June 6, 1981: Tai Situ Rinpoche’s First Visit to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling

On June 6, 1981, Tai Situ Rinpoche, then twenty two years old, taught for the first time at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, where he stayed for two weeks.

This high-ranking lama of the Karma Kagyu lineage chose to teach in English about the first commitment of all practitioners, the gateway to the Buddhist path: taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. 

This commitment, he explained, has five aspects:

1. the object of refuge, also called protection;
2. the reason for taking refuge;
3. the duration of this commitment;
4. the manner of taking refuge;
5. examples. 

On this last point, he stated, 

If we wish to cross the river of the cycle of existence and reach the shore of Buddhahood, we will need to use the boat that is the practice of the Dharma. To cross, we must follow the wise advice of the sailor that is the Sangha, for he knows the river and the boat well and will share his wisdom and skill with us.

Rinpoche then went on to explain that after taking refuge, we must continue to progress by accumulating everything that is positive and avoiding everything that is negative.

All our actions towards the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are correct if they are authentically motivated by respect and devotion.

Tai Situpa Rinpoche, recognized by the 16th Karmapa as the 12th Situpa, the reincarnation of Pema Wangchok Gyalpo, returned to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in July 1986 to teach on “View, Meditation and Action of Mahamudra,” then in December 1987, when he gave the empowerment of Tseringma, protector of Milarepa and an aspect of long life.

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.