The Great Secret of Mind: Reading and Meditation

Saka Dawa, the holiest month in the Tibetan calendar, celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. The merit of any good deeds that you perform during this month are considered to be multiplied many times over—by as much as two hundred million. Join Tulku Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche and the Rubin’s Assistant Manager of Himalayan Cultural Programs, Tashi Chodron, in the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room to learn how Saka Dawa has been observed throughout the Himalayas for hundreds of years.

Rinpoche will read from his book The Great Secret of Mind and will lead a short meditation followed by a book signing.

About the Book

Dzogchen (Great Perfection) goes to the heart of our experience by investigating the relationship between mind and world and uncovering the great secret of mind’s luminous nature. Weaving in personal stories and everyday examples, Pema Rigtsal leads the reader to see that all phenomena are the spontaneous display of mind, a magical illusion, and yet there is something shining in the midst of experience that is naturally pure and spacious. Not recognizing this natural great perfection is the root cause of suffering and self-centered clinging. After introducing us to this liberating view, Pema Rigtsal explains how it is stabilized and sustained in effortless meditation: without modifying anything, whatever thoughts of happiness or sorrow arise simply dissolve by themselves into the spaciousness of pure presence.

About the Author

Ven. Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche is the Supreme Head of Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery in Humla, Nepal. At the age of three he was recognized by Dudjom Rinpoche as the reincarnation of “Chimed Rinpoche,” who is the emanation of the Great Indian Siddha “Dampa Sangye” and spiritual head of the renowned Shedphel Ling Monastery in Ngari, Tibet. In 1985 he reconstructed the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery in Humla, Nepal, and has taught the thirteen major philosophical texts (Shungchen Chusum) for twenty-four years. His religious guidance has inspired hundreds of ascetics and other practitioners in Tibet.

Rinpoche has studied the Vajrayana tradition of the Nyingma lineage from renowned spiritual masters: Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, Dodup Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Khrulshig Rinpoche, and Domang Yangthang Rinpoche.