News
Mindrolling Retreat 2012 with
HE Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche
A True Coming Together
On the final session of the program, Sangyum Kushog, Jetsünla and Britton Bosarge joined the session.
We also enjoyed some ‘special guests’ throughout the group sessions in the Stupa. We were joined in our morning session by many of the youngest monks of Mindrolling. Rinpoche has involved the younger monks in many activities with the nuns of Samten Tse and with the western practitioners during the winter season, as well as having some westerners participate as English and computer teachers to the younger monks. It was quite special therefore to have them join in the morning recitations and meditation, which they too did eagerly and happily, their voices ringing out loudly in the Shakyamuni Shrine Room. Also the participants were blessed with the presences of Sangyum Kushog, Jetsünla and Britton for the concluding session of the retreat.
The final day of the program in the Shakyamuni Buddha Shrineroom.
The distinctions or boundaries between countries, languages and people were much less distinct or noticeable this year. It was perhaps due to Rinpoche’s entreaty at the beginning of the program to drop the ‘artificial boundaries and prejudices’ as well as the continuously encouraging words and phrases like ‘non-strategic availability’ and ‘smile when you meditate.’
It was a moving and harmonious last session.
The retreat was made possible through the hard work and diligence of a great many people and groups. Firstly, the monks of Mindrolling worked tirelessly and for months in advance of the retreat to prepare the three guesthouses in which the retreatants were housed, as well as deal with all the administrative details. The nuns of Samten Tse were an unfailing force, assisting in all aspects of the retreat from registration, meals and housing to the practice and study aspect of the retreat. The western staff, coming from many different countries, was in strong force—aiding the monastics, providing translation in French, Spanish, and Greek as well coordinating travel, communication, and numerous other details. It was a true coming together of the participants and of the entire staff.
All the participants of the 2012 Mindrolling Retreat led by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche.
It was clear that everyone, staff and participants alike, were all there to learn from Rinpoche and to be in the presence of this great teacher, a great master who never stops teaching us, no matter what we are doing— listening to teachings, chanting prayers, meditating, cleaning, cooking, dancing, gardening—who never stops working, who is always there, always working right alongside us all—smiling and encouraging us all to do the same.
All photos ©2012 Mindrolling International