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).

An Auspicious 2-day Buddhist Puja - Blessed by Three Rinpoches

posted by sonam yeshi
revised & edited
I was informed by the coordinator of this special 2-day Puja that a devoted Buddhist take the trouble to telephone to express his rejoicing of this hard-work arrangement of this 2-day auspicious Buddhist Puja, though he is unable to attend them. We thanked this as the heart of rejoicing is an expression of kindness in thoughts!

Today, 7/8/2012, the offering of Naga Vase is closed for registration for blessings chantings until 9/8/2012.  But the registration for Vajrasattva Empowerment is still open for registration until 11/8/12. 

In addition, a surprised news! -  i was informed that a Khenpo from Dzogchen Monastery India who has completed his 3 years, 3 months & 3 days retreat is joining to bless the 2-day Puja - what a last minute surprise!!! The chinese has a unique phrase: 殊胜法缘 (my translation: auspicious dharma affinity)!   If any reader is interested to find out about the new library project at Dzogchen Monastery India.
In case you miss the earlier post, this is the 2-day Puja schedule, with rejoicing heart, even viewing the three Rinpoches images, it could be blessed mentally?

[poster designed by H.E. Kunde Rinpoche, 2012]

Tashi Delek 吉祥如意

The Power of Truth - A Reflection

posted by sonam yeshi

Life Lesson (3)

Last night i was talking to a friend in Penang who is helping to coordinate the coming Naga Puja-Vajrasattva Tsok & Vajrasattva Empowerment (2 days Puja). 

I commented to her that there is a 3-day puja going on (4-6/8/12?) in KL at a stadium, their poster designed put "Dzogchen Monaster" (no indication of India or China) besides the big picture of that Teacher (with due respect). It is really a real conflict of interest in worldly sense - as Kunde Rinpoche & Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche have been trying very hard to help rasing funding for the buildling the new Library at Dzogcehen Monastery India (under construction), to be fair, i like to honestly suggest that the local organization who organized these three days Buddhist Puja to donate the net proceeds of public donations to "Dzogchen Monastery" (India or China) for such 'mis-representated information' (which may arise & cause any confusion?).  i was rather shocked that local organization is not aware of 'intellectual property rights' even it is just the name being used not any image.

Last night, before i went to sleep, i thought this issue of 'mis-representation' could not be forever being 'blurred' -  with good intention, tomorrow is Lunar Calander 6th month 19, the Mahayana Buddhist believe is Avalokitesvara (Kwan Yin) enlightenment day (?) - i did my evening prayers and mentally thought that if that teacher's claimed on the related website (from Taiwan?) of re-incarnation of Avalokitesvara is not true, then today their Puja would be raining. As i was writing this post as at 2.50p.m. - it is really raining (quite heavy!) - as my own act of Truth!

Not long ago, i asked Kunde Rinpoche of the recent heavily pasted posters of a 'god' at Pudu area that brought fears to many concerned Buddhists why was it regarded 'banned' in the Vajrayana tradition? (recently someone name 'Lobsang Dorjee' posted some distored pictures of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the facebook, many people did not know and clicked 'like'!).

I was informed of this true story happened in somewhere China, a practitioner who held a big empowerment puja, thousands of Buddhist practitioners went there to attend, but before the event started, the teacher who announced that those who pay homage to the Sakyamuni Buddha & Guru Rinpoche should not attend that ceremony, many thousands pratitioners left on the spot, left about a thousand or so. Then that teacher sat up his special seat, before he could start the ceremony, suddenly hails stones dropped from the sky & hit on him and the wind blown the pillar of the camp off - fell on him & injured!(punishment from sky?). 2 weeks later (?), that man who cursed the Buddha & Guru Rinpoche but using the rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism died in a strange way (to be specific for that case- immediate Karma?) !!!  - this is a real life lessonthis is a real life lesson for all who did not respect the historical Buddha & Guru Rinpoche but using their Teachings in deviated way! for all who did not respect the historical Buddha & Guru Rinpoche but instead using their teachings in deviated ways!

Tashi delek

Note: the original of this text posted on facebook/ KH Yeoh (6 August 2012)

OM MANI PADME HUM!

Pictures of Beautiful Nature for sharing

[photographed by Kunde Rinpoche, 16 March 2010, days while preparing for a 100-Buddha Bardo Empowerment (Shitro) performed by Kunde Rinpoche & Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche - under the request of a friend & sonam yeshi in commemoration to their respective departed beloved mum]

[photographs provided by Kunde Rinpoche, 2010 (image 1), all rights reserved]

[photographs provided by Kunde Rinpoche, 2010 (image 2), all rights reserved]

of this te- this is a real life lesson for all who did not respect the historical Buddha & Guru Rinpoche but using their Teachings in deviated way!OM OM

OM om maniOM MANI PADME HUM (108x)

Tashi Delek 吉祥如意

eal conflict of interest in worldly sense - as Kunde Rinpoche & Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche have been trying very hard to help rasing funding for the buildling the new Library at Dzogcehen Monastery India (under construction), to be fair, i suggest that local organization who organized these three days Buddhist Puja to donate the net proceeds of public donations to "Dzogchen Monastery" (India or China) for any 'misrepresentation information'. i was rather shocked the local organization is not aware of 'intellectual property rights' even it is just the name being used not any image.
Last night, before i went to sleep, i tell myself be out spoken with good intention, tomorrow is Lunar Calander 6th month 19, the Mahayana Buddhist believe is Avalokitesvara (Kwan Yin) enlightenment day (?) - i told myself if that teacher's claimed on the related website (from Taiwan?) of re-incarnation of Avalokitesvara is not true, then today their Puja would be raining. As i was writing this post at 2.50p.m. - it is really raining (quite heavy!) - as my own act of Truth!

Not long ago, i asked Kunde Rinpoche of the recent heavily pasted posters of a 'god' at Pudu area that brought fears to many concerned Buddhists why was it regarded 'banned' in the Vajrayana tradition? (recently someone name 'Lobsang Dorjee' posted some distored pictures of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the facebook, many people did not know and clicked 'like'!)

I was informed of this true story happened in somewhere China, someone who holds a big empowerment puja, thousands of Buddhist practitioners went there to attend, but before the event started, the teacher who announced that those who pay homage to the Sakyamuni Buddha & Guru Rinpoche should not attend that ceremony, many thousands pratitioners left on the spot, left about a thousand or so. Then that teacher sat up to his special seat, before he could start the ceremony, suddenly hails stones dropped from the sky & hit on him and the wind blown the pillar of the camp off - fell on him. He was injured by the 'sky'! 2 weeks later (?), that man who cursed the Buddha & Guru Rinpoche died in a strange way! - this is a real life lesson for all who did not respect the historical Buddha & Guru Rinpoche but using their Teachings in deviated way!

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.

Vajrayana Last Rites Rituals - An Experience

Last Friday, i drove Kunde Rinpoche & a Lama to visit a long time friend's house as her mother had departed on last Thursday, aged 90+3 (may be this is the chinese way of calculating age for the departed).  She called to say that she informed me the news because i had visited her late mom with Kunde Rinpoche 2 years ago when she had a colon surgery.  Having personal affinity with her mum, i had to put aside my lag behind study due to personal commitment in assisting in the coming two Buddhist Puja that would assist in the funding for the new Library of Dzogchen Monastery India.

After a tele-conversation with this Buddhist friend, i requested Kunde Rinpoche last Thursday late night if he could help to perform some last rites rituals to assist this friend's family, though they have a local lay Buddhist group to do Amitabha chantings in the evening. Rinpoche la asked me would they be offering a burned animal (like some Chinese families he had seen) and commented 'no killing' involved is the best merits.  My friend commented her late mum had mentioned merits of the Buddhist full-time practitioners are not comparable, and confirmed the ritual ceremony would be only vegetarian.

When we arrived that state which is about 250KM away, it was about 5.30P.M. As the lay Buddhist Amitabha group would be doing the evening chant from 8pm-9.30pm(?), Kunde Rinpoche la humbly adjusted to their needs. We waited till that chanting session completed. Rinpoche la & Lama performed a Buddhist Prayers (my little knowledge only know Vajrasattva 100-Syllable & Mantra)& Smoke Puja (烟供), later Kunde Rinpoche performed a short 'Phowa'. That family also requested him to bless one of the daughters who has been sick & not well (i did not follow to see his blessing for that daughter).

The next day morning, Rinpoche initiated a 100-Buddha ritual after a long series of Blessing Chantings (some Chantings i could recognized with my little experience in Vajrayana Prayers), including Three Refuges, Bodhicitta, Chenrezig, Amitabha Puja & Mantra Chants etc.  We were impressed that Rinpoche could innovatively just drew the Vajrayana Prayer Plate with a lotus, put a picture of the deceased on top of the lotus before the Prayer started .

After the Prayer, another long-time friend who started practising Vajrayana Buddhism in 1997 (?) presented an offering to Rinpoche la & Lama. Her kindness & generosity reminded us of the impotance of making connection with whatever little offering to the recognized Buddhist Practitioners.

That evening after the lay Buddhist Amitabha chanting, Kunde Rinpoche performed Guru Rinpoche's Empowerment to the deceased & the living siblings & relatives. Before the ceremony started, i suggested to make connection with Kunde Rinpoche & the Lama with a minimal offering. They did, for the sake of the highest love and respect to their beloved mum though i was informed that for some of the children, this is the first time they prostrated to Buddhist full-time practitioners.  I was very moved by their kindness & heartful towards their late mum.  Rinpoche la also explained liberated from the Six Realms of Existence entering the Amitabha Pure Land does not meant attainment of Buddhahood, thus we continue to do Buddhist Prayers for this reason.  I was happy to see that daughter was recovered to join this prayer session and later one.

The next day, we were rejoicing to see sign of liberation at the head of the deceased!  With rejoice, Kunde Rinpoche la & Lama performed the Buddhist Prayers with Transference of Merits long text, also blessing the to-be-used porcelain cremation urn upon request. Later Rinpoche la informed me he did the Gelukpa tradition Transference of Merits chant as the Lama is familiar with this instead of the Nyingma Transference of Merits text.  I saluted Rinpoche la's understanding & compassion to make a connection as the Lama who came with him was trained in Sera Buddhist College of Gelukpa tradition.  May be the full-time Vajrayana Practitioners are much open in performing any recognized traditions' rituals with the right conditions.

As Rinpoche la had well-planned to do the necessary prayers for three days, we departed on Sunday, leaving the cremation ceremony for the arranged organization to perform it on Monday. 

It was indeed a special experience for me and i believe the Buddhist rituals ceremony bring psychological well beings for the departed living family members. On the way back while driving, i was contemplating on the local Buddhist Chinese who had spent enormously for the deceased relative, sometimes may be lack of information or knowledge and even could be due to inherited superstition?

May the Merits generated from these 3 days extensive Buddhist Prayers be transferred to All Sentient Beings For Liberation & Peace...Amitofo. 南无阿弥陀佛
OM AH ME DEWA SHER (108x).......

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