There are many ways to recollect one’s teacher. We can merge our minds with the wisdom mind of the teacher; listen, contemplate, and meditate on the teachings given by the teacher; protect and propagate the teachings of the teacher, etc. As ordinary people, we may be more readily inspired by vivid and real-life accounts of encounters with great teachers.
Recollections of H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s 1993 Trip to the West
In nearly every trip he took, domestic or abroad, His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche was served by Khenpo Sodargye as his assistant and translator. Having had such precious opportunities as a close disciple, Khenpo Sodargye has a wealth of fascinating and inspiring stories and recollections of His Holiness. Wishing to inspire students from this and future generations, Khenpo has decided to compile these vivid stories to convey and preserve the character and warmth of his great teacher.
After completing the first memoir of his travel with His Holiness to India, Bhutan and Nepal in 1990, Khenpo Sodargye is now working on a second memoir detailing the visit to the United States, Canada, and France in 1993. While travelling in these western countries, many people had personal encounters with H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and have certainly maintained these precious memories. Khenpo believes that if these stories can be collected and compiled, it would bring great benefit to those who already know or may not know H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche.
Following Khenpo Sodargye’s request, in the new year of 2023, we are seeking stories and recollections of H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s trip to the United States, Canada, and France in 1993. The impressions of a master can take different forms in any situation. We are asking for submission of such hidden jewels that had happened thirty years ago. The information can take the form of recollections of the teacher’s informal instructions, stories of encounters, memories, photos, recordings, etc. Every and any form is welcome.
If you have anything you would like to share with us, please contact us at: info@khenposodargye.org.
You may also click here and use the submission form to recount the details of your story.
In all the paths of Vajrayana, especially in the Dzogchen practice, the Guru or the teacher occupies a unique position of paramount importance. It is said in a tantra:
Better than meditating on a hundred thousand deities
For ten million kalpas
Is to think of one’s teacher for a single instant.
In Memory of the 17th Anniversary of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s Parinirvana
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the passing of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, in commemorating Rinpoche, we are very happy to share a short video with you which contains clips of some of Rinpoche’s precious teachings and termas, including how he revealed them. In a tantra it says, “Better than meditating on a hundred thousand deities for ten million kalpas is to think of one’s teacher for a single instant.” On this special day, we warmly invite you to revisit these precious teachings and termas together with us to receive his powerful blessing.
Teaching Videos (for free):
- My Heart Advice and Secret Pith Instructions
- Guru’s Pith Instructions
- Daily Dorje Drolö Practice
- Lament Recalling the Great Guru of Oḍḍiyāna
Books:
- My Heart Advice and Secret Pith Instructions (eBook, for free)
- Life and Spirituality (eBook, for free)
- Published Books
H.H. Jigme Phuntsok’s Last Teaching
The last teaching by His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok was, “Do not lose your own path, do not disturb the minds of others.” Although these few words appear simplistic, they actually convey a much more profound message that has become a life principle for the thousands of disciples of His Holiness. And for anyone in this world, these succinct words provide insight and inspiration as to how to live one’s life and not get lost.
Please click here to find Khenpo’s instruction.
H.H. Jigme Phuntsok’s Last Teaching
The last teaching by His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok was, “Do not lose your own path; do not disturb others’ minds.” Although these few words appear simplistic, they actually convey a much more profound message that has become a life principle for the thousands of disciples of His Holiness. And for anyone in this world, these succinct words provide insight and inspiration as to how to live one’s life and not get lost.
“ Do not lose your own path;
Do not disturb others’ minds.”
I studied under His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche for many years and these were his parting words.
At that time, His Holiness had a heart operation and was staying in a hospital in Chengdu. He made a phone call from Chengdu to Larung Gar, in which he said a lot to us disciples, the tens of thousands of disciples at our academy, and this is the very last teaching he left us.
On the surface, these words seem almost too simple, but they contain a very deep and profound message. Tens of thousands of disciples of His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche treat these few words as a revered message that continues even after his passing. This reminds us of when the Buddha was approaching parinirvana and he said that “During my lifetime, I am your teacher; after I pass away, vinaya will be your teacher.” Likewise, we value and appreciate the guru’s teachings as the principle, an instructive guidance and norms of conduct in our life.
Each disciple applies this teaching in their own way. For example, from my Tibetan perspective, the inspiration is that I cannot lose my own culture, my language, my tradition, and my religion. Such ideologies and norms of my own culture and tradition, including my inner qualities, are things that I just cannot give up. Additionally, all life is precious, even those of plants; I should not harm them but should try to protect them.
For other cultures, you can also learn from these words that it is important not to forsake your own culture and traditions, as well as to refrain from harming sentient beings.
Similarly, for a teacher, one needs to remember one’s identity as a teacher and not give up the corresponding responsibility. For a monk, one cannot abandon what a monk is supposed to do. For a doctor, one also has one’s own ethics that cannot be ignored. For a pilot, a waiter, a nurse, a government officer, or one of any profession, the interpretation is similar, that whatever one does, one should never discard one’s individual duty, nor can one forsake the general “path” of humanity, i.e. qualities of being human, such as kindness, compassion, etc.
“Do not lose your own path; Do not disturb others’ minds.” can be understood in this way.
Short Teachings of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
It is crucial for us to develop a firm conviction towards the Three Jewels and the guru. Their blessings are indispensable for practitioners who wish to progress steadily with their Dharma practices in a long term. Without the blessing from the lineage gurus and the Three Jewels, one cannot attain spiritual accomplishment despite one’s cleverness or outstanding qualities in other aspects.
1. My Heart Advice and Secret Pith Instructions
“I obtained a precious footage of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s teaching given in Canada back in 1993. In this teaching, His Holiness explained the three types of faith regarding the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Three types of faith are vivid faith, eager faith and confident faith. Hence I name this teaching, My Heart Advice and Secret Pith Instructions.”
—Khenpo Sodargye
Download the lecture note
2. Guru's Pith Instructions
As Patrul Rinpoche said in The Words of My Perfect Teacher: It is through faith that absolute truth is realized. Thus it’s very essential for us to develop a firm faith toward the Guru and the Three Jewels. From this lecture you will obtain a better understanding of the Guru and the Three Jewels, thus improve your faith and devotion to them.
3. Daily Dorje Drolo Practice
Accomplishing All Activity: A Daily Practice of the Great and Glorious Dorje Drolo is a terma revealed by His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche at Paro Taktsang, Bhutan, in 1990.
Download the full sadhana
4. Lament Recalling the Great Guru of Oddiyana
The Spontaneous Sound of Uncontrived Song: A Lament Recalling the Great Guru of Oddiyana was composed by His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche at Tso Pema, India, in 1990.
Download the full sadhana
New Talks Available: The Life and Work of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
On Oct. 30th, 2017, Khenpo Sodargye was invited to the University of Chicago to introduce the biography of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, a great Buddhist master of the 20th century and founder of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, one of the most influential Buddhist academies in the world. Khenpo Sodargye was a protégé of Rinpoche for 19 years and, during his visit, Khenpo shared several personal stories and precious videos about Rinpoche. Afterward, Khenpo answered questions from the audience. For further information of this talk, please click here.
In Memory of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
Khenpo Sodargye traveled to Boston with His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok in 1993; this memory will never fade away. Twenty years later, when Khenpo once again visited Boston, he expressed his mixture of feelings while revisiting a place that is so full of memories for him.
I have experienced so many feelings since I arrived here yesterday afternoon. The clothes which I am wearing today were given to me by Khenpo Namdrol from India. When we were in Hong Kong on the way back home, we purchased this shirt there; it was roughly twenty years ago. These clothes are still with me and I always wear them. Yet my guru, His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, has already passed away ten years ago. As a result, I continue to experience different kinds of feelings. There are so many teachings given by Lama Rinpoche, such as those related to Tibetan culture, morality and the Dharma, which are always on my mind.
The Life and Work of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche: A Tibetan Buddhist Master in Modern China
In this talk, Khenpo Sodargye introduced the biography of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, a great Buddhist master of the 20th century and founder of the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, one of the most influential Buddhist academies in the world. Even though he was born with amazing talents, H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche was committed to rigorous Buddhist study and practice, displaying great respect for his guru. As one of the leading figures in contemporary Tibetan Buddhism, H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche made many great contributions, graciously spreading the Dharma to many parts of the globe.
Buddhism Is a Spiritual Science
Treat Teachers Like Your Father
I believe that our teachers and parents are the individuals who have the most influence on us over our lifetimes. In China, there is an old saying: “A day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father”, meaning that even if someone is our teacher for just one day, we should regard that person like we would our father for the rest of our lives.
Great Master’s Teachings Will Benefit You
In this impetuous era, people seem to be extremely busy, impulsive and reckless. H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche has provided us with many short and simple, yet profound, teachings which are especially suitable for use in this modern age. If you have a chance to read any of them, please cherish them and you will enjoy their many benefits.
Buddhism Is a Spiritual Science
From my perspective, Buddhism is actually a spiritual science, but can also be referred to as cognitive science. These days, much scientific research focuses on the material or external world. However, where spiritual science is concerned, there is not nearly enough emphasis. As humans, we need scientific research that studies both our inner (cognitive) and outer (material) worlds, and I believe that Buddhism can provide many contributions to the spiritual aspects of scientific research.
Long-Term Buddhist Study vs. Attending Dharma Assemblies
Many Buddhists prefer to receive empowerments and attend Dharma Assemblies with a lot of rituals rather than to listen to teachings. Actually, as Buddhists, we must study the Dharma and understand the stages of the path to enlightenment in a systematic way. Otherwise, our emotional faith will be temporary, changing at any time. Therefore, we encourage intense, long-term Buddhist study in order to establish a solid foundation upon which to build steadfast faith. Only with enough learning, attending Dharma Assemblies or rituals can become meaningful.
Faith Is Very Important for A Buddhist
Both faith and right views are essential for Mahayana and Vajrayana practices, but if you want to fully assimilate these teachings, faith is key. If you have faith, you will respect and cherish both the Dharma and the guru who teaches it. However, if you have no faith, treating your guru as an ordinary person and the Dharma as ordinary information, you will not appreciate it as much as you otherwise could have. As a Buddhist, whether you are from the East or the West, having devout faith in the teachings of Buddha is extremely important.
Treat Teachers Like Your Father
I believe that our teachers and parents are the individuals who have the most influence on us over our lifetimes. In China, there is an old saying: “A day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father”, meaning that even if someone is our teacher for just one day, we should regard that person like we would our father for the rest of our lives.
Buddhism Is a Spiritual Science
From my perspective, Buddhism is actually a spiritual science, but can also be referred to as a cognitive science. As humans, we need scientific research that studies both our inner (cognitive) and outer (material) worlds, and I believe that Buddhism can provide many contributions to the spiritual aspects of scientific research.
“I believe that there are two things that H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche has left with us, one being the Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy, one of the largest Buddhist academies in the world, and the other being his teachings and compositions which have summarized many of the great teachings into the most essential and practical instructions on any given topic.”