Navigating transitions in our lives with insights from buddhist wisdom
Bridges of Goodness Europe II
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa from Sarnath International Nyingma Institute
It is the mission of the Sarnath International Nyingma Instute (SINI) in India to create ‘Bridges of Goodness’ connections between East and West, between tradition and modern life. During the month of May 2025 Tibetan Lama Khenpo Kunga Dakpa will be visiting the Nyingma Centers in Cologne and Amsterdam for the second European Bridges of Goodness program. Khenpo-la will lead classes, workshops and retreats will meet with students, staff and sangha.
Khenpo Kunga Dakpa followed the English for Dharma purposes program at SINI. So he will teach in English, with translation into Dutch when necessary. Renate Marx, SINI program director will be accompanying the Khenpo to Europe. Welcome back, Khenpo Kunga Dakpa and Renate!
We hope to also welcome Tsering Gellek, Tarthang Tulku’s youngest daughter and director of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute. Dates to be confirmed soon.
Navigating changes and challenges
The Bridges of Goodness program is rooted in the Dharma and offers perspectives on life’s constant changes and challenges. On our journey through life, changes are woven into our daily experiences. We often struggle with challenging transitions. The degree to which we struggle with change reflects the strength of our expectations associated with these changes. Informed by the wisdom teachings of the Buddha, the Bridges of Goodness Progam addresses our contemporary struggles in various illuminating ways.
Below is an overview of the Bridges of Goodness program in Amsterdam. Walk-in classes, chants and meetings are free for everyone. Admission fees apply for the month-long Meditation Intensive, the retreats and two workshops. If you treat yourself to a passe-partout you will receive a code that gives free acces to all programs.
If you are currently enrolled as a student or volunteer at Nyingma Centrum Nederland, you will receive a 15% discount on all entrance. Also some partial scholarships are available on request.
Bridges of Goodness Program Passepartout
Admission to all program activities of Bridges of Goodness in Amsterdam
You will receive a code to register for all Bridges of Goodness events for free.
Costs Program Passepartout € 450
(15% discount for students and volunteers)
Born in 1979, Khenpo Kunga Dakpa began his academic journey at Ngagyur Nyingma College, Mindrolling Monastic University in Northern India at the age of 19. Over nine years, he immersed himself in rigorous study, serving as an assistant lecturer for three years and later as a senior lecturer, assistant editor, secretary, and vice president. Conferred with the title of Khenpo in February 2018, his dedication stems from a genuine passion for teachings, with a focus on teaching about mental realities. His particular ardor lies in translating Tibetan-to-English Buddhist texts, aiming to bring the timeless wisdom of Dharma to a broader audience.
Tsering Gellek is the founding director of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute. Her primary focus is to strengthen the roots of the Institute, develop programs with universities and other centers of learning around the world, and harness the power of deep engagement between the East and the West. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Ananda Light Foundation. She is the daughter of Tarthang Rinpoche and has helped carry out his Dharma and cultural preservation projects in Asia for over twenty years.
Bridges of Goodness Program Overview
Amsterdam Opening Meeting live/online
Monday May 5 16.30 – 17.30 hrs CET Live/online
Welcome to Khenpo Kunga Dakpa and Renate Marx. Introduction to the second edition of Bridges of Goodness Europe and special talk of Khenpo Kunga Dakpa on Inner Freedom.
Followed by sangha meal 18.00-19.00 CET live
Free, donations welcome
More info and registration
One Month Meditation Intensive – Meditation for Daily Life | live & online
Led by Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
May 6 – May 30 Mon-Fri daily 7am-8am CET
Q &A every Friday 8.30 – 9.30 am CET
Cost €155 (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Workshop Stages of Meditation: how (not) to measure progress | Live & online
Wednesday May 7 10.00-13.00 hrs CET
Cost €35 (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration (coming soon)
Lecture Power of Stupa | Live
Wednesday May 7 10.00-13.00 hrs CET
Open to all
Admision Free
More info and registration (coming soon)
Walk-in Class Tibetan Language and Literature | Live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Guda van der Lee, Marjolein Peters, Corine Tempel
Friday May 9, 14.30-16.00 hrs CET
Text: The joyful entrance of the path of liberation, the way of practicing the six paramitas
Open to all
Admission: Free
More info and registration (coming soon)
Weekend Retreat The Four Foundations of Mindfulness | live & online
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Friday May 9, 19.00 hrs – Sunday May 11, 16.00 hrs CET
Includes all vegetarian meals and lodging (limited availability)
Costs: € 225, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Walk-in Class Buddhist Study and Practice II – The second mistake | Live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Ans Vos and Ineke Smits
Monday May 12 19.00-20.30 hrs CET
Open to all
Admission: Free
More info and registration (coming soon)
Workshop The Noble Eighfold Path | Live & online
Wednesday May 14 10:00 – 13:00 hrs CET
Cost €35 (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration (coming soon)
Benefiet diner with talk by Tsering Gellek | Live
Wednesday May 14 17:00 – 20:00 hrs CET
Donation based
More info and registration (coming soon)
Walk-in Class Buddhist Study and Practice IV – The Four Immeasurables | Live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa and Ans Vos
Thursday May 15 19.00-20.30 hrs CET
Open to all
Admission: Free
More info and registration (coming soon)
Walk-in Class Tibetan Language Translation Class | Live
With Khenpo Kunga Dakpa, Guda van der Lee, Marjolein Peters, Corine Tempel
Friday May 16, 14.30-16.00 hrs CET
Text: The 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Open to all
Admission: Free
More info and registration (coming soon)
Weekend Retreat The Path of a Bodhisattva | Live & online
with Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Friday May 16, 19.00 hrs – Sunday May 18, 16.00 hrs CET
Includes all vegetarian meals and lodging (limited availability)
Costs: € 225, (discount for students and volunteers: 15%)
More info and registration
Chant for World Peace and Stupa Consecration |Live & online
Sunday May 18, 16.30 – 17.30 hrs CET
Admission: Free, donations welcome
More info and registration (coming soon)
What do you mean by ‘goodness’ in Bridges of Goodness’?
From the SINI website
At SINI, we hope to find innovative ways to engage in supporting the heart of the Dharma, transcending cultural differences–to generate the altruistic wish to benefit all beings. This, we believe, will allow us to truly build bridges of goodness that not only unite us geographically and culturally, but also bridge the gap between what is “traditional” and what is “modern.”