Dear all,

It is with great consideration and reflection that I would like to share an important update regarding our Centers’ presence on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram) as well as my personal accounts. I have made a significant decision: our social media accounts will be deactivated on 23rd September 2023.

Over the years, we tried to find a balance between embracing the potential benefits of these platforms and staying aligned with our spiritual values. I believed that social media provided a means to spread awareness and make the teachings of Dharma accessible to a wider audience, as well as to maintain a connection with those who were not present during various activities. However, after careful contemplation, I have discerned that our path must now take a different direction.

This decision arises from various factors that have led me to reevaluate our approach, one of the Buddhist core values is “do not harm others,” and the dynamics of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, regardless of their content, can generate addiction, mental agitation, and weakening of joyful effort.

Looking ahead, our energies will be directed towards nurturing our presence on our website and platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and official WhatsApp groups. These channels will serve as valuable resources for providing updated information, free teachings, establishing direct connections, and offering a structured environment for spiritual learning and companionship to those who are geographically distant.

I am also using this step as an opportunity to advocate for the preservation of our mental health, genuine social interaction, undisturbed concentration, and critical thinking.

We live in challenging times and need to take clear actions to preserve and nourish our mental health and inner space. As Lama Gangchen Rinpoche always reminded us, “inner peace is the most solid foundation for world peace”; and a healthy mind is the basis for inner peace. So, let’s protect our mental health for the benefit of all.

With love in Dharma,
Lama Michel Tulku Rinpoche