Tergar in South Africa
Dear Tergar South Africa Family,
As I look back on our shared journey in establishing Tergar South Africa, I'm filled with gratitude for the many causes and conditions that have brought us together on this path. The unfolding of our community's story reveals how authentic dharma connections manifest when conditions align—sometimes with a touch of divine timing that brings a smile to even the most serious practitioner.
The Beginning of the Connection
Although our current community took shape more recently, the first seeds of connection between South Africa and Mingyur Rinpoche were planted much earlier. In 2008, Rob Nairn, Akong Rinpoche's representative in Africa, met Mingyur Rinpoche at Samye Ling where he attended his Mahamudra teachings. Inspired by these profound teachings, Rob requested that Mingyur Rinpoche come to South Africa to teach Mahamudra, but as it turned out the causes and conditions were not yet ready for this to manifest.
By 2017, I had been meditating for almost 20 years, yet my connection with Mingyur Rinpoche marked a significant new chapter in my practice journey. I remember encountering him as he walked past me into the hotel where we received Mahamudra transmission. Having recently returned from his wandering retreat, he moved with a quality of simplicity and freedom that was immediately striking—a presence that made me reflect on my practice.
As I watched him traverse the corridor to see his guru, I recognised something essential in his presence—a living embodiment of what I had been trying to practice for nearly two decades.
Later during that transmission, Situ Rinpoche bestowed the Maitreya Buddha empowerment and asked Mingyur Rinpoche to bestow the blessings. When he came to give the blessing, I felt with remarkable clarity that he was the teacher whose guidance would deepen my meditation practice. Later that year, I had the opportunity to spend time with him one-on-one and received meditation instruction and advice of exceptional clarity.
Parallel Paths Converging
In what can only be described as auspicious timing, John and Anna in South Africa were simultaneously preparing their journey to connect with Mingyur Rinpoche. Their meditation teacher, Donal Creedon, had suggested they seek out Rinpoche's teachings. While I was deepening my connection with Rinpoche's lineage, they were making arrangements to travel to Kathmandu to attend Joy of Living programs at his monastery.
None of us knew about each other yet, but the conditions for our future connection were being established—a reminder that the dharma often works in mysterious ways behind the scenes.
At the same time, Luke, Huni, and various other South Africans were discovering Tergar teachings through Joy of Living and Path of Liberation programs. The dharma was taking root in South African soil through multiple channels.
The Meeting of Practitioners
A few years later, I had the privilege of meeting Anna and John at their home in Cape Town. Our first encounter carried a remarkable sense of familiarity, as though we were old friends reuniting rather than new acquaintances meeting. The natural affinity that emerges between practitioners who share a commitment to the same path is one of the most precious aspects of the dharma community.
Following this meeting, we decided to expand the practice opportunities by establishing Sunday meditation sessions, initially as a Thursday group. Soon after, I connected with Tara, who was making her first journey to India. She met Rinpoche and took refuge with him during a private audience. With the directness that seems characteristic of the South African practitioners I've come to know, Tara encouraged me to invite Mingyur Rinpoche to teach in Cape Town.
When I presented this request to Rinpoche, his response evolved thoughtfully over time. Initially, he said, "I will think about it." When asked again later, he deepened his commitment: "I will pray about it." This progression gave us hope that the aspiration might eventually bear fruit—a lesson in patience that most meditators understand well.
Nurturing the Dharma Garden
As our connections strengthened, Tara launched a new Joy of Living practice group, while John and Anna's established groups continued to flourish. Our community sessions became a regular feature of Cape Town's dharma landscape.
When I first connected with this growing circle of practitioners, I hoped to offer whatever support might be beneficial. Anna and John had created a beautiful and sustainable garden and I like to think I was the 'manure.' I had found a garden already flourishing with sincere practice; I merely helped tend what was already growing beautifully.
Auspicious Offerings
Saga Dawa (Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana day) has proven particularly significant for our community. During one Saga Dawa, while in Kathmandu, I wrote "Tergar South Africa" on prayer flags and offered them at the great Boudhanath stupa, along with saffron. Those prayer flags were hoisted high above Kathmandu against the backdrop of the snowy Himalayas—a physical representation of our aspiration to bring these teachings more deeply to South Africa.
Between our official invitation to Tergar International and their eventual response, I had several opportunities to meet with Rinpoche. Embracing the spirit of South African generosity, I brought offerings of local honey, rooibos tea, and other meaningful gifts from our land. I returned to India after a particularly meaningful end-of-year visit to Cape Town, carrying these offerings to Rinpoche at his monastery in Bodhgaya, again requesting his presence in South Africa. By this time, he had developed genuine connections with members of our community, even praying for individuals and their families during challenging periods.
In 2023, we formalised our invitation to Tergar International. When I met with Rinpoche at Osel Ling Monastery, I presented our letter along with offerings, once again expressing our collective aspiration to receive his teachings in Cape Town.
The Fruition
Our patience and prayers were rewarded. Approximately a year later, again during the auspicious time of Saga Dawa, we received the official invitation to host Mingyur Rinpoche in 2025. The news brought profound joy to our community and set in motion a new phase of activity.
With characteristic diligence, we completed the incorporation of Tergar South Africa as a Not for Profit Company (NPC), establishing directors, an accountant, and a bank account, along with fulfilling the necessary paperwork requirements. Under the guidance of the Tergar communities team, this process of formalisation has strengthened our foundation and clarified our shared purpose—though I must admit, navigating South African tax regulations was an unexpected part of the journey.
A dedicated planning committee was formed, and began collaborating with Robin from the Tergar International events team to create a comprehensive 12-day teaching program. The commitment I've witnessed from this team—the countless hours, meticulous attention to detail, and heartfelt enthusiasm—exemplifies dharma in action.
Building the Foundation
We developed a website featuring practice group information, event details, ticket registration for Path of Liberation 1 and 2, and a bookstore with specially negotiated prices on Joy of Living and Joyful Wisdom books.
We've already hosted our first in-person Joy of Living workshops with George Hughes, held a Joy of Living 3 retreat on John and Anna's farm , screened "Wandering But Not Lost" at Labia Cinema, and organized a Joy of Living 1 event where we sponsored 17 of the 60 participants, and took George swimming with penguins.
Our organisational structure has evolved to support this growth. The planning team has expanded into a marketing team, a Johannesburg planning team, and several event-specific planning teams. Meanwhile, our board works behind the scenes, handling the essential fiduciary duties of running a growing organisation.
George Hughes has become our group coordinator mentor, helping establish new practice groups, including one in Johannesburg. The dharma seeds planted in Cape Town are now spreading throughout the country.
The Path Ahead
The coming months will be dedicated to preparation and practice:
- Practice retreats are being organised to deepen our collective and individual practice
- Path of Liberation 1 and 2 registrations are already 50% full—early registration is advised
- Our "Anytime, Anywhere Meditation" 2-day workshop launches soon—an opportunity to make these practices accessible to a wider audience
The full list of events will be released soon - keep up with us via the local website, social media accounts and WhatsApp group
We'll need many volunteers for these events—an opportunity to practice generosity and service. After Rinpoche's visit concludes in September, we'll hold our first Annual General Meeting, where new directors can join the board (meditation experience helpful, paperwork tolerance a bonus).
The Heart of the Matter
Beyond all the organisational aspects, what truly matters is the practice that binds us together. I've learned that Tergar communities worldwide are connected not primarily through structures but through shared meditation practice according to authentic lineage instructions.
This visit from Mingyur Rinpoche is a precious opportunity, rare and valuable. Who knows when we might have the same opportunity? I encourage everyone to participate as fully as possible in these upcoming events, to volunteer, to practice together, and to embrace this unique chance to deepen your connection with these teachings.
Whether you've been with us from the beginning or are just discovering our community now, your presence and practice are vital contributions to our collective journey.
Kunkhyen
