Greetings Everyone,
As the new year begins, on behalf of Minling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Jetsunla, and everyone here at Mindrolling, Rinpoche would like to wish everyone a very Happy Losar- Tibetan New Year.
Rinpoche has asked that we give the following message to the worldwide Mindrolling sangha. Here at Mindrolling, there will not be the usual Losar celebrations because of the passing of many great teachers this past year. It is said that passing into parinirvana is the final teaching that a teacher bestows and is one of the greatest and most impactful teachings a student will receive on impermanence. Reflecting upon this, we must treasure the time that we do have to receive teachings from our gurus, and most importantly, we should put the teachings of the Dharma into practice immediately. Especially being aware of the troubled situation the world is in, gripped by disease and war, now is a time when we practitioners must all reflect and feel a new urgency to turn the mind to dharma more than ever.
As we all come together in welcoming the Tibetan New Year of the Water Tiger, the best way to celebrate is to face the New Year with renewed courage, determination, and endurance. Now is the time to look to the future whilst recognizing the common maras of fear, dejection, frustration, and discursiveness and completely reject their attempts to have a stranglehold on our innate strength and joy. Let this New Year be the time to gather ourselves and redouble our efforts into deepening our practice of the Dharma and our sincere effort in bodhicitta. Bodhicitta alone will be our most powerful armor against the onslaught of both outer and inner obstacles. These modern times have seen so much advancement in such a vast variety of ways, but the true benefit for the world will always come from those with kindness in their hearts and the wish for all beings to be free from suffering. There is no greater armor than bodhicitta and no greater friends than humor and patience during these difficult times. May the sangha of Mindrolling steadfastly hold the view of the dharma and practice diligently so that each one of us may embody the dharma more fully with each passing day.
Furthermore, as we look forward to everyone continuing to diligently study the Great Chariot teachings soon, and through studying, contemplating, and meditating, may all receive the blessings of the great wisdom mind of the Omniscient One, Longchen Rabjampa.
With all prayers and aspirations, Rinpoche, joined by Dungse Rinpoche, Jetsün Rinpoche, Mayumla, Jetsünla and Britton la send everyone sincere good wishes for the coming year.
Yours in the Dharma,
Office of Mindrolling International