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Starting at the end of August 1997, Gendun Rinpoche gave what would be his last teachings over several days at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, <\/span>twenty-two years after his arrival in France<\/b>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\nHow can we be at the heart of Dharma?<\/b> Gendun Rinpoche\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Lama Tsony, his translator and close disciple, recalls, \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Rinpoch\u00e9 explique le sens profond” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rinpoche explains the profound meaning of each step on the gradual path to enlightenment and warns against false pretenses in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n 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,\u201d <\/span><\/em>explains Rinpoche<\/span>. \u201cAs soon as we discover this deep motivation born of confidence in the Three Jewels and compassion for all beings, the path is simple.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n The feeling of humility, equality, and compassion towards all beings must be the cornerstone of our path<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Buddhist path requires \u201ca necessary readjustment of our worldview,\u201d explains Rinpoche. It is about seeing the essentially painful nature of the conditioned cycle of existence. <\/span><\/p>\n It is about seeing the essentially painful nature of the conditioned cycle of existence. \u201cWhen 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.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Then we must see the inescapable reality of impermanence and understand the law of causality. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Gendun Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of deepening our understanding of these fundamental bases of our existence because \u201cif 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<\/em>, explains Rinpoche, of missing the meaning of the Dharma, of \u201cputting on a show of Dharma,\u201d of letting pride \u201cpollute our minds.<\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Ainsi, \u00eatre au c\u0153ur du Dharma signifie transformer notre vision des choses” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Thus, <\/span>being at the heart of the Dharma<\/b> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n Looking directly at this manifestation, it sees both the empty essence and the clear, perceptible nature, the creativity of the qualities of the mind.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In this process, it is through thoughts that the mind is able to understand itself.<\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The same vision applies to emotions, which are ultimately just movements of mind and are recognized as such.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the course of these days, Rinpoche gave the empowerment of the female Buddha of long life, Drupa’i Gyalmo\u2014queen of realization, and on this occasion joked,<\/span><\/p>\n For someone who is elderly, a long life empowerment is particularly important.\u201d <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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,<\/em> recalls Tsony.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Trust in the teaching and the master are the keys to realizing the mind\u2014Rinpoche 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.<\/span><\/p>\n [1]<\/span> Gendun Rinpoche. Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master<\/i>. Norbu Editions, 2010<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”nextgen ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d4b16a” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|20px|15px|20px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Enseignements” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n 1976<\/span><\/strong> 1977<\/span><\/strong> 1978<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n From February 20 to 24<\/strong>: General Teaching 1979<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n From April 15 to 21<\/b>: Buddha Nature and the Precious Human Body with Milarepa empowerment on April 21<\/span> 1980 1981 1982 1983<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n From April 3 to 10<\/b>: The Six Paramitas<\/span>\n
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List of teachings given by Lama Gendun Rinpoche at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling from January 1977 to August 1997:<\/span><\/h3>\n
August<\/strong> : Preliminary Practices <\/span><\/p>\n
January<\/strong>: Chenrezig Practice
February<\/strong>: Seven Branch Prayer
October<\/strong>: General Teaching<\/p>\n
<\/span>From June 25 to July 1<\/strong>: Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen by Chagme Rinpoche with Akshobya empowerment on July 1<\/span>
<\/span>From July 17 to 30:<\/strong> Preliminary Practices of Mahamudra with Karmapakshi empowerment on July 30
<\/span>August 2<\/strong>: The Bardo<\/span>
<\/span>August 25 to 28<\/strong>: Powa, transfer of consciousness, with Amithaba empowerment on August 28
<\/span>From September 3 to 9:<\/strong> Bodhcitta and Paramitas, with empowerment of Medicine Buddha on 9 September<\/span>
<\/span>From October 8 to 14<\/strong>: the Four Thoughts and Refuge with Tara empowerment on October 14
<\/span>From November 12 to 18<\/strong>: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path<\/em> by Gampopa with Milarepa empowerment on November 18
<\/span>From 30 December to January 1<\/strong>: Dorje Sempa retreat<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>From May 20 to 26:<\/b> The Sufferings of Samara in relation to Karma and its fruits, with Amitabha empowerment on May 26
<\/span>From June 24 to 30:<\/b> The Spiritual Friend and Teaching on Impermanence with Amitayus empowerment on June 30<\/span>
<\/span>From July 15 to 28<\/b>: Preliminary Practices with Dorje Sempa empowerment on July 28
<\/span>From August 5 to 11<\/b>: A Precious The Precious Garland of the Supreme Path<\/em> by Gampopa with Karmapakshi empowerment on August 11<\/span>
<\/span>From 12 to 18 August<\/b>: The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas<\/em>, with Medicine Buddha empowerment on August 18<\/span>
<\/span>From 19 to 25 August:<\/b> Instructions without Ornament given to the Merchant of Bulu<\/em> by Chagme RInpoche with Akshobya empowerment on AUgust 25<\/span>
<\/span>From September 2 to 8<\/b>: Essence and Clarification of the Development of Mind Turned Towards Enlightenment with Tara empowerment on September 8
<\/span>From October 7 to 13<\/b>: The Paramitas (generosity and ethical conduct) with Dorje Phourba empowerment on October 13
<\/span>From November 2 to 10<\/b>: The Paramitas (patience, enthusiastic effort and meditation) with White Manjushri empowerment on November 10<\/span>
<\/span>From December 23 to 31:<\/b> The Paramitas (discernment) with Guru Rinpoche empowerment on December 31<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/span>March<\/b>: Green Tara Practice<\/span>
<\/span>May<\/b>: The Four Thoughts<\/span>
<\/span>From December 25 to 2<\/b>8: Bodhicitta and Mahamudra Meditation
<\/span>From December 29 to 30<\/b>: The Six Paramitas<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/span>From March 8 to 14<\/b>: Ch\u00f6 practice with Magchg Labdr\u00f6n empowerment on March 14a
From 12 to 19 April:<\/b> Powa practice with empowerment of Amitabha on April 19<\/span>
<\/span>From May 2 to 8:<\/b> Extracts from Milarepa\u2019s biography
<\/span>From May 23 to 30:<\/b> A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path<\/em> by Gampopa with Amitayus empowerment on 30 May<\/span>
<\/span>From June 17 to 26:<\/b> The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas<\/em> by Tokme Zangpo and Instructions without Ornaments given at Bulu by Chagme Rinpoche
<\/span>From December 25 to 30:<\/b> Progressive Instructions on Calm-abiding Meditation<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/span>Avril<\/strong> : Meditation Weekend
P\u00e2ques<\/strong> : Milarepa Sadhana
From May 20 to 23:<\/b> The Ordinary Foundations
From December 29 to 31:<\/b> The E<\/span>rm<\/span>itage Teachings by Chagme Rinpoche<\/span>
<\/span>From July 8 to 10: <\/b>Chenrezig Practice,<\/span>Continual Rainfall of Benefit for Beings <\/span><\/i>
<\/span>From July 19 to 24:<\/b> Instructions on Calm-abiding meditation<\/span>
<\/span>From August 1 to 31<\/b>: Instructions on the Meditation of Profound View, <\/span>The Ocean of Certain Meaning <\/span><\/i>by the 9th Karmapa
<\/span>September<\/b>: Guru Yoga of Gampopa with empowerment<\/span>
<\/span>From December 25 to 31<\/b>: Enlightened Mind with the Three Disciplines on 30 December<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>April 17: <\/b>Progressive Meditation on Refuge
<\/span>April 24:<\/b> Instructions on Refuge Practice<\/span>
<\/span>May 1:<\/b> Progressive Meditation on Dorje Sempa<\/span>
<\/span>May 8:<\/b> Instructions on Dorje Sempa Practice<\/span>
<\/span>May 12 to 15<\/b>: The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas<\/em> by Tokme Zangpo<\/span>
<\/span>From 21 to 23 June<\/b>: Mahamudra<\/span>
<\/span>From July 3 to 12: <\/b>Green Tara with Empowerment on July 3<\/span>
<\/span>From July 17 to 30:<\/b> A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path<\/em> by Gampopa<\/span>
<\/span>From July 31 to August 3:<\/b> Instructions on Meditation Practice<\/span>
<\/span>From August 5 to 12:<\/b> Sangye Menla (Medicine Buddha) with Empowerment on August 5<\/span>
<\/span>From August 14 to 15<\/b>: Why a Spiritual Path?
<\/span>From August 16 to 23: <\/b>Bardo