| Spring Visit Rimpoche |
 Last April, early May Gelek Rimpoche visited the Netherlands. An overview of all activities during the spring visit 2010:
Due to health-related reasons and as a result of the current air traffic problems, Gelek Rimpoche only arrived in the Netherlands on 29 April. Rimpoche asked Hartmut Sagolla to take his place in the teachings and public talks until his arrival. This meant that the following parts of the spring visit were changed: - Teaching Retreat 'The Foundation of all Perfection' (23-25 April) - Public Talk 's-Hertogenbosch (26 April) - Public Talk in Utrecht (27 April). (The teaching retreat and the two public talks were given by Hartmut Sagolla.) The 'Enlightenment Debate 2.0' proceeded as planned. The other events of the spring visit took place under guidance of Gelek Rimpoche. Harmit Sagolla Hartmut Sagolla, German by birth, has travelled all over Asia where he studied with a number of teachers. For a long time, he lived and worked in a Buddhist center in Australia. He has been one of the most intimate students of Gelek Rimpoche for twenty-five years. Presently, he is co-director of the study program of Jewel Heart USA where he facilitates a number of study groups. he is also Gelek Rimpoche's representative for Jewel Heart Nederland and vice versa. He regularly visits the Netherlands to teach. Teaching Retreat 'The Foundation of all Perfection'Based on his own experience, the Buddha showed us how to set out on our spiritual path. The Indian master Atisha structured his teachings in his text 'A Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment' to offer practitioners an overview and structure of the different stages of spiritual development. One of the most important lamas from Tibet and founder of the Gelugpa tradition, Lama Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) made an important contribution in his classic text: 'The Foundation of all Perfection'. This text forms the heart of the dharma, the step-by-step path to enlightenment and is part of the Ganden Lha Gyema practice. It deals with the various stages of the path to enlightenment in verse and we are shown how to open our mind for the deeper nature of reality and how to liberate ourselves from all forms of suffering.
Public Talk 'The Power of Solidarity' in 's-Hertogenbosch
Public Talk 'The Importance of Meditation in these Times' in Utrecht
Teaching Retreat 'The Unique Path to Liberation'Gelek Rimpoche presented the unique path to liberation through 3 Buddhist texts which emphasize the extraordinary qualities and profound contributions of the great 14th century master, Je Tsong Khapa. On the basis of the texts and prayers of the 17th century scholar Gungtang and the great 20th century master Pabongka, Rimpoche showed how the teachings of Je Tsong Khapa can truly make a difference in our lives.Guntang's text, Meaningful Praise of Tsong Khapa, highlights the extraordinary qualities of Je Tsong Khapa's methods and their unique contribution for spiritual practitioners of all levels to develop enlightenment through compassion, wisdom and vajrayana. Pabongka's Prayer to Meet Tsong Khapa's Teaching in Life after Life praises Je Tsong Khapa's qualities and emphasizes specific important points that were lost in Tibet earlier. Rimpoche also briefly taught on Gungtang's Prayer for the Longevity and Prosperity of Tsong Khapa's Teaching.
Public Talk 'Transforming Fear into Love'
Vajrapani Blessing
Fall Visit 2009Rimpoche's fall visit late November/early December 2009, included an interesting public talk titled 'First step to Freedom' and an extensive teaching retreat on the Lama Chöpa, the Guru Yoga by Lama Je Tsongkhapa. |
Jewel Heart is a Tibetan Buddhist Institute acknowledged by H.H. The Dalai Lama and is a member of the Buddhist Union of the Netherlands BUN 