Cool Grove Charnel Ground, Bihar, India

The Cool Grove Charnel Ground

On 30 December 2019, Rinpoche took his monks on the one hour journey from Bodhgaya to the Cool Grove Charnel Ground. First Rinpoche explained to them why charnel grounds are so important for tantric practitioners.…

Published on 3rd of December 2024

Lerab Ling, France

How to Join a Drupchen

In August 2013, Rinpoche explained the drupchen section of the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo. He spoke briefly about the background of drupchen practice. He also clarified the unique features that sets it apart from other practices,…

Published on 7th of September 2024

London, United Kingdom

Barché Lamsel, The Prayer Which Removes All Obstacles from the Path

Rinpoche taught on the famous prayer to Guru Rinpoche called Barché Lamsel, The Prayer Which Removes All Obstacles from the Path, at the request of Rigpa London. He taught in two sessions, one in the…

Published on 19th of August 2024

Cock’s Foot Peak, Bihar, India

Cock’s Foot Peak (Kukkuṭapāda)

On 29 December 2020, Rinpoche took his monks from Bodhgaya to nearby Cock’s Foot Peak. There, he explained its background for – as he says at the end of the teaching, when advising on the…

Published on 10th of July 2024

Lerab Ling, France

The Nyingtik Yabshi, a concise presentation

After his last teaching on Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, Rinpoche gave a concise presentation of the Nyingtik Yabshi. Yangthang Rinpoche was coming to Lerab Ling to give the Nyingtik initiations, so Sogyal Rinpoche was keen that…

Published on 24th of April 2024

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

How to Practise Vajrayana, in a Nutshell

During a short visit to the Netherlands, Rinpoche was invited to teach one evening on the Vajrayana tradition, specifically—what are the unique qualities of this path? how does it relate to the other Buddhist vehicles?…

Published on 31st of December 2023

Dharma Mati, Berlin, Germany

Offering Tsok While You Shop

At the end of his stay at Dharma Mati, Berlin, OT Rinpoche shared the following parting advice, inspired by his earlier visit to the glittering KaDeWe department store in the centre of town. OT Rinpoche…

Published on 3rd of December 2023

Sukhavati Care Cetnre, Germany

Longchen Nyingtik Phowa

While visiting the Sukhavati care centre in Germany, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche presented extensive teachings on the practice of phowa according to the Longchen Nyingtik tradition, drawing upon the root terma text itself, as well as…

Published on 3rd of March 2023

Kushinagar, India

Kushinagar

The teaching that follows took place during a pilgrimage of the sacred Buddhist sites in India, at the point when the group had just reached Kushinagar, the place of Buddha’s parinirvana. Inspired by the immense…

Published on 2nd of July 2022

Sukhavati, Baad Sarow, Germany

The Bardos: A Brief Presentation

During his week-long visit to Sukhavati care centre in the summer of 2018, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche was requested to speak about the bardos (transitional states) which are a unique feature of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings.…

Published on 21st of May 2022

Netik Phurba Drupchen, Lerab Ling, France

Dokpa Visualization

Seeing hundreds of westerners clapping their hands every day during the averting practice known as dokpa, while performing a Netik Phurba Drupchen in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche, always attentive that practices are accomplished properly, thought it…

Published on 24th of February 2022

Sri Pada, Sri Lanka

The Sacredness of Sri Lanka and Sri Pada

Despite the pandemic and all its restrictions, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and his monks were able to successfully hold a series of drupchens at the holy sites of India towards the end of 2021. Continuing this…

Published on 13th of January 2022

Bir, India

Nyaluk Phurba Mantra Recitation: The Aspect of Mind

The Nyaluk Phurba is a treasure teaching revealed by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Each year Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche practice the drupchen of this terma with his monks at his monastery, in Bir, India. During the drupchen,…

Published on 13th of December 2021

Bir, India

Marmé Mönlam—Lamp Aspiration

At the end of a Vajrakilaya drupchen at Tsering Jong, in Bir, in which the practitioners combined three Vajrakilaya practices as Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche explains in this teaching, Rinpoche gave the traditional talk before the…

Published on 30th of November 2021

Bir, India

Rangjung Pema Nyingtik – A mind terma revelation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

This talk was given by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche a few days in a Rangjung Pema Nyingtik drupchen that he was performing with his lamas and monks to celebrate the birth of Guru Rinpoche in July…

Published on 17th of October 2021

Rain of Amrita – An Offering of Sur by Patrul Rinpoche

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche strongly recommends this text for those who wish to deepen their understanding of sur practice. In the text, Patrul Rinpoche describes in precise and graphic detail all the different types of guest…

Published on 29th of July 2021

Lerab Ling, France

Tibetans, Chinese, Nepalis, Westerners and Offerings

While teaching the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, as he explained the section on the paramita of generosity, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche felt it was important to relate it more closely to western people, and he gave this…

Published on 10th of July 2021

Dzogchen Beara, Ireland

Sur Offering: Basic Principles

Recently, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche have asked as many practitioners as possible to offer sur practice to repay the karmic debts that are an important cause of the alarming spread of covid…

Published on 6th of July 2021

Bodhgaya, India

Explanation of A Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of Sogyal Rinpoche

After Sogyal Rinpoche’s passing, the Rigpa sangha gathered with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and his monks at Bodhgaya, the most important and powerful Buddhist sacred place, and brought the kudung of Sogyal Rinpoche. Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche…

Published on 19th of May 2020

Yangleshö, Nepal

Yangleshö

Late one night, Rinpoche paused as he walked past the upper cave at Yangleshö, sat down at the entrance of the cave to say some prayers and then, to inspire modern pilgrims, spontaneously began to…

Published on 29th of May 2018

Brussels, Belgium

Essence of the Vajrayana

During one of Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche’s visits to Antwerp, some of his Brussels-based friends asked Brussels Rigpa if they could use the centre for a day-long tsok practice. Naturally, the Brussels Sangha were delighted and…

Published on 14th of February 2018

Lerab Ling, France

The Practice of the Four Doors

During a Pema Khandro drupchen at Lerab Ling, having tirelessly illuminated more than fifteen annual drupchens with practice advice, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche decided it was time to point out where western Vajrayana practitioners fall short.

Published on 3rd of January 2018

Lerab Ling, France

Presentation of Orgyen Tobgyal’s Set of Ten Kagyé Thangkas

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche is, and always has been, a great patron of the Buddhist arts. Of course, these days, it’s become fashionable either to invest large sums of money in antique, historical artefacts, or to…

Published on 7th of December 2017

New Delhi, India

Sengé Dongma: a short teaching

I was asked to comment on Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche’s Short Practice of Sengé Dongma. It is a practice for averting obstacles associated with Sengé Dongma. I don’t have anything special to say about this particular…

Published on 7th of November 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Vajrakilaya

One hot summer’s evening during a Vajrakilaya drupchen at Lerab Ling, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche spoke about both Vajrakilaya and how to apply the basic principles of kyerim to Vajrakilaya practice. Sogyal Rinpoche was present and…

Published on 10th of October 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Mantra Recitation, from The Drupchen Digest

One sunny, summer morning in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche – who was, as always, intent on remaining absolutely faithful to the practice methods of the great masters of the past – read the prescribed section of…

Published on 7th of October 2017

Lerab Ling, France

The Eight Close Sons

During a private interview in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche was asked about the eight great bodhisattvas who are also known as the ‘eight close sons’ of the Buddha. “We know that a book by Mipham Rinpoche…

Published on 28th of August 2017

Paris, France

Tendrel Nyesel

Rinpoche who was in Paris on his way to India, was requested to go the Rigpa centre there to teach on the Tendrel Nyesel. Even though Rinpoche is not particularly familiar with this particular terma,…

Published on 20th of August 2017

Courbevoie, France

How to meditate for a Sollo Chenmo practice

Rinpoche recorded this explanation himself during a visit to Paris after Sogyal Rinpoche requested the teaching for a group of practitioners who had gathered in Lerab Ling.

Published on 23rd of July 2017

Rigpa Centre, Berlin, Germany

Sollo Chenmo—An Introduction

In May 2009, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche returned to Berlin. During his visit, Rinpoche was touched by the sheer number of people who died there in 1945, and felt it is important to practise for all…

Published on 21st of July 2017

Lerab Ling, France

The Mudra of Confession

An hour after his customary daily “pep talk” during a Chime Phakmé Nyingtik drupchen, Rinpoche seized the opportunity to point out to all the practitioners gathered in Lerab Ling’s majestic temple – Palri Pema Ösel…

Published on 17th of July 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Wangdu: The Prayer which Magnetizes All that Appears and All that Exists

One evening during a Padma Khandro drupchen in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche gave this rare and exceptional explanation of the Wangdu prayer, which, he told us, he had received from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche more than fifty…

Published on 8th of July 2017

Bir, India

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

In The Life and Times of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche describes how Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche burst into his house in Bir “like a whirlwind” and demanded to be told all the stories…

Published on 27th of June 2017

Lerab Ling, France

The Vajrayogini Mantra

First thing in the morning on the day we were to celebrate Buddha’s descent from Tushita heaven where he had been teaching his mother – Lha bab duchen in the Tibetan tradition – Rinpoche decided…

Published on 11th of May 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Magnetizing Activity – What Is It? How To Practise It?

In this teaching, given at the beginning of the third Padma Khandro intensive group practice in Lerab Ling, Rinpoche explains where magnetizing activity fit within the Buddhist path, and shows its basic principles, and how…

Published on 13th of April 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Wind Horse

Still on the hill that dominates Lerab Ling offering sang, Rinpoche continues his teaching. After presenting the main principles of sang, he now gives a concise and clear explanation of “wind horse”, or lungta in…

Published on 28th of March 2017

Hilltop, Lerab Ling, France

Mipham Rinpoche’s Instruction for Raising Lungta Through The Outburst of ‘ki ki so so lha gyal lo’

On a sunny summer morning in South France, faithful to a Lerab Ling tradition to offer an elaborate sang when the weather is clear, on top of the hill that overlooks the Pyrenees 300km south,…

Published on 23rd of March 2017

Lerab Ling, France

Sang Practice – Basic Principles

As was a custom in Lerab Ling, everyone would gather on the highest hill and offer sang. It was a glorious summer morning, and Rinpoche used the opportunity to present the main principles of sang…

Published on 19th of March 2017

California, USA

Commentary on the Guhyajnana Sadhana ‘Fulfillment of All Wishes’

During a visit to California in July 2002, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche gave a short teaching on the sadhana of the Dakini Guhyajnana from the Treasure Vase of Profound Instructions. This sadhana, which is a terma…

Published on 21st of November 2016

Lerab Ling, France

About Longchen Nyingtik Ritual Tradition

During a Chime Phakme Nyingtik drupchen, Lerab Ling’s chant master, head chopon and few other enthusiastic practitioners took advantage of a pee-break to try to extract information from Rinpoche about the Longchen Nyingtik ritual tradition.…

Published on 27th of October 2016

Shravasti, India

How to Walk in the Footsteps of the Buddha

In March 2015, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche went yet again on pilgrimage around some of the most important sacred sites of India; only this time as a facilitator for Sogyal Rinpoche and a group of Rigpa…

Published on 25th of May 2016

Lerab Ling, France

Tibetan Ceremonial Etiquette

Late one evening, in the old stone building in Lerab Ling that had been transformed, almost magically, into a Tibetan shrine, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche gave Rigpa students some advice about how to perform ceremonies. He…

Published on 29th of April 2016

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Reasons to Be Cheerful

Rinpoche was in Paris, his favourite city, with nothing to do for a few days, when suddenly he announced he wanted to take the train to Antwerp. Once we’d arrived in Antwerp he told us…

Published on 2nd of April 2016

Shravasti, India

Dakini Tsok Prayer

For the last practice on a pilgrimage that had taken us to Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and finally Shravasti, we gathered on a lawn behind the ruins of the house where Buddha Shakyamuni had spent many…

Published on 3rd of September 2015

Lerab Ling, France

Study, Practice and Work

During drupchens, it’s Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche’s habit to give one teaching every day. He always follows the customary instructions for conducting drupchens, and usually addresses specific topics that will help participants practise as meaningful as…

Published on 22nd of August 2015

Boudha, Khatmandu, Nepal

One Hundred Thousand Tsok Offering

In a house opposite Shechen Monastery in Bauda, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and his wife were sleeping peacefully when an emissary from Rigpa arrived to ask questions about how to do a ‘one hundred thousand tsok…

Published on 12th of August 2015

Paris, France

The Grilling—A Q&A with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche | The Subject: Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Would you tell us a bit about Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse? ‘Dzongsar’ is the name of a Sakyapa monastery in Kham, and ‘Khyentse’ was a monk at this monastery who became a lama. For generations, members…

Published on 26th of July 2015

Lerab Ling, France

Keeping Half an Eye on History

Direct Pointing-out Instruction to an Old Lady Stages of the Path Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche gave this teaching on the morning of 24 September 2014, at the end of the annual Chime Phakma Nyingtik drupchen in…

Published on 17th of July 2015

A private teaching

Gesar’s Horse Whip

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche has an indefatigable interest in all things Dharma, especially anything to do with the Nyingmapas. And amongst the vast body of teachings called the Ngagyur Nyingma, the fabulous tales and wisdom associated…

Published on 2nd of July 2015

Under the Bodhi Tree, Bodhgaya, Bihar, India

The Importance of Aspiration Prayers—What to do in Bodhgaya

During the latter part of 2014, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche organized drupchens in both Lerab Ling and Bir before making his way to Bodhgaya in December. Quite by chance, under the Bodhi Tree he bumped into…

Published on 31st of May 2015

Carmel Beach, Israel

Following the Dzogchen Path

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche’s Trip to Israel, 19-25 July 2011 Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche has always been fascinated by history, especially the history of religion. So, from the moment he heard about Jerusalem and how sacred it…

Published on 26th of May 2015