Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s visit to the United States

At the request and invitation, since a few years back, from Mr. Tom Pritzker, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche took time to visit the United States. Upon arrival at New York airport, on April 13, 2015, Rinpoche was greeted by the officials of The Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey, Tibet Fund and other Associations.

In the afternoon of April 15, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the theme of “Meaningful life and death”, to the local Himalayan elders, at United Sherpa Association Hall. The event was organized by Himalayan Elders Project.  In the evening, Rinpoche gave an advisory talk to the Varanasi Alumni living in the region.

The following day, in the morning, to a gathering of Tibetan scholars, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk on “Tibetan History of Knowledge”, at Latse Library, New York, followed by questions and answers. In the afternoon Rinpoche addressed a gathering of eminent audience, organized by Tibet Fund, on the theme, “Tibetan Buddhism and Global Ethics for a troubled world: A Dialogue with Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche”, at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. In the evening of the same day, Rinpoche addressed an eminent audience, on the topic of “Mind-Training and Compassion applied to everyday life”, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The event was presided by Father Dr. James A. Kowalski, and organized jointly by Tibet Fund and Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

On April 17, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche set aside time to be interviewed, on The Three commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, by Namgyal Shastri, of Tibetan section, Voice of America. In the evening, Rinpoche addressed a large gathering of Tibetans, on “The Middle-Way Policy” and on “Dholgyal Issue”. The event was organized by The Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey.

On April 18, Varanasi Alumni of Boston invited Rinpoche to Boston, from New York; on the way Rinpoche kindly had lunch at Mr. Tenzin Kalsang’s house; Rinpoche also gave time to visit briefly Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center. In the evening, Rinpoche gave a Dharma talk on the theme of “The benefits of practicing the Buddha Dharma”, in English, at Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies.

In the morning of April 19, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressed, in a city hall, Somerville, the local Tibetans, on the theme of “The best ways to preserve Tibetan language and culture”. Rinpoche also kindly gave time to be interviewed by Boston Tibetan Truthful Public Talk. In the afternoon Rinpoche left Boston, for Rochester.

On April 20 and April 21, 2015, for the two days, Rinpoche had a full medical check-up at the great Mayo Clinic, Rochester. All expenses were paid for by Mr. Ngawang Chime, Kalsang Lhamo and Tenzin Choekyi, who live in Minnesota. At that time, co-ordination with Mayo Clinic, and all necessary assistances, were given by Dr. Tsewang Ngodup. In the evening of April 21, Rinpoche left Rochester, for Minnesota.

On April 22, 2015, as organized by Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressed, the Tibetan community living in the area, on the theme of “Importance of preserving Tibetan language and culture in the exile, especially in the West, and other challenges faced by Tibetan society”, followed by questions and answers. Rinpoche also kindly gave numerous personal audiences, and advices to various associations and individuals.

Leaving Minnesota on April 23, 2015, Rinpoche arrived in Chicago, where meetings and discussions took place at the house of Mr. Tom Pritzker, the main host of the present visit to the United States. Rinpoche also visited the renowned Chicago Art Institute.

In the morning of April 24, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk on “Pre-modern versus modern Buddhist educational system”, to the Buddhist Studies Group of University of Chicago, followed by questions and answers. A large number of the audience consisted of the University’s Professors, research scholars, and educationists.

In the afternoon, Rinpoche travelled from Chicago, in the private jet of Mr. Pritzker, accompanied by Mrs. Pritzker, arriving in Aspen, where on April 25, 2015, Rinpoche went for a look around Mr. and Mrs. Pritzker’s Aspen Residence and its surroundings.

On April 26, 2015, Mr. And Mrs. Pritzker flew Rinpoche, in their private jet, from Aspen, to Denver. Upon arrival at San Francisco airport from Denver, Rinpoche was greeted by the officials of Tibetan Association of Northern California, and of Gyuto Foundation, and many Tibetans.

The following day, on April 27, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche kindly set aside time to fulfil the requests for personal audiences and guidance advices for former monks of Loseling and of Gyuto, and their families, living in the area.

On April 28, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a teaching, in English, on “The Four Truths”, at Gyuto Foundation’s Meditation Hall, followed by questions and answers.

Organized by Tibetan Association of Northern California, on April 29, 2015, Rinpoche addressed the Tibetans living in the region, on the requested topics “Preserving our precious language and culture; The duties towards our cause of Tibet” and “Especially, advices for our youths who have grown up in the United States and who have national and ethnicity feelings towards Tibet”; there followed questions and answers.

On April 30, 2015, Rinpoche kindly continued the teachings, in English, on “The Four Truths”, at Gyuto Foundation, followed by questions and answers.

From California, Rinpoche left for Albuquerque, on May 1, 2015, where upon arrival Rinpoche was greeted by the Tibetans living in the area.

Organized by Tibetan Association of Santa Fe, on May 2, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressed the Tibetans living in and around Santa Fe, the capital city of the state of New Mexico, on the requested topic of “How to preserve Tibetan identity and raise our younger generation in a foreign country”. There followed questions and answers.

On May 3, 2015, Rinpoche gave time for discussions, and questions and answers, from many eminent Physicians, Professors and Teachers.

On May 4, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche went for walks around the Residence of Dr. Sonam Palden Kundeling, the main host in Albuquerque, and took rest.

In the morning of May 5, 2015, Rinpoche travelled back to India, from Albuquerque, via Chicago.