On May 14th, 2021, students from around the world, old and new alike, logged on to the Dharmashri Online Portal, to begin studying a new cycle of teachings from Minling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche on the profound text of Letter to a Friend by Arya Nagarjuna. Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche bestowed extensive and direct teachings on the first 22 verses of the text that brought all students into the warmth of the timeless and deep wisdom of the incomparable master Nagarjuna.
In only 123 verses, the Letter to a Friend elucidates the entire Mahayana path and lays the foundation of the Vajrayana teachings as well. The teachings bestowed by Rinpoche gave the context and revealed the many layers of meaning behind each verse of the text. In studying these teachings, students each received a treasury of wonderful Dharma instructions particularly on the paramitas of generosity, diligence, patience and meditation. These instructions provided not just intellectual understanding but practical and meaningful methods of practice and contemplation to fully train in the Buddhadharma and transform negative habits into the paramitas, or transcendent perfections, that are the source of benefit and happiness for oneself and others.
Under the guidance of Minling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Minling Jetsün Dechen Paldrön, students engaged in their studies from Friday to Sunday each weekend. The studies included teachings from Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, studying the root text translated by Jetsün Dechen Paldrön and attending review and discussion sessions over zoom on Sunday Evenings. These review sessions were led by the team of Dharma Instructors who have been leading study and review sessions on the Dharmashri Online Portal since last year.
Our deepest gratitude goes to our teachers Minling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Minling Jetsün Dechen Paldrön whose kindness in teaching us is incomparable and who are true examples of genuine ethics and virtue in these degenerate times. Sincere thanks to the Dharma Instructors, all the selfless staff who make hosting the program possible, and to everyone who attended the program and joined together on this path of practice and virtue. May whatever merit has been accumulated join with the great oceans of merit of the buddhas and bodhisattvas so that it may continue to benefit until all attain Buddhahood.
The dates for the next teachings in this cycle are July 30 to August 1, August 6-8 and August 13-15. We look forward to joining everyone again to continue our studies and practice.