After Trungpa Rinpoche died, and the Regent became the head of Vajradhatu (now Shambhala), Khyentse Rinpoche invited the Sakyong to study with him in Nepal. So in the Fall of 1987, the Sakyong left with a few of his kusung to study at Shechen Monastery in Katmandu, where Khyentse Rinpoche was living. And that was very heartening for all of us. Up to that point, the Sakyong had mostly been trained by his father, and now that his father had passed on, he was going to receive the teachings from a great master who was his father's teacher as well. So there was a lot of joy around that, and I had the good fortune of being one of the Sakyang's kusung to go to Khatmandu in the Winter of 1988, and spend time in the Sakyong's household there, and I had the very good fortune to be around that whole process of the Sakyong receiving teachings from His Holiness.
Each day, the Sakyong would get up (he didn't speak Tibetan in those days) and he would study Tibetan with Lama Ugyen Shenpen*, who happened to be one of Khyentse Rinpoche's main attendants. Then they would go to the monastery, and the Sakyong would receive teachings directly from Khyentse Rinpoche, so every day this would happen. It was a routine, a very simple routine, but at the same time it was a very profound situation. By the time I got there the Sakyong had been there for some months. I could tell when I saw the Sakyong that there was something shifting in him that I couldn't exactly describe, but being in the situation where he could receive these teachings from Khyentse Rinpoche was ... something was happening.
Even though he was an amazing teacher, Khyentse Rinpoche had a simplicity and kindness about him. He would often sit on sort of a day bed, and he would often have a tartan blanket, and he would give the teachings to the Sakyong, and other young Rinpoches. Every once in a while, I had the good fortune to go in and see Khyentse Rinpoche. Once, early on in my visit, I was introduced to Khyentse Rinpoche, and he took his very large amazing hand and just placed it on my head. I felt like some kind of electric transmission was happening, but not in an extraordinary way, in a very earthy way. Being in Khyentse Rinpoche's presence, I always felt that he was very human, very kind, and at the same time, he was imparting the profundity of what he had received from his teachers. By being in his presence, something was being transmitted non-conceptually, not through the words, but by his actual authentic presence, which is, in some ways, as profound as the words. He was manifesting what an enlightened being is, what a wisdom being is, what a human being is in their fullest earthly manifestation.
Now with Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche coming, it's very exciting. I would say this is an amazing opportunity for the Shambhala community, personally speaking, to continue the good fortune of our connection with the Khyentse Rinpoches. Even though we've never lost that connection-- which is in our hearts, and in our minds, and it's in the practices that Khyentse Rinpoche gave us, which are the essence--now we actually have an emanation of Khyentse Rinpoche who we can serve, and be around; who we can enjoy, and celebrate with. We can celebrate that our lineages are intersected, and he can help us discover the nature of our minds, just as his previous emanation did, and our other teachers. So this is the continuing of the intersection between our own lineages. It's extremely exciting for those of us in Shambhala.
*Lama Ugyen Shenpen was a close student of His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. In 1976, Lama Ugyen accompanied His Holiness during his first visit to the United States, serving as his attendant and secretary. At the conclusion of the visit, Lama Ugyen remained in the United States and became an invaluable advisor and translator for the Shambhala community until his death in 1994.
The Tour
Khyentse Yangsi arrives in New York,
Video by Rochelle Weithorn
Having just completed a month-long tour of Europe--including France, Portugal and Croatia--Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, the 17 year-old tulku of His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, arrived in New York City on August 3rd. This is his first stop in a four-week North American tour that will include programs in New York, Vermont, Boulder, Vancouver, and Mexico City. From Mexico, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will continue circumambulating the globe from East to West, with visits in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia, before returning to India in November. The tour marks the 100-year celebration of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's birth in 1910, and provides an opportunity for all of us--the many students of dharma around the world who have been deeply inspired by his predecessor--to renew our connection to this very important (for many, the central) branch of our collective family tree.
It would be hard to find a genuine Tibetan Buddhist teacher who does not have a dharma connection to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Prominent teachers who consider themselves his students include the Dalai Lama, Trulshik Rinpoche, Ogyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Rabjam Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, to name but a few. He is the master of the masters. From that point of view, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's tour is a gathering of all the sanghas. No matter who your teacher is, they undoubtedly have a samaya connection and a deep sense of love and gratitude toward Dilgo Khyentse.
In particular, Trungpa Rinpoche's students have a deep samaya bond with the Dilgo Khyentse lineage. Dilgo Khyentse was an important teacher to Trungpa Rinpoche while he was
still in Tibet, and he was perhaps Trungpa Rinpoche's closest teacher, advisor, and confidant during his years of teaching Dharma in the West. Rinpoche included Khyentse Rinpoche in all aspects of his work, including the Shambhala teachings and empowerments. This close bond with Khyentse Rinpoche was passed on to Trungpa Rinpoche's students during Khyentse Rinpoche's visits to North America in the 1970s and 80s. His impact on the community was penetrating. His presence was monumental, his mind was unfathomable, his demeanor was gentle and kind; after hosting Khyentse Rinpoche, the Vajradhatu sangha was affected in a fundamental and ineffable way.
During Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's second visit to North America in 1982, he conferred the Sakyong empowerment on Trungpa Rinpoche. Before performing this ceremony, Khyentse Rinpoche requested and received a lung and some instruction on all of the Vidyadhara's Shambhala treasure teachings. The Vidyadhara was particularly honored and moved to have received this request. Following Trungpa Rinpoche's death in 1987, Dilgo Khyentse gave an extensive series of empowerments to Trungpa Rinpoche's students in Boulder, Karme Choling, and Halifax. By performing these empowerments, Khyentse Rinpoche was fulfilling Trungpa Rinpoche's wish that his students receive these practices. His presence was comforting and inspiring, during a time of devastating sadness and confusion.
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche also regards Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as one of his most important teachers. Especially during the years immediately following his father's death, Khyentse Rinpoche had a profound influence on the young Sakyong to be. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche recently wrote, "One way or another, the majority of students and practitioners from all the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism will have a connection with Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche."
The Documentary
Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche chronicles his life story from birth to death to rebirth using animation, photographs, and archival footage from Tibet, India, the USA, Bhutan, and Nepal. It includes interviews with the Dalai Lama, Matthieu Ricard, Rabjam Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and others. The film, which is directed by Neten Chokling--a close student of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and director of the film Milarepa--debuted in New York City on August 4th at the Rubin Museum, and will be shown at each location on the tour. See the trailer on YouTube
The Empowerments
Yangsi Rinpoche bestows empowerment in Bhutan, Photo by Tatjana Krizmanic
During his tour, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will bestow two empowerments, both treasure teachings received by Dilgo Khyentse. These are the Rangjung Peme Nyingtik and the Pema Tse Nyingtik.
Rangjung Peme Nyingtik was received by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche while still in Tibet. It was hidden and subsequently destroyed during the cultural revolution, and then rediscovered by Dilgo Khyentse years later. To learn more about this treasure teaching, read Rabjam Rinpoche's account of the Rangjung Peme Nyingtik. It will be bestowed by Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche at Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche's centers in Vershire, Vermont and Ward, Colorado, and during Yangsi Rinpoche's program in Vancouver.
Rabjam Rinpoche, Bhutan, 2010, Photo by Tatjana Krizmanic
The Pema Tse Nyingtik or Pema's Heart Essence of Longevity empowerment is described as short yet deeply meaningful. It will be bestowed by Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche in New York and Boulder.
The Sacred Relics
Khyentse Yangsi will be traveling with an exhibition of sacred relics and artifacts that belonged to Dilgo Khyentse. This extraordinary collection includes relics of Buddha Shakyamuni, Naropa, Milarepa, Marpa, Jigme Lingpa, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Longchenpa, Mipham Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse and others.
The Traveling Party
Among many others, Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will travel with Rabjam Rinpoche and Matthieu Ricard.
Rabjam Rinpoche is Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's grandson and spiritual heir. He has supervised the upbringing and training of Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche since he was discovered in 1995. Many students of Trungpa Rinpoche will remember Rabjam Rinpoche as a young boy who traveled with Khyentse Rinpoche during his visits to the United States in the 1970s.
Matthieu Ricard was a close attendant and interpreter for Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche for many years. His video footage, photographs, and books have documented his master's extraordinary life and helped many who never met Dilgo Khyentse, develop a strong connection to his life and teachings. Matthieu Ricard continues to work closely with Rabjam Rinpoche, and the Shechen Monastery and Shedra in Nepal.
John Sennhauser on Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
John Sennhauser on Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche studying with Khyentse Rinpoche in Nepal
Ani Pema Chodron on Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Celebrating the Return
Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche - TRAILER
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche: Vision for the 2010 Centennial
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche: The Significance of Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche's First Visit to the West
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche on Shambhala and Trungpa Rinpoche
In this short video, the young Khyentse Rinpoche recalls his predecessor's close relationship to Trungpa Rinpoche and speaks of his own interest in Trungpa Rinpoche's work.
Rinpoche discusses his aspirations for his upcoming visit to the West
Sanghas hosting the Yangsi
The Mangala Shri Bhuti community, under the direction of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, is hosting the US tour, including visits to Vershire, Vermont, New York City, and Boulder, Colorado. One-day programs are scheduled for New York (August 5) and Boulder (August 13), and a three-day program is planned at Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling in Vermont, (August 6-8). For more information visit Mangala Shri Bhuti's website.
Lotus Speech Canada, under the auspices of Changling Rinpoche, will host Yangsi Rinpoche in Vancouver where a four-day program is planned for August 20-23. Visit Lotus Speech Canada's web site for more information.
The Chanteloube community under the direction of Tulku Pema Wangyal and Tulku Jigme Khyentse hosted the Yangsi's visit to France.
Two weeks ago there was a Celebration in Bhutan led by Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. Rabjam Rinpoche and the Queen Mother hosted students from Croatia, Europe, America, Mexico, Brazil, the South Pacific and thousands of Bhutanese. For 3 days we practiced and then toured the country. This was my life's dream and I wanted to share with you, just to say how fortunate we all are that there is a new generation of teachers who are being so lovingly trained. It gives hope for the future of the world and the continuation of dharma in the West.
In attendance were Dudjom Rinpoche's Tulku, Namkye Nyingpo Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, the Nyoshul Khen Yangsi, Choling Rinpcohe, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and many more. I learned how to give multiple katas from the most elegant Bhutanese ladies and gentlemen.
At the end, a wild storm descended on the tsok. All the elements where dancing and rejoicing. The wind was dismantling the tent, the rain of blessing was falling, people were lashing themselves to the ropes to hold the tent and the shrine tent down. The Queen and the elderly Rinpoches where being carried to cover. The magical display of the phenomenal world was way stronger than us humans.
For students of Trungpa Rinpoche I want to express how close I felt to him in Bhutan. I finally got it, understood him, I could feel him coming out of Tibet and into the West and then back to Taksang to write his terma--the crazy wisdom, the magic, the drala. As we are getting older I want to encourage everyone to go to Bhutan, especially Trungpa Rinpoche's students, because he has made so much possible for us here in America, bringing his two main teachers, the Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, both giving credibility to the lineage here in the West. As a sangha we have run the whole gamete of emotions with our teacher, sometimes not knowing what to say in response to criticism or change, etc. Personally I am at peace now and feel as my life comes to a close, there could be nothing better than what is happening this summer. Full circle so to speak.
Please indulge my heart. Anyway I felt like sharing, since so many wonderful events are happening this summer, the celebration of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and the empowerments at Lotus Garden, which are both rare and historic.
May all be victorious,
Mary Newton
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche was born in Nepal on June 30, 1993, and discovered by Trulshik Rinpoche through dreams and visions. He was enthroned at Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal in December 1996, an event that was attended by thousands of students from all over the world.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche is being educated in Bhutan, where he is undergoing the traditional nine-year shedra course of study, along with classes in English and meditation, under the guidance of Rabjam Rinpoche, and the tutelage of Khenpo Yeshe Gyaltsen. The Khyentse visit website describes Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche as a diligent student who is compassionate, direct, and understanding.
The Celebration began in Kathmandu
The centennial celebration and ceremonies in honor of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche commenced on February 20th in Kathmandu, Nepal. Participants in the three-day event include most Tibetan lineage holders and major tulkus, as well as many devoted students from all parts of the world. A blog on the Celebrating the Return site states: "To walk into the courtyard of Shechen Monastery yesterday morning, in Bodanath, Nepal, was to enter into a display of warmth and devotion on a grand scale." -Continue
A new documentary on the life of Khyentse Rinpoche (available for viewing on this page) states that Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was born in 1910 in Eastern Tibet, at the age of thirteen he felt a deep longing to pursue a spiritual live and go on a long meditative retreat. On leaving home he wrote a letter to his parents:
Father and mother, stay in your beautiful home. Your son longs instead for empty caves. A handbook of spirituality is all I wish to keep. Your smiling faces will be with me always. And if one day I might reach spiritual realization, I shall repay your great kindness to me.
For the next fifteen years, Khyentse Rinpoche meditated in many caves, often remaining snowbound for the entire winter. He became one of the most profound and universaly respected teachers of the 20th century.
In the second day of the celebration, February 21, over 50 different lamas, sangha and groups offered traditional representations of body, speech, and mind to Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche. A blog on Celebrating the Return site states: "Early on this session exploded into grandeur with a sudden offering by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in the midst of everything else, which he followed with an offering to Rabjam Rinpoche right in front of Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche’s throne." -Continue
A Glimpse into the Opening Celebrations
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
This new film on the life of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is presented here in five segments.
Directed by Matthieu Ricard
Narrated by Richard Gere
Music Director: Philip Glass
The Gradual Path of Raising Buddhist Children:
Inner Chronicles:
Work Sex Money: Seminar Three,
Ocean of Dharma: A Shambhala Sun feature on Chögyam Trungpa by Barry Boyce
Tribute to Arbie Thalacker
Chronicles Highlights 2011
Chronicles Holiday Sampler
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse on the passing of his father, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
SMR joins Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Rabjam Rinpoche [Video 11:35]
Tribute to Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Qualities
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche on Distinguishing Ordinary Consciousness from Wisdom
At the
Tribute to Fabrice Champion
Crazy Wisdom, a review by Victress Hitchcock
Tribute to Michal Friedman
Radio interview with Chogyam Trungpa in 1971;
Mingyur Rinpoche: The essence of meditation
Julia Sagebien talks with Thrangu Rinpoche about fulfilling the aspirations of the Vidyadhara
Gold Lake Oil, by Tom Bell
THE BIG NO
Thrangu Rinpoche talks about Trungpa Rinpoche and his students [Audio 48:54]
In appreciation of the Very Venerable 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
Teaching Stories: Never Give Up, told by Jim Lowrey
Memorial to Mary Smith, by Lee Weingrad
Conversation with Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel: Part Three
Khyentse Foundation: Ten Years of Giving
What Made Him Tick: a Review of Crazy Wisdom by Suzanne Duarte
Teaching Stories:
Tribute to Mary Smith
John Sennhauser
Car flag in Zagreb, Photo by Tatjana Krizmanic
During Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's second visit to North America in 1982, he conferred the Sakyong empowerment on Trungpa Rinpoche. Before performing this ceremony, Khyentse Rinpoche requested and received a lung and some instruction on all of the Vidyadhara's Shambhala treasure teachings. The Vidyadhara was particularly honored and moved to have received this request. Following Trungpa Rinpoche's death in 1987, Dilgo Khyentse gave an extensive series of empowerments to Trungpa Rinpoche's students in Boulder, Karme Choling, and Halifax. By performing these empowerments, Khyentse Rinpoche was fulfilling Trungpa Rinpoche's wish that his students receive these practices. His presence was comforting and inspiring, during a time of devastating sadness and confusion.
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche also regards Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as one of his most important teachers. Especially during the years immediately following his father's death, Khyentse Rinpoche had a profound influence on the young Sakyong to be. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche recently wrote, "One way or another, the majority of students and practitioners from all the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism will have a connection with Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche."
