|
News
A SHOCK OF PROFOUND GRATITUDE
We had a memorable year of Dharma activities that included the purchase of SIBA; many students completed Vajrapani retreats; we hosted the third visit of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche to Australia; we organised the opening of the new Gompa at Tsarchen Choe Ling; watched the ordination ceremony of many of our friends; and we hosted the first official visit of His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche who taught "The Bodhisattva's Way of Life" directly in English to so many people during the inaugural three month retreat at SIBA.
We certainly had a sense of completion of a major task after the visit of Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and Ratna Vajra Rinpoche were complete, but I had no idea that the sense of completion had the implication of seeing the passing away of His Eminence so soon after his visit. When I heard about the sudden mahaparinirvana of His Eminence of Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, it did not come as a shock or disbelief but as immense gratitude and appreciation. I have not felt sad as some might have expected. Thanks to all those who have sent condolences to me, although I cannot understand this ritual at all. This is because I have not lost a teacher, as some of you might have thought, but I have gained the inner Guru since the day some twenty five years ago when I knew I had to leave my monastery. What I have learnt in the last twenty five years I had to learn the hard way by not becoming attached even to my own teacher, all of these things were shown to me in my dreams when I was in retreat. I had to discover Chogye Trichen Rinpoche by looking inside my heart.
By and large, it seems as though we are forced to let go of an old era and get used to a new era. However, I came to realise the greatness of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche's compassion for us in Australia. Against all odds, Chogye Rinpoche kindly visited Australia for the third time mainly to open Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA) which he regarded as a great contribution to the continuation of his lineage. While there he also gave Tsarchen Guru Yoga teaching and transmission, performed Mahakala puja, ordained many Australians and taught hundreds who were fortunate enough to come and meet him. Rinpoche also consecrated Virupa Retreat centre, Sakya Dolma Choe Ling in Sydney, Khacho Yulo Ling and Cairns and bestowed long life empowerment
everywhere he travelled. His visit to Australia will be recorded as some of the major Dharma activities he performed before his great passing away.
In this booklet, "ATRIBUTE TO HIS EMINENCE CHOGYE TRICHEN RINPOCHE", a
special issue of Clear Mind Newsletter, we have compiled a relatively comprehensive biography of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche; an obituary; an article on Samadhi; a transcript of a talk given by the Most Venerable Khechen Appey Rinpoche; and a prayer composed by HH Sakya Trizin. This might explain the slight delay in producing this issue and its size.
Rinpoche's passing away, the 16 day post death Samadhi and the days and weeks that followed were just as inspirational as it was to be around him. His passing away and the manner in which he touched so many thousand hearts and minds was even beyond the imagination of the residents of Kathmandu. From the day when the famous double rainbow canopy suspended from the sky above Bodh Nath Stupa, when Rinpoche's Holy Body arrived in a huge procession, and the mystical snow petal falls in Bodh Nath, His Eminence's photograph started to appear in all shops as if they had suddenly realised who really was so belatedly. These days everyone who goes to circumambulate the stupa, stops and bows down in front of Jamchen Lhakhang as a holy site within the holy site. Until His passing away, Chogye Rinpoche was still a hidden yogi to the majority. The miracle of how Chogye Rinpoche was able to inspire so many by his passing away alone validates the daily practices that we have received from this great being. Sometimes people try to examine teachers and their lineages as one is encouraged to do. But many get lost in the choosing some that are well known etc. The Tsarpa-sub lineage of Sakya tradition which we follow is not an academic institution of dry knowledge that one can discover in the cold corridors of Universities. The living Tsarpa lineage is saturated by love, devotion and purity. This is precisely the reason why His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche commanded the great respect he has from so many teachers from all traditions including HH the Dalai Lama.
It is wondrous that I have had the privilege to be one of his closest disciples and was able to spend twelve years of my prime youth with him. After all it was destined to be, as I was offered to Chogye Rinpoche and he gave me a name even before I was born. That was the close connection that my family enjoyed with the Chogye Trichens. There are so many of us here in Australia and elsewhere who have had the good fortune to meet and receive teachings from Chogye Rinpoche. Now the time has come to look within ourselves, lift up the socks and do the profound Guru Yoga. Now, those who have faith in the substance and quality of following a Guru will have the greater advantage than those who are attached to the form and institution of the Guru.
Since the passing I have decided to assist Nalendra monastery in Tibet, the official seat of the Chogye Trichens. Soon it will be announced how people can assist me with this project. I also plan to build a World Peace Stupa in Australia as a memorial for His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. More details about this also will be provided soon so that it becomes an important task as a fulfilment of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche's legacy. This gives us all a great opportunity to get involved in a positive project. I hope you all enjoy reading this special issue of Clear Mind Newsletter. A vote of thanks goes to Ven. Thupten Lekshe, Ani Nangtong-la and Julia Williams for their assistance.
With gratitude to all
Lama Choedak Rinpoche
Spiritual Director
His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche Opens Tsarchen Choeling, Sakya International Buddhist Academy in Australia |
Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra[Monday, September 11, 2006 09:57] |
|
His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche |
Known as “the Guru of the Gurus” His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche is one of the only living and most revered teachers of the Dalai Lama. Amidst great uncertainty due to his ripe age, His Eminence arrived in Australia with an entourage of six monks at the invitation of His heart-son ‘Lama Choedak Rinpoche’ who has founded twenty Tibetan Buddhist centres, one in each year since 1986. The newest centre is Tsarchen Choeling also known as ‘Sakya International Buddhist Academy’. It is also the largest and situated in the remote but tranquil and beautiful mountains of East Gippsland. It is situated on a 108 acre property which was formerly a well known health retreat centre known as ‘Ontos’. His Eminence gave the centre the traditional name ‘Tsarchen Choeling’ as he consecrated it on full moon of the 7th of September, 2006, which is the 440th anniversary of Tsarchen Losal Gyatso. The centre will also be called ‘Sakya International Buddhist Academy’ and ‘SIBA’ for short. This is because it will be dedicated as a learning centre of Buddhist teachings and practices of all traditions and schools of Buddhism. His Eminence officially consecrated and opened the centre and gave a long life empowerment to a three hundred strong members of the centre who have come from all over Australia. His Eminence also ordained seven Australians as Buddhist monks and nuns only two days after the opening of the centre. Among many guests who travelled to attend the important was also Mr. Tenzin P. Atisha, the representative of HH the Dalai Lama and leaders of Tibetan Buddhist community organisations from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
The opening ceremony started with the celebration of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche’s 88th birthday. The chief chef Ian Raymond made a huge birthday cake. Members sang the happy birthday song inside the dome shaped spacious dining hall of the centre. This was then followed by the cutting of the red ribbon to the main temple while reciting the famous prayer for the happiness of all living beings by Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo. The main shrine hall is filled with ten beautiful gilded gold images imported from Nepal as well as a complete set of Tibetan Buddhist Kagyur and Lamdre Lobshe and Tsogshe texts. Ani Kunsang, the president of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong welcomed everyone on behalf of all the centres. A traditional welcome was offered by Blue Gum, an aboriginal elder and an eulogy to the Triple Gem was read by four Australian monks and nuns. This followed some short speeches, cultural program and Amitayus empowerment. There was a mixture of drizzle and sunshine throughout the day which was considered very auspicious by all concerned.
All who came from far to this occasion were deeply moved to see such a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple in country Victoria. Devotees travelled from England as well as Hong Kong to be in the presence of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. With the benefit of such a blessed time, SIBA has now opened its doors for a three month retreat during which lessons on Tibetan language, Thanka painting, Buddhist teachings and practices will be offered. His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche is one of the main teachers who will be giving teachings the first five chapter of the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva. He will also bestow Hevajra cause empowerment, Vajrapani empowerment and will also beswto Bodhisattva Vows. Lama Choedak Rinpoche will also be teaching on Mahayanasutralankara based on Rongton’s famous commentary. This centre will also host annual interfaith gatherings inviting members of all great faiths of the world. |
|
Rinpoche Visits James Cook University
On Friday 4 August Rinpoche was invited to deliver a speech "How To Create a
Compassionate Society" at James Cook University in Townsville. Welcoming and
introducing Rinpoche to a packed lecture hall, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Robin expressed his inspiration to see the great interest generated by
Rinpoche's visit to James Cook University. Sharn Rocco of the Magnetic
Buddha Dharma organised. The lecture was also transmitted to other JCU
campus inclduing Cairns. A DVD of the lecture will be made available soon
for those who are interested.
First Residentail Retreat held in Townsville
At the humble but careful persuasion of Phil Hiang of Tharlam Choe Dzong in
Townsville, Rinpoche conducted the first residentail Calm Abiding meditation
retreat outside Townsville 4-6 August. This retreat attracted 35 people
from four major Dharma groups in Townsville region including some from
Khacho Yulo Ling in Cairns. The retreat was held near the tiny village of
Pamula on Mount Specs. A request has been made that this retreat be made
into an annual event for the growth of Dharma in the region. Rinpoche has
agreed to do that.
5th Training the Trainer Held
Since the 1st Training the Trainer held in 2000, 160 people have been
trained to be able to facilitate Eight Week Calm Abiding meditation course
designed by Rinpoche with the assistance of number of Jamchen centre
members. These course have produced some excellent teachers across the
country and have inspired hundreds of people to take up meditation in their
everyday life. Many of our new members have come from these courses. Thirty
three people arrived on Thursday 10 August from eight major sister centres
across Australia to attend the 6th annual "Trainer the Trainer" workshop
conducted by Rinpoche at Virupa Retreat centre. This year the five training
groups were named after stability, harmony, awareness, insight and calmness.
Many expressed how much they experienced these very qualities by being with
so many good people they were fortunate to meet. The course concluded in the
afternoon Sunday 13 August where many felt strong sense of belonging to the
great fold of Dharma family that centres around Virupa Retreat centre and
Rinpoche's activities.
|
