Reflections on Impermanence: A Teaching by Choje Lama Rinpoche

The whole world and its inhabitants are impermanent;
In particular the life of beings is like a bubble.
Death comes without warning; this body will be a corpse
At that time, the dharma will be my only help; I must practice it with exertion.
— from The Four Reminders (aka Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind Towards Dharma)

Please join us for a rare opportunity to receive a teaching on impermanence by Choje Lama Rinpoche on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Of all of the Buddhist concepts, contemplating impermanence has the power to make the greatest impression on our minds; in that way is said to be like the footprint of an elephant, the largest of all land animals.

Impermanence is a foundational Buddhist concept, articulated as the first of The Four Seals and in the second of The Four Reminders. But how well do we understand this basic idea? How often do we get caught taking things to be real and permanent, including ourselves and the world around us? How can a thorough understanding of impermanence help us on the Buddhist path, the path to liberation?

Choje Lama Rinpoche is in charge of all the Thrangu monasteries and their related concerns including dharma institutes, schools, and also their medical clinic. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was a close disciple of the 16th Karmapa and tutor to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. This visit from a Karma Kagyu lineage holder is a precious occasion to deepen our lineage connections and hear authentic dharma.

Format

This teaching will be hybrid. Please join us onsite at Nalanda West or online. The recording will be available for 2 weeks, until Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Registration

Please register using the form below. Please contact Karen de Luna with any questions about the program.

Bio

Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden was the first monk to graduate from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche’s school Shree Mangal Dvip School for Himalayan Children (SMD) located in Boudha, Kathmandu. After the completion of his higher Buddhist Studies in 2000, he was appointed as the very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche’s secretary and attendant. In 2008 he entered the traditional three year retreat and upon completing his retreat in 2011, resumed his role as secretary and attendant. The very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche appointed Choje Lama as his body, speech and mind representative in 2018 and since then Choje Lama has been in charge of all the Thrangu monasteries, dharma institutes, schools, and clinic built by the Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.