Drametse Lhakhang

Drametse, the peak with no enemy has a monastery resting on the shoulder of steep slope, and is eighteen Kilometers ride from the junction of Monggar-Trashigang highway. The sixteenth century monastery houses the relic stupa (Kudung) of Jetsun Ratna Dharma alias Ani Chorten Zangmo who is to the date acknowledged as the essence of hundred thousand sky-walkers. She was also known by the name ‘Ache Rinchen’ in the writings of Terton Padma Lingpa. The Ruby Rosary; activities of three incarnation lines of Padma Lingpa, which was published in the year 2011 reads that Ani Chorten Zangmo was born to Dungsey Tenzin Choegyal, the son of Gyalsey Sangdak, and so unquestionably was the great granddaughter of Terton Padma Lingpa. The famed hagiographical works of 3^rd Pema Lingpa, Kunkhyen Tsultim Dorje, and the wooden block entreaty of Ani Chorten Zangmo also support the claim. 

She was married to Yeshe Gyalpo from Sumthrang Choeje but having been sick and tired of the cyclic existence, she renounced her family whom she thought were the obstacle to the enlightenment. The other version says that she fled from Bumthang to escape the repeated marriage proposal from the son of Chhokhor Deb (chieftain) Kunthhub. Her brother Chung Kunga Nyingpo and a small number of attendants escorted her during the escape to eastern region of Bhutan. On reaching at Aja-Nye the shell trumpet when blown gave a trifling sound and thereafter the place was named as ‘Dungkhar Choeling’.  The caravan of aforesaid travelers then reached at Brahmitse, the peak which shelters the tribal community of Tawang. In line to the predestination, it was at Brahmitse, the present-day hermitage at Drupchhu where the shell trumpet produced melodious sound. The place from then on became to be known as ‘Drametse’, which literally means the peak with no enemy; a state of total freedom of distraction to pursue dharma.

After a decade and three years of mediation at Drupchu Goenpa, Ani Chorten Zangmo and Chung Kunga Nyingpo established Thechog Namdrol Ugyen Choeling Lhakhang at Drametse in 1511 AD. The oral history says that during the groundwork of the Lhakhang, Ani Chorten Zangmo through her wisdom eye saw a human size caterpillar under a big stone. After eons of suffering under such hell and due to ripening of good Karma, Ani Chorten Zangmo liberated the worm by conducting bonfire ritual. The Lhakhang having been consecrated became the place of worship where thousand petals of Peling tradition blossomed. During the late 16^th century, Chung Kunga Nyingpo’s son Tenzin Jurmey Dorje and grandson Kencho Tenzin extended it into three storey monastery representing three bodies of a Buddha; Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya. The upmost floor has the chapel of Pekar, the chief spirit all the Gyalpo class, and in a different chamber has the five sisters of long life. The middle floor has shrine of Palden Lhamo, Tsuimar, Hayagriva, Zhabdrung, and a room of Sutra & Tantra. The ground floor has Guru Rinpoche’s statue and snow lion throne of His Holiness Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche, the 11^th Padma Lingpa.

The riches of the monastery include relic stupa (Kudung) of Ani Chorten Zangmo, horn of a horse, the crystal bottle with water said to calculate apocalypse, golden vajra, sacred oyster, Astadasahasrika-prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines) inscribed with golden ink,  and skull (kapala) of Dakini with self-arisen syllables ‘Om Ah Hung’, etc. History of the Dakini kapala dates back to the eighth century. The queen mother had her last breath during the labour but the child was found alive when about to cremate. She was raised by the monkeys, and even developed webbed hands and feet indicating the enlightened characteristic. She was known by the name Sakya Devi and was Guru Rinpoche’s first consort from Nepal. After having received the secret and sacred initiations from Guru Rinpoche at Pharping, she remained as yogini until her nirvana. Her Kapala (skull) was at that time concealed as a treasure at Samye only to be unearthed by Terton Padma Lingpa. This treasure Kapala was later received by Ani Chorten Zangmo as a share of birthright from Tamzhing Choeje and was carried to Drametse during her escape.  

After Ani Chorten Zangmo passed away into small rainbow body, her son (from the marriage with Yeshe Gyalpo at early age) Dhungsey Choewang Dargay started ‘Drametse Choeje’ which blessed with the birth of two successive incarnations of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel; Zhabdrung Jigme Norbu (1831-1861) and Zhabdrung Jigme Chogyal (1862-1904). Prior to the two incarnations, Zhabdrung Jigme Drakpa (1791-1830) was also said to be born at Drametse but his lineage from Drametse Choeje is yet to be known. The Choeje however was ended with Choeje Tenzin as the last heir.

The monastery is also renowned for the origin of twenty one chaptered drum dance of Drametse (Drametse Ngacham), one of the UNESCO’s ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible World Heritage of Humanity’. The orchestra of this mask dance is made of sixteen dancers wearing different masks of real and mythical animals; snow lion, garuda, dragon, yak, leopard, goat, snake, raven, horse, owl, stag, pig, dog, bear, tiger, and ox. In one of the visions of Chung Kunga Nyingpo, the drum dance was initially performed by celestial beings to welcome him at ‘Copper-Coloured Palace’ of Guru Rinpoche. Chung Kunga Nyingpo passed down the choreography of this drum dance at Drametse and in so doing gave it the name ‘Drametse Ngacham’.

There are countless riches, colours, and legends at Drametse which if put on paper would take days and months, so why not stopover at Drametse and walk around to experience its richness? The 5^th, 6^th and 10^th lunar months are the Grade ‘A’ holiday time for you will be able to witness Trelda Tshechu (honouring ceremony of Guru Rinpoche’s Birthday), Tordok (The burning of evil effigy for good harvest and wellbeing of the community), and Kangso Chhenmo (bonfire rituals during the festival eve)  respectively. 

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Rahula and the Meeting of Nine Evils

Fig: Rahula (PC: Tibetan Spirit)

Many aeons ago (longer than the age taken to wear a mountain by brushing with eagle’s wing), Drangsong (Rishi) Zamita and his consort Trulmo Poding had a son named Lalar Chuzhi who took monastic vows and dogged an ascetic life in the woods of Shing Laksha until Prajna Kulu, the maid of King Ratna Siddha caught a glimpse of him. The son of great sage was at that time invited in the palace as the royal priest by the king. From then on Prajna Kulu became the fourth crowned head as recognition from the king. But the green-eyed ministers falsely accused Lalar Chuzhi of having affair with Queen Prajna Kulu, and the king had him burned alive in the mountain of sandalwoods. Before he had his last breathe, he cursed to hit back the king and ministers in seven days by reawakening as a monster. He also made an aspiration statement that the four queens shall labor under his order to tame the wrongdoers during the degenerating Kalpa. Seeing the insanity of the king, the four queens could not stop throwing themselves into the pyre of sandalwoods.

In accordance to ‘The Unprecedented Explanation of a Mere Portion of the Liberation Stories of the Ocean of Oath-Bound Dharma Protectors’, the collected works of the 5^th Lelung Zhepai Dorje’s (1697-1740), Lalar Chuzhi was reborn at the base of gigantic Mt Sumeru as a horrifying son called Khyab’jug Chenpo (Rahula) to Sinpo (male cannibal earth spirit) Raksha Lokgi Trengwa and Lumo (serpent spirit) Belgo Trakmikma. He was born with nine heads, nine hearts, four arms, a frog body with wide open mouth at the belly, and a serpent tail. He was born so giant that when he stands the deepest ocean reach only up to his knees. Due to karmic connection, the four queens of King Ratna Siddha were reborn as sisters of Rahula; Droksin Chusingyi Dongchen (crocodile faced rakshi), Tak-Sinzorwe Dongchen (tiger faced rakshi), Kongsin Ba Langi Dongchen (cow faced rakshi), and Bamsin Drekyi Dongchen (bear faced rakshi). The settling of scores with King Ratna Siddha and ministers by Rahula is not the subject matter of this article; rather it would give weight to Rahula and the origins of Ngyenpa Guzom.

As per Baidurya Karpo, the 17^th century astrological writing of 6^th Desi Sangye Gyatso (regent of 5^th Dalai Lama), Rahula is known by the name Nyima Nagchen. He was born as a union of non-dual mind of Yadud Dorje Lokthreng and Sasin Barma. Nyima Nagchen and his siblings took separate routes during their journey around Mt Sumeru. On 7th day of 11th month, he met his youngest sister Bamsin Drekyi Dongchen (bear faced rakshi) and they had an incestuous relationship without recognizing each other. As a consequence, the four elements (earth, water, fire, and air) of the universe were contaminated and disturbed making the day the most inauspicious one in the lunar datebook. The day was from then on called as ‘Ngyenpa Guzom’ (meeting of nine evils). According to the tradition, the term ‘nine’ signifies the sheer size of inauspiciousness rather than representing the figure itself. 

However, the secret tantra of ‘Zago Nyimatro’ (Ferocious Planet called Wrathful Sun) has not the same story to tell. Shinje Dope Gyelpo (Yama, the lord of desire) and Sinmo (female cannibal earth spirit) Lokcham Barma had a son called Zago Nyima (Rahula). He lived at the side of Yugandhara (Nyashingzin, one of the seven golden mountains surrounding Mt. Sumeru) and Goddess Remati (Queen of desire realm) to the northeast of Mt Sumeru. They were both drunk of lust for love and agreed to meet in the north of Mt Sumeru. But, Goddess Remati conspired to send Yakshi (Nature spirit) called Phaknadong (pig snout), the daughter of Phakpa Dza (planet of pig) in disguise. At the time of departure, Phaknadong revealed her true ugly face and Zago Nyima was angry for the by mistake sexual intercourse. He called the assembly of eight classes of gods and demons (Mara, Mamo, Naga, Ging, Rahula, Tsen, Raksha, and Yaksha) for aiding him to put an end to the Goddess Remati. The malicious spirits meet every twelve months on the same time i.e. on 7^th day of 11^th month, and destroy the harvests and life force of the all God's creatures, and the day of such get-together is known as Ngyenpa Guzom (Meeting of nine evils).

In this day and age, no such harm may befall during Ngyenpa Guzom for the reason that Rahula was converted to an oath bound dharma protector after having been subdued by Heruka and Maha Guru. Nevertheless, the day was inauspicious one from the time when the elements of the universe were disturbed. However, the say that no good action shall bear fruit of merits is a myth; any conducts shall be rewarded based on its drive. The day may only barricade the practice not the result, it only cautions the initiation of significant assignments. For example, if one begins meditation on the said day, he or she may go through the troubles like ill health or laziness, and cannot fruitfully reach to closing stage of meditation. On the other hand, he or she will be deposited with good merits for the meditation done on the very same day. So, one is advised not to make important decisions of our life which have long term impact like start of husbandry, marriage, construction of house, beginning of meditation, inaugural ceremonies and other celebrations. The actions of bigheartedness, praying, saving lives, etc. can still be practiced during Ngyenpa Guzom. You are requested to break the myth and continue the thirty seven ways of Bodhisattva on Ngyenpa Guzom.

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The Secret & Sacred Lives of Orygen Pema Lingpa

In the dark age of past, Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, at the feet of the Buddha Amitabha made an enlightened pledge to liberate all the beings of lower realms. The lord of compassion wept the minute he thought that it was not possible for him to free all beings from the deep of misery. Due to prayer of the lord, his two teardrops incarnated as the two daughters of King Indra. One of the daughters called Goddess Apurna on one occasion stole some blossoms, and as a price for disrespecting the law of the heaven of the Thirty-Three, she was reborn as a poultry woman named Jadzima in the region of Maguta of Nepal.

Jadzima and her four sons, helped by an elephant and a donkey began to construct Boudhanath stupa in the 5^th century. After consecration of the stupa, the sons of the deceased Jadzima made prayers of aspiration for the benefit of the beings. The firstborn son, prayed to be reborn as a patron of Buddha's doctrine, the next eldest aspired to be reborn as a sage who will ordain the monks, the third aspired to be reborn from the pistil of a lotus to safeguard the doctrine, and the youngest aspired to be reborn as a minister who will arrange the dharma goings-on of the crowned head. During the event, an insect stung the firstborn son's neck and was killed by accident. He then and there prayed for the dead insect to be reborn as his heir practicing Dharma.

In the 8^th century, as per the aspiration prayers, the eldest son of Jadzima was reborn as King Trisong Deutsen to the northern snow land of red faced barbarians, the second as the abbot Zhi-ba-tsho of Nalanda Mahavihara, the third as Guru Padmakara of Oddiyana, and the youngest as the minister, Ba Trisher. The insect that had been killed was reborn as Princess Lacham Pemasel (clear lotus), the daughter of King Trisong Deutsen and Jomo Changchub Drolma. The princess was trained in the lore of Buddha by Guru Padmasambhava at the age of five. However, she died prematurely at age of eight due to karmic effect of murdering the son of a junior queen during one of her previous life as the queen of King Bhimakutra of Makuta kingdom. The Maha-Guru drew a red syllable ‘NRI’ on her heart, and miraculously summoned her consciousness back into her body. On her last legs, the Guru entrusted lineage of the Great Perfection known as ‘The Heart-Drops of the Sky farers’ (Khandro Nyingthig) and foretold that she would reveal 108 hidden termas (treasure-texts) in her one of the next lives.

After passing away, she experienced seven pure lives before recognizing as Orygen Pema Lingpa. She was reborn as two successive nuns known as Rikma Sanggye Khyi and Jomo Pema Drolma, a consort of Nyangrel Nyima Ozer (1st of the five Terton kings) and Guru Chowang (2nd of the five Terton kings) respectively. In her third rebirth she was Ngakchang Rinchendrakpa, the heartson of Terton Ugyenlingpa. Pema Lendreltsel was 4th  in line to her rebirth who discovered Khandro Nyingthig as per the prophecy of MahaGuru and gave its empowerment to 3^rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. Longchenpa, the lord of all doctrine knower was the most revered master all the seven. The next incarnation was short lived; Thokar, a child in Bumthang Tharpaling who was killed at the age of seven with a stone while stealing peas from other’s garden.  Thereafter he stayed  twenty five years at copper coloured mountain of glory before taking rebirth as Pema Lingpa . Orygen Pema Lingpa is therefore referred to as the direct incarnation of the omniscient Longchenpa.  

Orygen Pema Lingpa was born among many miraculous sign in the iron horse year (1450 AD) , on 15th day of tiger month at Tang Chel, Bumthang, to Dondrup Zangpo and Drogmo Pema Drolma. On the tenth day of seventh month, fire monkey year (1476 AD), Guru Rinpoche appeared as a ragged monk and presented a scroll of prophecy which guided him to discover his first treasure text known as ‘The Essence of Secret’ (Klong-gsal gSang-ba yang-bcud) from the Naringdrak during the full moon night. Using the scroll of prophecy as the eyes to the riddle he then transcribed the treasure script into Tibetan letters. During the twenty one days of initiation and empowerment of the treasure to the community of Dechen Pelrithang, he was visited in dreams by Khandro Yeshe Tshogyal to train him on how to perform the rites and dances of the mentioned treasure. The second treasure hunt on the twenty fourth day of the same month from the unchanged place, the Naringdrak, was one of his well-known revelations where he arose from the riverine lake with a Buddha’s statue and a treasure box of joined skulls placed under one arm, and the butter lamp still burning in the other. The lake thereafter was known as Mebartsho.  

He revealed countless treasures of which these are few; ‘Three black teaching’ (nagpo skor gsum) from Tselung Lhakhang in Bumthang, ‘The attainment of Longevity, combining Jewel with the path’ (Tse sgrub norbu lam Khyer) from Kurje Drakmar Dorje Tsekpaidrak, ‘The Unsurpassed Mind’ (dGongs-pa bla-med) and ‘Mahakaruna, the Lamp which Dispels Darkness’ (Thugs-rje chen-po mun-sel sgron-me) from Tang Rimochen, and ‘Hayagriva, the Single Hero’ (rTa-mgrin dpa'-bo gcig-pa) from Sengye Namdzongdrak, and ‘Gathering of Samantabhadra’s Intention’ (Kun Bzang dgongs ‘dus) from Samye Chimphu.

He discovered numerous treasures from Lhodark Mendo Drak Sengye Dongchen; ‘The Lama Jewel Ocean’ (bla ma norbu rgya mtsho), ‘Kīla, the Utterly Secret Vital Razor’ (phur ba yang gsang srog go spu gri), ‘Indestructible Garland of Long-life Instructions’ (tshe khrid rdo rje'i phreng ba), Red Hayagriva that Defeats Arrogance (rta mgrin dmar po dregs pa zil gnon), ‘The Protector Maning’ (mgon po ma ning), and Vajrapāṇi the Tamer of Spirits (phyag rdor dregs pa kun 'dul). Besides treasure texts, Orygen Pema Lingpa also unearthed Paro Kyichu Lhakhang and opened the door to hidden valley of Khampa Lung. At the age of seventy two, in the third day of first lunar month, Iron snake year (1521 AD), the great Orygen Pema Lingpa passed away into a state of peace with miraculous signs.

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Dance of warriors in absence of local government

It is customary for Tshogpas, the community representatives of Drametse to play a part as warriors of the clan during their local festival. But with the dissolution of local government and ongoing primary ground election, finding the warriors for the festival which happens in every twelve month is in question. During the festival the nonelected village messengers (Chipon) are in all time engaged preparing feast for hundreds from long-age, and to pick and choose the acting militia from the farms will be easier said than done. It was then the civil servants under the headship of officiating Geog Administrative Officer decided to partake in it. From the time we made our minds to serve during the festival, we received good number of well wishers fully supporting our move.

After the training of what to do and what not, we dressed ourselves in the battle gears and marched into the chapel for blessing from the king of spirit warriors, Pekar Gyalpo, the peer of the realm. Having ourselves seated in a row, our duty was to roar load and clear before the effigy of the evils as and when the second commanding chief raises the victory flag. We the warriors then have joined the parade of monks and mask dancers so as to send-off the effigy to where they belong. After having the effigy burnt and roasted by the born fire, a couple of junior warriors followed the chief in dancing on the victory song. The most entertaining part was when the other warrior colleagues poked fun of the victory dancer who in crowd addresses of how great he was in his skills of battling. But such mocking act to one another during victory dance has to be avoided inside the courtyard as a respect to the monastic decorum. The victory dance was then followed by the dance of warriors where we chanted the victory song by raising our swords high in the heavens. It was out of the ordinary to learn that hundreds of farmers came to witness the festival solely to watch the performance of geog in-service persons and we were glad to see satisfaction in their eyes. It was tiring task but yes we enjoyed ourselves as warriors and we wait to serve again provided that we get the opportunity.

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Taklung Tshetrul Rinpoche Passed Away

We the devotees from Bhutan express our grief on passing away of His Holiness Taklung Tshetrul Rinpoche. Rinpoche was at Bodhgaya, India, for Moenlam Chenmo (prayers for world peace) when he passed away in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Remains of Rinpoche (Photo courtesy: Yeshe Dorje, FB)

Rinpoche was recognized as an incarnation of Ngog Choku Dorje, the one of the main pillars of Marpa; the other three include Turton Wangi Dorje, Meton Tsonpo and Milarepa. He not only was the throne holder of Dorje Drak monastery but as well the head of Jangter lineage (northern treasure) which originated from the treasures of terton Rigdzin Godem. After par nirvana of His Holiness Trulsik Rinpoche, he was then appointed as a supreme head of Nyingma tradition in the year 2012.

Their Holiness late Trulsik Rinpoche & Taklung Rinpoche (courtesy: Facebook)

Beside his tiring schedules, he traveled in all corners of Bhutan, India and Nepal to bestow instructions, empowerments and transmissions for the benefit of sentient beings. During his last visit in Bhutan, Rinpoche together with Dudjom Yangsi Tenzin Yeshi Dorje consecrated the Guru Ngangsi Zoelni statue at Takila, Lhuentse. Moreover, on request by His eminence the 11^th Padma Lingpa aka Sungtrul Rinpoche, he consecrated Kenchosum (Triple Gem) Lhakhang in Bumthang which was renovated after it was damage by the fire.

Taklung Tshetrul Rinpoche (courtesy: Facebook)

So, in recognition to his contribution in spreading dharma in Bhutan, we the devotees would like to express our gratitude to Rinpoche and we join with the rest of Buddhist community in calling the Rinpoche from afar for his swift return. “OM AH HUNG” may the lotus born master take notice of our cry, and our yearning to meet the next Taklung Tshetrul Rinpoche be fulfilled.

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Why naked dance if not naked?

In the bygone years, I have seen men performing naked dance in the hours of darkness during the annual festival of Korphu. To bury their identity, the face of naked dancers may possibly be masqueraded with concealing face outfits. The dancers would circumambulate around the bonfire in the rhythm of cymbals and drums. The dance may possibly be an entertainment for youths but a lady with no infant would witness in hope to have loaded with child by its blessing or expectant mother would see the dance for safeguard of her baby to be born, and others by way of trust that their sin of wrongdoings would get cleansed with the glimpse of the dance.

The naked dance was born in 8th century during the era of Guru Padmasambhava. It was first instigated by Lhachig Bumden Tshomo, one of the five major female tantric companions of Guru Padmasambhava to sidetrack the devil’s attention from causing chaos while constructing temples. Later, the folklore of nude dancing continued after having seen it in the crystal vision by the 15th century legendary spiritual treasurer revealer, Terton Padma Lingpa. Thus the term ‘Tercham’ is used for naked dance which means the treasure dances.

The dance though first documented to have been showcased in Nabji and Korphu in the history of man kind; it is at this time found to be well celebrated only in Jambay Lhakhang and Tamzhing festivals of Bumthang valley. In the year 2010, I visited my village (Korphu) only to discover the entire naked dancers modishly dancing with undergarments and the masquerading face outfits which is a shaggy dog story to the tradition of 8th century dakini who initiated the dance. 

Fig: Korphu, a village from where Naked dancing started 

When interviewed one of the dancers, he told that despite the fact they wear concealing face outfits, they are identified by onlookers through their body languages and physique. If under the moonlight the art of naked dancing cannot be performed in naked then what shall Bhutan do if it were to be performed naked under the sunlight like Naga Sadhus during Kumbh Mela in India. I watched the documentary film of the Kumbh Mela where naked Naga Sadhus with pride permit others to take their photography and they don’t even conceal their identity. Today, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated as biggest religious gathering of man kind with not less than seventy millions of devotees recorded this year in Allahabad, India.

When I cautiously studied the case of naked dancing, it is not really about the identity of dancers being known by spectators but festival being neglected at national level. The community of Korphu is helpless since most of the veteran dancers of the festival are retired and substituted by students who come for vacations. The juvenile students believe only to perform the nude dance as a mandatory norm of festival but do not care the quality of delivery. Once on having completed the studies, those students like me join the civil service and it is not easy to go back to village every occasion for dancing. Under such circumstances, every Tom, Dick and Harry joins the naked dancing without being really into naked state. At this verge, Bhutan rather than showcasing already well preserved common mask dances overseas like in Honolulu Museum of Arts or near the statue of Liberty in New York Harbor; it should focus into the corners of its nation to uplift the rare dances which are at the verge of fading or otherwise why naked dance if not naked?

Fig: Naga Sadhus Celebrating Kumbh Mela (Sharell Cook, 2013)

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Dashain

Dasshain or Dussehra is a festival celebrating victory of good over evils. On this day Rama the 7^th avatar of lord Vishnu defeated the ten headed king of Lanka who abducted his wife Sita. The Ramayana epic is like Vietnam War; if we look externally, it was a war by America for having attacked their USS Maddox and Turner Joy in the Gulf of Tonkin by North Vietnam but internally it was a fight to stop the spread of communism, and in the same way, Ramayana battle meant to free Sita from Ravana was external drama but internally it was a plot calculated by lord Vishnu to remove Ravana from the power as he was spreading ills over three anthropomorphic races of gods, men and serpents. Thereafter the defeat of Ravana, every year on the day of Dussehra, the effigy of Ravana is burnt in front of large assembly; reminding people of how good overpower evils.

Fig: Sita under Ravana's captivity (Photo Courtesy: S, Melissa,. A Year In Lanka-An Epic Women)

Some devotees however regard Ravana not an evil being as he was great ruler of Lanka with whose blessing even the poor during his reign had gold in their jars. He was also known to be follower of lord Shiva, and he also invited Lord Buddha in his kingdom to preach Buddhism. His ten head was said to be representation of his knowledge in six Shastras and four Veda. He wrote many books on medicines, Ayurvedi, and Hindu astrology. Thus, during Dussehra, the devotees at Ravana temple in different states of India celebrate Ravana as a renowned scholar and also as heart-son of lord shiva.

Again, Dussehra is also celebrated as victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur. In order to defeat the demon, the creater Brahman, the maintainer Vishnu and the destroyer Shiva created Durga from the bands of lightening emerging from their mouth. The goddess then fought for nine days and nine nights with Mahisasur and on the tenth day she overpowered him. The festival then became the longest in the datebook of Hindus with fifteen days of celebration; first nine days signifying battle between the two, the tenth day marking the victory over the demon, and five more days of celebrating the victory.

Fig: Battle between Durga & Mahisasur (Photo Courtesy: P, Rajesh, 2012)

Now, let me come to the crux of my writing. Our farmers had finished harvesting their crops, and they deserve a fiesta but not in the manner they had been doing so far. If I’m not in the wrong, I heard that during the festival thousands of buffalos and goats are slaughtered near the temple to quench the thirst of goddess Durga. Durga treat all the beings as her children, and who on earth a mother will drink blood of her child? Where is the victory of good over evils if lives of childlike animals are taken away in the name of religion?

Fig:Devotees sacrifice buffalo during Durga puja (Photo Courtesy: D, Javanta.,2011.IBTs) 

The best way to celebrate victory of good over evil is by remembering the warlord, the great Asoka. He adopted nonviolence and Buddhism on the day of Dussehra and became great dharma king. So, all who have been in the mistaken path are requested to change it like the great Asoka. Stop crime against animals in the name of religion, be sure and be pure in your path. DUSSEHRA MUBARAK KO!  

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Blessing Rainy Day, A Mistaken Festival

Due to prayer made in the times of yore by gods and goddesses, the South Pole star of crystal water (Karma Rekhey) faces the cosmic Buddha Vairocana at Mount Meru for period of a week. In so doing, the nectar of auspicious blessing drizzles from the blue to the realms of beings to rinse out the sin of wrongdoings. This event happens once every twelve month but however the precise timing for the start of such auspicious episode is determined only by astrologers. During the week long period of showery blessing, all the water bodies of the universe are stirred with the ambrosia that can get rid of all the worldly impurities. This deletion of impurities shall not be limited only to Buddhist, but to all the sentient beings regardless of religion; it’s like a patient who is benefited not considering of whether she beliefs to the medicine or not. However, there would be slight distinction in the quality of merits gained depending on the strength of belief you cultivate during the event of receiving such blessing. 

The day mistakenly referred to as festival is celebrated in every home with pork and beef which is a shaggy dog story to the pains of Vairocana who sits on the petals of thousand Buddha. Some smartly shield their views by saying that the day besides being marked as ‘Blessing Rainy Day’ also coincide the end of monsoon and start of harvest for farmers because of which they, together with their folks enjoy the feast. Whatever be the reason, the day of great cosmic Buddha is now a platform for someone to swell their business by slaughtering thousands of childlike animals for quenching the thirst of many feast lovers. If it were the reason to bulge the belly of animal slayers then the gods and goddesses who prayed in the past for wanting such blessing day would unquestionably regret since their wish to delete the impurities of mankind served no purpose. 

Fig: Budhha Vairochana (PC: Ebay)

So, brothers and sisters let us analyze it carefully and start new tradition of spiritual practice at that particular day for the wellbeing of our-self and others. The gods and goddesses will be pleased to see the change in us, and inspired to make another similar prayer for our benefit in the days to come. HAPPY BLESSING RAINY DAY

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Perfection of Generosity

The advise on perfection of generosity are published below not because that I’ve mastered all the words of Buddha, but it’s only the flat form I used to wind back those teaching on six virtues of life from booklet called ‘Thirty Seven Bodhisattva Practice’  taught by Dasho Namgay Wangchuk (Ex Member of Parliament, Punakha) during high school times. This work of mine is sincere dedication for his selfless service.

Generosity is the nobility of being willing to dedicate our body, worldly goods and merits with pure motivation of genuine concern for the benefit of sentient beings. One ought to keep away from erroneous notion that generosity has no outcome, for it is the basis of gaining merits and this shall serve the best reason or necessity of being generous. There are three nature of generosity that we may offer to the sentient beings based on the grounds of their necessity, i.e. possessions giving to those who are suffering from starvation, frostiness, etc, giving of dharma (highest order of giving) to those who are wrapped by the dust of ignorance, and lastly fearlessness giving to folks who live in displeasure, terror and misery by heartening them to rise above any difficulties encountered.

However, there should be perfection in generosity which is not accomplished simply by giving things or by the value of gift donated. For the purpose, the giver should not have expectations of worldly rewards like reputation, recognition, gratitude, advantages, or taking rebirth in moneyed family, etc.  With neutral compassion for both alien and foe, one should consider the subject to whom we are being generous as a tutor who is assisting to complete the perfection of generosity.

When the birth to the art of giving is barred by our attachment to worldly materials, then we should learn by heart that the article and its proprietor shall be separated when departing from this globe, and accordingly his misery shall persist in next generation due to demerits so developed by the poison of greed. So while practicing bigheartedness, the giver should assume that he or she is returning the assets to its legal owner who in the times of yore had given it for safeguarding and by such mind-set one shall have calm and peaceful mind while giving it, and shall not regret the action afterwards. These words do not try to paint fortress in heavens, it is however thorny when put into practice but not at all impossible, or otherwise in the ancient time our forefathers may not have seen flying Yogis who lived with such generous act.

For perfection of generosity, we should emphasize on four actions of dedicating, protecting, purifying and increasing; dedicate our body to all the sentient beings with truly generous motivation of the awakened heart of compassion, wisdom and love. Having dedicated our body, we should protect it from being worn out in worthless deeds. We should also make generosity of the body a pure practice by concentrating on the subject, object and action. Then the merits gained from generosity has to be dedicated to all sentient beings, increasing in numbers equal to the sands of Ganges River. 

During the process of underlining some tips of perfecting generosity, I've touched about one of the other noteworthy virtues of life i.e. the ethics required for being generous, and it is obvious that other four virtues like patience, dauntlessness (energy), concentration and wisdom are also inseparable while practicing generosity; during the practice we must have patience and do not get heated with the treacherous act of betraying by the object of generosity, or else anger is one of the three fatal poisons in life that tear down our merits. It must be made with unbroken vigor or if not our virtues habit of giving may fade away. The giver should contemplate on payback of being openhanded and the fallout if does not practice it, otherwise our monkey wits may get sidetracked by fake worldly pleasures. While being charitable, one should also ensure that the practice is pure without any shady action, thought and tongue.

Gyalse Tokme Zangpo (1297-1371), Author of 37 Practices of Bodhisattva

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Open letter on About last Rites of H.E Shamarpa

Late Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche

Dear Nepal,

This is to send words that we the aficionados of Karma Kagyu are wounded when your government decided not to permit the entry of sacred body of H.E Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche for his last rites. Though acres of land in hundreds of Karma Kagyu monasteries are on hand for the cremation of our late master, we are still trying to win the heart of Nepal only to have the soil of Sharminub Foundation in Nepal be endorsed for the mentioned purpose. The government having turn deaf to the call of devotees, the ultimate voyage of Kudung Rinpoche to Nepal which earlier was scheduled on 14^th July failed and thereby making all the globe wait in Kalimpong for such a long days. If Rinpoche during his lifetime had not made wish in front of thousands during world peace ritual ceremony in Nepal few years back on about his last rites to ensue in the land which gave birth to father of Buddhism (Buddha), we like insane would not at all disturb the ears of your government. But we still have hope in our hearts that your great government will understand our sentiments very sooner and therefore having trust in our own thoughts, the administration of Sharminub Foundation in Nepal continued with all necessary preparations as per the wish of our late master though decision from your state was not yet clear.

Due to political workloads, your government may have forgotten the pending spiritual issue which I thought is necessary to once again remind as the date line for final rites is very near. The Kudung Rinpoche shall be cremated on 31^st July coinciding to first sermon of Lord Buddha which I believe is very near now. Whatever the reason may be for rejection of the proposal, we as devotees would not be very comfortable to stand in front of the next reincarnation of our master in future for having not fulfilled his only wish when he during his lifetime worked hard to fulfill the wishes of all the sentient beings.Though he the late master is Bhutanese by citizen, I don’t support the move to bring the sacred remain here in Bhutan or back to Delhi on taking consideration of the wish made by him. Every Bhutanese (including me), Indians, Germans or any other Buddhist States would wish to have the final voyage of Kudung Rinpoche be in their home but it’s lucky that he the great one had chosen your nation for his final rites, and I am sure your countrymen felt the same as what rest of the globe felt.

To support our proposal, it is not necessary to reflect history of how 4^th, 6^th, 8^th and 10^th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche were associated with the soils, people and kings of great Nepal because we have just read about his hagiographies in papers but it was your holy country that got opportunity to experience such blessing in the times of yore. Forget the tales of ancient times, just call to mind of how the late 14^th Shamarpa contributed to spirituality of Nepal in recent years. 

So, may I appeal at this moment to your great nation to find solutions in nullifying the retraction order for the entry permit of Kudung Rinpoche issued by Home Ministry?

Looking forward for your great and kind support please

Thanking you

Yours Dharma Friend

Karma Thinley

  

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Benefit of Taking Refuge in Guru Rinpoche

These days, when told to tag along the footstep of Milarepa or the great Asoka, many would ask for one more paths to nirvana since those paths were thought to be built only to men destined to become treasured figures of the globe. The tales of flying yogis or a prince being enlightened under a tree were thousands of years old. Those stories are now fading and renouncing the worldly pleasures in search of eternal bliss is also losing ground. But the Vajra Guru Drupthop for a second time taught the world of how an ordinary man can be liberated without submitting yourself to much difficulty.

Vajra Guru Lam was some time ago an ordinary layman who was born in a Bon family. Having live out the Bonism way of life, he was one time in opposition to philosophy of lotus born prince of Uddyana, the great master. With no respect he spoke many slandering words against Bodhisattvas, especially to the Guru Rinpoche. But the fact of why such a doubting Thomas later took refuge in Padmasambhava was untold and remains as a mystery of the tale. It may be a contradicting situation but the lotus born prince would for all time sanctify those who remember him not considering who he is.

He the Vajra Guru Lam travelled into many vales and peaks in search of haunted sites like caves, cliffs, cremation grounds, etc. He meditated in those ghostly sites reciting the Vajra Guru Mantra to challenge evils and in the due course overcome the fears of death. A time came where he overwhelmingly achieved realization and liberation through recitation of the Vajra Guru Mantra. He then like a psychiatrist could read other’s mind and could also presage the future events for the reason that the locals called him as ‘Vajra Guru Lam,’ meaning the master of Vajra Guru Mantra.

In mid 1990s he turned out to be popular for his naked dance which was an atypical ritual art performed to eliminate all the sickness and catastrophes befalling a person. Therefore in some corners of Bhutan, particularly in my village (Korphu) he was known by the name ‘Pang Je Lam’ which means a master who shows the Phallus in crowd. His destitute lifestyle of wandering in woods and villages finally came to closing stage when his few rivals took away his eyesight by the art of sorcery. A master having rivals and they inflicting curse on him was just a twist of story resulted by karmic obscuration for disrespecting many Bodhisattvas in his younger age. The visually impaired master then settled his life in a haunted cave below Zhemgang Dzong where he spent years reciting the Vajra Guru Mantra.     

Fig: Vajra Guru Lama
                                                                       

He would have attended nirvana with rest of his stories untold to the universe if Urgyen Lama had not met him.  To him the stories of holy water oozing out of his hand prayer wheel  and seeing vision of Guru Rinpoche in Vajra land were revealed. As per the source, he the Vajra Guru siddha declared his death one week in advance on which it exactly becomes seven years from the time he saw Guru Padmasambhava’s vision, making the prophesy of recovering eyesight in seven years come true in view of the fact that he would see Guru Rinpoche after attending nirvana. Every crack of dawn was breathtaking to see three birds believed to be dakinis flying to circumambulate his body three rounds before flying off. More than thousand devotees poured down to pay their homage to the great Vajra Guru Drupthop.

At this verge, I humbly bow and go for refuge in Guru Rinpoche, the lotus born prince to clear away all our obstacles with power. I supplicate in the king treasurer reveler, the great Terton Padma Lingpa who blessed my land with compassion to lead us down the path of love. Lastly, I pray from my inner heart to your eminence the Vajra Guru Drupthop for being a paradigm to those who are yet to be enlightened.

You may also like article “A True Account of an Accomplished Practitioner of the Vajra Guru Mantra in Recent Times ”by Jigme Sherab, 2011

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Life, Death and Rebirth

This writing is not an attempt to craft my memoirs with invented tales or preach religion to the planet. It was my thought that it would to some extend make the readers believe in death and rebirth rather than gluing into a concept of single lifetime and habituating into wrongdoings. Otherwise, to enlighten on death and rebirth, I ought to dig heap of manuscripts or meditate for eons chasing the trails of Siddhartha. Forget about my big talk on it, I am not in the state to properly justify that why the memoirs of past live appears only during the babyhood and never can it be recalled when aged, except by a Bodhisattva. When cited about remembrance of past live during early ages, some readers may get confused that why not every person is gifted with such merits. In this case, I’m not the right person to shed light on to your doubt, may be you get advice from qualified individuals.

I was born in male metal horse year of lunar calendar in remote hamlet of Korphu during the time when a number of civilians were slaughtered by some rebellious group of people claiming to be southern Bhutanese. May be the timing I stepped into the world was premature since my birth coinciding hundreds of bloodshed was an omen to show that my past lifetime’s mission of practicing dharma has reached to closing stage. This statement is however my own assumption and not necessarily mean to be true, may be the spiritual tutors have their own opinion in this regard.

According to my late grandfather, during my early ages I used to declare that I am a Buddhist monk from Choekhor Rabtse Monastery, Trongsa. When young, locals tease me by the name ‘Gyalong’ for the reason that I always love dressing saffron shawl of a monk.  It was in mid 1990’s when I was taken to Trongsa, the place linked to my past life by my family to attend funeral of my late uncle. During the occasion, I was told to have cried while spotting a man riding on scooter which was supposed to be mine in the past life.

If truth be told, presently I don’t remember whether I declared myself as a monk or not and I’m certain that it’s too late for me to recall the past life again. During babyhood, the memoirs of past live are seen to overlap with current life may be because the baby’s life stage is close to previous life or his mind is crystal clear, not like the mind of adults that had been wrapped by dust of sins and self absorbed desires. This is what reincarnation means, and by definition it not necessarily means that the phenomenon happens only with spiritual masters.

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