The Story Behind the Live Webcasts

Translating Rinpoche’s Dream

More and more we can enjoy the live webcasts by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche from our computers. Lourdes Hinojosa tells us how this project began and how you can help.

Members of the Malaga, Spain sangha view a recent live webcast.

In December 2012, while having dinner with a small group of students after teaching in Santiago, Chile, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche suddenly gave me a deep look and said: “Lourdes, I've been thinking about a new project, and I would like you to coordinate it. I want my live broadcasts to reach people all over the world, in their own languages. Many people cannot come to the teachings. They either do not have the resources or the spare time to do so, or are confined to their homes or perhaps to a hospital bed due to health issues. I want to bring the teachings to all of them, so they can receive the benefits also, just like those who are able to be present at the teachings during talks, seminars or retreats.”

I felt deep joy inside, and was moved to once again witness my teacher's infinite compassion and enlightened wisdom in full motion ... and of course I said, “Yes, Rinpoche! I will gladly do this.”

That was the beginning of an exciting journey, contacting sangha coordinators in all the Ligmincha International centers and seeking volunteer translators—and now, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's live webcasts are being simultaneously translated into 12 different languages.

Long before I became involved, Rinpoche has been doing live webcasts for the sangha with the help of Polly Turner and other assistants. Since 2009, Polly has been producing and directing nearly all of his webcasts, an average of eight per year. Rinpoche's idea when he first spoke to me about this was to have someone coordinate all the international activity surrounding translation and promotions, to greatly increase access to the teachings. There has been good international participation from the very beginning, but it is twice as good now, with the help of talented translators and many other volunteers around the world!

On March 23, 2013, Rinpoche did his first broadcast from his home basement in California with live translation by translators around the world. It was a big success! From then on, Rinpoche has been broadcasting regularly from his home as well as from Serenity Ridge, with interpreters in 12 countries, for the benefit of many.

He also has featured special guests during his webcast teachings, such as His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche and Menri Lopon Trinley Nyima Rinpoche, during their visits at Serenity Ridge. People from more than 28 countries around the world have attended webcast teachings from their computers—the cyber-sangha, as Rinpoche calls his devoted online students. We can feel the energy of Rinpoche's clear, loving guidance, his words touching our hearts and lives ... all of us together, as one, in cyberspace. All webcasts are free and open to all.

All this can only be done with the help of many wonderful and talented volunteers: webcast producer, graphic designers, text editors, sangha coordinators, translators, promoters, group hosts, etc. Our deep gratitude to you all!

View live webcasts and access translations
View past webcasts

We are in need of more volunteer translators. So far, webcasts are being translated live into Czech, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. It would be wonderful to find skilled volunteer translators in Chinese, Japanese and other languages as well as skilled volunteer backup translators in Spanish and Italian, among other languages. All volunteer translators receive de tailed instruction and guidance in broadcasting their live translations via free, easy-to-use Internet channels. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact webcast coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Also, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality and accessibility of the webcasts. Particularly welcome is informed advice regarding the ideal equipment and software to use, as well as recommendations for free or low-cost webcast service providers that can meet our needs. If you have both knowledge of and experience with doing live webcasts and are open to advising us, please email webcast producer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

May Rinpoche's heartfelt desire of bringing the precious teachings all over the world—reaching countless sentient beings and guiding us to our inner refuge, freeing us from suffering and helping us all lead happier, fuller lives—continue to manifest even further through the expansion of his webcast project!

Text by Lourdes Hinojosa
Photos by Dr. Jose Ignacio Garcia (Spain), Salvador Espinosa (México) and from the Web

This article first appeared in the spring 2014 issue of Ligmincha Europe Magazine.