A Touch of Grace

His Excellence, Khenpo Karma Wangyel in Romania

During the beautiful month of May, Romania experienced an extraordinary spiritual event with the honored visit of Khenpo Karma Wangyel. His Excellence Khenpo-la serves as the resident Khenpo for Europe within the revered Yeshe Khorlo Nyingma Tradition. Appointed by the esteemed Gangteng Rinpoche, Khenpo-la has been living in France since 2011. This visit marked his inaugural journey to Romania, bringing along a wave of enlightenment and profound teachings that touched our hearts.

Khenpo-la conducted an extensive and enriching four-day teaching series, meticulously focusing on the nine Jhanas. These teachings were comprehensive and well-structured, as they illuminated numerous Buddhist concepts, providing a wealth of knowledge to practitioners at all levels. Among the many topics discussed were the Turnings of the Wheels of Dharma, the Four Noble Truths, and the 16 aspects of the Four Noble Truths—areas that are often less familiar to Western practitioners but are fundamental to a deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

One of the highlights of Khenpo-la’s teachings was his exploration of the vehicles of the hearers, solitary realizers, and bodhisattvas. His profound insights into the path towards Buddhahood provided attendees with a clear understanding of these vehicles, helping to demystify the complexities of these paths. Each Jhana was meticulously examined from four different perspectives, ensuring that the teachings were well-rounded and accessible to all attendees, regardless of their prior knowledge or experience. This particular aspect was something I appreciated profoundly, as many of us attendees here, in Romania, are without any doubt… beginners.

Khenpo-la delivered his teachings in Tibetan, a language rich with the nuances of Buddhist thought, and that I feel privileged to also study and speak. I felt immensely grateful to assist my translating colleagues in this significant task. Special recognition goes to the Lotsawa, Andrzej Rybszleger, who joined the sessions via Zoom, providing an invaluable service by ensuring the teachings reached a broader audience.

Additionally, my friend Mihai Rapcea played a pivotal role in this event. Mihai not only provided Romanian translation for non-English speaking participants, but also was instrumental in inviting Khenpo-la to Romania, sponsoring his stay and managing many other intricate logistics of his visit, to which I was very happy and honoured to participate.

Khenpo-la’s presence in Romania was a true blessing… a touch of grace. His wisdom was shared with graceful simplicity and clarity, demonstrating a profound care to ensure everyone comprehended and benefited from his words. His ability to convey complex doctrines in an accessible manner was deeply appreciated by all of us.

The visit of Khenpo Karma Wangyel has significantly strengthened the bond between Romania and the Dharma. The teachings he imparted have sown seeds of wisdom and compassion that will undoubtedly grow and flourish in the hearts of those who attended. The profound impact of his visit is a testament to the timeless relevance and transformative power of the Dharma; we remain hopeful for his return in the near future.

His teachings have not only enriched our understanding of Buddhism but have also fostered a deeper connection to the path of enlightenment. The Romanian Buddhist community looks forward to welcoming Khenpo-la again… we hope, in the very near future! It feels as though we have only just begun.

In conclusion, Khenpo Karma Wangyel’s visit was a momentous occasion for Romania. It provided a unique opportunity for practitioners to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings and to experience the profound wisdom of a highly esteemed teacher. The success of this visit is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all those involved, and it marks the beginning of a promising new chapter in the spiritual journey of the Romanian Buddhist community.

Veronica Anghelescu

In the photo: Khenpo Karma Wangyel and Mihai Rapcea