Benchen Phuntsok Ling Europe

surrounding area

Benchen Phuntsok Ling is a Buddhist Dharma center of His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Very Venerable Tenga Rinpoche in Europe. It was Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche who chose the name "Benchen Phuntsok Ling" for this place to indicate the close connection to the Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling monastery in Kathmandu.

In a letter to his disciples from 1998 Tenga Rinpoche describes his vision of Benchen Phuntsok Ling:
"… this shall be a place for all of you where you can practice the Dharma, for some weeks, some months or any length of time. It has the goal of creating a permanent location for summer courses …"

thousendarmed_chenrezig

For many years it has been a common practice in Benchen Phuntsok Ling to practice Nyung Neh. The Nyung Neh practice is very effective in purifying negative karma, accumulating merit and opening the heart to compassion.
This practice was brought to Tibet by the Indian nun Gelongma Palmo. Gelongma Palmo herself was seriously ill and in this state she had a vision of Chenresig, who gave her the long mantra of the Thousand-armed Chenresig as a healing spring. Thus Gelongma Palmo became healthy again and a yogini who later attained enlightenment.
The Nyungne Retreat is a special two-day meditation of the Thousand-armed Chenresig that belongs to the Kriya Tantra. It is said that through the practice of Nyungnes the gate to rebirth in low realms of existence is closed forever. The completion of eight Nyungnes will, according to tradition, lead to a rebirth in Dewachen.

In this course Lama Ngawang Tsultrim will first give detailed teachings on practice including visualization. He will then take the eight vows that are to be held during Nyung Neh from the participants and guide them step by step through the meditation practice. The retreat includes days of silence as well as days of fasting during which people neither eat nor drink.
Before participating in the Nyung Neh Retreat, it should be medically checked on one's own responsibility, whether the health requirements for participation are fulfilled. In addition, the prerequisite for participation is the empowerment of the Thousand-armed Chenresig.

Begin:  Thursday,  May 30 (Ascension Day)  at 19:00 CEST 
End:  Sunday,  June 2 at  8:00 CEST 
A Riwo Sangchö Ritual ritual will be performed at the end of the retreat.
 
Important: You will have to arrive already Thursday, May 30 at 19:00 CEST!
 

Please observe the general information on courses and retreats. Here you will also find an overview of all courses in Benchen Phuntsok Ling.

The Chöd practice originates from the second turning of the Dharma wheel by Buddha Shakyamuni. It was spread in India by Padampasangye and in Tibet by Matchig Labtrön. It is a powerful meditation practice to "cut through" or overcome the grasping for material things, the mental poisons (Kléshas), and above all the grasping for a self (Chöd).
Lama Ngawang Tsultrim will give background information about this ritual of "cutting through" as well as guide the practice step by step with visualization, melody and instruments (bell and Chöd drum). The short Chöd text "Milam Lungten" by Karma Chagme will be used as a basis.

Prerequisite for participation in this course is an initiation into the Chöd practice.

Begin:  
Saturday,  
June 8 
 
at 10:00 CEST
End: 
Sunday, 
June 9  
(Pentecost/Pfingsten)  
at noon
 
Please consider the general information on courses and retreats. Here you will also find an overview of all courses in Benchen Phuntsok Ling.

November 14, 2016, Edward Henning died, 67 years old.
 
Our precious translator who opened the doors to Tenga Rinpoche's teachings has left us behind with grateful minds. Vivid memories appear effortlessly.
 
  • Pictures of him as a young man meeting the 16th Karmapa in Rumtek, published in the "DHARMA KING" , a mighty volume dedicated to the memory of HH the 16th Karmapa, early witnesses of Edward's decisiveness to cross the cultural borders of his British education. By his decision to learn Tibetan and act as an interpreter he became one of these early  translators almost miraculously appearing when they are needed most.

On the 31. October 2015 in Allmuthen, a wonderful day, Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche's nicely built relic stupa that had been constructed at Benchen Phuntsok Ling was consecrated by Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche. Many people have gathered on this beautiful occasion. On the following Sunday morning Rinpoche continued the weekend course by giving teachings and in the afternoon concluded it by bestowing the Thousand-Armed Chenresig empowerment. The weekend course has been wonderful and all the participants enjoyed it very much.

Stupa AllmuthenAfter a longer period of waiting the building permission for the Stupa in Allmuthen was finally given. The actual construction work started just prior to the summer course 2014. However, due to the construction company's annual holiday break there was a four week building break until mid August 2014. 
Simultaneously all the necessary rituals were performed by our resident lamas recently with the support of Khenpo Gawe Nyima and Drubpön Döndrub Tashi when the two mandalas etc. were placed in the Stupa.

During the summer course 2014 some Sangha members carved the so called "Sogshing", the approx. 5 m long center pole,  which will be core of the Stupa and will be placed in the center of it. The wood was obtained from the Thuja tree which grew next to the Stupa building site in our garden. It was beautifully ornamented and prepared according to the traditional procedures by our resident lamas.

  1. Building a Stupa
  2. The Buddhist Stupa
  3. Consecration of the Place
  4. Tsa Tsa Workshops in Allmuthen