Media & Information Literary in Vajrayana Buddhism - are we competent?

Lately i received some information of dharma activities, especially Buddhist Puja going on or to be held soon after i joined a Vajrayana_Penang  yahoogroup mailing list.

One of the info sheet i read linked to a site (probably created in Taiwan, using Traditional Chinese Character).  While i was taking a (long) break & reading that in my univ. student computer lab, i got quite taken aback when i read the claimed of the Teacher was the re-incarnation of Avalokitesvara etc...! if i were to offend anyone, after thinking for nearly a week, i think it is better i wrote some information on this upon seeking verification from Kunde Rinpoche who studied in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tibet for nearly a decade. Also i noticed this Teacher has 2 Buddhist centres in Malaysia adopted the word 'Samye'. i was a little confused as i visited the most historical & sacred Samye Monastery in Tibet before.  Then i called my Vajrayana Master/Teacher, Kunde Rinpoche to ask & verify a few questions in my mind.This allow readers' evaluation of those information which had been broadcast in the public domain such as yahoogroup and poster displaying locally.  (These Q&A have been rewording for clarity, bracket wordings meant for personal note)

These were some questions asked & with answers for sharing:

Q1) Tulku la, do you know this Teacher, in the circulated information & website he was a student  of H.H. Pema Kalsang from Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery Tibet?

Answered:  (Tulku la) - he knew this person studying Khenpoship in Dzogchen Shriseng Moastery.  When he was  about 16 years old in that Monastery, this Teacher had just completed the study & left to his own monastery.

ii) - when i tried to verify that the puja text of this Teacher was a student of H.H. Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, Tulku la answered H.H. have many students in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tibet as HH has been the Kyabje (Teacher?) in the Monastery.

iii) - Further, Tulku la complimented he is a Khenpo, thus has completed the required study as a Rinpoche.

2) when i asked of the re-incarnation claim & emanation of Avalokitesvara in that linked website, Tulku la just said people can claim anything they like, but to live to that emanation, able to benefits people's well beings & sentient beings are essentials; as any (self-claims) of spiritual attainment is just a matter of time the Buddhist community who practice the right path would be wise to know.

3) Can we simply use the word 'Samye' for popularity?

- As the Samye Monastery, historically it was Guru Rinpoche's Monastery. Thus, so far there is no Main Spiritual Abbot in the Monastery as no practitioner is competent to claim for oneself as Guru Rinpoche spiritual attainment yet. (it may be normal to use for reason only the user knows, but this highly respected  historically 'Samye' is sacred in Tibet.)

After the discusssion, we agreed that worldly publicity may be important to attract the crowd to contribute or participate in any Dharma activities, but it has to be done with discreet ethically and fairly. (Skillful Means does not meant NOT grounded in ethics - even academic research "Grounded Theory" emphasized its validity is grounded in data... - my personal grouses).

Today, i received the poster again from the Vajrayana_yahoogroup. I observed that the word "Dzogchen Monastery" has been used in that poster.  One time in a chat, Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche commented that Sogyal Rinpoche (author of "The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying" once said that his brother, H.H.the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche was (has been) too compassionate (on the worldly misrepresentation of Dzogchen Monastery & even spiritual hierarchy representation).

Personally, I think to be fair, should anyone or practitioner using Dzogchen Monastery’s  name in their publicity material locally should generously donate (all) the (net) proceeds of the Dharma Puja conducted channel to Dzogchen Monastery (Tibet or India) for the benefits of the Lamas education & training needs (then the merits are virtueous? - "geramnya"). Otherwise, it is just misleading and in information literacy's jargoon word -  misrepresentation" for the general public who is not familiar with Vajrayana Tradition, or find it too troublesome seeking any verification (may be even  do not know where to verify). But unfortunately, our public media literacy and information literacy levels need many efforts to continuously raising this awareness.  Furthermore, the School of Vajrayana Buddhism here is still rather young & growing compared to the other two well established Buddhist traditions - Theravada & Mahayana Schools.

May We be Wise while trying to Practicing Good

Tashi  Delek

Revised from the original post at Vajrayana Buddhism & facebook timeline - Geram/KH Yeoh on 1 August 2012.

An E-Book for Sharing - Dzogchen Practice (by Lodoe Gyatso)

posted by sonam yeshi

This is the weblink given by Kunde Rinpoche that has a free E-book on Dzogchen Practice which was written by his Root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso. [in Tibetan]. (Retrieved from: Dzogchen Monastery, Tibet, http://dzogchen.cn, 8 July 2012):

http://dzogchen.cn/blo_gros_rgya_mtsho_i_gsung__bum_A_2011_edition.pdf

This is a photograph of Lodoe Gyatso & his student Pema Kalsang Rinpoche for sharing:

Lodoe Gyatso & Pema Kalsang Rinpoche

Homage to Lode Gyatso, the Lineage holder of Great Perfection after Jigme Yonten Gonpo (Kunde Rinpoche, p. 68, 2011). _(*)_

May the Merits be Transferred to all Sentient Beings. May the Teachings of Great Perfection (Dzogchen) brings countless Sentient Beings to Enlightenment.

Reference: H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor & Dr Chok Tenzin Monlam. (2011). A Garland of Flowers : Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection. ISBN: 9789671055205

Practice of Exchange - A Live Lesson

12 January 2012, BodhGaya.

These were the last pieces of pictures i had photographed in the Maha Bodhi Temple, BodhGaya, India on 11 January 2012 evening, after spending some time at the area of the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained Englightenment, later queing up for more than an hour (?) to enter the Pagoda temple to the main shrine.
This was the only piece of warm outfit, worn-out sweater which was wearing by my Dzogchen Teacher/Master during the Kalachakra from 31Dec2011 - 10January2012 in BodhGaya. I found out that it was bought in the year of Nyingma Monlam (2007?) when the weather was cold. I asked why was the Teacher still wearing this warm clothing when it was already worn-out? He answered it could still fit his size and trashing it is a waste.

Paradoxically, having living in the mundane world, people around are projecting the 'corperate image' of wearing 'neat clothing' (if not gorgeous fashions) and fashonable shoes; a relative commented in nemerous occassions that the clothes we were wearing & the bag we were carrying to the office reflected the 'image' of an exercutive level staff.

My teacher, Kunde Rinpoche helped to sent off an aging mom & niece of a friend, Ani Tsering on 12 January 2012 at 6.00A.M. When he was in the bus station, he met one of his Friends from Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tashi Rinpoche (not that Rinpoche in Malaysia of the same name). His friend exchanged his new jacket - bought during the Kalachakra festival, he said though he was wearing it during these days, but it was new, if Kunde Rinpoche would not mind. He suggested that as a Rinpoche, wearing the worn-out clothing might be 'looking-down' by the lay people who are used to 'judge' external material measurement. Thus he exchanged and taken away the worn-out jacket and wearing it himself (as the weather was rather cold at that time).  After i heard of this exchanged of clothing episode, i was moved by the compassion of Tashi Rinpoche, Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery. 
Though below were the last pictures i had captured of this worn-out clothing, wearing by Kunde Rinpoche, it was a live lesson of two Rinpoches showing of heartful concerns and love towards one another. 

On the contrary, when i reflected how other practitioners i know had requested financial assistance from Kunde Rinpoche for various occasions and reasons, he had given without reservation despite my reminder that funds were meant for his first English translation publication, he said it could be delayed. i was rather disappointed when the time he needed hands to help, those benefitted from his kindness did not come forward or even asked of it, even though this person was around (and could not be contacted via mobile phone!). There were others even to the extend of expecting him to attend to their aging relative, a 11-year old child etc, when Kunde Rinpoche was supposed to enter the main shrine, sitting on the seat with his name already tagged. He said sitting outside in open air was the same!  More than that, this family left those bought raw materials food for him to carry back to the camp who was staying nearby his camp after the Puja in different days. That time, i felt that compassion is a perfect word but rather very much much easier to say than to practise for us.  After these days during the Kalachakra, i felt myself have not been practising well - i did not have the wisdom & skillful means to handle these types of occassions well, and  i felt i did not serve the Teacher skillfully, and find these mundane happenings within the 'spiritual' settings unacceptable, though the Teacher had not declined those 'unacceptable demands'.

Nevertheless, I thought these were special pictures i had photographed to share with his Friends - the nature of mind is beyond my naked eyes!!!

[Kunde Rinpoche, 11 January 2012, BodhGaya, India. Photographed by sonam yeshi. All rights reserved]

When i asked him what did it mean in his book :" ...have developed the four primordial wisdoms of joy (joy, supreme joy, extraordinary joy and innate joy" (p. 40, 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).  He gestured as below, i captured the picture, it speaks more than words:

[Kunde Rinpoche, 11 January 2012, BodhGaya, India. Photographed by sonam yeshi. All rights reserved]

Happy New Year
Tashi Delek

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)