Ligmincha International at Serenity Ridge By Sarah, Hannah, Emily, and Patrick
Slideshow of Pictures From Our Field Trip and Buddha's From Around The World
Introduction
Ligmincha International is an international network of Bon Buddhist centers, or Sanghas. It was founded in 1992 by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Ligmincha International aims “to preserve the ancient teachings, transmissions and practices of the Bon Buddhist tradition of Tibet.” They do this through bringing Sanghas to the western world. There are Sanghas in 20 different countries across North and South America, and Europe. Ligmincha International’s headquarters are located in Nelson County. The name of the center is Serenity Ridge.
1st Half of Our Day As students from different cultural backgrounds, we found the religion of Buddhism very compelling. The first thing that struck us as we walked in were the vast array of colors ranging from yellows to reds. Even though we went on a rainy day, the colors still resonated.
As a class we progressed from one room to another beginning from the Shrine Room. Multitudes of colors and tradition overwhelmed us as we sat in a circle within the room with the heels of our feet respectfully turned away from the Shrine itself and our teacher, Geshe-la. Present with us were the complete Bon Buddhist set of scriptures placed in a hand engraved wooden shelf specially made in order to hold the scrolls. We learned that the mandalas, framed and set in glass, were microcosms of the universe. Furthermore, we learned that the large hand knit bird that was in the corner of the room represented a Garuda dispelling the three evils represented by the snake.
2nd Half of Our Day Our time in the Shrine Room included instances where objects were passed around for a closer inspection, such as the scriptures and the conch, while Geshe-la would talk about his experiences on the path to becoming a Tibetan Bon Buddhist monk. The room itself excited all the senses with the vibrancy of the colors, the smell of incense burning, the seven bowls of water offerings on the shrine and the music, which Geshe-la himself and Mr. Clark played.
After our visit to the Shrine Room we went to do yoga instructed by Geshe-la himself. This included the Nine Breathings which primarily focused on the work of clearing and calming the senses. As we did yoga, we were guided along by Geshe-la as he explained how each movement worked and how it affected the body. Once yoga was over, we proceeded to lunch where afterwards we learned calligraphy. We dipped brushes into ink to paint the five elements: earth; water; fire; air and space.
Speaking to Geshe-la opened our eyes to not just a new religion but also a new culture. Having the opportunity to visit and participate in a Buddhist setting allowed us to learn so much more than what I would gain in a typical class setting. It allowed us as students to engage in what we were learning, which we believe is an important aspect in the understanding of the Buddhist religion as a whole.
Geshe Tenzi Yangton
Geshe Tenzin Yangton, born in 1974, has been a resident Bon Buddhist lama at the Serenity Ridge Retreat Centre at Ligmincha International since June 2014. He was born in a remote village in western Nepal bordering Tibet in the Dolpo region in Chharka. Already completing his three year retreat as a child he became a monk in 1990 and spent most of his career as a monk in India. He took his vows in Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu from Yongdzin Tenzin Ramdak Rinpoche and also became a student in the Bon Dialect School at Menri Monastery in Dolanji, India in 1992 and, continuing his studies, he attained his Geshe degree in 2006. Through his years as a Geshe he has been a coordinator at Yangdon Thongdrol Phuntsog Ling Monastery and various other projects. During his time in Dolanji, India, he has also served as an assistant to His Eminence Ponlop Trinley Nyima Rinpoche, the head instructor at Menri Monastery before his time at Serenity Ridge.