BPL The Place

Brief history The history of Benchen Phuntsok Ling goes back to the year 1979. In march of that year, while the Venerable Tenga Rinpoche was in Europe, His Holiness the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje expressed his wish for and clarified the great benefit of founding a Dharma centre in Europe in the following letter: To the illuminator of the teaching of the Practice Lineage, the incomparable Vajra Master Venerable Tenga Rinpoche, a special message. I was delighted recently to receive the detailed correspondence that you sent to me. Here, myself, the great tulkus, the general secretary and his family, are all in good health, and continue to work for the benefit of the teachings and all beings. Regarding yourself, it had given me great pleasure to know that both in the past and currently, in many countries, but particularly East and West Germany, your dharma teachings and guidance have been of great benefit. Nevertheless, please keep in the centre of your heart my special advice, that, whilst spending considerable time in various countries, but particularly East and West Germany, you should establish where possible new dharma centres as sources for the heart teachings of the Practice Lineage. Now, and in all future lives, you will remain in and never be excluded from, the walled tent of virtuous refuge and protection, and I pray that we meet again, not in a long time, but soon. Written in Shedrub Cheukhor Ling, on the 27 th of the third month, in 1979, with the very greatest of best wishes, Karmapa Translated by Edward Henning, Allmuthen, July 2001 In May 1999, all favourable and necessary conditions finally came together. Tenga Rinpoche established the Dharma centre Benchen Phuntsok Ling as the European seat of both Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Tenga Rinpoche and thus could fulfil the wish of His Holiness. The name ‘Benchen Phuntsok Ling’ was chosen by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche to express the connection with Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling monasteries in both Nepal and in Kham, Eastern Tibet. As the ever-growing number of students from both Rinpoches in Europe longed for a centre they could call their ‘own’, the founding of Benchen Phuntsok Ling was anticipated with great joy. The property The Dharma centre Benchen Phuntsok Ling consists of a former farmhouse, stables and a barn on 6.25 hectare of land. A substantial part of the property is zoned as building land. For details about plans for the future development of Benchen Phuntsok Ling, see under “Vision”. Tenga Rinpoche visits every year and oversees the development of the centre as well as all building activities. Since the establishment of the centre in 1999, ongoing building activity is focused on improving and expanding the structures already present. Amongst other tasks, a biological sewage system has been put into place, bathroom and shower facilities and the eating hall as well as a new entrance have been made ready for use. At present, appropriate accommodation for Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche’s stay is being prepared and will be finished by summer 2003. Dharma activity Since the summer of 2000, Tenga Rinpoche conducts extensive teaching and meditation courses during the annual month long summer course. In that first summer course, Tenga Rinpoche composed and shared with his students the following song of inspiration: GYAL WAI TEN PA LUNG DANG TOG PAI CHOE DE DZIN DZE PAI KYE BUE LOB TSOG NAM RIM NYI LAM KYI TSAL CHEN RAB DZOG TE DAG PA SANGYE SHING DU DZOM PAR SHOG “Through the perfection of both Dharmas of transmission and realisation, The teachings of the Victorious Buddha, And through the twofold path of development and perfection phase May both the holders of these teachings and the assembly of disciples Gather together in the Pure land of the Buddhas.” Translated by Thomas Roth This song is sung at least once a day during the summer courses ever since. In 2003, His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche will join him and will give teaching every day during the summer course. Dharma teachers who visited Benchen Phuntsok Ling: 2000 During the summer course H. E. Chokling Rinpoche came and blessed the centre during a short surprise visit and offered the centre a beautiful statue of the Green Tara. 2002 During the summer course Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche gave a Dharma teaching and taught all students present the following Milarepa song: We the multitude of glorious space-like yogi/yoginis Who come from the lineage of great Brahmin Training and training in the natural reality of mind Thoughts of confused appearances dissolve in the expanse I don’t see anyone who can be harmed And I don’t see anything that can do any harm. Song of Milarepa as taught by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche Khenpo Benchen Phuntsok Ling, Allmuthen, July 21, 2002 All students joined in the singing whilst Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche was leaving the centre and waving everybody ‘good-bye’. Subsequently Tenga Rinpoche requested all students to sing this song at the closing ceremony of the summer course. Thus, it was the second song taught and sung at Benchen Phuntsok Ling. 2003 Benchen Phuntsok Ling was bathed in bright sunshine when His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and the Venerable Tenga Rinpoche arrived. It was a great joy and honor to welcome His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche for the first time in Benchen Phuntsok Ling. Both Rinpoches were welcomed with flowers, incense and the offering of a mandala. Amidst all that sunlight and the heat of an extraordinary summer, the dharma teaching of both Tenga Rinpoche and Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche illuminated the hearts of all students and quenched their thirst for knowledge and wisdom during formal teaching sessions and in countless personal interviews. Tenga Rinpoche taught from the text “Four Words of Mahamudra” by Gampopa’s student Phagmo Drupa. He also guided the 3 daylong meditation retreats on White Tara and White Mahakala. Both retreats are now part of the regular schedule of the yearly summer course. In the evenings Tenga Rinpoche also taught the Tummo practice which is part of the 6 Doctrines of Naropa. This year the students who have fulfilled the necessary requirements to attend these teachings sponsored a large and very attractive tent for the purpose of receiving these precious teaching in an inspiring environment. Rinpoche was very happy with the new tent and its unique shape. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche taught from the text “Mahamudra Prayer” by the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. Each session was concluded with very lively questions and answers and was enjoyed by all present. The summer course concluded with a bright and happy Milarepa Tsok puja. Then the president of Benchen Phuntsok Ling requested Sangye Nyenpa to accept the heartfelt invitation of all the students to return and teach during the summer course 2004. Rinpoche graciously agreed and we are looking forward to receiving his teachings during the upcoming summer. Visiting teachers: After the end of the course, the Very Venerable Kenchen Thrangu Rinpoche came to visit Tenga Rinpoche. In the afternoon he gave a short Dharma teaching. The area Benchen Phuntsok Ling is situated in the beautiful quiet hills of the German-speaking border region of the Belgium Ardennes (see map above) and is part of a little settlement called Allmuthen, which consists of just a few farms. The nearest German village is Losheim and the city of Cologne is an hour’s drive away (see also under ‘route description’). The Belgium Ardennes and the German Eiffel are known for their beauty and location far from the hustle and bustle of big cities and the noise of highways. It is an area especially suited for walking vacations and has a great attraction as such in the tourism industry. See also the relevant web pages of some tourist bureaus in the (wider) area. http://www.buellingen.be/ http://www.eifeltour.de/Texte/Orte/VG_Obere%20Kyll/Stadtkyll.htm http://www.st.vith.be/ http://www.pruem.de/ http://www.butgenbach.be/de/index.html Climate Benchen Phuntsok Ling is located on top of a hilly area at an altitude of approx. 600m. The winters can be quite strong and are known for being quite snowy. A locally acclaimed skiing area called “Schwarzer Mann” is not far away. The summers are short approximately from June to September; there are lakes for swimming in the surrounding area. However, even on hot summer days it can get quite chilly in the evenings after sunset. Therefore it is always advisable to bring warm clothes and rainproof gear. Since the Ardennes are the first raised landscape from the English Channel on mainland in Belgium, the lush green of the hills and forests are richly nourished by frequent fresh rain spells.