The U.S. leg of Khenchen’s global dharma-spreading tour, which lasted for over a month, came to a successful close on August 26th. Over the course of more than one month’s time, Khenchen left his mark in many cities and regions across America, delivering dozens of brilliant talks to people across the United States, whilst engaging in a variety of academic exchanges and seminars. Khenchen offered a range of teachings to people of differing ethnicities and social classes. Khenchen also lectured on a diversity of topics, ranging from psychological well-being and self-improvement to caring for life and liberation from samsara. Through each and every outstanding speech, audiences enjoyed an intimate experience revealing the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism.
July 21, 2017
Beautiful Hawaii - a blue dream.
July 25, 2017
Einstein’s residence during his tenure teaching at the California Institute of Technology.
Albert Einstein maintained that religion needs science, while science also needs religion. He once said, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
July 31, 2017
Stanford University was established in 1891. Its founders, Leland and his wife Jane Stanford set the following goals for the University: To provide the most practical knowledge and skills for the success of its students and to advance social welfare through influencing mankind and civilization.
This was the second time that Khenchen was invited to give a talk at Stanford.
July 31, 2017
Khenchen explained to the Dean of Apple University and employees at Apple’s headquarters how to meditate and how to alleviate stress through meditation.
At present, the benefits of doing meditation have been verified by science. More and more people are beginning to take an interest in meditation.
During Khenchen’s visit to Apple, the Dean of Apple University asked Khenchen, “Everyone in attendance today here works at Apple. Do you have any suggestions for us?” Khenchen responded, “I hope that Apple can design and incorporate into Apple’s operating system a game that can cultivate compassion and train people to benefit others.”
Later, the Dean of Apple University told Khenchen, “As a matter of fact, a friend of mine told me that he wanted to design a game like this five years ago. Now I can approach him about it.”
August 1, 2017
At the University of California in Berkeley, Khenchen engaged in an exchange with several renowned American meditation instructors. To date, meditation has entered into many different fields in the United States, for instance, in schools, hospitals, and households et cetera. After having reached an advanced level of material wealth in the West, people have finally begun to realize the importance of cultivating the mind.
August 4, 2017
Khenchen onboard an airplane
August 9, 2017
Khenchen tries out the latest Virtual Reality technology - experiencing a dreamscape within an illusion.
August 9-10, 2017
Khenchen encourages his audience - “Hit the road. Let’s Leave Samsara”
August 11, 2017
Khenchen said, “What I see is a sunset on the west coast of the United States, whilst many of you see a sunrise - a sunrise in the Orient. The earth has no east or west, neither does the sun rise or fall. Everything depends upon your own location. Someone that one ‘Tom’ views as his lover may be looked upon by ‘John’ as his foe. There is no innate love or hatred in the world. Everything is determined by one’s state of mind. Please take caution; listen to the voice in your heart.”
August 12, 2017
The topic of Khenchen’s talk in Ohio: “Turning Happiness and Suffering into Enlightenment.”
August 13, 2017
At the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the birthplace of the airplane, Khenchen says he saw the “scariest airplane in the world”.
August 15, 2017
At George Washington University in Washington D.C.
August 16, 2017
Kunzang Palyul Choling Buddhist Temple, Washington D.C.
August 17, 2017
Khenchen visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and spoke of his long-awaited wish to come for a visit.
August 18, 2017
Visiting the White House and Capitol Hill
August 18, 2017
An evening talk at NYU’s Washington Campus
August 19, 2017
At the Drikung Dharma Surya Center (U.S.A.)
August 23, 2017
At the One World Trade Center
At the original site of the toppled World Trade Center, where the names of the deceased victims were inscribed, Khenchen took off his prayer beads and placed them on the Memorial to express his deep sorrow and best wishes for the departed.
August 23, 2017
Times Square in New York - such a flourishing and boisterous place. Yet Khenchen calls it, “a tranquil place for a Mahayana Bodhisattva.”
America is a nation marked by a highly prosperous materialist civilization, yet when facing Khenpo Rinpoche coming from the East, with little luggage and a tiny entourage, people embraced him with admiration, piety, and joy. Perhaps they can best understand that abundance in material goods, even in the extreme, cannot bring about ultimate joy. On the contrary, people (here) are experiencing an ever-growing feeling of restlessness and stress. Khenpo Rinpoche’s arrival showed them an alternative path toward the pursuit of freedom and happiness.
May Khenchen spread happiness to every corner of the world!
We should not rely excessively on other people or material things for our happiness. Otherwise, it will never last long. The best way is to sow the seeds of happiness in our own hearts and to root out the weeds of vexation.