The Guest Lecture

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Rangjung Yeshe Institute is a great place as well as rich in providing various means and methods for learning Buddhism. It conducts programs such as Chod practice, meditation practice, holds seminars and conduct teachings and empowerment from Rinpoches. Among all the programs, this semester the guest lecture classes were really wonderful and encouraging. 
All the guest lecturers were amazing in their field of expertise, however Lama Shenpen Hookham really stood out for me. She is a great scholar as well as a serious practitioner. Moreover, she was trained for so many years in the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Shenpen basically talked about Shentong view on Buddha-nature. Her main point was that Buddha-nature was not newly produced by walking on the path rather it is our true nature that is perfectly present in us from the beginning-less time.
Lama Shenpen’s talk was full of life and refreshment. She was sharing her experience and meditation on Buddha-nature. She stated that Buddha-nature is who we are and all the concepts and emotions are the expressions of our true nature (not necessarily they are negative all the time). Moreover, she mentioned that at the end of the day, all sentient beings want to feel alive and content; so resting our mind in the natural states make us feel relax and fulfilled. 
Thus, the lecture of lama Shenpen Hookham was really touching and inspiring which indeed changed my perspective to view myself and other in a positive way. 
~ Choki Gurung

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