Articles

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Teachings in Europe 2023

Rejoice dear friends! Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche will soon embark on the first of his two European Teaching Tours this summer. As usual, Rinpoche plans to bring the following Vajrayana seminars to a venue most convenient for a great many of his friends, old and new, throughout this part of the world. He looks forward to seeing each and every one of you in the coming months! Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s first stop on his European teaching tour will be at the idyllic 180-acre estate that comprises Gomde UK, Lindholme Hall. From Saturday, 17th June until Friday, 23rd June, Rinpoche will offer teachings based on His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche’s extraordinary Dzogchen text entitled ‘A Dear Treasure for Destined Disciples’. On Monday 19th June, Rinpoche will lead the seminar’s participants in the day-long ‘Ocean of Amrita,’ or ‘Ngakso Mantra-mending Puja’. In addition, for the benefit and wellbeing of all, Rinpoche will bestow the empowerments for Vajrasattva and Buddha Amitayus. Empowerment dates to be announced. For further details regarding registration and so forth, kindly visit: https://gomde.uk/cnr-2023 Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s next stop will be at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Pyrenees where, from Monday 26th June until Thursday July 1st, he will offer teachings on Shechen Gyaltsab’s profound Dzogchen text entitled ‘Advice from Old Vijaya’. Additionally, for the benefit and wellbeing of all, he will bestow the empowerments for Vajrasattva and Vajrakilaya. Empowerment dates to be announced. For further details regarding registration and so forth, kindly visit: https://www.gomde.fr/.../summer-seminar-with-chokyi-nyima... From Tuesday 4th July until Tuesday 11th July, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche will visit Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Denmark where he will offer teachings on the nature of mind and how to realize it based on the ‘Keypoints in Dzogchen Practice, by a Carefree Vagrant’, a profound text composed by the ‘vagrant yogi’ Yanpa Lodé, better known as the great Tibetan …

Comfort and Hygiene: A New Project for Ukrainian Gomde Retreat Center

$2,300 collected of $30,000 The Rangjung Yeshe Ukraine community is excited to announce a new project for the Ukrainian Gomde retreat center. As a place of Buddhist practice for many people, the center has long recognized the need for improved hygiene facilities. To address this issue, a small sanitary-hygienic block will be created near the first renovated house, where all group practices take place year-round. The block will include toilets, showers, sinks, and a compact bath, providing increased comfort and health for guests, and ensuring proper hygiene. The creation of this block will not only improve the comfort and health of guests, but it will also help to increase the number of guests participating in the center's retreats and programs. The center has a lot of experience in conducting various retreats, but it cannot complete this project without the help of others. The community is calling on everyone to join the initiative and help in the implementation of this urgent project. Both benefactors who can provide financial assistance for this project and volunteers who are ready to help with the work are welcome https://gomdeua.org/en/donation/ As a comparison to what our nearest European neighbors have, the Gomde Germany-Austria center offers accommodation in various categories, including single, double, and shared rooms. The rooms are decorated in a simple and comfortable style, with shared bathrooms and showers. In addition, Gomde Germany-Austria has spacious meditation and study rooms, a library, a stupa, a fountain, a cafe, a dharma shop, a flower garden, greenhouses, a swimming pool, a pond, lawns for relaxation and meditation, and much more. At Gomde Germany-Austria, guests are treated to delicious vegetarian meals made with fresh and organic ingredients, with an emphasis on sustainability and healthy eating. The center also offers a variety of retreats and workshops throughout the year, covering topics …

From Seed to Blossom: Why We Prioritize Volunteer Support and Maintenance. Support our volunteers by donating today!

Gomde Ukraine is a serene Buddhist retreat center nestled within a lush forest. Maintaining this unique location requires attention and care, and the volunteers who commit to this task face numerous challenges. However, for those who are dedicated and motivated, it can be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding experience. The responsibilities of Gomde Ukraine volunteers are diverse and include tasks such as cleaning, cooking, building, gardening, forestry, dog handling, beekeeping, while also attending to their own Dharma practice. Despite the remote location and lack of modern amenities, our center attracts and retains volunteers due to its unique setting. Nevertheless, many people are unable to sustain the rigorous workload for more than a week, with the nearest grocery store, post office, and hospital located several kilometers away and the city 60 kilometers away. In spite of these challenges, there are individuals like Serhii and his mother, who have devoted themselves to the practice of Dharma and the growth of the retreat center. Serhii left his professional career in Kyiv to fully commit himself to this place. In addition to performing tasks around the center, he serves as the organizer and chairman of Gomde Ukraine. This year, his mother Francheska joined him here to support the work and begin her own Buddhist practice. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Serhii, his mother Francheska, and the other volunteers, Gomde Ukraine is thriving. For different Dharma programs the center regularly hosts guests, including both seasoned students of Chokya Nyima Rinpoche and newcomers. Practice groups visit on weekends to deepen their Dharma practice. The volunteers maintain the flower garden, greenhouse, and five hectares of forest. We have great aspirations for the future growth and flourishing of Gomde Ukraine, but the current situation in Ukraine is far from ideal, with the ongoing Russian war causing immense …

“Vajra Heart” by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche Ukrainian translation, download for free

At the end of 2022, we presented to the Ukrainian Buddhist audience an amazing book by victorious Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, who in his past life and until now inspires tens of thousands of people around the world to explore their own path to complete, unconditioned freedom. When talking about Precious Tulku Urgyen, his disciples mostly recall three main features. The first is great love and gentleness which Rinpoche illuminates and embraces with the entire space and everyone in it. The second is the simplicity of both the Teacher himself and everything he teaches. His simplicity is extraordinary, open, and striking. And the third is depth. After all, even the simplest things taught by Precious Tulku Urgyen have an immeasurable depth that reaches the highest Tantras and essential instructions. Today, for the first Rinpoche’s book in Ukrainian have been appeared. This Ukrainian translation and publication would not have been possible without dedicated translators Eric Pema Kunsang, Yevhen Matkovsky, Maria Vasylieva, literary editors Iryna Halamba, Maryna Ryabikyna, director of “Rangjung Yeshe Publications” Marcia Schmidt and head of the community of Rangjung Yeshe Ukraine Serhii Zinoviev. The Ukrainian “Vajra Heart” book is already available on our website - to read and download for free without any restrictions. We also hope that this book will be published in paper format as well, when the good condition for it will occur. The book has a convenient interactive index of Buddhist terms. By clicking on a term highlighted in italics, you get to the interpretation of this term in the index. By repeatedly clicking on a word in the index, you return to the main text of the book. SUPPORT GOMDE UKRAINE TRANSLATION ACTIVITIES https://www.liqpay.ua/ua/checkout/card/i74404396394 PayPal gomdeua@gmail.com SWIFT transfers https://gomdeua.org/en/donation/ TO OPEN AND DOWNLOAD VAJRA HEART https://gomdeua.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Осердя-ваджри.pdf

VAJRAKILAYA RETREAT, FEBRUARY, 15-20, REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Participation, accommodation in the retreat center and meals are free for all registrants. February 15-18TH – VajrakilaYS practice , February, 19TH Gutor, February, 20TH the eve of Losar – the great sang offering puja. The similar practices will be performed at this time in all the Kagyu and Nyingma monasteries, where lama dances, liberating through vision, will also be presented. SADHANA OF VAJRAKILAYA It is widely practiced in many schools of Nyingma and Kagyu to transform obstacles that are released by wrathful methods. In the context of the practice of the three roots (guru, yidam, dakini ), the practice of Vajrakilaya is the practice of yidam - the root of all accomplishment. Practice will be carried out in Ukrainian and Tibetan languages. Text https://gomdeua.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sangthig-Phurba-set-ukr-chantable.pdf ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS The retreat takes place on the territory of the young retreat center of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Ukraine, which is just developing, a Buddhist temple and a complete complex for the study and practice of Dharma will be built here (concept of the center https://gomdeua.org/jangchub-choling.php) . Accommodation are in warm-heated 4-persons rooms. Delicious homemade vegetarian is served three times per day. Photos from previous retreats https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3068686733256003&type=3 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE it is desirable to have a propitiate Vajrakilaya Empowerment of any Tibetan tradition; if not, at least you have performed or begun to perform ngondro practices of any Tibetan tradition; You have registered https://forms.gle/XPh3mSd6W3RPXeLa7 ; You are in good health, you are completely free of all symptoms of a viral infection; You undertake to adhere to the schedule and attend ALL sessions; You have read the rules of stay at the retreat center and undertake to comply with them. https://gomdeua.org/termsrules/ OFFERINGS Thanks to charitable donations for this retreat, it is possible to participate without any charge for all registrants. However, charitable donations for the development …

Gomde Family & Patrons

In order to establish a new and wider range of responsible Gomde members we announce new types of membership fees. The term of joining is very simple and it will not have any formal obligations. You decide how much and how often your fee is paid. Optionally, our Gomde administration will send you reminders in a way convenient to you. Gomde Family & Patrons is a range of Ukrainian and International members of our Ka-Nying buddhist  community that take responsibility for Gomde Ukraine development, seminars and retreats program as well as enjoy benefits and scholarships in participation in all seminars, retreats and other events organized by our community. All the members of Gomde Family & Partons can participate in Gomde’s board meetings and work on different Gomde’s projects. So, if you would like to try please follow the link and read the form carefully https://forms.gle/sBGFFbCTVtDAm7dAA  

Plan 2020 – restoring the first building at Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s retreat center

After 3 years of hard work in a retreat centre of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche we understood that we can't just wave a wand to build the temple and ayurvedic sanatorium. Building process lingers. But we don't want to leave such a powerful and sacred land without any care until we don't find a proper funding. That's why we decided to revitalize this place right at the beginning of the next year. See details of our plan below.
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche public teaching in Kyiv 11-12 of June 2016, Day 1, Session 2

https://youtu.be/Mh7y0iZPTCg To read the first part of the teachings, please follow this link. Welcome, everyone. There are many beings in this world. We, human beings, are interested in studying: getting to know different types or fields of knowledge and their purposes. It serves its function to become successful in life. It helps our prosperity, our wealth and achieving a certain status in society. So this is why we usually tend to become educated and study different subjects. This has become widely spread in the world. The other things that we can study and learn are the traditions and so-called religions. There are many types of religions. The common point in all of them is that they teach how to help others, do good things, cultivate virtues, be free from negativity, negative emotions and so on. So this is what is common about all the religions, what they preach, what is being practiced or experienced. Buddhism is a religion in its definite, pure tradition, but it is slightly different. How is it different? It is different in a sense that it wants us to investigate, even the words of the Buddha, to examine all things, all the phenomena: starting from the phenomena of form to the phenomena of the Omniscience. Buddha wants us to discover what the truth really is. According to the tradition, there are two types of truths. One is the conventional truth, and the other is the ultimate truth. Conventional truth refers to how things seem to be, how they appear. But this is not the only truth. The actual truth - or the ultimate truth, is which shows how the phenomena really are, its actual nature. So in Buddhism what distinguishes between two types of truths, or the sixteen aspects of four noble truths, is the studying …
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche public teaching in Kyiv 11-12 of June 2016, Day 1, Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6DzRDPJlJg&list=PLCtG-FAtK1heNuDEdPyp53xoVEpfafxaE Welcome, everyone. There are many beings in this world. We, human beings, are interested in studying: getting to know different types or fields of knowledge and their purposes. It serves its function to become successful in life. It helps our prosperity, our wealth and achieving a certain status in society. So this is why we usually tend to become educated and study different subjects. This has become widely spread in the world. The other things that we can study and learn are the traditions and so-called religions. There are many types of religions. The common point in all of them is that they teach how to help others, do good things, cultivate virtues, be free from negativity, negative emotions and so on. So this is what is common about all the religions, what they preach, what is being practiced or experienced. Buddhism is a religion in its definite, pure tradition, but it is slightly different. How is it different? It is different in a sense that it wants us to investigate, even the words of the Buddha, to examine all things, all the phenomena: starting from the phenomena of form to the phenomena of the Omniscience. Buddha wants us to discover what the truth really is. According to the tradition, there are two types of truths. One is the conventional truth, and the other is the ultimate truth. Conventional truth refers to how things seem to be, how they appear. But this is not the only truth. The actual truth - or the ultimate truth, is which shows how the phenomena really are, its actual nature. So in Buddhism what distinguishes between two types of truths, or the sixteen aspects of four noble truths, is the studying of them, reflection, investigation of the words of the Buddha. After one …

Lama Tenzin Sangpo about generosity and charity

Generosity is like an international language: everybody understands what it is, regardless of your educational or financial background. More and more ways of altruism are emerging every year. Within a few years Ukraine has shown an increased interest in charity organisations as well. For the majority of people helping others has become a part of everyday life. We talked with Lama Tenzin Sangpo about generosity in terms of buddhism, its relation to charity and which forms of voluntary help are the most important to accumulate merits for buddhists. What is charity and how does it work? Charity as an expression of generosity has become a part of life for a lot of people nowadays. It’s clear that you don’t need a lot of money, power nor free time if you want to change the world. Good, small actions help to increase the quality of life for others. The strange thing here is that it’s “contagious”. If some of your friends are doing charity work, you’ll likely get involved as well. Being generous together is easy. Other people’s generosity encourages us to do the same. So maybe generosity is a natural need? Lama Tenzin Sangpo: “People feel that problems happen due to some negative emotions, their consequences and the clinging to the “self”. Many of us have a deep understanding: if I only help myself and not those who are around me, I won’t become happier. People know and feel that their own happiness is dependant on the state of others around them. That’s why they’re trying to direct their care and actions outwards to improve the atmosphere. That’s why charity is so popular”. Generosity can undo our wrong perception of the world. Giving voluntarily - is a kind gesture, that works against one of the ten unkind actions known in …

Suggestions from Buddhist Lamas: What can we do, when everything drives us crazy?

Sometimes it seems our kindness can be as infinite as the universe. We can forgive any mistakes, even when they have been done on purpose. But sooner or later these short periods of generosity end, and irritation drives us over the edge. When things make us angry, we definitely don't like ourselves. And even when such periods are gone, we still tend to react to every little adverse situation: people being ignorant, traffic jams, long queues, uncomfortable clothes, close friends, even our own children and parents can irritate us. Anything can set us off. Irritation and anger usually come together. Is it OK to experience this? Should we fight it? And if we don’t, does that make us bad? We talked about it with Buddhist Lamas Tenzin Sangpo, Tsevang Gyatso Negi and Buddhist professor Khenpo Karma Gyurme. Khenpo Karma Gyurme: “Don’t blame your own faults on others…” When people say bad things about us, we usually react with anger, irritation or at least disappointment. For example, I was told I’m fat, without trying to think logically, I immediately start getting angry. But let’s face the truth: if I’m overweight, why am I angry if one is pointing that out? It’s the truth. It seems there’s no reason to get angry, but we tend to immediately react without evaluating the situation reasonably. Anger and irritation are defence mechanisms. But what are you defending yourself from? If we start to analyse this question, we come to the understanding that we defend our own views, or the illusions of what we think we are. When you experience negative emotions, you become exposed, unprotected. But on the other hand, calmness will make you invulnerable, as you have this solid understanding that nothing can bother or irritate you. Whatever happens - you're not afraid. You're …

Be positive. Think like a Buddha. Khenpo Karma Gyurme about the nature of emotions

Nowadays, almost everything we do is with the purpose of providing the maximum amount of comfort for ourselves. This comfort also includes our psychological well-being. But since we all have to face our negative emotions, this isn’t easy. So what should we do? Don’t pay them any attention? Accept them? Suppress or even release them? Buddhism - is a philosophy, that develops positive thinking. We spoke with Khenpo Karma Gyurme, a buddhist professor and Shedra’s (college) senior teacher of Buddhist monastery “Ka Ning Shedrub Ling” about these issues. What are “negative emotions”? These are the emotions, that make us suffer and do stupid things such as: anger, passion, judgement, selfishness etc. They disturb our mind and lead to improper actions. On the other hand, positive emotions, even though they don’t cause misconducts, they still can be harmful. How come? For example, you are enjoying delicious food and it gives you pleasure. But at that moment you are happy not only because of a tasty meal, but also because you are healthy, surrounded by nice people with nothing that bothers you. You feel good in the moment, everything is beautiful, you are happy. You will associate this deep, strong experience of happiness with this particular meal and will try to look for it again. You may repeat this experience - go to the same restaurant, order the same dish and anticipate: happiness, where are you? But you won’t be able to recreate the same conditions and will most likely be disappointed. It’s as easy to be happy, as it is to be irritated. It is common for the mind to experience these emotions. When they happen, it’s difficult to keep control over oneself and keep a calm mind. That’s why positive and negative feelings are quite similar. But when the mind …

Buddhist Khenpo Karma Gyurme. The nature of depression and the ways to get out of it.

Depression doesn't care about your age, your education or how much money you have in your bank account. Fences, castles, monasteries or any other kind of barrier can’t stop it. Depression can reach anybody. Doctors claim that nowadays every one-in-ten people suffers from intense depression, while about one-in-five experiences different depression states at least once in their lifetime. Khenpo Karma Gyurme , Shedra’s (college) professor and senior teacher of Buddhist monastery Ka Nying Shedrab Ling, spoke with us about depression during his visit to Kyiv. Why do more and more people suffer from depression? Depression is a disease, where mind is the cause. Even though it seems that its origin lies in the events from the outside world, in fact, it is a reflection of the state of our own mind, our reaction to things. I think, that the mind, just like the body, has a certain breaking point. How much can we handle? Some people can take a lot, some - not so much. Every person has their own stress limit. The world is rapidly changing and everything is happening fast. Our mind can’t catch up and so gets tired. When your body is exhausted and burned out, you get sick. When your mind is worn down, you have a depression. Nowadays, humans are under huge pressures from the outer world, caused by their way of living. I think, this is the reason why more and more people are suffering from depression. Actually, there are many explanations for this disease. One of the main causes is - desire. When there are too many desires, you don’t really know what you want and what you need. You start to mix them up and mistaking the one for the other. For example, you need a pair of shoes - this is …