Pilgrimage 2005 - 2006

By Lama Choedak Rinpoche

Last December (2005), I led a group of 45 Australian Buddhists on a pilgrimage of Buddhist sites in India and Nepal. This pilgrimage was prompted by numerous requests as many were inspired after

hearing stories from previous pilgrimages I have led. This pilgrimage was in many ways similar to other

pilgrimages, but was different in some ways. The following report has been compiled for the benefit of everyone. One thing I could add here is the list of all the prominent Tibetan Buddhist teachers we met were more impressive than any time before. They include: HH the Dalai Lama, the supreme leader of Tibet, Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, Secretary General of Department of Education, His Eminence Tai

Situpa Rinpoche, founder and abbot of Sherab Ling monastery, The Most Venerable Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk, founder and chief abbot of Dzongsar Institute, Khenpo Tsultim Namdak Yuthok, abbot of Tso-pema Nyingma monastery, Ven Lobsang Norbu Shastri, Geshe Damdul and Ven. Tashi Tsering all at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, His Eminences Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and

Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, the two blessed sons of HH Sakya Trizin, Khenpo Tsultim Palden, abbot of

Sakya Nunnery, His Eminence Luding Khechen Rinpoche, founder of Ngor monastery, Thartse Khenpo, Dezhung Tulku, Khangsar Shabdrung all at Ngor monastery, Ven Khenpo Gyatsho, the

principal of Sakya College, HH Minling Trichen Rinpoche, supreme head of Nyingmapa tradition at

Mindroling monastery, Clement Town, HH 17th Karmapa, the head of Karma Kagyu lineage, His

Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, founder of Tashi rabten Ling, Lumbini, Her Eminence Chogye Jetsun Kusho-la, Most Venerable Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, the founder and chief abbot of

International Buddhist Academy and finally but most auspiciously His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche at Gha Tharlam monastery. Meeting six year old Asanga Rinpoche, sitting on a throne in his robe and

receiving us in a formal audience brought me so much joy in the hope of seeing Sakya Khon lineage of the Phuntsok Phodrang branch training the young to shoulder the role of the most blessed hereditary lineage of Tibet. I had an unusual sense of hope after seeing how this young boy from Seattle is

showing the courage and determination to live in Nepal away from his parents. May he fulfil the role we have faith in the emanation lineage of Khon!

Another interesting observation I have made was the sheer number of pilgrims from Amdo,

Nangchen and Golok from eastern Tibet we met all in their traditional dresses. They were all on their way to attend the Kalachakra in Amravati. Two Golok monks sat and listened to our prayers in English under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya and later told me how happy they were to witness how foreigners are following Tibetan Buddhism and going on pilgrimage. I said to them how happy we were to see them keeping their faith so strong in spite of the adverse political conditions in Tibet. I was very moved when they said, “we will never give up our faith, it is our right, don’t you worry. You in exile, do not give up our fight for independence…” Also at the ceremony in Lumbini, I sat next to the senior Chinese monk and listened to their prayer and I was very moved by their traditional worship and chanting the

mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha. We exchanged bow downs at the end and it was one of the

highlight from this trip for me. I was deeply moved by the conduct of everyone who came on the

pilgrimage and how many people praised how calm our group were including some of the Indian hotel managers. They remarked “you have got a large but a peaceful group of people travelling with you…”.

I thank Ani Nangtong and people from Middle Path Travels for helping to make the pilgrimage such a success. I dedicate all the merits from this pilgrimage to add to the cause of the happiness of all sentient beings and may the holy Dharma teachings spread far and wide.

To find out more about the pilgrimage please read articles in the Jan - Feb and March - April 2006 Clear Mind Newsletter.