Mipham Academy

Khenjug - Gateway to Knowledge

It was worthwhile for him to even come from Canada so Pierre Racine stated at the end:
“Everything you always wanted to know and ask about abhidharma, here it is in
Marburg’s charming atmosphere with Khenpo Gawang’s gentle and precise teaching.“
Though the auditorium was a little smaller than last time and the seminar only five days
long everybody seemed to be inspired by the content and depth of the second Mipham
Academy Europe. Again it was tought by Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche who continued with
his commentary on the Khenjug, a text by Mipham Rinpoche. This text which is in English
available as „Gateway to Knowledge“ Rinpoche characterised as „a wonderful text. If you
study it, you will know almost all about Buddhism.“

It was his fourth visit in Marburg teaching on texts by Ju Mipham and the second since it
is officially called Mipham Academy Europe. Rinpoche expressed his appreciation being
here in Marburg hosted by the Sangha and for the center offering the opportunity for him
to teach on an ongoing base so that many can deepen their understanding and knowledge
of dharma systematically.

The days were filled with two profound talks of Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche, practice of
shamatha and contemplation on the four limitless ones, discussion groups a lunch and the
possiblity to hang out, socialise or have further discussion in the recently opened „Café“ of
the Marburg center. The program from the evening of the 2nd till noon of the 6th of January
was attended by about 25 people. This years topics were some repetition of dependent
origination, faculties, time and the beginning of the four truths. The last talk Rinpoche
gave in English on the inner meaning of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and how we should
practice in daily life starting with generation the right motivation in the morning and not
to forget dedication the merit to all sentient beings before going to sleep.

Several times during the discussion on the Khenjug he emphasised that seeing the
different explanations of reality from vaibhashika to madhyamika and so on have no point
unless you integrate them in your personal practice and see them as just philosophical
opinions. Obviously Rinpoche succeeded to convince people of the practice relevance of
knowing the different approaches to reality when someone said: „Before I was somewhat
sceptical about this but it really helps for practice and I hope to convince my wife to also
come next year.“ And another stated: „So wonderful to have the good fortune to engage in
study of dharma at a level of such profundity and detail, and Rinpoches teaching and the
warmth and humbleness of his personality brings the whole thing alive!“ This became also
possible through the widely appreciated translation of Christoph Klonk who from his own
background of great knowledge, experience and personal style contributed a great deal.

All in all the atmosphere generally can be described as warmth, openness, lack of tension
and humor. There was a great thirst for knowledge leading to sometimes long question
periodes and the feeling that the discussion groups were to short.

The idea came up to open a forum for discussion in the Mipham Academy via internet and
immediately people were willing to engage and take responsibility for clarification how it
could fit into whole perspective of Mipham Academy in the Shambhala Mandala. The
transscripts of the first Academy which Rinpoche appreciated a lot are already available
through the Marburg center and are public material. A German translation will be ready
probably by April. The transscription of the this year talk we hope to provide in the
moddle of the year.

Before Rinpoche left he could already take home the records of the talks on, which was
also possible for the participants. He said to me: „This program was wonderful. I’m really
happy and I’m looking forward for next teaching.“

Also the students are looking forward for next teaching. Greg Brunswinkel from
Amsterdam said: „Khenpo’s teachings in Marburg are delightful and they are like a
golden key which one could open further the vast, profound and rich treasure of dharma.“
And Gerda Jansonius, the Center Director, said: „The possibility to study the Khenjug I
find very helpful to see more clearly the mechanisms of mind, to learn more about various
aspects of reality. The insiration to study is instigated by the presence of Khenpo Gawang
Rinpoche: heart and mind are opened. I also appreciated the translation and the humor in
the situation.“

The meanwhile traditional presention of Rinpoche’s Munsel Foundation (school project in
Tibet) opened the peoples’ heart to support it by donating generously.