Chats with Kunde Rinpoche (1) - Crystal or Coted Plastic?

18 August 2012

posted by sonam yeshi

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche - Sonam Yeshi. Transcribed in Q&A format (herein address as Tulku) in August 2012.

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

Lately, many friends who were new to Vajrayana School in Buddhism asked me of the title (?) H.E. (His Eminence) in addressing a Vajrayana Master / Teacher.  Reading the media news on Vajrayana Buddhism activities actively circulating among email groups, sometimes we may even confused by this title. I thought  It was time I asked Kunde Rinpoche as he has this ‘title’ though most time he asked us not to bother if we addressed it or not in formal writing (as a form of external respect to a recognized Teacher). 

Q:  Tulku la, lately I had many friends who were new to Vajrayana School asked me what is H.E. (His Eminence). May we know what is/are the criteria to be ‘awarded’ this title H.E. (His Eminence)?

A: [Traditionally,] H.E. (His Eminence) is addressed to the Abbot (Head) of a Monastery in Vajrayana Tradition.

Q: Can we say all the Heads of every Monastery would automatically be addressed H.E. in front of the Abbot’s dharma name of all the Vajrayana monasteries?

A: By tradition, those monasteries listed in the Map which could be found in Dharamsala Office in India, the Abbot(s) are thus be addressed H.E.

Q: What is/are the criterion/ criteria to be listed? Is the Horthang Tashi Monastery being listed in the Map?

A: It is based on its historical significance. Those monasteries have been ancient in Tibet, more than 100 years old (?). Yes,  Horthang Tashi Monastery  is one of them.

Q: How old is Horthang Tashi Monastery (where Tulku la belongs)?

A:  it is 199 years old!

Q: 2 days ago a friend called from Penang to verify a circulated information of a 3-countries (Qinghai, Nepal & Malaysia) Buddhist Chang Chog Puja (to be presided?) with a name of H.E. Tulku …Rinpoche (sorry, forgotten the name of the Rinpoche), she said the info mentioned his brother , another H.E. Tulku...Rinpoche (sorry, also forgotten the name of the Rinpoche) is at Nepal  (presiding?) the Puja thus sent him here. Do you know is this monastery mentioned, was it listed in the Map (there were some  were concerned) ?

A: [laughter] I don’t know!

Q: May we know how many H.E. could be awarded to one monastery of those listed? In other words, maximum how many Abbots in one monastery?

A: (Traditionally) Maximum is Three.

Q: Can I use Horthang Tashi Monastery as an example? Besides Tulku la, who else we should address H.E.?

A: [laughter] of course.  Tulku Karde is the other Abbot (Karde Rinpoche).

Q: Can we address Tulku Bigar H.E. (i.e. H.E. Bigar Rinpoche?) as his practice i heard has been such amazing (a well known Rinpoche  in Qinghai?) who does not has a mobile phone or a automobile in his monastery, wandering around most time, difficult to be located to request for blessings)?

A: His monastery is about 50 years old, presently there are about less than 30 Rinpoches & Lamas under his guidance. Though he is born on his tongue with the syllable 'Ah' white in color! i regarded him as a very exceptional Tulku due to his detachment towards worldly gains, and he is full of Joy, never show a sign of anger or unhappiness thus far i know him!

Q: Thank you very much, Tulku la for the clarification. Also for sharing so many amazing real life stories practitioners (of yoginis) still found in the special land (outskirts?).  I like to record down our conversation mainly for education purposes. Also, with due respect,  we don’t want simply address you wrongly or give the impression of  ‘publicity title only’ [laughter].

A: Tashi Delek

Thus have i heard... posted by sonam yeshi in 2012
(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).