On 3 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Dharamshala, and via Delhi, arrived at Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea, in the morning of 4 August 2017. His Eminence Rinpoche was welcomed there by Geshe Namkha, who then accompanied His Eminence Rinpoche to Gimpo Airport. From there, His Eminence Rinpoche took another flight and arrived at Ulsan airport, at about midday, where the local Buddhist devotees accorded a revered welcome. His Eminence Rinpoche thereafter arrived at Gil sang sa Temple.<\/span> On 5 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Rinpoche took part in the inauguration ceremony of the Temple, and gave a talk, in which His Eminence Rinpoche pointed out: It would not be right to follow the Buddha\u2019s teachings by blind faith, rather one needs to do study and do contemplative reflection; if \u00a0the Kagyur (<\/span>bka\u1e25-\u1e25gyur<\/span><\/em>;<\/em> Buddha\u2019s Words in Tibetan translations) and Tangyur (<\/span>bstan<\/span>–<\/span>\u1e25gyur<\/span><\/em>;<\/span><\/i> Commentarial texts in Tibetan translations) are translated in the local language, it would be a service to the teachings, and of far-reaching benefits to sentient beings; how greatly contributive the Great Abbot Shantarakshita had been to Tibet; how Buddhism made way into Tibet, and how of a great correct standard the Tibetan translations were; and so forth. His Eminence Rinpoche\u2019s talk was translated into Korean by Mr Yang sung kyu.<\/span><\/p>\n His Eminence Rinpoche explained background details on the text, a biographical introduction on Atisha, the conversation between Atisha and the great translator Lochen Rinchen Sangpo; continuing on, His Eminence explained: The reason why the Buddha did not give teachings for seven weeks, subsequent to having attained enlightenment; the turning of the wheel of teachings on the Four Truths; teachings and practices are for achieving liberation and the state of omniscience, not for aims of this life; how the three categories of teachings (<\/em><\/span>tripitaka<\/span><\/em>) are inclusive to the path of the three capable practitioners (the small, middling and great); the three trainings taught by the Buddha can be practised by all in accordance with one\u2019s mental capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n After explaining and advising thus as the preliminary to the commentarial teachings, His Eminence Rinpoche gave commentarial teaching from the beginning of <\/span>The Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment<\/span><\/em>. In explaining about \u201cthe least capable person,\u201d the small capable practitioner, His Eminence Rinpoche gave the insight that those who do things for this life\u2019s interests do not even qualify as \u201csmall capable person,\u201d that they are not even \u201ccapable person\u201d. In this first session of the commentarial teachings, His Eminence Rinpoche completed the section on Intermediate Capable Person.<\/span><\/p>\n In the evening, at the request of the lay devotees, His Eminence Rinpoche bestowed Upasaka and Upasika lay vows, with preliminary teachings. Mr Yang sung kyu translated these teachings into Korean language.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the morning of 7 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed from Ulsan city. On the way, His Eminence Rinpoche visited Tong da sa Temple, which houses a relic of the Buddha. In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche arrived at Seok cheon sa Temple, in Yeosu city. His Eminence Rinpoche discussed with the Temple\u2019s Abbot and staff members the project on translating <\/span>Kagyur<\/span> (<\/span>bka\u1e25-\u1e25gyur<\/span>) and <\/span>Tangyur<\/span> (<\/span>bstan<\/span>–<\/span>\u1e25gyur<\/span><\/em>)<\/em> into Korean language; at their request, His Eminence Rinpoche gave detailed guidance advice on translations.<\/span><\/p>\n In the morning of 8 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a teaching at Seok cheon sa Temple. His Eminence Rinpoche touched upon the practices of the three capable persons; the way of practising the teachings; the importance of motive and dedication prayers; although the number of humans are many, rare are those who have the thought and the leisure to practise the teachings; the great goals can be achieved through this human life, the meaning of \u201cgreat goals\u201d is to be understood as interests of beyond this life; it would be a great loss to let go to waste such a potent human life; even animals are capable of achieving things of this life.<\/span><\/p>\n Continuing on, His Eminence Rinpoche advised: The need to understand the differences of the three capable persons\u2014the small, middling and the great\u2014and the need to do practices of all three, which one can do so; practising of the teachings is not merely reading a text, reciting a mantra, and making supplication prayers, instead it is to direct the mind away from attachment, hatred and ignorance, and thus make improvement to one\u2019s mind; if one has intention and effort, one is able to traverse to liberation and the state of omniscience.<\/span><\/p>\n His Eminence Rinpoche continued: To make changes to one\u2019s mind, at first, one needs to rely on a qualified teacher, and know the teachings; if one has a good awareness of death and impermanence, one\u2019s all three parts\u2014body, speech and mind\u2014would accord with the teachings; how rare it is for us to make a time, out of twenty-four hours, to practise the teachings; but when it comes to doing non-virtuous actions, how even with a \u00a0small non-virtuous action we do, we do so with much intensity\/power, that it is done with all parts complete\u2014preparation, the actual doing, and the end thinking; whereas, when doing virtuous actions, even with a major virtuous action, we do so with incomplete preparation, actual and the end, which makes the action so small in power.<\/span><\/p>\n Further on, His Eminence Rinpoche advised: We do not have the confident assurance that we would certainly attain a happy rebirth next time, rather we are surrounded by causes and factors for heading to bad rebirths; the ability to rescue from our such situation is with the Three Rare Supreme, the Three Jewels\u2014as such, one needs to generate a pure going-for-refuge; the Dharma Jewel (the Jewel of Teachings) in the context of the small capable person is the morality of eschewing the ten non-virtues; non only one does not commit the ten non-virtues, one needs to generate the thought-to-eschew in one\u2019s mind, which is then the actual stages of the path of the small capable person. <\/span><\/p>\n Continuing onto the intermediate capable person, His Eminence Rinpoche explained: Being born once in a happy rebirth, there is still the danger of falling into the bad lower rebirths; as such, one needs to rely on a means to not having at all to take lower rebirths; even with a life in a happy higher rebirth, there are numerous sufferings\u2014of birth, ageing, sickness, death, and so forth; the experiencing of cyclic\/<\/span>samsaric<\/span><\/em> sufferings are the results of non-virtuous actions, which in turn are factored by <\/span>afflictions<\/span><\/em>, the principal ones being attachment, hatred and ignorance; it is from ego-grasping ignorance, attachment and hatred arise; so for them to not arise, one needs to eschew ego-grasping ignorance, which can be done so through relying on wisdom realising selflessness. <\/span><\/p>\n On the practices of the great capable person, His Eminence Rinpoche explained: Through the practices of the three trainings, although one may become freed from the cycle of sufferings, yet if one ignores the welfare of all mother sentient beings remaining in sufferings, it would be the lowest of mean behaviours\u2014the reason for that is, there is not any sentient being who has not been one\u2019s mother; if there arises in one\u2019s mind a thought of a great compassion, there would arise the <\/span>exalted-thought<\/span><\/em>\/universal responsibility thought working for others\u2019 welfare; to accomplish others\u2019 welfare is the goal, Buddhahood is the means for that; once the altruistic mind-of-enlightenment (<\/span>bodhicitta<\/span><\/em>) has been generated, one engages in accomplishing others\u2019 welfare by the practices of the six perfections and so forth. <\/span><\/p>\n Thereafter, in advising in particular to the lay attendees at the teaching, His Eminence Rinpoche instructed: Since lay people do not have much time for practices, they are not able, by their circumstance thus, to do many things; as such, it would be good if they keep as the referent text any text of Lamrim (Stages of the path to enlightenment), and then slowly start from studying it; if one can transform into Dharma\/spirituality anything one does in a day, one\u2019s life becomes meaningful; from the time one wakes in the morning, one needs to, while recalling the Three Jewels, keep ahead the intention that one would engage least in non-virtues, and engage in as many that are virtuous; even when taking a wash, one needs to think ahead with the intention to have as few negative thoughts of attachment, hatred and so forth, and as many as that are virtuous\u2014lovingkindness, compassion, and so forth; and in between, one recites sacred mantras; when visiting temples and so on, one needs to recall the excellent qualities of the Three Jewels, and admire in veneration through physical gesture of hand-palms brought together; when coming across someone tormented by sufferings, one needs to help, if one can, if not, at least generate compassion and pray for their wellbeing; with a good motive even if one says something pleasantly, vast merits can be accumulated; even if one offers a flower at the altar, the motive for it must not be aiming for a success in business, instead, the motive needs to be wide-ranging to include welfare of others; if it was aimed for a happy rebirth, it becomes a deed of a small capable person; if it was aimed for liberation, it becomes that of an intermediate capable person; if it was aimed for all sentient beings\u2019 welfare, it becomes a deed of a great capable person; if the motive is with the presence of enlightenment mind (<\/span>bodhicitta<\/span><\/em>), vast merits would be accumulated.<\/span><\/p>\n To the lay, His Eminence Rinpoche further advised: When about to go to sleep at night, one does a review of the day\u2019s actions, and if there had been more of non-virtuous actions, one think of them with remorse, and with a strong feeling, avows not to do so in future; if one finds there had been more of virtuous actions done, one rejoices on them, and thinks of doing more so in future; likewise, one needs to seal the virtues\/merits with dedication prayers and prayers; the thought of remorse and the strong feeling are for the negativities to not increase, and dedication and prayers are for merits to not perish; then, one needs to direct one\u2019s sleep to become of virtuous entity.<\/span><\/p>\n On these and other related practices, His Eminence Rinpoche advised in great details. Those receiving the teachings comprise of the Temple\u2019s Abbot, the ordained members, and the general public. Mr Yang sung kyu translated the teachings into Korean language. <\/span><\/p>\n On 10 August 2017<\/b>, at the request of the devotees, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave in the morning a teaching on Jey Tsongkhapa\u2019s text <\/span>Praise to the Buddha for Teaching Dependent Arising<\/span><\/em>, in the temple of Korea Tibet Center. His Eminence Rinpoche explained that this text was composed independently by Jey Tsongtkhapa, not directly referencing with Indian commentarial texts; thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche presented the text in outlines, followed by explanation on each of the verses.<\/span><\/p>\n Subsequent to that, His Eminence Rinpoche gave a commentarial teaching on <\/span>Praise to Twenty-One Taras<\/span><\/em>, and its transmission blessing. A large number of devotees came to receive the teachings. Ven. Ratoe Geshe Sonam, the In-charge of Korea Tibet Center, translated the teachings into Korean language.<\/span><\/p>\n In the morning of 12 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a commentarial teaching on <\/span>The Essence of Wisdom<\/span><\/em>, including the background details on the S\u016btra, at the temple of L\u0101bsum Shedupling (The Centre for Teaching and Practice of the Three Trainings). His Eminence Rinpoche began by remarking that the teaching this time would be as a Dharma discussion, that there was no need this time to approach it as a teacher-disciple relation. <\/span><\/p>\n His Eminence Rinpoche explained: There are some seven Indian commentaries on <\/span>The Essence of Wisdom<\/span><\/em>; Vimalamitra\u2019s and Acharya Kamalashila\u2019s commentaries appear as written in Tibet; the commentary written by the Nepali (Newari) teacher Vajrapani elucidates the S\u016btra into Mantra (tantric) context, and in tenet view, it appears as asserting <\/span>alayavigyana<\/span> (<\/span>the basis-of-all consciousnesses<\/span><\/em>)<\/em>; Supragya\u2019s commentary too appears to elucidate in Mantra context.<\/span><\/p>\n Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche explained each word of the text, by dividing it into three parts: the preliminary, the actual and the conclusion. Attending the teachings were a large number of devotees comprising of Tibetan ordained members, Korean monks and nuns, and lay faithfuls. Ven. Geshe Namkha, the In-charge of L\u0101bsum Shedupling, translated the teachings into Korean language. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/samdhongrinpoche.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SR-at-south-Korea4.jpg\")
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\nIn the evening, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a commentarial teaching, to the faithful there, on Atisha\u2019s text <\/span>The Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment<\/span><\/em>. At the start, His Eminence Rinpoche remarked that the commentarial teaching this time was not in the mode of Teacher-disciple, instead as a tutorial in a class on a given subject. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIn the morning of <\/span>6 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche continued the commentarial teaching on <\/span>The Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment<\/span><\/em>. Explaining the practices of a great capable person, His Eminence Rinpoche advised: The need to be preceded by having generated renunciation, for arising of great compassion; as regards generating of the Mind of Enlightenment (<\/span>bodhicitta<\/span>; <\/span>cittotpad<\/span><\/em>), there are two methods\u2014the seven-parts cause and effect instructions, and equalising and exchanging of self (self-cherishing) with others (cherishing others), and the sequence of the meditation on the two is to start training from equanimity; the goal to achieve is the welfare of other sentient beings, the interest in others\u2019 welfare, not Buddhahood; for the collection of pristine consciousness to be powerful, one needs to accumulate the collection of merits. His Eminence Rinpoche thus explained the text in considerable details.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIn the morning of 9 August 2017<\/b>, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Yeosu city. Upon arrival at Gwang seong Temple (also known as Korea Tibet Center), in Busan city, at around midday, His Eminence Rinpoche was welcomed by the ordained and the public of the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIn the morning of 11 August 2017<\/b>, upon departing by train the city of Busan, some devotees came to accord a revered see-off to His Eminence Rinpoche. At around midday, His Eminence Rinpoche arrived in the capital city Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n