Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo transmissions at Ewam India this January went extremely well. So happy that the Ewam Buddhist Institute could organize for western visitors. So many magical days; below is Rabjam Rinpoche on the event.
English translation of Rabjam Rinpoche’s message.
~Supreme Guide and Vajradhara Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche’s message after the completion of the empowerments and reading transmission on Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s kabum (collected works)
Today, I am very delighted that without any obstacles I successfully managed to offer the reading transmission of the entirety of the 25 volumes of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s collected works, and in addition to that, also the empowerments, reading transmission and liberating instructions of the Tsasum Ösel Nyingthik (Clear Light Heart Essence of the Three Roots); the Chetsun Nyingthik (Heart Essence Teachings of Chetsun Senge Wangchuk), transmitted as a remembrance to Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, and which is the essential instruction of Vimalamitra’s Heart Essence teachings; the Khandro Sangwa Kundu (Condensed Teachings of Dakini’s Secrets); and Rongzom Mahapandita’s empowerments of Padma Dakini Kurukulle, and others.
This year, 2020, marks the 200th birth anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and it was a great tendrel, an auspicious circumstance that was effortless and coincidental that I was able to offer the empowerments and reading transmission of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s kabum.
On a personal level, even though I lack any of the qualities of being wise, disciplined and noble, it was greatly meritorious on my part to be able to offer wangs (empowerments) and lungs (reading transmissions) from the many teachings that I received myself from my supremely unmatched guide and precious guru, Khyentse Dorje Chang (Vajradhara).
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Dorje Chang had included Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s and my names in the colophon of the empowerment manual that he compiled. This shows Kyabje Rinpoche’s vision that he had in his wisdom mind that one of us should confer the empowerments in the future.
Especially, many khenpos, tulkus, lopons and vajracharyas from all the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, including Sakya, Geluk, Kagyu, Nyingma, Shije and others, all of whom have the ability to practice and teach others, have gathered to receive this teaching.
In addition, I am glad that I could offer the empowerments and reading transmissions to many of those who have come from the US, Brazil, Australia, China, India, Nepal and Bhutan. I happened to hear that Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, in one of his talks, mentioned that there is a danger that the works of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo may be lost due to negligence, as they are like a common wealth that is owned by all.
During the course of the transmission, I found in this kabum many sources that can be useful to all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. For example, there are analyses of important Buddhist philosophical subjects that can be helpful for students of Buddhist philosophy; pith instructions and practice manuals for practitioners; medicine texts for doctors who need guidance on how to collect herbs and prepare medicines; ritual texts of Yanguk (Summoning Fortune), accumulating wealth and others for those who do religious services; language-related texts on Sanskrit, Nepali and Chinese; historical texts for research students; biographies of great masters including Je-Yab-Se Sum, the three principal masters of the Gelukpa lineage; letter-writing manuals for secretaries; empowerment manual texts and fire puja ritual texts and sadhanas for lamas; and poetry and prosody for authors. In short, I found many wonderful texts related to the five major and five minor traditional Tibetan sciences.
I thank Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, under whose guidance those including Ata (Manager) organized this teaching program of empowerments and reading transmissions. During this program, everyone worked very hard in providing all the basic amenities like accommodation, washroom and bathing facilities, and food and medicine for all the participants. I heartily thank all of you for this.
Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche has established a magnificent monastery with a beautiful temple, with the three representations of the Three Jewels within, a lama’s residence, and also clean surroundings with public toilets. Even though there might be bigger monasteries than this in India, Nepal or Bhutan, in terms of quality, there is none better. For a few days after arriving here, I stood amazed by it. I really appreciate this superior effort. Moreover, Rinpoche also has built a huge Garden of 1000 Buddhas in the US, and in the same way, he has established centres of learning and practice in Japan, Taiwan, Bhutan, Nepal and others. In this way, he has served the Buddha’s doctrine extensively through his virtuous activities.
Though he owns big monasteries and Dharma centres and has many followers, his attachment to worldly concerns has not increased. He does not have pride and arrogance. Just as he was a mendicant Dharma practitioner initially when he came from Tibet, he has never changed. Yesterday while inaugurating the lamp house, he explained in detail about its architecture and the benefits of building such a structure. However, except for a few words in between, he didn’t go much into detail about the big new temple. This gave me the feeling that he is an authentic and accomplished Dharma practitioner who has no pretensions or hypocrisy. Of course, he possesses great hidden qualities but to see him remain a humble practitioner is something that I found precious and laudable. I thank him for this. He doesn’t wear expensive watches or drive the latest cars. Yet he has built an exquisite and magnificent temple with superb interiors. This is amazing. I heartily thank him for his efforts and will pray that his life remains firm and his activities flourish. When I told him that this throne is too high for me to sit, he responded that I should think that I am the heir to Khyentse Dorje Chang while sitting on the throne. I also tried to think in that way but apart from the outward appearance, it was difficult when it comes to actual bestowing of empowerment (laughter). On a lighter note, to actually give blessings from such a high throne, I think the lama needs to have long hands and the disciples long legs.
During this ceremony, I found it very nice when the nuns took over the major responsibilities of the chant master, ritual master and reading the refuge letter. There is a need these days for the nuns to be independent. For this I thank all the nuns. Usually I encourage my nun students to be independent too.
On a lighter note, I was told that the monastery was built in the form of a raised mandala surrounded by the twenty-four places of tantra, with the landscape of the eight charnel grounds. I actually saw it as explained. In reality also, I could hear cries of various wild animals like elephants, peacocks and others from the neighbouring forest. Sometimes, loud noises from the skies also give the feeling that one is living in the charnel grounds. People who are new to this place would be really scared.
I also thank DIG Wangmo La and the police force working under her for providing security throughout the day at the teaching venue. In the same way, over fifty students, young men and women from the colleges of Bhutan, including Gedu College, maintained cleanliness and hygiene in the temple, public toilets, kitchen and the surroundings. I thank all the students and teachers for their efforts. Moreover, I also thank everyone for generating pure perception of me and attending the teachings, even though I don’t have the authentic qualities of wisdom, discipline and nobility. From my side, I prayed with single-pointed devotion and faith to my root guru, Kyabje Dewar Shekpa Khyentse Dorje Chang, and offered the teachings with a pure intention. I also thank Gyalse Tulku and Changling Tulku for organizing the mandala set up and helping with the empowerment manuals.
By the merit of imparting and listening to the teachings, may the lives of the teachers and masters of all the traditions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Gyalwang Karmapa, the 70th Je Khenpo Kyabgon Tulku Jigme Chodrak of Bhutan and others, be firm. In the same way, may the yangsi of our root guru Kyajbe Dilgo Khyentse Dorje Chang, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche’s yangsi, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche’s yangsi and Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche’s yangsi continue the legacies of their predecessors and successfully accomplish their enlightened activities for the teachings and for beings. May the reincarnations of Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and Kyabje Domang Yangthang Rinpoche, who have both been very kind to the Nyingma lineage, appear swiftly to continue their legacies.
May the world, including this place, be free from epidemics and may there be peace, timely rainfall and bountiful crops. May the world be free from the fears of warfare and famine, and especially at this time when the world is gripped with the fear of the coronavirus spreading in many countries, including China, may those who are affected be cured and may all beings enjoy good health. In short, may all beings pervading space be happy on the temporal level, and may they engage in Dharma and ultimately may they achieve liberation and enlightenment. May all of us who are gathered here be able to benefit ourselves and others and serve the Dharma in an extensive way through these teachings. With such motives, please join me in the aspiration and dedication prayers.~
I, Shechen Khenpo Hungtrumpa Tsewang Rigzin Samdrup, the lowest of the low among the disciples of the supreme guide, Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, transcribed this message with his permission.
Translated at Pema Koed by Khenpo Sonam Tsewang from Namdroling Monastery on 27 January, 2020 and edited by Gelong Konchog Norbu.
