Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by pg@petergamma.org
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche – One of Tibets Greatest Buddhist Masters
One of his students, Matthieu Ricard
says in the above video:
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was one of the
comletely authentic and great Tibetan masters
of the whole history of Tibet
and I think the best image
of him is that of a great saint.
From the live story of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
From the age of fifteen until he was twenty-eight, he spent his time meditating in silent retreat, living in isolated hermitages and caves, or sometimes simply under the shelter of overhanging rocks in the mountainous countryside.
He later spent many years with Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (1893-1959) receiving empowerments and teachings.
When he told his teacher that he wanted to spend the rest of his life in solitary retreats, Chokyi Lodro answered, “The time has come for you to teach and transmit to others the precious teachings you have received.”
Niklaus von Flue, Patron Saint of Switzerland
Someone who could live life according to his own whises was Niklaus von Flue.
Niklaus von Flüe ( 1417 – 1487) was an influential Swiss hermit, previously a mountain farmer, politician, judge and soldier: He was married and had ten children. He lived as a wealthy farmer for the time.
In October 1467 – the youngest child was not yet a year old, the eldest son Hans was already twenty, so that he could support the family as a farmer
Niklaus left his family with his wife’s consent to become a hermit.
Then he lived in solitary retreat until in 1487 Brother Klaus died on the floor of his cell after a hard agony. He lived in solitary retreat for 20 years of his life.
He is considered the patron saint of Switzerland and was declared holy in 1947.
To be declared as a holy person by the Catholic Church takes time. It requires a proof to have performed several miracles. He is primarily known for having prevented a civil war through consulting in Switzerland.
“We decide that Niklaus von Flüe is a saint.” said the Pope Pius XII 1947.