Sharing News From the First Retreat with Patrick Gaffney in The New Dzogchen Beara Temple
Dzogchen Beara
The Irish Sangha and friends from all over the world gathered together for three special events with Patrick Gaffney in March. It was a wonderful week to spend time together, receiving profound teachings on the mind and meditation.
The visit began auspiciously with over 600 sangha members joining online to celebrate the Great Festival Day of Chotrul Düchen, with Patrick practicing with us and teaching live for the first time from the Dzogchen Beara Temple.
As Dzogchen Beara Director, Malcolm McClancy said in his opening speech…
“How unlikely it is that a Dharma Centre would come to be in a place as remote as this, yet here we are, thanks to the efforts and aspirations of so many people over the years.
None of this could have come about without the most important miracle, that of meeting the teacher, the spiritual friend, who in their extraordinary compassion, shows us what Dharma really is.
For most of us, Sogyal Rinpoche is that teacher, whose kindness we can never repay. Our supports on the path; Rigpa, Dzogchen Beara, and this Temple, with its magnificent representations of the Buddha’s body, speech and mind, all arose through the power of his selfless vision for the world and the enlightened energy of his Bodhichitta.”
Patrick then spoke very movingly about Dzogchen Beara and the new temple. Français | Deutsch | Español
In the following three days, Patrick gave teachings on the mind and meditation to students from all mandalas. With wonderful stories, great wisdom, humour and skill, Patrick guided us in exploring the profound path of meditation as a practice of connecting with the natural awareness of mind. This first weekend retreat ended on Saint Patrick's day, which is Ireland's national holiday, bringing this phase of the retreat to an auspicious and festive conclusion!
“Supported by the natural beauty and dramatic natural environment of Dzogchen Beara, we were guided through the many twists and turns of the mind and into the vast space of our own radiant nature. The external environment and internal calm mingled into one experience and taste, bringing this ancient wisdom lineage to life, here and now in the flesh.” Derek
In the last period of the retreat, for a further six days we had a rare and precious opportunity to explore Dzogchen teachings with Patrick. Drawing from the extraordinary instructions of the great Patrul Rinpoche, and from Sogyal Rinpoche’s experiential teachings on the nature of mind, Patrick guided us in an exploration of Dzogchen meditation.
“This retreat was amazing because of the incredible clarity Patrick brought to the teachings. For me, it led to an inescapable desire to practice the Dzogchen teachings. I’m overflowing with appreciation.” Rob
The whole event was infused with an atmosphere of blessing as old friends reunited, and some received their first experience of the teachings of dzogpachenpo.
"Built for us to go deeply into retreat, everyone should come and experience this unique and beautiful temple here at Dzogchen Beara. I hope many more sangha members will benefit from this special place in the months and years to come." Derek
Visit Dzogchen Beara
The Dzogchen Beara team is looking forward to welcoming sangha friends from all over the world and the public to visit its wonderful temple. The next project is the building of the stupa, dedicated to all living beings, so that they may awaken to their true nature and discover within themselves the lasting peace and happiness that is beyond all suffering.
Help us make the final payment to the building contractors for the temple: make a donation here
More information about the Dzogchen Beara Stupa here
More information about Dzogchen Beara’s programme here
