Live Story from the Oral tradition (6) - H.E. the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche (Jigme Losel Wangpo)

Live Story from the Oral Tradition (6) – H.E. the 7^th Dzogchen Rinpoche (Jigme Losel Wangpo)

The below verse was extracted from verse 2, Prologue, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection, page 10

" Jigme Losel Wangpo! You are the great practitioner of the Great Perfection,

The victorious state of the teaching of the Land of Snow,
Having actualized the state of fearlessness
Remaining without separation from us—the host of students—
And by turning our fresh intelligence into the fold of the Dharma." - (Extracted from: Prologue,vers.2, p.10)

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche (herein address as Tulku) in August 2011.
Q= sonam yeshi, A=Kunde Rinpoche, HH = the 7^th Dzogchen Rinpoche, Bracket ( ) - notes added for clarity, [ ] - expression

Q: Tulku, you have visited Dzogchen Monastery in India regularly and mentioned the 7^th Dzogchen Rinpoche often (Jigme Losel Wangpo), and he had verbally consented to  publishing your manuscript translated from Tibetan to English as there was concerned that this manuscript if published and circulated may subject to misuse of the teachings by wrongful intention in individual’s mind.
A: Yes, He is one of the living holders of Dzogchen practice in the Dzogchen lineage (Great Perfection) besides Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche (Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery). (Please refer Prologue, vers.1-3, p.10).

Q: Tulku, could you narrate a little how special on the biography of HH in this life?
A: He was born to a special family, his brother is Kyabje Soygal Rinpoche (the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying), and his aunty is Khandro Tsering Chodon, the spiritual wife of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (1896-1959)**.

Note:** the most outstanding Tibetan master of the last century who was the heart of ‘non-partisan’ movement in Tibetan Buddhism.

Q: Briefly his biography in the lineage reincarnation most outstanding historically?
A: The 1^stDzogchen Rinpoche & the 5th Dzogchen Rinpoche were most well known historically.  The 5^th Dzogchen Rinpoche had written many Tibetan Buddhism teachings, He also predicted the present Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery in geographical location symbolized the Wisdom Sword of Buddha Manjushri (the manifestation of Wisdom of the Buddha). And during his time, Patrul Rinpoche was writing one of the Tibetan Buddhism Classics ‘The Words of My Perfect Teacher ‘(kunzang lama’I shelung), He knew Patrul Rinpoche did not had ‘writing tools’ within his mind, he sent a lama to provide that – such visionary knowledge and wisdom is beyond intellectual book learning!

Q: how true is HH prediction of this said Monastery?
A: Historically, past and present, many eminent Masters and Teachers in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in Dzogchen practice are Rinpoche, Lamas (students) undergone training and learning at Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery (Tibet).  Among them, His Holiness, Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok Rinpoche (法王吉美彭措), and of course HH Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, the great Tibetan Masters of Nyingma Tradition.

Q: could you narrate an example of HH this life that reflected his humanity?
A: HH is known for his charity works in this life, especially in education!  (for his spiritual endeavours, please visit: http://www.dzogchenmonastery.org.in)

Q: spiritually?
A: HH has recognized a number of lamas reincarnation. His spiritual attainment and transformation through lives cultivation is beyond our limited minds understanding!

Q: and in person as a human being?
A: HH is very humble, simple, and visionary. His spirituality only could be experienced by people who have met him, and practicing under him.

Q: Thank you very much, Tulku. For sharing this oral history of the 7^th Dzogchen Rinpoche and his relations with Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery in the past!
A: Tashi Delek
Thus have i heard... posted by sonam yeshi in 2011

(Note: Transcribed by Sonam Yeshi. Any mistakes herein were the ignorant of the translator and transcriber, kindly feedback and notify at sonamyeshi09@gmail.com - posted by Sonam Yeshi)

Live Story from the Oral Tradition (4) - Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche

Words of Praise, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection / H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam, Back cover page ].

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche (herein address as Tulku) before the launch of his book on  July 31, 2011 &  August 7, 2011.
Q= sonam yeshi, A=Kunde Rinpoche, HH = Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, Bracket ( ) - notes added for clarity, [ ] - expression

The below verse was extracted from verse 3, Prologue, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection, page 10

"Pema Kalsang! You are the great teacher of the Great Perfection,

Who visited Rudam from the realm of holy place of the Lotus Field
To disseminate the secret tantric teachings in this fortunate eon
Your teaching will amaze the world." -  (Extracted from: Prologue,vers.3, p.10) 

Q: Tulku, you have shared with me many times on HH (Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche), and he is such supportive on this book translated from Tibetan to English, by writing the page on Words of Praise.
A: yes, He is one of the living holders of Dzogchen practice (Great Perfection) besides Jigme Losel Wangpo (the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche in Dzogchen Monastery India, (Please refer Prologue, vers.2, p.10).

Q: Tulku, could you narrate a little how special on the biography of HH which we could not access from published document in English?
A: During the political religious difficulty (suppression?), the Lamas were not allowed to wear their robes and he was among many others sent to work as labourers.  At that time, he was in his prime age (late twenty or early thirty years old ?), he was very handsome then, there were some ladies proposed to marry him, he had rejected one by one and maintained that he wanted to remain his renounced status (monkhood, though in lay clothes)
(for HH picture, please refer to: A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection, p.109 - there was a picture of HH & Lodoe Gyatso, Tulku's root Lama photographed in 1998 at Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery).

Q: wow, under such circumstances! Who recognized him as a reincanate Rinpoche?
A: By The 6th Dzogchen Rinpoche (and ? Rinpoche- apology, short memory after a lapsed of a month and more, will update once verified again).  He was said (predicted) to be a very special Rinpoche when he was at age 5 or 6(?).

Q: how special is HH, refering to this?
A: When he was a child (less than 10 years old?), Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery was under demolishing situation in many ways (due to polital situation), at night time, he took the treasures (Buddha statues, scriptures in blocks etc. one by one) inside the monastery (before lost) and hide in caves (?). 

Q: Oh dear, wasn't he discovered by the authority?
A:  He did it in such natural way as a child, and the advantage being a child, it saved him being a suspect [laughter]!

Q: How significant to Dzogchen history?
A: Now those historical holy statues and the treasured teachings (some?) in Dzogchen tradition are kept in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery were his fearless efforts during his childhood! He had preserved the human enlightened wisdom in history in his child-like way! [laughter]  Thus saved and preserved the important history of Dzogchen till this 21 Century.

Q: [silence.. too overwhelming]. too amazing! sound like a genius!
A: Thus HH is very 'famous' among the Tibetan Buddhists, Nyingma Tradition (at least in Tibet). Presently, he is taking care of Dzogchen monasteries in that province (?)... 

Q: Could you share one special incident that reflects the spiritual status of practice, sorry to say lay people like to hear or see 'psychic eminence' or 'prediction' as some sort of 'practical proof'?
A: [umm...] In the 90an (20 century?), Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery (Tibet) hostels in the monastery were in very bad living conditions then for the lamas.   One day it was on fire...

Q: Oh dear, what happen then?
A: At that time, the HH was in overseas (U.S.A?), when the monastery lama contacted him (via telephone?) to report the the 'casulty'.

Q: what did HH said?
A: His Holiness replied very 'blessed' then （非常吉祥）! The lamas were very surprised and shocked HH did not show any words of worries but instead sounded 'joyful'!

Q: That's very interesting, no fear?
A: Apparently, he dreamt of fire before it was reported to him the real fire! This is the special 'eminence', even in dream state.

Q: why was it special?
A: In a short period of time, the monastery new hostels were constructed with many supports!

Q: [laughter] Wow, this sounded like 'fairy tale' in modern mythology!? - it is beyond my uncultivated mind imagination. Tulku, i can't even control my urge for sleeps...[laughters]
A: In India, there is the famous Vajrayana Master, whose meditation is 'sleeping' (睡觉法王) (- out of this topic....)

Q: Thank you very much, Tulku. I am very lucky to listen to your oral history of Dzogchen, Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche and his relations with Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, real-life story related to Dzogchen practice!
A: Tashi Delek

Thus have i heard... posted by sonam yeshi in 2011
(Note: Transcribed by Sonam Yeshi. Any mistakes herein were the ignorant of the transcriber, kindly feedback and notify at sonamyeshi09@gmail.com - posted by Sonam Yeshi)

Live Story from the Oral Tradition (3) - Khenpo Chucap

Live Story from the Oral Tradition (3) - Khenpo Chucap

Khenchen Chodyog Chathal (Khenpo Chucap) [- the name of this second Master was copied from the Dedication page, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection/ H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam, p.x]. 

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche (herein address as Tulku) in July 2011  

Q= sonam yeshi, A=Kunde Rinpoche, Bracket ( ) - notes added for clarity, [ ] - expression

Q: Tulku, yourself and Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche (especially Khenpo) showed us a picture of your Teacher/Master (while both of you were training in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery?) which had been posted in your blog initial posts, as a recognization of your Great Teacher.

A: yes, we called Khenpo Chucap, his is very well respected among the Lama(s).

Q: from the picture, this Khenpo looked very special, reminds me of like forest monks in remote Myanma (Burma) .
A: yes, he lived in a cave-like place, one robe, one bowl and a piece of cap to cover from cold.

Q: Tulku, from your experience learning with Khenpo Chucap, how special was he while living?
A: Khenpo's wisdom is natural, he gave dharma teachings just speak naturally (without reference materials).  He would share what he had been offered to him with his students (keep nothing), if he was offered food, he ate, if no one offer food one day, he also didn't ask for it - live without food on that day.

Q: How about his meditation speciality (method of meditaion)?
A: Khenpo was famous for 'emptiness meditation' (中观 ?), well known for his 'non- attachment' (detachment?), even the four basic needs of human living, and recognized a highly attained meditation Master while living.

Q: then?
A: Khenpo desseminated the Dharma teachings, gradually many Lamas came to learning and listenngi to him. Probably more than 300 students.

Q: i am curious how did he passed away compared to your root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso (罗珠仁波切）?
A: (forgotten...did not scribble down this conversation immediately like interview technique! - something like Khenpo Chucap announced weeks before (2 weeks?) , and his physical body diminishing to emptiness....to update later :)-D)

Q: wow... so special [almost speechless] (with my limited knowledge and confuse mind always [:)-D]
A: Khenpo Chucap left behind transmissions of teachings to many Lamas who are teaching around the globe...(one's job had done)

Tashi Delek

(Note: Transcribed by Sonam Yeshi.  Any mistakes herein were the ignorant of the transcriber, kindly feedback and notify at sonamyeshi09@gmail.com - posted by Sonam Yeshi)