In this Friday night talk Ponlop Rinpoche provides an engaging introduction to the topic of bringing suffering and happiness to the path, which was the subject of the weekend teaching that followed.

Drawing on the wisdom of traditional Indian and Tibetan tests on philosophy and meditation and on the oral instructions of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche provides profound, extensive and practical instructions on methods for bringing both suffering and happiness to the Mahayana path. Rinpoche begins by explaining that genuine happiness comes from within and that the source of our suffering is ignorance and confusion that gives rise to habitual patters of labeling and negativity. The heart of this teaching, however, is Rinpoche's extensive explanation of Mahayana methods for transforming suffering by bringing it onto the path. The methods taught here include seeing the futility of suffering, changing our relationship with suffering, and learning to appreciate suffering by recognizing its role in developing our heart of renunciation, bringing us to the path, overcoming pride, purifying karma, and generating compassion. In the final talk of this series, Rinpoche teaches methods for bringing happiness onto the path. .

Vast Heart, Profound Mind, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, 1 DVD, 1.5 hours, $15.00

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Fluent in English and well-versed in Western culture, Rinpooche has worked to develop and adapt traditional Tibetan education curriculums for Western audiences. Nitartha Institute (www.nitharthainstitute.org), where Rinpoche is the main teacher, provides a focused Buddhist studies program. Rinpoche is a visiting professor of buddhist philosopy at Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado. In 1997, Rinpoche founded Nalanabodhi to preserve the genuine lineage of the Nyingma and Kagyu Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. There are Nalandabodhi centers in North America and Europe, and curriculum materials are available to people worldwide.