During the Sadhana of Mahamudra Feast on Parinirvana Day, April 4, 2021, Emilia Volz gave the following toast.
I would like to offer a toast to the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. Honoring and respecting lineage is not unique to Buddhism or Shambhala. Indigenous cultures around the world and throughout history have done the same.
When I asked my teacher, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, about studying with him and continuing to study Trungpa Rinpoche teachings he strongly encouraged me to do both. He noted that these lineages share a root and are not separate from each other.
When researching lineage and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, I found this quote in a Chronicles article. It’s says that Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche told his senior students:
The lineage is the pipeline and the Yidams are like the water running through it. To secure the pipeline, it is important to relate to all of the gurus in the lineage not just one’s personal guru. The personality cult of one’s own guru is not relevant. You couldn’t get water without all the links… In the lineage tree, you don’t visualize your personal guru as a separate figure, but Vajradhara is the embodiment of the personal guru. Transmission is not dependent on personality.
Please join me and raise a glass to the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.