On July 6th, 2021, many of us, all around the world celebrated the 86th birthday of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, a magnificent exemplar of compassion in our times.  This auspicious occasion and the manifold crises that face humanity call on us to reflect on how we can make compassion a more active part of our lives: in the way that we relate to our loved ones, our community, and the world. In Holiness’s words, we must come together as one human family embracing 7 billion brothers and sisters.

In this episode, Yangsi Rinpoche pays tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by drawing from his life to share the key to remaining consistently compassionate, even in the face of people and situations that challenge us.

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Yangsi Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Gendun, a renowned scholar and practitioner from Western Tibet, at the age of six. Rinpoche trained in the traditional monastic system for over 25 years, and practiced as a monk until the age of 35. In 1995 he graduated with the highest degree of Geshe Lharampa from Sera Je Monastery in South India. He then completed his studies at Gyume Tantric College, and, in 1998, having the particular wish to benefit Western students of the Buddhadharma, Rinpoche came to the West to teach and travel extensively throughout America and Europe.

Rinpoche served as a resident teacher at Deer Park Buddhist Center in Madison, Wisconsin for five years, and is currently the Spiritual Director of Ganden Shedrup Ling Buddhist Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and of Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle, Washington. He founded Maitripa College in 2005 in Portland, Oregon, where he currently serves as President and member of the faculty. Rinpoche is the author of Practicing the Path: A Commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo (2003 Wisdom Publications). Rinpoche teaches in English, and is admired wherever he travels for his unique presentation of the Dharma, his interest in and enthusiasm for Western culture, and his evident embodiment of the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist path. When not in the classroom at Maitripa College, during academic year breaks and for special events, Yangsi Rinpoche travels widely, representing Maitripa College at conferences and giving teachings around the world. >more