For five months, Tulku Jigme Rinpoche, our son Orgyen and I undertook a pilgrimage throughout Nepal and Tibet. The main purpose of our six weeks in Nepal was to see H. E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a great Dzogchen master and the senior holder of the magnificent Chhogling lineage, as well as Jigme Rinpoche's mother and sister. Tulku Urgyen bestowed on us the pinnacle empowerment of the Chhogling lineage called the Kunzang Thug T'hig, "The Heart Drop of Kuntuzangpo," and gave Jigme Rinpoche full authorization and encouragement to hold and to teach this lineage.
While we were receiving these profound instructions in Tulku Urgyen's "sky view" room, the nuns in the monastery below were conducting their annual drubchen called Ngagso, "The Purification of Vajrayana Samaya." This is a practice from the Chhogling lineage that Tulku Urgyen specifically urged Jigme Rinpoche to offer in the West. He said Guru Rinpoche had prophesied, in this practice, that during these degenerating times, no one would be able to maintain Vajrayana commitments–thus one could greatly benefit one's practice by performing the Ngagso.
Tulku Urgyen's son, Chhogling Rinpoche, an emanation of the original great terton, or treasure discoverer, of the same name, presided as vajra master. Amazing signs, including rainbows in the sky, arose at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A few days after greeting my parents and a tiny puppy they brought for us to offer H.H. Jigme P'huntsog, we all flew together to Tibet. The two-hour ride from the airport to Lhasa was stunningly beautiful. The rivers were turquoise and the sun strong and brilliant. We spotted the Potala Palace from the bus upon our arrival in Lhasa.
We spent three weeks in the Lhasa area, visiting the Jokhang, Tibet' s most holy temple, the seat of the Buddha in sambhogakaya form. We also visited the Potala Palace and the many great monasteries nearby, including Sera Ge, the monastery where Chagdud Rinpoche's father, an emanation of Hayagriva, had been abbot. The principal holy image in the monastery is a magnificent statue of Hayagriva. The attending monk made a protection cord for Orgyen from a white offering scarf taken from the statue.
Outside Lhasa we saw the holy caves of Drak Yerpa, including Dawa P'hug, (moon cave) where Guru Rinpoche did extensive retreat. We visited Shugseb Ani Gonpa, where the nuns were engaged in a Thousand-Arm Chenrezig nyung-nay drubchen. The nuns offered delightful hospitality to my parents during this culmination of their three-week visit to Tibet, as Jigme Rinpoche, Orgyen and I offered tsog at the holy cave of Gangri Tokar, where Longchenpa did extensive retreat and composed his famous work, the Dzad Dun, (Seven Treasures).
Samye Monastery was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in central Tibet. This visit to Guru Rinpoche's monastery was full of blessings. The monastery is constructed as a microcosm of the universe, a complete mandala offering. Above Samye, up two separate valleys, lie incredible holy places where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal conducted many retreats . Most of these places, about 15,000 feet in elevation, take six or seven hours to hike to. Once we arrived, we spent hours visiting the many caves, self-arising images of stupas and deities on huge rock faces, holy springs, and footprints in stone. At dusk we hiked down the mountain to be greeted by bowls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and tea, offered by the generous Samye monks . Then we rose early the next morning to continue our explorations–this schedule was maintained for ten extraordinary days.
After an arduous but incredible journey, we finally arrived in Kham (Eastern Tibet), at the home of the previous Chagdud Tulku's family. These wonderful, warm people cried when they saw us; their faith in the current Chagdud Rinpoche, whom they still call "uncle," and anyone with a connection to him, is deep and heartwarming. They were particularly happy to see Orgyen, the grandson of their beloved guru. The next day, we were escorted in a grand procession up to Chagdud Gonpa. Orgyen was carried on a beautiful brocade throne, and Rinpoche and I rode horses. The multi colored scarves worn by the lamas and the flowers thrown by the Jay people as we passed contrasted vividly with the brilliant green grass in the morning fog. We arrived at Chagdud Gonpa on the extremely auspicious day of Guru Rinpoche's birth. We enjoyed the lama dancing and ceremonies. Days were filled with people requesting Jigme Rinpoche's blessings, healing, divinations, and advice, and he bestowed a long-life empowerment on over seven hundred people. The Chagdud Gonpa lamas enthroned Orgyen as a holder of the Chagdud Gonpa lineage.
During a large meeting, the Chagdud Gonpa lamas reviewed Chagdud Rinpoche' s last visit, in which he had indicated that with his advancing age and responsibilities in the West, he would not be able to return often to Tibet. The lamas had asked and Chagdud Rinpoche had agreed to entrust the responsibility of the monastery to his son. To Jigme Rinpoche's surprise, the lamas formally offered the monastery to him. They made lengthy requests that he stay, or if not, that he return for longer periods of time. We all joined in prayers that we would meet again and again.
We then traveled to Tenp'hel Gonpa to meet Khandro T'hrinlay Wangmo, Chagdud Rinpoche's sister. Escorted by 100 horsemen waving white banners, we rode into the gonpa in a procession that was like a scene from a Wild West movie, accompanied by the sound of Tibetan oboes and cymbals. She was waiting–smiling and tearful. She was simultaneously extraordinary and completely natural. She gave us a treasure she had revealed–a Vajradhara statue whose face appears alternately peaceful and wrathful. The heart contains a self arising Jewel. In the back is a treasure door behind which lies another, as yet unrevealed, treasure. But she denied that she is a treasure discoverer, saying only, ''I just found it–someone must have lost it," as she shyly hid her face. After a few wonderful days at Tenp'hel Gonpa, T'hrinlay Wangmo joined us as we continued on to Tromt'har. The large monastery at Tromge Gonpa that will hold 500 monks has almost been rebuilt. We met all the young tulkus and the now senior lama, Tulku Dechhen Rinpoche. We visited the homes of many Tromge extended family members, saw a Tibetan horse race and even spent the night in a traditional nomad tent.
Our last stop in Tibet was the monastery of H.H. Jigme P'huntsog where our two families were joyfully reunited for the first time since His Holiness visited the United States in July 1993. The day after our arrival, His Holiness gave the empowerment for his most recently discovered treasure. Approximately 4,000 people had gathered for this empowerment, which was being given for the first time. During His Holiness's introduction to the ceremony he said he felt it extremely auspicious that we had arrived in time for this empowerment, for it indicated that his treasures would be increasingly beneficial in the West. His Holiness spoke publicly about his heartfelt connection to Jigme Rinpoche and his family and encouraged him to teach and spread His Holiness's lineage.
As we left the monastery on our last day in Tibet, thousands of His Holiness's disciples lined the road, throwing flowers, taking blessings and spontaneously singing a prayer for the increase of Jigme Rinpoche's activity.
If you enjoyed this brief account of our pilgrimage to Tibet, please join us for our slide/video show, Pilgrimage to Tibet Through a Lama's Eyes. [Call Ati Ling for information.]
Rigdzin Tromge
For five months, Tulku Jigme Rinpoche, our son Orgyen and I undertook a pilgrimage throughout Nepal and Tibet. The main purpose of our six weeks in Nepal was to see H. E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a great Dzogchen master and the senior holder of the magnificent Chhogling lineage, as well as Jigme Rinpoche's mother and sister. Tulku Urgyen bestowed on us the pinnacle empowerment of the Chhogling lineage called the Kunzang Thug T'hig, "The Heart Drop of Kuntuzangpo," and gave Jigme Rinpoche full authorization and encouragement to hold and to teach this lineage.
While we were receiving these profound instructions in Tulku Urgyen's "sky view" room, the nuns in the monastery below were conducting their annual drubchen called Ngagso, "The Purification of Vajrayana Samaya." This is a practice from the Chhogling lineage that Tulku Urgyen specifically urged Jigme Rinpoche to offer in the West. He said Guru Rinpoche had prophesied, in this practice, that during these degenerating times, no one would be able to maintain Vajrayana commitments–thus one could greatly benefit one's practice by performing the Ngagso.
Tulku Urgyen's son, Chhogling Rinpoche, an emanation of the original great terton, or treasure discoverer, of the same name, presided as vajra master. Amazing signs, including rainbows in the sky, arose at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A few days after greeting my parents and a tiny puppy they brought for us to offer H.H. Jigme P'huntsog, we all flew together to Tibet. The two-hour ride from the airport to Lhasa was stunningly beautiful. The rivers were turquoise and the sun strong and brilliant. We spotted the Potala Palace from the bus upon our arrival in Lhasa.
We spent three weeks in the Lhasa area, visiting the Jokhang, Tibet' s most holy temple, the seat of the Buddha in sambhogakaya form. We also visited the Potala Palace and the many great monasteries nearby, including Sera Ge, the monastery where Chagdud Rinpoche's father, an emanation of Hayagriva, had been abbot. The principal holy image in the monastery is a magnificent statue of Hayagriva. The attending monk made a protection cord for Orgyen from a white offering scarf taken from the statue.
Outside Lhasa we saw the holy caves of Drak Yerpa, including Dawa P'hug, (moon cave) where Guru Rinpoche did extensive retreat. We visited Shugseb Ani Gonpa, where the nuns were engaged in a Thousand-Arm Chenrezig nyung-nay drubchen. The nuns offered delightful hospitality to my parents during this culmination of their three-week visit to Tibet, as Jigme Rinpoche, Orgyen and I offered tsog at the holy cave of Gangri Tokar, where Longchenpa did extensive retreat and composed his famous work, the Dzad Dun, (Seven Treasures).
Samye Monastery was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in central Tibet. This visit to Guru Rinpoche's monastery was full of blessings. The monastery is constructed as a microcosm of the universe, a complete mandala offering. Above Samye, up two separate valleys, lie incredible holy places where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal conducted many retreats . Most of these places, about 15,000 feet in elevation, take six or seven hours to hike to. Once we arrived, we spent hours visiting the many caves, self-arising images of stupas and deities on huge rock faces, holy springs, and footprints in stone. At dusk we hiked down the mountain to be greeted by bowls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and tea, offered by the generous Samye monks . Then we rose early the next morning to continue our explorations–this schedule was maintained for ten extraordinary days.
After an arduous but incredible journey, we finally arrived in Kham (Eastern Tibet), at the home of the previous Chagdud Tulku's family. These wonderful, warm people cried when they saw us; their faith in the current Chagdud Rinpoche, whom they still call "uncle," and anyone with a connection to him, is deep and heartwarming. They were particularly happy to see Orgyen, the grandson of their beloved guru. The next day, we were escorted in a grand procession up to Chagdud Gonpa. Orgyen was carried on a beautiful brocade throne, and Rinpoche and I rode horses. The multi colored scarves worn by the lamas and the flowers thrown by the Jay people as we passed contrasted vividly with the brilliant green grass in the morning fog. We arrived at Chagdud Gonpa on the extremely auspicious day of Guru Rinpoche's birth. We enjoyed the lama dancing and ceremonies. Days were filled with people requesting Jigme Rinpoche's blessings, healing, divinations, and advice, and he bestowed a long-life empowerment on over seven hundred people. The Chagdud Gonpa lamas enthroned Orgyen as a holder of the Chagdud Gonpa lineage.
During a large meeting, the Chagdud Gonpa lamas reviewed Chagdud Rinpoche' s last visit, in which he had indicated that with his advancing age and responsibilities in the West, he would not be able to return often to Tibet. The lamas had asked and Chagdud Rinpoche had agreed to entrust the responsibility of the monastery to his son. To Jigme Rinpoche's surprise, the lamas formally offered the monastery to him. They made lengthy requests that he stay, or if not, that he return for longer periods of time. We all joined in prayers that we would meet again and again.
We then traveled to Tenp'hel Gonpa to meet Khandro T'hrinlay Wangmo, Chagdud Rinpoche's sister. Escorted by 100 horsemen waving white banners, we rode into the gonpa in a procession that was like a scene from a Wild West movie, accompanied by the sound of Tibetan oboes and cymbals. She was waiting–smiling and tearful. She was simultaneously extraordinary and completely natural. She gave us a treasure she had revealed–a Vajradhara statue whose face appears alternately peaceful and wrathful. The heart contains a self arising Jewel. In the back is a treasure door behind which lies another, as yet unrevealed, treasure. But she denied that she is a treasure discoverer, saying only, ''I just found it–someone must have lost it," as she shyly hid her face. After a few wonderful days at Tenp'hel Gonpa, T'hrinlay Wangmo joined us as we continued on to Tromt'har. The large monastery at Tromge Gonpa that will hold 500 monks has almost been rebuilt. We met all the young tulkus and the now senior lama, Tulku Dechhen Rinpoche. We visited the homes of many Tromge extended family members, saw a Tibetan horse race and even spent the night in a traditional nomad tent.
Our last stop in Tibet was the monastery of H.H. Jigme P'huntsog where our two families were joyfully reunited for the first time since His Holiness visited the United States in July 1993. The day after our arrival, His Holiness gave the empowerment for his most recently discovered treasure. Approximately 4,000 people had gathered for this empowerment, which was being given for the first time. During His Holiness's introduction to the ceremony he said he felt it extremely auspicious that we had arrived in time for this empowerment, for it indicated that his treasures would be increasingly beneficial in the West. His Holiness spoke publicly about his heartfelt connection to Jigme Rinpoche and his family and encouraged him to teach and spread His Holiness's lineage.
As we left the monastery on our last day in Tibet, thousands of His Holiness's disciples lined the road, throwing flowers, taking blessings and spontaneously singing a prayer for the increase of Jigme Rinpoche's activity.
If you enjoyed this brief account of our pilgrimage to Tibet, please join us for our slide/video show, Pilgrimage to Tibet Through a Lama's Eyes. [Call Ati Ling for information.]
Rigdzin Tromge
For five months, Tulku Jigme Rinpoche, our son Orgyen and I undertook a pilgrimage throughout Nepal and Tibet. The main purpose of our six weeks in Nepal was to see H. E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a great Dzogchen master and the senior holder of the magnificent Chhogling lineage, as well as Jigme Rinpoche's mother and sister. Tulku Urgyen bestowed on us the pinnacle empowerment of the Chhogling lineage called the Kunzang Thug T'hig, "The Heart Drop of Kuntuzangpo," and gave Jigme Rinpoche full authorization and encouragement to hold and to teach this lineage.
While we were receiving these profound instructions in Tulku Urgyen's "sky view" room, the nuns in the monastery below were conducting their annual drubchen called Ngagso, "The Purification of Vajrayana Samaya." This is a practice from the Chhogling lineage that Tulku Urgyen specifically urged Jigme Rinpoche to offer in the West. He said Guru Rinpoche had prophesied, in this practice, that during these degenerating times, no one would be able to maintain Vajrayana commitments–thus one could greatly benefit one's practice by performing the Ngagso.
Tulku Urgyen's son, Chhogling Rinpoche, an emanation of the original great terton, or treasure discoverer, of the same name, presided as vajra master. Amazing signs, including rainbows in the sky, arose at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A few days after greeting my parents and a tiny puppy they brought for us to offer H.H. Jigme P'huntsog, we all flew together to Tibet. The two-hour ride from the airport to Lhasa was stunningly beautiful. The rivers were turquoise and the sun strong and brilliant. We spotted the Potala Palace from the bus upon our arrival in Lhasa.
We spent three weeks in the Lhasa area, visiting the Jokhang, Tibet' s most holy temple, the seat of the Buddha in sambhogakaya form. We also visited the Potala Palace and the many great monasteries nearby, including Sera Ge, the monastery where Chagdud Rinpoche's father, an emanation of Hayagriva, had been abbot. The principal holy image in the monastery is a magnificent statue of Hayagriva. The attending monk made a protection cord for Orgyen from a white offering scarf taken from the statue.
Outside Lhasa we saw the holy caves of Drak Yerpa, including Dawa P'hug, (moon cave) where Guru Rinpoche did extensive retreat. We visited Shugseb Ani Gonpa, where the nuns were engaged in a Thousand-Arm Chenrezig nyung-nay drubchen. The nuns offered delightful hospitality to my parents during this culmination of their three-week visit to Tibet, as Jigme Rinpoche, Orgyen and I offered tsog at the holy cave of Gangri Tokar, where Longchenpa did extensive retreat and composed his famous work, the Dzad Dun, (Seven Treasures).
Samye Monastery was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in central Tibet. This visit to Guru Rinpoche's monastery was full of blessings. The monastery is constructed as a microcosm of the universe, a complete mandala offering. Above Samye, up two separate valleys, lie incredible holy places where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal conducted many retreats . Most of these places, about 15,000 feet in elevation, take six or seven hours to hike to. Once we arrived, we spent hours visiting the many caves, self-arising images of stupas and deities on huge rock faces, holy springs, and footprints in stone. At dusk we hiked down the mountain to be greeted by bowls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and tea, offered by the generous Samye monks . Then we rose early the next morning to continue our explorations–this schedule was maintained for ten extraordinary days.
After an arduous but incredible journey, we finally arrived in Kham (Eastern Tibet), at the home of the previous Chagdud Tulku's family. These wonderful, warm people cried when they saw us; their faith in the current Chagdud Rinpoche, whom they still call "uncle," and anyone with a connection to him, is deep and heartwarming. They were particularly happy to see Orgyen, the grandson of their beloved guru. The next day, we were escorted in a grand procession up to Chagdud Gonpa. Orgyen was carried on a beautiful brocade throne, and Rinpoche and I rode horses. The multi colored scarves worn by the lamas and the flowers thrown by the Jay people as we passed contrasted vividly with the brilliant green grass in the morning fog. We arrived at Chagdud Gonpa on the extremely auspicious day of Guru Rinpoche's birth. We enjoyed the lama dancing and ceremonies. Days were filled with people requesting Jigme Rinpoche's blessings, healing, divinations, and advice, and he bestowed a long-life empowerment on over seven hundred people. The Chagdud Gonpa lamas enthroned Orgyen as a holder of the Chagdud Gonpa lineage.
During a large meeting, the Chagdud Gonpa lamas reviewed Chagdud Rinpoche' s last visit, in which he had indicated that with his advancing age and responsibilities in the West, he would not be able to return often to Tibet. The lamas had asked and Chagdud Rinpoche had agreed to entrust the responsibility of the monastery to his son. To Jigme Rinpoche's surprise, the lamas formally offered the monastery to him. They made lengthy requests that he stay, or if not, that he return for longer periods of time. We all joined in prayers that we would meet again and again.
We then traveled to Tenp'hel Gonpa to meet Khandro T'hrinlay Wangmo, Chagdud Rinpoche's sister. Escorted by 100 horsemen waving white banners, we rode into the gonpa in a procession that was like a scene from a Wild West movie, accompanied by the sound of Tibetan oboes and cymbals. She was waiting–smiling and tearful. She was simultaneously extraordinary and completely natural. She gave us a treasure she had revealed–a Vajradhara statue whose face appears alternately peaceful and wrathful. The heart contains a self arising Jewel. In the back is a treasure door behind which lies another, as yet unrevealed, treasure. But she denied that she is a treasure discoverer, saying only, ''I just found it–someone must have lost it," as she shyly hid her face. After a few wonderful days at Tenp'hel Gonpa, T'hrinlay Wangmo joined us as we continued on to Tromt'har. The large monastery at Tromge Gonpa that will hold 500 monks has almost been rebuilt. We met all the young tulkus and the now senior lama, Tulku Dechhen Rinpoche. We visited the homes of many Tromge extended family members, saw a Tibetan horse race and even spent the night in a traditional nomad tent.
Our last stop in Tibet was the monastery of H.H. Jigme P'huntsog where our two families were joyfully reunited for the first time since His Holiness visited the United States in July 1993. The day after our arrival, His Holiness gave the empowerment for his most recently discovered treasure. Approximately 4,000 people had gathered for this empowerment, which was being given for the first time. During His Holiness's introduction to the ceremony he said he felt it extremely auspicious that we had arrived in time for this empowerment, for it indicated that his treasures would be increasingly beneficial in the West. His Holiness spoke publicly about his heartfelt connection to Jigme Rinpoche and his family and encouraged him to teach and spread His Holiness's lineage.
As we left the monastery on our last day in Tibet, thousands of His Holiness's disciples lined the road, throwing flowers, taking blessings and spontaneously singing a prayer for the increase of Jigme Rinpoche's activity.
If you enjoyed this brief account of our pilgrimage to Tibet, please join us for our slide/video show, Pilgrimage to Tibet Through a Lama's Eyes. [Call Ati Ling for information.]
Rigdzin Tromge
For five months, Tulku Jigme Rinpoche, our son Orgyen and I undertook a pilgrimage throughout Nepal and Tibet. The main purpose of our six weeks in Nepal was to see H. E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a great Dzogchen master and the senior holder of the magnificent Chhogling lineage, as well as Jigme Rinpoche's mother and sister. Tulku Urgyen bestowed on us the pinnacle empowerment of the Chhogling lineage called the Kunzang Thug T'hig, "The Heart Drop of Kuntuzangpo," and gave Jigme Rinpoche full authorization and encouragement to hold and to teach this lineage.
While we were receiving these profound instructions in Tulku Urgyen's "sky view" room, the nuns in the monastery below were conducting their annual drubchen called Ngagso, "The Purification of Vajrayana Samaya." This is a practice from the Chhogling lineage that Tulku Urgyen specifically urged Jigme Rinpoche to offer in the West. He said Guru Rinpoche had prophesied, in this practice, that during these degenerating times, no one would be able to maintain Vajrayana commitments–thus one could greatly benefit one's practice by performing the Ngagso.
Tulku Urgyen's son, Chhogling Rinpoche, an emanation of the original great terton, or treasure discoverer, of the same name, presided as vajra master. Amazing signs, including rainbows in the sky, arose at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A few days after greeting my parents and a tiny puppy they brought for us to offer H.H. Jigme P'huntsog, we all flew together to Tibet. The two-hour ride from the airport to Lhasa was stunningly beautiful. The rivers were turquoise and the sun strong and brilliant. We spotted the Potala Palace from the bus upon our arrival in Lhasa.
We spent three weeks in the Lhasa area, visiting the Jokhang, Tibet' s most holy temple, the seat of the Buddha in sambhogakaya form. We also visited the Potala Palace and the many great monasteries nearby, including Sera Ge, the monastery where Chagdud Rinpoche's father, an emanation of Hayagriva, had been abbot. The principal holy image in the monastery is a magnificent statue of Hayagriva. The attending monk made a protection cord for Orgyen from a white offering scarf taken from the statue.
Outside Lhasa we saw the holy caves of Drak Yerpa, including Dawa P'hug, (moon cave) where Guru Rinpoche did extensive retreat. We visited Shugseb Ani Gonpa, where the nuns were engaged in a Thousand-Arm Chenrezig nyung-nay drubchen. The nuns offered delightful hospitality to my parents during this culmination of their three-week visit to Tibet, as Jigme Rinpoche, Orgyen and I offered tsog at the holy cave of Gangri Tokar, where Longchenpa did extensive retreat and composed his famous work, the Dzad Dun, (Seven Treasures).
Samye Monastery was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in central Tibet. This visit to Guru Rinpoche's monastery was full of blessings. The monastery is constructed as a microcosm of the universe, a complete mandala offering. Above Samye, up two separate valleys, lie incredible holy places where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal conducted many retreats . Most of these places, about 15,000 feet in elevation, take six or seven hours to hike to. Once we arrived, we spent hours visiting the many caves, self-arising images of stupas and deities on huge rock faces, holy springs, and footprints in stone. At dusk we hiked down the mountain to be greeted by bowls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and tea, offered by the generous Samye monks . Then we rose early the next morning to continue our explorations–this schedule was maintained for ten extraordinary days.
After an arduous but incredible journey, we finally arrived in Kham (Eastern Tibet), at the home of the previous Chagdud Tulku's family. These wonderful, warm people cried when they saw us; their faith in the current Chagdud Rinpoche, whom they still call "uncle," and anyone with a connection to him, is deep and heartwarming. They were particularly happy to see Orgyen, the grandson of their beloved guru. The next day, we were escorted in a grand procession up to Chagdud Gonpa. Orgyen was carried on a beautiful brocade throne, and Rinpoche and I rode horses. The multi colored scarves worn by the lamas and the flowers thrown by the Jay people as we passed contrasted vividly with the brilliant green grass in the morning fog. We arrived at Chagdud Gonpa on the extremely auspicious day of Guru Rinpoche's birth. We enjoyed the lama dancing and ceremonies. Days were filled with people requesting Jigme Rinpoche's blessings, healing, divinations, and advice, and he bestowed a long-life empowerment on over seven hundred people. The Chagdud Gonpa lamas enthroned Orgyen as a holder of the Chagdud Gonpa lineage.
During a large meeting, the Chagdud Gonpa lamas reviewed Chagdud Rinpoche' s last visit, in which he had indicated that with his advancing age and responsibilities in the West, he would not be able to return often to Tibet. The lamas had asked and Chagdud Rinpoche had agreed to entrust the responsibility of the monastery to his son. To Jigme Rinpoche's surprise, the lamas formally offered the monastery to him. They made lengthy requests that he stay, or if not, that he return for longer periods of time. We all joined in prayers that we would meet again and again.
We then traveled to Tenp'hel Gonpa to meet Khandro T'hrinlay Wangmo, Chagdud Rinpoche's sister. Escorted by 100 horsemen waving white banners, we rode into the gonpa in a procession that was like a scene from a Wild West movie, accompanied by the sound of Tibetan oboes and cymbals. She was waiting–smiling and tearful. She was simultaneously extraordinary and completely natural. She gave us a treasure she had revealed–a Vajradhara statue whose face appears alternately peaceful and wrathful. The heart contains a self arising Jewel. In the back is a treasure door behind which lies another, as yet unrevealed, treasure. But she denied that she is a treasure discoverer, saying only, ''I just found it–someone must have lost it," as she shyly hid her face. After a few wonderful days at Tenp'hel Gonpa, T'hrinlay Wangmo joined us as we continued on to Tromt'har. The large monastery at Tromge Gonpa that will hold 500 monks has almost been rebuilt. We met all the young tulkus and the now senior lama, Tulku Dechhen Rinpoche. We visited the homes of many Tromge extended family members, saw a Tibetan horse race and even spent the night in a traditional nomad tent.
Our last stop in Tibet was the monastery of H.H. Jigme P'huntsog where our two families were joyfully reunited for the first time since His Holiness visited the United States in July 1993. The day after our arrival, His Holiness gave the empowerment for his most recently discovered treasure. Approximately 4,000 people had gathered for this empowerment, which was being given for the first time. During His Holiness's introduction to the ceremony he said he felt it extremely auspicious that we had arrived in time for this empowerment, for it indicated that his treasures would be increasingly beneficial in the West. His Holiness spoke publicly about his heartfelt connection to Jigme Rinpoche and his family and encouraged him to teach and spread His Holiness's lineage.
As we left the monastery on our last day in Tibet, thousands of His Holiness's disciples lined the road, throwing flowers, taking blessings and spontaneously singing a prayer for the increase of Jigme Rinpoche's activity.
If you enjoyed this brief account of our pilgrimage to Tibet, please join us for our slide/video show, Pilgrimage to Tibet Through a Lama's Eyes. [Call Ati Ling for information.]
Rigdzin Tromge
For five months, Tulku Jigme Rinpoche, our son Orgyen and I undertook a pilgrimage throughout Nepal and Tibet. The main purpose of our six weeks in Nepal was to see H. E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a great Dzogchen master and the senior holder of the magnificent Chhogling lineage, as well as Jigme Rinpoche's mother and sister. Tulku Urgyen bestowed on us the pinnacle empowerment of the Chhogling lineage called the Kunzang Thug T'hig, "The Heart Drop of Kuntuzangpo," and gave Jigme Rinpoche full authorization and encouragement to hold and to teach this lineage.
While we were receiving these profound instructions in Tulku Urgyen's "sky view" room, the nuns in the monastery below were conducting their annual drubchen called Ngagso, "The Purification of Vajrayana Samaya." This is a practice from the Chhogling lineage that Tulku Urgyen specifically urged Jigme Rinpoche to offer in the West. He said Guru Rinpoche had prophesied, in this practice, that during these degenerating times, no one would be able to maintain Vajrayana commitments–thus one could greatly benefit one's practice by performing the Ngagso.
Tulku Urgyen's son, Chhogling Rinpoche, an emanation of the original great terton, or treasure discoverer, of the same name, presided as vajra master. Amazing signs, including rainbows in the sky, arose at the conclusion of the ceremony.
A few days after greeting my parents and a tiny puppy they brought for us to offer H.H. Jigme P'huntsog, we all flew together to Tibet. The two-hour ride from the airport to Lhasa was stunningly beautiful. The rivers were turquoise and the sun strong and brilliant. We spotted the Potala Palace from the bus upon our arrival in Lhasa.
We spent three weeks in the Lhasa area, visiting the Jokhang, Tibet' s most holy temple, the seat of the Buddha in sambhogakaya form. We also visited the Potala Palace and the many great monasteries nearby, including Sera Ge, the monastery where Chagdud Rinpoche's father, an emanation of Hayagriva, had been abbot. The principal holy image in the monastery is a magnificent statue of Hayagriva. The attending monk made a protection cord for Orgyen from a white offering scarf taken from the statue.
Outside Lhasa we saw the holy caves of Drak Yerpa, including Dawa P'hug, (moon cave) where Guru Rinpoche did extensive retreat. We visited Shugseb Ani Gonpa, where the nuns were engaged in a Thousand-Arm Chenrezig nyung-nay drubchen. The nuns offered delightful hospitality to my parents during this culmination of their three-week visit to Tibet, as Jigme Rinpoche, Orgyen and I offered tsog at the holy cave of Gangri Tokar, where Longchenpa did extensive retreat and composed his famous work, the Dzad Dun, (Seven Treasures).
Samye Monastery was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in central Tibet. This visit to Guru Rinpoche's monastery was full of blessings. The monastery is constructed as a microcosm of the universe, a complete mandala offering. Above Samye, up two separate valleys, lie incredible holy places where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal conducted many retreats . Most of these places, about 15,000 feet in elevation, take six or seven hours to hike to. Once we arrived, we spent hours visiting the many caves, self-arising images of stupas and deities on huge rock faces, holy springs, and footprints in stone. At dusk we hiked down the mountain to be greeted by bowls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and tea, offered by the generous Samye monks . Then we rose early the next morning to continue our explorations–this schedule was maintained for ten extraordinary days.
After an arduous but incredible journey, we finally arrived in Kham (Eastern Tibet), at the home of the previous Chagdud Tulku's family. These wonderful, warm people cried when they saw us; their faith in the current Chagdud Rinpoche, whom they still call "uncle," and anyone with a connection to him, is deep and heartwarming. They were particularly happy to see Orgyen, the grandson of their beloved guru. The next day, we were escorted in a grand procession up to Chagdud Gonpa. Orgyen was carried on a beautiful brocade throne, and Rinpoche and I rode horses. The multi colored scarves worn by the lamas and the flowers thrown by the Jay people as we passed contrasted vividly with the brilliant green grass in the morning fog. We arrived at Chagdud Gonpa on the extremely auspicious day of Guru Rinpoche's birth. We enjoyed the lama dancing and ceremonies. Days were filled with people requesting Jigme Rinpoche's blessings, healing, divinations, and advice, and he bestowed a long-life empowerment on over seven hundred people. The Chagdud Gonpa lamas enthroned Orgyen as a holder of the Chagdud Gonpa lineage.
During a large meeting, the Chagdud Gonpa lamas reviewed Chagdud Rinpoche' s last visit, in which he had indicated that with his advancing age and responsibilities in the West, he would not be able to return often to Tibet. The lamas had asked and Chagdud Rinpoche had agreed to entrust the responsibility of the monastery to his son. To Jigme Rinpoche's surprise, the lamas formally offered the monastery to him. They made lengthy requests that he stay, or if not, that he return for longer periods of time. We all joined in prayers that we would meet again and again.
We then traveled to Tenp'hel Gonpa to meet Khandro T'hrinlay Wangmo, Chagdud Rinpoche's sister. Escorted by 100 horsemen waving white banners, we rode into the gonpa in a procession that was like a scene from a Wild West movie, accompanied by the sound of Tibetan oboes and cymbals. She was waiting–smiling and tearful. She was simultaneously extraordinary and completely natural. She gave us a treasure she had revealed–a Vajradhara statue whose face appears alternately peaceful and wrathful. The heart contains a self arising Jewel. In the back is a treasure door behind which lies another, as yet unrevealed, treasure. But she denied that she is a treasure discoverer, saying only, ''I just found it–someone must have lost it," as she shyly hid her face. After a few wonderful days at Tenp'hel Gonpa, T'hrinlay Wangmo joined us as we continued on to Tromt'har. The large monastery at Tromge Gonpa that will hold 500 monks has almost been rebuilt. We met all the young tulkus and the now senior lama, Tulku Dechhen Rinpoche. We visited the homes of many Tromge extended family members, saw a Tibetan horse race and even spent the night in a traditional nomad tent.
Our last stop in Tibet was the monastery of H.H. Jigme P'huntsog where our two families were joyfully reunited for the first time since His Holiness visited the United States in July 1993. The day after our arrival, His Holiness gave the empowerment for his most recently discovered treasure. Approximately 4,000 people had gathered for this empowerment, which was being given for the first time. During His Holiness's introduction to the ceremony he said he felt it extremely auspicious that we had arrived in time for this empowerment, for it indicated that his treasures would be increasingly beneficial in the West. His Holiness spoke publicly about his heartfelt connection to Jigme Rinpoche and his family and encouraged him to teach and spread His Holiness's lineage.
As we left the monastery on our last day in Tibet, thousands of His Holiness's disciples lined the road, throwing flowers, taking blessings and spontaneously singing a prayer for the increase of Jigme Rinpoche's activity.
If you enjoyed this brief account of our pilgrimage to Tibet, please join us for our slide/video show, Pilgrimage to Tibet Through a Lama's Eyes. [Call Ati Ling for information.]
Rigdzin Tromge
