“For all sentient beings, a mother is so important. Without her, we would not be in this world. As human beings in samsara, the Buddha taught that we have eighteen freedoms and favorable conditions enriching the basis of our precious life. These extraordinary qualities are due in part to the kindness of our gracious mothers. Just as a mother is so important in the ordinary world, the surface of samsara, she is also important on a deep level in the awakening of our spiritual energies.

This is why the Buddha introduced us to Mother Prajnaparamita, the mother of all enlightened beings. It is often said that without understanding her nature, there is no enlightenment. She gives birth to all realized beings as her children, and raises them to the state of full awakening. The mother principle is also very important in the Vajrayana where she is the source of all buddhas and dakinis. Without the dakinis, there are no activities and no fulfillment. The dakini is the driving force related to the four beneficial activities of pacifying, increasing, overpowering, and subjugating. The mother dakinis are the power that continues to bring forth enlightened beings. For these reasons, mother is so essential.

During this retreat, we are going to focus strongly on the great mother who has appeared in the world in very active forms, as well as in very quiet, peacefully hidden twilight zones, helping beings accomplish beneficial activities and realizations. Presently, we are going to connect with the most gracious, kindest, greatest mother of all, especially for Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana practitioners. She is known as Wisdom Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal. We are going to discuss, contemplate and explore this teaching to invoke her blessings so that we can bring forth our own realization and understanding.”

 

Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

2013 Dzogchen Summer Retreat on the Dudjom Tersar Khandro Thugtik

Photo of a Yeshe Tsogyal mural painting in the main temple at Padma Samye Ling.