Video: “Experience Buddhism” with Namdrol Rinpoche “Buddhism emphasizes, and lays its very foundations on, equanimity.”

Namdrol Rinpoche (left) with Lama Zopa Rinpoche (right). Namdrol Rinpoche’s root gurus are the late Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lama Lhundrup Rigsel (the ex-Abbot of Kopan Monastery), Venerable Kyabje Jhado Rinpoche, and the late Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog.

Namdrol Rinpoche’s charm is his down-to-earth style of teaching — very evident in the short video Experience Buddhism, below. Although short, the video contains profound insights:

“Our practice is not so much about faith. It’s not so much about prayer…The purpose of practice is to bring out the divinity in us.”

Namdrol Rinpoche is popular, in part, because he is an engaging teacher in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Recognized as a Tulku, Namdrol Rinpoche studied with teachers from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He was a lay Yogi at Kopan Monastery in Nepal for many years. Today, he is the spiritual director at Thekchen Choling temple in Singapore.

Namdrol Rinpoche teaching in Central New York

In September and October, Rinpoche will visit the Central New York area for teachings at Thekchen Choling Temple in Minoa. [Schedule below.] Here’s a quick glimpse, a five-minute video [full transcript below video] that introduces Buddhism and reveals his charismatic teaching style:

 

 

For more video teachings from Rinpoche, visit the Thekchen Choling YouTube Channel>>

Schedule of events during Rinpoche’s September/October teaching visit to New York:

 

 

Transcript of Video

Title: Experience Buddhism, with Namdrol Rinpoche
[Images in Tekchen Choling temple in Singapore. Students making offerings, Rinpoche teaching, various activities in temple.]
Namdrol Rinpoche: “Buddha was just like you. He had all kinds of difficulties, and all kinds of suffering, but he was victorious over his own body, speech and mind — and he became Awakened.

Singapore’s largest 1000-Armed Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) is at Thekchen Choling. The beautiful statue is 2.3 metres in height.

“Buddhism emphasizes and lays it very foundations on equanimity. There is no difference between god and human and animal, rich person, poor person — everybody is fundamentally the same. That is the core teaching of Buddhism.”

A student speaking: “I always felt like I was drawn to Buddhism.”
Another student speaking: “I was searching for something that would answer the questions I had about life and death.”
Rinpoche: “There’s no answer in life. Everybody has their own past. And you have your own experiences. Therefore, there is no one way to say ‘this is the answer to life.’ Everyday life in itself is a spiritual journey. And, therefore, we can become Enlightened Buddhas.
“Our practice is not so much about faith. It’s not so much about prayer. One of the biggest differences is that in all religions there’s always a god, and you can never be god, and you always need god’s forgiveness. We are sinners. But in Tibetan Buddhism, we are all divine. The purpose of practice is to bring out the divinity in us.
“The difference between Thekchen Choling and others is that the Lama, myself, I’m not a monk. I have a wife, and I have children, and I can fully understand the daily challenges the things that everybody else is facing, too.
Woman narrator: “He was a chef before. He used to feel that he worked very hard, and long hours, and at the end of the work day we couldn’t go to any temple, they weren’t open. So, we are open 24 hours a day.”
A student: “On Thursday and Friday evenings we have teachings, both in English and Mandarin language.”
Another student: “He is very approachable. He makes the teachings very close to our daily life.”
[Images of student offering incense.]
Rinpoche: “The purpose of offering incense is to remind us that no matter how strong and how powerful you are now, our life is only going to get shorter and shorter. And, at the end of the day, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Every day brings us closer to our death. It is only be remembering that, that we will treasure life, and what we have now.”
[Image of giant temple Mani prayer wheel being turned by students.]
Rinpoche: “When we are turning the mani wheel, the bottom of the wheel sucks all the negativity out from our body, and then all the blessings come from the top and adorns your body. That’s why, when you see the big wheel, on top there are silks and brocades and jewels.
“Remember that we share this world, this planet. We must pray together. Pray for one another. Don’t just pray for yourself.”
Student: “People around me change the way they respond to me, so they must have seen some changes in me.”
Rinpoche: “The most difficult part in practice is actually in giving ourselves. We are our own biggest obstacle. It’s like if you are only a small cup, you can only take so much water. But if you have already given up all boundaries, you become the sea.”
A student: “Basically, what he is teaching is a living Buddhism.”
Another student: “You don’t need to be a Buddhist to attend. But you always get a gift from Lama that you can use.”
Another student: “You are taught to apply these principles of Buddhism in your life.”
Rinpoche: “I guide them along. I do not pinpoint and say ‘lets do this and do this’ and achieve this and that. That, of course is like the external mark that many people can see. But what is the internal goal? It is that they be able to life as a journey.”
Student: “This is really the paradise of Dharma. Family and friends that are beyond blood and relations. It’s a very special place.”
Rinpoche: “Experience the Dharma. And experience your life. For your life is the very Dharma. And the Dharma was meant for your life.

 

Namdrol Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s main Gurus are His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Eminence the 5th Dagri Dorje Chang, His Eminence Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, the late Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lama Lhundrup and the late Geshe Lama Konchog, now reincarnated as His Eminence Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche.

 

Following is the announcement text for the Syracuse 2017 teaching event:

Public Schedule for Syracuse 2017

Singha Namdrol Rinpoche’s Teachings                                                      

 

About Rinpoche

Thekchen Choling Buddhist Temple is happy to announce the return of Buddhist master, Singha Namdrol Rinpoche, to the Syracuse area for a 4-week visit.  During this time, Rinpoche will offer a series of teachings and other Dharma activities for the general public.

Born in Singapore in 1974 to a Chinese Taoist family, Singha Namdrol Rinpoche is a “tulku,” the recognized reincarnation of a Buddhist master from Tibet.  Drawn to Buddhism from an early age, Rinpoche studied with teachers from the Theravada, Chinese Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. For many years he trained, not as a monk, but as a lay Tibetan Buddhist Yogi at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, before founding his own temple in Singapore in 2001.

A brilliant teacher fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese, Singha Namdrol Rinpoche is well known for his fresh, exciting, down-to-earth teaching style, as well as his practical wisdom and insightful humor.

Schedule of Teachings and Events

 

SEPT 14 (Thurs): Teaching & Film: “Many Lives, Many Lessons: How to Move Forward to a New and Better Life,” 6:30 pm, Manlius Public Library, Arkie Albanese Lane, Manlius, NY. (FREE)

SEPT 15 (Fri):  Guru Rinpoche Puja & Tsok Feast (Potluck): 6:30 pm, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY.

SEPT 16 (Sat): Lhamo Chundi Initiation: 11 am, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY, (Participants are asked to please be vegetarian the morning before the Initiation).    

SEPT 19 (Tues): Birthday Celebration of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha: Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY

11 am: Chinese Chanting: Offering to Buddha and Recitation of the Ksitigarbha Sutra (Part 1).

1:00 pm: Vegetarian Lunch

5:00 pm: Recitation of Ksitigarbha Sutra (Part 2)

6:30 pm: Vegetarian Dinner

7:30 pm: Recitation of the Ksitigarbha Sutra (Part 3) & Amitabha Sutra for the Salvation of all Beings

SEPT 20 (Wed): Teaching: “The Practice of Lhamo Chundi and Chanting of the Chundi Prayer” (English), 7:00 pm, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY

SEPT 23 (Sat): Incense Smoke Offering, 10 am, Whorrall Pavillion, Mill Run Park, Manlius

SEPT 26 (Tues): Chinese Chanting, 7:00 pm, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY (FREE)

SEPT 27 (Wed): Buddhist Teaching: “Why Wait for Happiness?” 6:30 pm, Manlius Public Library, Arkie Albanese Lane, Manlius, NY (FREE)

SEPT 29 – OCT 1 (Fri, Sat & Sun): “Be the Light: Amitabha Buddha Retreat”

FRIDAY: 9/29:  Temple:                                                                                                             

Registration: 6 pm -7 pm

Program: 7:00 pm                                                                                                                                          

 8:30 pm “Passing the Light” ceremony

SATURDAY: 9/30:  Temple                                                                                                                           

Morning Tea & check in: 8 am

Program: 9 am – 12 noon                                                                                                                                         

Lunch: 12 pm – 2 pm

Program: 2 pm to 5 pm                                                                                                                                                       

SUNDAY: 10/1:  Temple                                                                                                                        

Morning Tea & check in: 8 am

Program: 9 am – 12 pm                                                                                                                                       

Lunch 12 – 2pm

(Suggested donation for the Amitabha Retreat weekend: $100, includes tea & snacks, vegetarian lunch on Sat & Sun, and all materials. Sliding scale available).

OCT 3 (Tues): Mandarin Teaching: “The Purpose of Generosity & Offerings,” 7:00 pm, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY (English translation provided) (FREE)

OCT 4 (Wed):  Teaching: “A Spark of Light in the Darkest Moment: A Buddhist Perspective on Life,” 6:00 pm, Solvay Library, 615 Woods Rd, Solvay, NY 13209, (FREE)

OCT 5 (Thur): Lhamo Chundi Chanting (English), 7:00 pm, Thekchen Choling Temple, 109 East Avenue, Minoa, NY (FREE)

 

********************************************************

For more information about these events, contact Thekchen Choling Temple, menla108@yahoo.com or call: 315-480-1088.  Please be sure to visit our website at www.thek.us and look for us on Face Book.

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Lee Kane

Author | Buddha Weekly

Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.

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