Navigating transitions in our lives with insights from buddhist wisdom
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Tsering Gellek a.o. from Sarnath International Nyingma Institute
It is the mission of the Sarnath International Nyingma Instute (SINI) in India to create ‘Bridges of Goodness’ connections between East and West, between tradition and modern life. During the month of March 2024 Tibetan Lama Khenpo Kunga Dakpa will be visiting the Nyingma Centers in Cologne and Amsterdam to lead classes, workshops and retreats and to meet with our students, classes and projects.
Khenpo Kunga Dakpa practiced the English language at SINI so he will teach in English, with translation into Dutch when necessary. Welcome Khenpo Kunga Dakpa!
We are happy to also welcome Tsering Gellek, Tarthang Tulku’s youngest daughter and director of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute at the opening of the Bridges of Goodness program in Amsterdam, on Wednesday, March 13. Theme of the Opening Meeting will be Human Education.
A program on changes and transitions
The Bridges of Goodness program is rooted in the Dharma and offers perspectives on life’s constant changes and transitions. On our journey through life, transitions are woven into our daily experiences. This flow of transitions continues throughout our lives. We often struggle with transitions. The degree to which we struggle with change often reflects the strength of our expectations associated with these changes. The progam addresses this toppic.
Below is an overview of the Bridges of Goodness program in Amsterdam. Admission fees apply for the month-long Meditation Intensive, the retreats and for a workshop. If you treat yourself to a passe-partout you will receive a code that gives free acces to all programs.
If you are currently enrolled as a student or volunteer at Nyingma Centrum Nederland, you will receive a 15% discount on all entrance fees. Also some partial scholarships are available on request: Walk-in classes, chants and meetings are free for everyone.
Bridges of Goodness Program Passepartout
Admission to all program activities of Bridges of Goodness in Amsterdam
You will receive a code to register for all Bridges of Goodness events for free.
Costs Program Passepartout € 450
(15% discount for students and volunteers)
Born in 1979, Khenpo Kunga Dakpa began his academic journey at Ngagyur Nyingma College, Mindrolling Monastic University in Northern India at the age of 19. Over nine years, he immersed himself in rigorous study, serving as an assistant lecturer for three years and later as a senior lecturer, assistant editor, secretary, and vice president. Conferred with the title of Khenpo in February 2018, his dedication stems from a genuine passion for teachings, with a focus on teaching about mental realities. His particular ardor lies in translating Tibetan-to-English Buddhist texts, aiming to bring the timeless wisdom of Dharma to a broader audience.
Tsering Gellek is the founding director of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute. Her primary focus is to strengthen the roots of the Institute, develop programs with universities and other centers of learning around the world, and harness the power of deep engagement between the East and the West. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Ananda Light Foundation. She is the daughter of Tarthang Rinpoche and has helped carry out his Dharma and cultural preservation projects in Asia for over twenty years.
Bridges of Goodness Program Activities
One Month Meditation Intensive – Meditation for Daily Life live/online
Led by Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Feb 29 – March 26 Mon-Fri daily 7am-8am
Q &A every Friday 8.30 – 9.30 am
Cost €155, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Amsterdam Opening Meeting live/online
Wednesday March 13 16.30 – 17.30 Live/online
Welcome to Khenpo La and Tsering. Conversation with them about Human Education
Followed by sangha meal 18.00-19.00 live
Free, donations welcome
More info and registration
Walk-in Classes Dependent Origination live
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa and Guusje Ebbens
Wednesday March 13 and March 20, 19.30-21.00 hours
Free
More info and registration
Walk-in Class The Four Seals live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Guda van der Lee, Marjolein Peters and Corine Tempel
Friday March 15 14.30-16.00 hours
Free
More info and registration
Weekend Retreat The Four Noble Truths of the Buddha live/online
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Friday March 15, 19.00 hrs – Sunday March 17, 16.00 hrs CET
Includes all vegetarian meals and lodging (limited availability)
Costs: € 225, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Walk-in class Stupa Project Amsterdam 2024
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa Marianne Moerbeek en Steve Shumway
Monday Match 18, 14.00-16.00 hours
Free
More info and registration
Walk-in class Wheel of Life – The Six Realms live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa and Ineke Smits
Monday March 18, 19.00 – 20.30 hours
Free
More info and registration
Walk-in class Transforming Stress into Wellbeing live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Ineke Smits and Thieu Berkhout
Tuesday march 19, 19.00 – 20.30 hours
Free
More info and registration
Walk-in Class The Four Immeasurables live
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Guda van der Lee, Marjolein Peters en Corine Tempel
Friday March 22 14.30-16.00 hours
Free
More info and registration
Weekend Retreat The Heart Sutra-Transcendent Wisdom live/online
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Friday March 22, 19.00 hrs – Sunday March 24, 16.00 hrs CET
Includes all vegetarian meals and lodging (limited availability)
Costs: € 225, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Full Moon chant for World Peace live/online
Maandag March 25, 20.30 – 21.30 hrs CET
Free, donations welcome
More info and registration
Workshop Transitions of Aging and Dying live/online
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Tuesday March 26 10.00 – 13.00 hrs
Costs € 35, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Meeting The Meaning of Sangha and dedication ceremony live/online
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Tuesday March 26, 16.30-18.00 hrs live/online
Followed by Sangha Meal 18.00-19.00 live
Free, donations welcome
More info and registration
What do you mean by ‘goodness’ in Bridges of Goodness’?
From the SINI website
At SINI, we hope to find innovative ways to engage in supporting the heart of the Dharma, transcending cultural differences–to generate the altruistic wish to benefit all beings. This, we believe, will allow us to truly build bridges of goodness that not only unite us geographically and culturally, but also bridge the gap between what is “traditional” and what is “modern.”