Visit of Mipham Rinpoche, July 2005

We are greatly honored to welcome Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum, the parents of the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Thrinley Thaye Dorje. They will be with us here in the Dordogne for several weeks in July, from the 6th until the 28th. This is the second summer that the parents of the Gyalwa Karmapa bless us with their presence.

Despite a disability which obliges Mipham Rinpoche to communicate with others through writing on a little white board, we requested that he give the Dhagpo community some teachings.
Rinpoche graciously accepted. A realized master and accomplished scholar, his teachings are transcribed and read and by his lifelong disciple and attendant, Sonam Palden. The teachings are then translated into both French and English. The slow motion of this process allows everyone to take their time to contemplate the instructions they receive, while being inspired by the presence of Rinpoche and his wife, Mayum, an incarnation of female wisdom energy.

The first set of teachings will take place on the 11, 13, and 15th of July at 8pm in the big tent. We will post subsequent teachings as the dates become available.

Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum arrived early Wednesday morning, July 7th. Before their anticipated arrival, a crew of artists, on hands and knees, traced auspicious symbols along the pathway that leads to the lamas' house.

A convoy of cars went to the Bordeaux airport….

The gyaling players practiced with diligence...

The cooks were busy preparing food….

Then, late at night, about sixty people- Jigme Rinpoche, lamas and druplas, nuns and monks in their most festive garb, some of the community of lay practioners, (some who were staying at the center, other’s who live nearby,) awaited Rinpoche’s arrival with great joy and anticipation.

At around midnight, Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum arrived. They greeted everyone with smiles. They were welcomed by Jigme Rinpoche, Lama Purtse and Lama Puntso, while Druplas Delphine and Monlam played the gyalings.

In the beautifully decorated house where dinner was waiting for them, Mipham Rinpoche gave a blessing to everyone present. Mayum exchanged greetings and hugs with her acquaintances of last years' visit.

People repeatedly expressed their awe as to how moved and touched they felt by the radiance, serenity, and love they feel in the couple's presence.

The third Mipham Rinpoche is one of today's great scholars and masters of the Nyingma tradition. He was born in Tibet in 1949 and recognized by Tengye Rinpoche of Lab as the reincarnation of the second Mipham Rinpoche. In 1959 Tengye Rinpoche, due to his state of realisation, manifested the rainbow body when he died; he died without leaving a physical body. There were many people present who witnessed this event.

In 1959, when Mipham Rinpoche was ten years old, traditional dharma practice became impossible in Tibet. However, due to a grave illness, Mipham Rinpoche was permitted to remain in his monastery, Junyung Gompa. There he concentrated on his Buddhist education in philosophy and meditation. He spent 13 years in retreat and practiced, among many other practices, a total of 2000 Nyungne-fasting rituals on the 1000-armed Chenresig.

Later, Mipham Rinpoche obtained permission to rebuild the Junyung Gompa monastery. He invited the 10th Panchen Rinpoche, who advised him on the restoration and rebuilding. Mipham Rinpoche dedicated his time to this project for as long as his health permitted. After suffering a paralytic stroke in 1994, he left Tibet to receive further medical treatment.

Presently, Mipham Rinpoche and his wife are residents of the centre Karma Goen in Malaga. Every year they spend several month visiting and teaching in Buddhist centres all over Europe.

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Mipham Rinpoche gave a teaching >>>