundamental bases of our existence because “if this knowledge does not profoundly affect our way of being and our way of seeing things, then our Dharma practice will not bear fruit. There will be a danger of remaining on the surface, explains Rinpoche, of missing the meaning of the Dharma, of “putting on a show of Dharma,” of letting pride “pollute our minds.”
Thus, being at the heart of the Dharma means transforming our view of things, looking within and deeply analyzing our own mind stream. The accumulation of merit is a driving force all along the path. Rinpoche mentions its two aspects: the purification of our body, speech, and mind and the transformation of our attitude through gestures of offering and generosity.
Regular meditation on awakened presence; on its form; on this meditation support which is the union of clarity and emptiness, will enable us to transform our view of the aggregates, allowing us to understand that they are five aspects of wisdom. […] It is ignorance that prevents us from perceiving this reality of clarity and emptiness, which is the nature of manifestation. […] The mind recognizes itself as a wave that recognizes itself as the nature of the ocean, relaxes, and returns to the ocean it never left.
Thus, Mahamudra meditation is in fact non-meditation because when the mind is settled in a calm abiding state, it observes or perceives all internal and external things, the movements of mind, as its own play.
Looking directly at this manifestation, it sees both the empty essence and the clear, perceptible nature, the creativity of the qualities of the mind.
In this process, it is through thoughts that the mind is able to understand itself.
Thoughts are an immense opportunity, and to believe that if we remain in thoughtless meditation, if we forbid all thoughts, we will realize the nature of mind, is like hoping to see the sun by staying for decades in the depths of a cave […] every thought becomes an opportunity to see the luminous nature and empty essence of mind
The same vision applies to emotions, which are ultimately just movements of mind and are recognized as such.
Over the course of these days, Rinpoche gave the empowerment of the female Buddha of long life, Drupa’i Gyalmo—queen of realization, and on this occasion joked,
For someone who is elderly, a long life empowerment is particularly important.” [1]
Usually when he gave empowerments, he was quite relaxed about the organization of the altar, in yogic style. Here, he paid attention to every detail of the altar, making sure that the tormas were in place and that everything was truly impeccable, recalls Tsony.
Trust in the teaching and the master are the keys to realizing the mind—Rinpoche constantly came back to the essential role of trust: in the teaching, in the master and the life example he offers. During this last teaching, everyone was able to connect with the immense kindness, compassion, joy, and wisdom of this authentic master, whose life embodies the activity of bodhisattvas and his unfailing trust in the Gyalwa Karmapa.
[1] Gendun Rinpoche. Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master. Norbu Editions, 2010
List of teachings given by Lama Gendun Rinpoche at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling from January 1977 to August 1997:
1976
August : Preliminary Practices
1977
January: Chenrezig Practice
February: Seven Branch Prayer
October: General Teaching
1978
From February 20 to 24: General Teaching
From June 25 to July 1: Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen by Chagme Rinpoche with Akshobya empowerment on July 1
From July 17 to 30: Preliminary Practices of Mahamudra with Karmapakshi empowerment on July 30
August 2: The Bardo
August 25 to 28: Powa, transfer of consciousness, with Amithaba empowerment on August 28
From September 3 to 9: Bodhcitta and Paramitas, with empowerment of Medicine Buddha on 9 September
From October 8 to 14: the Four Thoughts and Refuge with Tara empowerment on October 14
From November 12 to 18: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Gampopa with Milarepa empowerment on November 18
From 30 December to January 1: Dorje Sempa retreat
1979
From April 15 to 21: Buddha Nature and the Precious Human Body with Milarepa empowerment on April 21
From May 20 to 26: The Sufferings of Samara in relation to Karma and its fruits, with Amitabha empowerment on May 26
From June 24 to 30: The Spiritual Friend and Teaching on Impermanence with Amitayus empowerment on June 30
From July 15 to 28: Preliminary Practices with Dorje Sempa empowerment on July 28
From August 5 to 11: A Precious The Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Gampopa with Karmapakshi empowerment on August 11
From 12 to 18 August: The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, with Medicine Buddha empowerment on August 18
From 19 to 25 August: Instructions without Ornament given to the Merchant of Bulu by Chagme RInpoche with Akshobya empowerment on AUgust 25
From September 2 to 8: Essence and Clarification of the Development of Mind Turned Towards Enlightenment with Tara empowerment on September 8
From October 7 to 13: The Paramitas (generosity and ethical conduct) with Dorje Phourba empowerment on October 13
From November 2 to 10: The Paramitas (patience, enthusiastic effort and meditation) with White Manjushri empowerment on November 10
From December 23 to 31: The Paramitas (discernment) with Guru Rinpoche empowerment on December 31
1980
March: Green Tara Practice
May: The Four Thoughts
From December 25 to 28: Bodhicitta and Mahamudra Meditation
From December 29 to 30: The Six Paramitas
1981
From March 8 to 14: Chö practice with Magchg Labdrön empowerment on March 14a
From 12 to 19 April: Powa practice with empowerment of Amitabha on April 19
From May 2 to 8: Extracts from Milarepa’s biography
From May 23 to 30: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Gampopa with Amitayus empowerment on 30 May
From June 17 to 26: The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Tokme Zangpo and Instructions without Ornaments given at Bulu by Chagme Rinpoche
From December 25 to 30: Progressive Instructions on Calm-abiding Meditation
1982
Avril : Meditation Weekend
Pâques : Milarepa Sadhana
From May 20 to 23: The Ordinary Foundations
From December 29 to 31: The Ermitage Teachings by Chagme Rinpoche
From July 8 to 10: Chenrezig Practice,Continual Rainfall of Benefit for Beings
From July 19 to 24: Instructions on Calm-abiding meditation
From August 1 to 31: Instructions on the Meditation of Profound View, The Ocean of Certain Meaning by the 9th Karmapa
September: Guru Yoga of Gampopa with empowerment
From December 25 to 31: Enlightened Mind with the Three Disciplines on 30 December
1983
From April 3 to 10: The Six Paramitas
April 17: Progressive Meditation on Refuge
April 24: Instructions on Refuge Practice
May 1: Progressive Meditation on Dorje Sempa
May 8: Instructions on Dorje Sempa Practice
May 12 to 15: The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Tokme Zangpo
From 21 to 23 June: Mahamudra
From July 3 to 12: Green Tara with Empowerment on July 3
From July 17 to 30: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Gampopa
From July 31 to August 3: Instructions on Meditation Practice
From August 5 to 12: Sangye Menla (Medicine Buddha) with Empowerment on August 5
From August 14 to 15: Why a Spiritual Path?
From August 16 to 23: Bardo
From August 26 to September 1: Lojong
From NOvember 11 to 13: Extraordinary Deaths
From December 26 to 31: Milarepa’s Songs with Milarepa empowerment on December 31
1984
From April 14 to 23: Transmission of Chöd practice with Machig Labdrön empowerment on April 23
From April 31 to May 3: Preliminaries (refuge and prostrations) with Dorje Sempa empowerment on May 3
From June 9 to 11: Chenrezig practice with empowerment on June 11
From July 7 to 26: Instructions on calm abiding and deep insight meditation with Dorje Sempa empowerment on July 26
From August 2 to 5: Bodhisattva Vows with transmission of vows on August 5
From August 6 to 15: Lojong with Akshobya empowerment on August 15
From August 19 to 22: the bhumis and paths of Mahamudra with Dorje Phourba empowerment
From August 24 to 31: Instructions Requested by the Merchant Bulu, by Chagme Rinpoche
From November 1 to 4: Emotions
From November 8 to 11: General teaching
From December 22 to 30: Gampopa (shiné/lhaktong) with Gampopa empowerment on December 22
1985
March 30: Amitabha empowerment
May 8: Djampel Mawei Sengue empowerment (Manjushri on a lion)
From May 25 to 27: White Tara with empowerment on May 27
From July 7 to 13: Paramitas (generosity, ethical conduct and patience) with Green Tara empowerment on July 7
From July 14 to 20: Paramitas (enthusiastic effort, meditative concentration) with Dorje Sempa empowerment on July 14
From July 21 to 27: Paramitas (discernment)
From August 8 to 14: Bardos during a teaching by Shamar Rinpoche
From November 9 to 11: Dorje Sempa with empowerment on November 11
From December 28 to January 1: Short Prayer to Dorje Chang
1986
From March 29 to April 6: Milarepa Guru Yoga with empowerment on April 6
From July 5 to 11: Green Tara with empowerment on July 5
From 12 to 18 July: Chenrezig practice with empowerment on 12 July
From August 2 to 14: Teaching on Mahamudra
From August 16 to 28: Teaching on Mahamudra
From December 26 to 31: The Four Thoughts and Guru Yoga of the 16th Karmapa
1987
From April 18 to 26: Death, Intermediary State and Rebirth with empowerment of the 100 Deities of the Bardo on April 26
From May 1 to 3: Sangye Menla (Medicine Buddha) with empowerment on May 3
August: Mahamudra of the Ganges, Tilopa’s instructions to Naropa
From December 26 to 31: The Knife of Wisdom (practice of Chöd) with Machig Labdrön empowerment on December 31
1988
From April 2 to 10: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Gampopa
From May 21 to 23: Short Prayer to Dorje Chang
July: Songs of Birwapa and Saraha
From August 1 to 12: Preliminary Practices
From August 22 to 28: Death and Reincarnation with empowerment of the 100 Deities of the Bardo on August 28
October: The Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Tokme Zangpo
November 5 to 8: Key Instructions on Mahamudra (Texts by Milarepa and by the 3rd Karmapa)
From November 11 to 13: Meditation and daily life
December 24 and 25: Love and Compassion
From December 26 to 31: Dzogchen – The Three Phases that Strike the Heart by Patrul Rinpoché
1989
From May 27 to April 1: Milarepa
April 2: Sangye Menla, Medicine Buddha empowerment
From May 4 to 8: Instructions on Meditation
October 7 and 8: Meditation and Suffering
1990
January 6: Chöd empowerment
From March 17 to 19: The Enlightened Mind with Tara empowerment on March 19
From August 15 to 26: Emotions with Chenrezig empowerment on August 26
September 23 and 24: Introduction to Dharma
1991
From May 8 to 12: The Law of Karma with Dorje Sempa empowerment
From May 18 to 20: Sleep and Dreams
From August 1 to 11: Oral Instructions to Practitioners
December 25 to 31: Cutting Ego-Clinging with Machig Labdrön empowerment on December 31
1992
From May 28 to 31: Basics of Practice
From August 16 to 22: The Path to Awakening
From December 26 to 31: The Path of Meditation with White Manjushri empowerment on December 31
1993
From May 20 to 23: Transcending Suffering with Sangye Menla/Medicine Buddha empowerment on May 23
From August 18 to 22: The Heart of Dharma, Ultimate and Relative Bodhicitta with Chenrezig empowerment on August 22
From December 26 to 31: The Path of Mahamudra with Dorje Sempa empowerment on the 31st
1994
From April 20 to 24: Master and Disciple
From August 17 to 21: The Foundations of Spiritual Practice with Milarepa empowerment on August 21
From December 26 to 31: Spiritual Happiness: Transcending Joy and Suffering with Sangye Menla/Medicine Buddha empowerment on December 31
1995
From April 26 to 30: Opening Oneself to Enlightenment with Green Tara empowerment on April 30
From AUgust 16 to 20: Heart instructions. The Path of Bodhisattvas with Dorje Sempa empowerment on August 20
From December 27 to 31: Meditation and Transmission of the Practice of Gampopa with empowerment on December 31
1996
From April 24 to 28: Transcending Karma and Suffering with empowerment of Chenrezig on April 28
August: Awakening in daily life
1997
From August 20 to 24: The Heart of Dharma with Drupa’i Gyalmo (Queen of Realization) empowerment on August 24
These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.
Event
This last teaching will be broadcast over several days around October 31, 2025, to commemorate the parinirvana of Gendun Rinpoche on the same day in 1997. It is also reproduced in its entirety in the magazine Tendrel (no. 45, January 1998, French only).
These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.
