Lost in transliteration of name (2) - Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso

There are some articles about the biography of Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso, the root Guru of Kunde Rinpoche written in Chinese using different transliteration in the name:
The link webpages:
1) http://gaozhibin69.blog.163.com/blog/static/3472097201341453431979/

2) http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4899c6180100g356.html
note: there is part II to this blog post being linked at the end of the post.

3) http://www.360doc.com/content/13/0819/16/6836745_308299774.shtml
a compilation of different blog posts related to the biography
another linked webpage: http://www.360doc.com/content/13/0819/16/6836745_308300768.shtml

4) People Tibet Culture website
http://people.tibetcul.com/dangdai/gsdd/200803/12070.html
Personal Note: there was a note indicated it was orally narrated by a Khenpo / Rinpoche (also one of the students of Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso.).

May all beings be well and happy
Tashi delek

Impure Perceptions (2) - so far yet so near

In these nearly four years involving in the Dharma works of my Buddhist Master, Kunde Rinpoche la, my observations on what had been happening to people, may also reflects my own insecurity in similar ways (if...).
We think we 'should' or expected to live such and such years of age before our physical body 'declared death' by a conventional medical practitioner, including 'coma' state of existence. The teachings of the Buddha on "All conditioned things are impermanent",  rarely struck us unless some kind of 'trauma' or 'unexpected things' had happened, may be. Some people even viewed it as 'negative' in worldly sense, even though it is an unchanging truth. In a few chats with Kunde Rinpoche la about 'life and death' especially when i found the description of Part III of his published book in 2011* inconceivable to our rational mind - the chats had flashes some light to my insecurity: the 'Intermediate State' (according to Tibetan Buddhism, the gap of the consciousness of the deceased body and the next rebirth into any of the Six Realms of existence ever happened) is the 'timing' for Liberation! - if we could recognize the radiance and the imagery energies?!

But the whole of our life has been programmed from birth, aging, sickness and death (even though, sometime and many times, it may not happened in that linear cycle!). From child, teenage, adult, senior to old age. Upon growing up, get schooling, work etc: we spend time feeding our physical needs, psychological needs, trying to maintain our health etc. Even spiritual practice could be 'once a year' event..., or when our normal life  cycle 'rocked' by the unexpected? - are we prepared to die? that was my doubt in my mind when i heard of untimely deaths of people in many ways. Last two years, when i walked with my interview participants of  their experiences handling physical disease called ' diagnosed cancer', i could felt their pain deeply though as a researcher at that time, i was supposed to be 'neutral' and 'alienated', at least not emotionally involved - they had taught me the most precious lessons on life, though only a handful had courageously consented to my study. In this technology and medically advanced age, i see the stages had reversed: birth, sickness; and death may arrive without aging (old age)!

Before i penned off this taboo topic in my mind, i would like to share this beautiful prose** from Kunde Rinpoche for personal reflection:
"Not knowing the time of death, your life force continues to exhaust,
When you wander alone in the intermediate state,
You will see self-manifested and multifarious reflections of emptiness.

Not knowing that they are the peaceful and wrathful deities,
You will be terrified and awed, and thereby get stuck in the swamp of samsara.
Hence, if you do not immediately put effort into the sublime Dharma,
When these appearances arise in the intermediate state,
Whom are you going to count on?
......"**
May All Beings be Happy, May All Beings Realized the Truth and be Peaceful.

*A  Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection / Kunde Rinpoche; translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam. (ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5).pp.72-106.
**ibid - pp.107, par.1-2

Impure Perceptions - so near yet so far?

One of my obstacles learning via serving my Vajrayana master, Kunde Rinpoche when he was visiting here was my impure perceptions towards his many encounters...In many occasions, i would view his 'compassionate acts' as lack of 'wisdom', may be worldly intelligence arising from my impure perceptions. Among others:

- In 2011, after persevering in getting the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practice which Kunde Rinpoche la had spent about a decade composing the oral transmissions he received primarily from his Root Lama,Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso, the 40th in the lineage of transmission of Lama Yangtig of the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection*, the translation process from Tibetan to English had taken about three years from the esteemed LTWA.  Finally, we got it published, cutting through all weeds of conditional obstructions!
I read this published book "A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection" * in first round, having little understanding except partially of Part I of this profound book, personally i consider, after many live chats with the author.  May be secretly, i perceive this is a 'blessing' book! (also with some personal experiences of being blessed from the 'blown of karmic winds' in many unexpected accidents?).
It was a reader from Canada who had ordered to get this book via email to us last year (which had taken us months to respond to her request), upon receipt of the book, he/she sent a brief message to us 'the wondrous book arrived' that first struck me! - but unfortunately no light from the simple but thundering words. Further to our communications happened last month, in a short message, one of the sentences was written "the book itself is truely gem" (translation to Chinese:真 宝)  – this Dharma ‘Friend’ we met via virtual space, the precise sentence made me contemplated: are we ready (accumulated enough merits) to receive or understand such ‘Transcendental Teachings’of this Great Perfection practice book let alone to appreciate it?  - i felt like my head being knocked by a vajra from space!
Thus, i started re-reading this book*, and found this compendium of Dzogchen tradition presented via the method of Q&A are indeed pitch instructions.  while reading this Q2:
Q:2. What should you be thinking when you engage in the Dharma practices:
A: In the beginning when you engage in the Dharma practices, you should think that in the case of all sentient beings there is not even one who had not been your parents in your past lives in time without beginning.....(p.12).
This is really hard! i/we are such conditioned (programmed) while growing up - many things if not all the things, we performed, the 'self' come first! As i was contemplating on this verse for nearly a week, together with daily preliminaries practices, and dedication of merits after each session brought me much tears and deep feeling - this mother earth belongs to all beings...
May All Beings be Well and Happy, May the mother earth be Peaceful!
Note:
*p.67-68, 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, 2011. (ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5)

Rejoicing - Coming soon: Tibetan 'A Garland of Flowers' publication by Kunde Rinpoche

Rejoicing! Buddha Bless!!!
It had taken about 10 years composing this original  manuscript in Tibetan, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection by H.E. Kunde Rinpoche.  In an exclusive personal chat of sonam yeshi with the author in 2011 ( in earlier posts, before the English translation texts of this manuscript was published), Kunde Rinpoche mentioned that initially the  manuscript was meant for serving as teaching texts for his students (specifically his students at his monastery and at Chumar, Qinghai), also as a form in preserving the oral tradition of Lama Yangtig of Dzogchen tradition which he had connection in receiving the transmissions and Teaching directly from the 40th in the lineage of transmission, Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso, being one of the youngest Lamas among other 30 (or less?) high senior monks at Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery.

The 'Glossary' pages (in Tibetan) was written in 2013 which we believe have covered comprehensively the vocabularies/glossary used in the publication.

May the precious knowledge shared in this publication benefits the Tibetan community and may All Sentient Beings benefit from the practitioners, readers, contributors and supporters of this publication.

Book cover (image displaying here were provided by H.E. Kunde Rinpoche, All rights reserved, 2013)

"Through the roots of virtue I have amassed, may all sentient beings of the six realms - especially those who have direct connection with me - be freed from temporary hindrances such as conflicts, arguments, illnesses, harm from evil forces, wrongdoings and obscurations and spontaneously fulfill their wishes; and ultimately, may they quickly actualize the supremely precious state of complete enlightenment." - pp.108, 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

Tashi Delek 扎西德勒！

Mind your language - perceptions of conceptual words

I met someone interested in Buddhism about a month ago. Twice i visited her organic shop, it happened my Teacher, Kunde Rinpoche was arround. In the seconde time, she asked me how i communicate with this Buddhist Teacher who spoke limited simple, sometimes unclear (or inaccurate) pronunciation Mandarin (Chinese).  I told her for the first 3 years, when he visited here, mostly i was driving him here and there, taking care of some of his basic needs.  I have learned much from observing his actions, how he response calmly towards adversities and rude behavors of common people, even Buddhists.  I chatted and asked him many questions as we travelled in my 12-year old automobile. Listening to his lived stories and life experiences are real and practical lessons for me in so called life long learning journey.


Mind your Language - Lived Stories (1)

One of their young Lama who left the monastery in Tibet and studying in Dzogchen Monastery India.  When he was in the monastery, one day one devotee from Australia gave him a sum of cash support for his living.  He did not speak English at all that time. He called one of the Lama who speaks Tibetan to ask how to say 'Thank You Very Much'.  That Lama cheekingly told him 'I Love You'.  He memorized the phrase and went to the kind friend to express the phrase 'I Love You'.  That lady was in her middle age felt so affectionate and held his hands warmly and said 'Thank you, Thank you', showing an expression of very touched by his words. Later he then learned the meaning of this phrase, but luckily it brought much joy to the donor at that moment with perfect cultural meaning in showing affection among people!

Mind your Language - Lived Stories (2)

Last year after published his first translated book in English*, Kunde Rinpoche taught me how to practise Vajrasattva visualization.  He gave a simplied version first and advised to practise progressively as per Dzogchen practice, guided in his Great Perfection book. Almost towards the end of the practice, Kunde  Rinpoche used a term (in Mandarin) '无二无别' (non-duality). He read as 'wu err wu bie'
At that time, i didn't understand the meaning of the terminology yet.  Instead I gave the feedback may be it was better not to use the term to the beginners who do not read much dharma books yet when he was going to guide this practice later in the book launch at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Malaysia .

Lately we had a brief session of Vajrasattva practice (briefly to revise his pronunciation after back to India for nearly a year), after the session, curiously i asked him why he did not used the same term '无二无别' (non-duality) for this session in instructions? He reminded me that i had feedbacked not to use this term as it was not well-pronounced!!!

At that moment, i did not know to laugh or to cry for my own ignorance! - I apologized

Today, i spent more than a hour reading Buddhist teachings online.  I read one very interesting article by Khenpo Cicheng Lodo [my own translations: Praising the Dharma Realm: an abridge translation (?)]. Retrieved: 14 July 2012.
http://www.huidengzhiguang.com//c/2012-03-06/1212.shtml

When i read some of the terms used in explaining Nyingma, and the 'state' of Great Perfection mind training, Ah-huh! - Now i know i was then making the wrong suggestion.  I salute my Teacher's humanity! It also reflect my intellectual 'arrogance'!
Tashi Delek!

* 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 [ ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5]

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

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 of the Oral Tradition (2) -unpublished manuscript: མཚན་མོ་གཅིག་གི་རྨི་ལམ༎ (Dreaming in A Night 一夜之梦)

Below was a chat with the author, Kunde Rinpoche of the below book, about another interesting manuscript he had shared in a site (Tibetan language, from the narration, apparently had also stirred some heated discussion from the young Tibetan who had viisted that site). This chat had related connections and virtues with the contents of the published book below:

Book title: A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection.

Author : H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam
ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5

མཚན་མོ་གཅིག་གི་རྨི་ལམ༎ Dreaming in A Night 一夜之梦

Below is the sypnosis of the post

Reference: www.tulkukonde.blospot.com

March 4, 2010

My article, མཚན་མོ་གཅིག་གི་རྨི་ལམ༎ (Dreaming in A Night 一夜之梦) was written and poste online on May 4,2009 (Tibetan Calander), it was written in Tibetan language[ The title's was literally translated by Sonam Yeshi & Nying Top Barma].

http://www.shambalapost.com/2008-11-09-14-14-57/1761-2010-03-04-05-45-08

 

[Note : Q= Interviewer, A = Interviewee (Rinpoche, or Tulku). Bracket ( ) - notes added for clarity, [ ] - expression]

Q: Rinpoche, i had asked about this manuscript before in 2009, a few months after we met you.  But your answer was just smiles only.  Now, i wonder am i ready to understand about this dream you have, and i could share with people who have affinity.

A : um..About the article i had written on མཚན་མོ་གཅིག་གི་རྨི་ལམ༎ (Dreaming in A Night 一夜之梦) [copy & pasted here from Rinpoche's blog. Reference: www.tulkukonde.blogspot.com]

Q: In your book, it has mentioned one of the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practice is "Clear Light Dream" practice.  It sounded not an easy practice, cos' for common uncultivated mind like ours, we can't even control our dreams or sleeping, not to mention interpreting dreams!

A:  "Clear Light Dream" is very specialized mind cultivation practice.  You need a recognized Master to guide you.

Q: Back to the 'beautiful lady' appeared in that Dreaming Night [laughter]. What is the symbolic significance in Dzogchen practice, which might be misinterpreted as 'sensual' indulgence from worldly lustful thoughts! (traditional practice may view as sensual disire! :D-)

A: This happened when i was practising under instructions of my root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery. One night i had this dream of a beautiful lady. Later i consulted my Dzogchen Master, Lodoe Gyatso.

Q: Yes, after going through the challenging processes of publishing your book, now i understand the rule that the practioners of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) required to learn and receiving instructions from a recognized Master of this tradition. For a beginner like me, it is such difficult to understand even intellectually of part 2 and part 3 in the contents of your book.

A: We learned and practise for years in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery (daily woke up at 5.00a.m. - 12.00p.m.) and the three-years retreat, Dzogchen Master would 'checked' and watched us daily, periodically (feedbacks of phenomena arises and experienced) during the three years, three months and three days (? sonam yeshi had not recorded the no. of days properly in her mind while chatting).

Q: Sorry to sidetrack, back to the 'secret' of the dream (symbolic interaction?)...

A: My Master, Lodoe Gyatso, said that i should practise Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practices. This is a symbolic of the Dharma Protector, Ekadzati (一支佛母) in Dzogchen, Nyingma Tradition. 

Q: Tulku, from the depth of your respect towards your root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso (including commissioned an art image), and requested us to venerate him as our root Lama as a beginner in our mind, learning the Part 1 practice under your guidance (instead of visualize Tulku's picture)!

A: My root Lama is the continuous transmission of Dzogchen lineage in the history of Dzogchen. (-2001. please refer the other post mentioned of some of the Master's Dzogchen practice students, Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok Rinpoche, Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche etc.)   His Wiscom and Compassion is the essence of my veneration (and our veneration)

Note: The manuscript of Dzogchen history of the author, under translation in Dharamsala, Research & Translation Dept, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 2009-

Q:Thank you, Tulku for your sharing on this Great Master, i found your live stories in your experiences very amazing, enlightening...
A: [smile] Tashi Delek

Thus have i heard in 2011 - posted by Sonam Yeshi
[Note: any mistake or misintepretations herein are solely the responsibilities of the mistakes/ignorance of the transcriber due to her short memories in this retrospetive transcription.]

Live chat on A Garland of Flowers - Great Perfection / Kunde Rinpoche

The following transcript derived from a live chat via skype between sonam yeshi with a friend from neighboring country (pseunonym) , also a friend of Kunde Rinpoche.  She was concerned on the distribution of the publication.
 

A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection.

Author : H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam
ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5
Published date: 29 July 2011

Note: bracket () wordings are remarks meant for clarificaiton. Some contents deleted.synbols : (pseunonym), - (sonam yeshi)


[8/24/2011 5:46:48 PM]  :BTW - Tulku's book. Why need to sell so expensive?
[8/24/2011 5:47:23 PM] :Sorry to say that but if your wish to generate profit from books, it's pretty slim chance.
.....
[8/24/2011 5:49:07 PM] - we have did some 'market' research on prices about dzogchen practice book - the price also reflects its uniqe teaching. profit is secondary.  it probably can sell better in the west (cos' of more dzogchen pratitioners?)
[8/24/2011 5:50:22 PM] - if you read this book, it is unique, even i find part 2 & 3 difficult to understand
[8/24/2011 5:51:45 PM] : only real practitioner will buy. Non practitioner will not understand the depth of the book. Let me share with you, Taiwanese Rinpoche also translated a practice book for sales. But he make a comment "As this is practice books, usually Centre will buy one book and makes copies after that" so the books cant sell if go for printing"
[8/24/2011 5:53:08 PM]: As Tulku book only 100pages (xiv, ill.; 128), to buy a book and send for copy is not a difficult task.
[8/24/2011 5:54:46 PM] - the illustrations - the peaceful & wrathful 100 buddhas (deities) & his great master - Lodoe Gyatso (color image) made phtotocopying impossible (may be scanning?)
[8/24/2011 5:55:32 PM] - also the 100 buddhas is the only piece of illustration (color image) known by tulku which has all in one piece of art.
[8/24/2011 5:58:56 PM] - the idea/inspiration was from the Rinpche (forgot the name in the book) who had 'passed away' - credit given by his Lama.  and this lama is planning to build a monastery in India under his name (at South India near Dzogchen Monastery), from the narration, this Rinpoche is coming back to continue his work. thus, later we may have to contribute based on book sales
[8/24/2011 6:02:33 PM] - i think to buy this book itself is a blessing - one of my friends a christian, diagnosed with cancer before, and immune system down. plus both parents sick off and on... (father diagnosed with cancer also) but she seems have affinity with Tulku's 'mani' & blessings.  Lakely got bronchitis, i brought Tulku to see her - she bought the book, and reported that night itself her lungs' ribs pain subsiding & recovering well (even weeks of medicine didnt work for her)! - believe it or not :-D) (sounded esoteric!)

[8/24/2011 6:03:40 PM] : I can understand the important and precious of the contents. If the idea is to reach a bigger audience and readers then it should be made affordable to all  and not only to the needy/medical conditions readers
[8/24/2011 6:10:29 PM] - haha, thanks for concerns over distributions/sales. i see Tulku such confident over his book (one westerner, former translator of Dzogchen rinpoche even 'advise' him not to publish his book - cos it will make him 'famous' but he worries of 'abuse' of this reveals of all the secret teachings thus far only in Tibetan - except 1-2 practices had been translated to english. i did read some books review with the title name dzogchen from scholarly database, this is the only complete manual of dzogchen pratice!!!
[8/24/2011 6:14:00 PM] - Thus i can imagine why the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche (verbally) supported to be published. Thanks to HH Pema Kalsang immediately wrote Words of Praise upon reading his manuscript
[8/24/2011 6:14:50 PM] : Ok. Your may have different strategy on the sales of the book. Just hope its well accepted and having the 2nd print very soon.
[8/24/2011 6:15:27 PM] : ok. Chat again other time
[8/24/2011 6:17:18 PM] - bye (yn)

Live Story from the Oral Tradition (1) - LODOE GYATSO (1930-2001)

Posted by Sonam Yeshi
1st revised on August 29, 2011

Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche - Sonam Yeshi. Transcribed in Q&A format (herein address as Tulku) in July 2011

Note: The name of Master Lodoe Gyatso was initially translation to English as Golok A-kong Tokden Rinpoche in this blog by Karma Khenpo and Jangchub Dorje (Lama). After seeking clarification from Kunde Rinpoche, "Golok" is the geographical place of Master's home/monastery. A cross-reference check on other translated text in Chinese translation, 'Lodoe' (罗珠) is more consistent translation - sonam yeshi, 29 August 2011

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

Q: When did you commissioned the art work of your root Lama (Dzogchen Master), Lodoe Gyatso which was inserted as an illustration in your newly published book, First 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.ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5).

A: In year 2009, at Nepal by an artist.

Q: Can you elaborate on its original idea?

A: I described my ideas and outline of the illustrations to the artist: My root Lama in the middle, the Three Dharma Protectors, and Samantabhadra (空心佛) on utmost top, and scene of surrounding.

Q: How special is your root Lama in the Dzogchen lineage?

A: He had teach and educated (in Khenpo training) /transmit teachings of Dzogchen, and taught many lamas in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery on Great Perfection practice, many became ‘attained’, very well known Dzogchen Teachers in this century. Among his prominently well-known students are: Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok 法王堪布吉美彭措仁波切 (the Master of Khenpo Sotaji (索达吉堪布) & Tsultim Lodu (慈诚罗珠仁波切), and the living Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche and Kyabje Patrul Rinpoche (Doptal) of Shriseng Monastery in Tibet.

Q: Any ‘esoteric’ or spiritual story about him? Most critical life experience, like how he passed away?

A: [laughter] uh, many many. Yes, 2 weeks before he passed away, he announced to his students, and requested them to ask questions. Thereafter, every morning he gave dharma talks on Great Perfection and asked us for questions. When his physical body (the 5 elements) started to diminishing (dissolved) to emptiness, without any verbal communication, Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche arrived just on time to complete his Bodhisattva Vow (to do the special Puja & before the physical elements ‘erupted’,do the necessary according to the teaching tradition (apology - that is out of the transcriber's ability to describe in words).

Q: hey, Tulku, it is just beyond our rational mind of such ‘Art of Dying’ [laughter], lay people & new student to Dzogchen tradition like us. We had witnessed so many sufferings of our loved ones, friends, neighbours etc. dying in many difficult, unexpected & confused stages…

A: [laughter] it sounded very spiritual, but there were many extra-ordinary ‘passing away’ real live evidences in Tibet Buddhism history. Spiritual life is the quintessence of the Tibetan culture (and hope it is preserving well).

Q: Has Master taken rebirth?

A: Yes, in Tibet.

Q: How was this incarnation been recognized?

A: Master had left his written description (predicted) of his rebirth, based on those descriptions, a search was carried out.

Q: Any special ‘signals’or description in the prediction given?

A: Yes, one of these was the geographic district name, another one was the physical birth mark - there would be birthmark of a dharma protector, and he chose to be born in a common family (普通家庭).

Q: Wow, I think any of us would choose a ‘rich or wealthy’ family if we have a choice [laughter]!
A: Yes, my Master is very special - it reflects the essence of Great Compassion of my root Lama’s, Lodoe Gyatso

Q: I am curious, which great Master has recognized him [laughter]?
A: Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, and another one by ... Rinpoche (one of his former closed disciples - apology, sonam yeshi cannot remember that Rinpoche’s name mentioned by Tulku)

Q: wow, incarnate to two individuals?

A: [laughter] (Tulku didn’t answer, may be the answer is too deep for words description, or it is beyond my limited and always confused mind’s understanding - sonam yeshi)...

Thank you Tulku, i am such blessed to have opportunities to chat with you, and learning from your humane actions.

Tashi Delek

May the roars of the teachings of Great Perfection be heard by all those who have connections and affinity to the practice. May all beings attain Enlightenment

Contents (Synopsis) - A Garlands of Flowers

Book Title: 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.

ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5

Published: 29 July 2011

Contents (Synopsis)

Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgements

Preface from the Department of Religion & Culture, Central Tibetan Administration of the H. H. the Dalai Lama

Introduction

The Lineage of Kyabje Kunde Rinpoche

Part 1 : A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Preliminary Practices of the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection

Q1-Q20

Part 2 : A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great
Perfection

Q21-Q28

Part 3 : A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Introduction of the Intermediate State of the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection

Q29-Q58

Appendix – Dzogchen Affiliations

About the Translators

Glossary

Index

Back cover: Words of Praise by His Holiness Pema Kalsang, Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, 2011

For more information, please visit the author’s page: http://tulkukonde.blogspot.com. Any queries, please send an email to greatperfection@hotmail.com

Tashi Delek 吉祥如意