The Gyalwang Drukpa

I will be leaving for Paris in a few hours. Teaching programs in London were not as well attended physically as I have thought or as before, but many people were joining in live webcast. This is something the UK team has to think why it was so. If that is the case, we should seriously consider for teaching in UK and some of these places where my physical presence is not so important that people can join with my gossip by watching live webcast.

As I said, relationship between a teacher and his or her students is a two-way traffic. It can be very discouraging for a teacher if the interest in his gossip is not growing, then it may be better that he or she goes to places where his or her teaching is more appreciated and his or her presence can help more beings. Now that my physical health is not as good as before, it is then time for me to reconsider many of these travelling plans. Whether travelling is necessary or not, it all depends on the local organisers and the local students and followers. There is sometimes no point to travel so much without good and long-lasting results afterwards. From now onwards, I really have to reconsider all these visits. People who want to have a direct connection, they can come and meet me wherever I am, my public schedule is here and they can see and join us, or if the live webcast is available, then they can go to the web and watch the entire programs. The local organisers have to do something so that the interest for the teaching will grow, instead of fading. Sharing the teaching and sharing the linage are a huge responsibility that local organisers have to take very seriously. I am not just talking about the situation here, this applies to other places in the west and also applies to Asia. As I said many times, individuals have their own differences, but if they all have one focus, that is to help me and the lineage, then differences should not stop them and they have to look beyond their personal differences.

Spiritual centres are for spiritual development and not for exercising of your ego or your own afflictive emotions, such as pride, jealousy and anger. Unfortunately, these days, not only our spiritual centres but also many other spiritual centres are facing the problems that the individuals are putting their self interests above the main focus and the main reason for having the centres. As organisers and members, whether you are in the west or in the east, it is very important to check yourselves. If you do well, you will see a growing number of members who will join actively in your activities. Positive motivation attracts positive energy which attracts more beings whom you can help. Isn't this the real reason behind those who initiated the centres for us, especially those people and groups who worked so hard and spent so much money to set up centres for me in many places, wasn't it their motivation to help many beings that they set up the centres?

I just want to share with you an example of a group of my students in Vietnam who actively promote the lineage activities and who join together harmoniously to benefit many beings. The nun leading the group wrote to my office a very encouraging message:

Dear Drukpa Office, Following His Holiness' instruction and call for a joint-action among Drukpa centers all around the world, Drukpa Vietnam had also conducted some activities on the first day of the New Year to pray for the good health and longevity of His Holiness and all Drukpa Masters. May the Drukpa Lineage thrive, prevail all over the world and last forever for the sake of every being. Attached please find some of the photos to share with you and all Drukpa members. We did the lamp offering in the New Year's Eve, life release on Ha Long Bay and a charity trip to a humanitarian center for homeless people in Ha Long City on the First Day of the New Year. We also did the King of Aspiration Prayers on ship and some other prayers all the way forth and back in car. With all the best wishes and prayers for an auspicious new year to the Lineage of Dragons, Drukpa Vietnam.