From August 6-13 Lama Jampa gave a series of teachings at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, His Holiness Karmapa's European seat in the heart of the Dordogne.
On the weekend of 6-7 August Lama Jampa gave an in-depth discourse on the topic of compassion. He started by clearly delineating the differences between compassion and sentimentality, and how easily we fall into the trap of sentiment. He went on to give a teaching on the Four Limitless Meditations based on Patrul Rinpoche's text Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lama'i Zhallung).
Following this Lama Jampa gave a four day teaching on the vows and pledges of Vajrayana based on Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsen's commentary on the Fourteen Root Downfalls: 'Dispelling Error'. This was attended by a large number of people including many of Dhagpo's druplas (practitioners who have completed a 3-year retreat at Dhagpo Kundreul Ling), several nuns from Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, and other lay members of Dhagpo. This extensive commentary gives precise and in-depth details about how to preserve the commitments made in higher tantra initiations, and Lama Jampa proceeded tirelessly, in searing temperatures, for four days to complete the first part of this profound teaching, leaving plenty to continue with next year.
Afterwards Lama Phuntsok spoke movingly of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s appreciation of Lama Jampa for doing this series of teachings on the Vajrayana. He also talked about the informal exchange of ideas and experience between sessions, which they had found particularly helpful. In response, Lama Jampa spoke of his happiness in being able to fulfil HH Karmapa’s wishes in this way.
At the end of the week Lama Jampa was asked to give an additional teaching due to the sad news that Jigme Rinpoche, spiritual director of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, would be unable to give his scheduled teachings due to ill health. The Institute was completely full for Lama Jampa's compelling discourse on how to follow the spiritual friend and the audience showed their appreciation of Lama Jampa's great clarity and humour in explaining the teaching.