Winter 2008

The Newsletter of Lhokha Gongkar Choede Dorje Dhen Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Seat of the Dzongpa Branch of the Glorious Sakya Tradition

Issue 2

Dorje Dhen:
A few years ago, His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche and his tutor, Venerable Tenpa Gyatso, visited Taiwan at the invitation of Lama Tashi and the students of His Holiness Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche in Taipei, and His Eminence bestowed the Vajrayogini blessing-initiation there to a packed auditorium. It was so successful, that many Sakya students in Taiwan repeatedly requested His Eminence to return. So this summer, His Eminence, accompanied by his steadfast personal attendant Ngawang Tenzin la, as well as his secretary, Gelong Ngawang Khyentse, began their travels.

The Garuda Takes Flight

They started in Singapore as the guests of Sakya Tenphel Ling in order for the necessary visas to be obtained for His Eminence there. During this time, His Eminence met with His many close friends in Singapore, met with new friends, offered divinations, prayers and valuable Dharma advice, and also arranged with the committee for a formal return visit to offer pujas, teachings and initiations. A few obstacles seemed to emerge in processing the visa, and the stay in Singapore was longer than anticipated as a result. However, this fortunately meant that His Eminence was able to stay at the Temple to greet our Root Lama, His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, who, together with Her Eminence Gyalyum Chenmo, had come for a short visit to impart teachings. His Eminence was warmly introduced by His Holiness at the first empowerment, as this was the first time that many of those in attendance had seen His Eminence and even heard of the Dzongpa. His Eminence also enjoyed encouraging conversations during private meetings with His Holiness and Her Eminence there, and just as they left, the visa arrived, and everything was ready for Taiwan.

Vajra Garuda

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Ngawang Tenzin returned to Gongkar Chde to continue with work there, and His Eminence and Gelong Khyentse set off for Taipei. Their first port of call was to see Dr. Akon and his family in Yunching, where a few pleasant days were spent before His Eminence came to Sakya Dechen Ling, in the Nei-Hu district of Taipei, the centre of His Eminences close friend, the Venerable Tashi Chphel Tulku. There, His Eminence was generously hosted by the centres director, Mrs. Lehn, and began His stay offering personal consultations and blessings to the centre members. His Eminence then granted the Vajrayogini blessing-initiation to many students in Taijong, where He also conducted a consecration of a new Guru Rinpoche statue there, a Mahakala Puja, Vajrayogini Tsok offering, and many blessings of Sakya centres and patrons in the area. Back in Taipei, His Eminence gave the initiation of the special Vajra Garuda in Sakya Dechen Ling and also Sakya Gyalten Ling, the main centre established by the late Tharig Tulku in Taiwan. Vajra Garuda (known in as Tibetan as Dorje Kyungtra) is the power, compassion and wisdom of all the Buddhas manifest as a magical bird who has power to subjugate all dark energies and spirits. The initiation and practice of Vajra Garuda is associated with magnetising the energy and blessings to attain the power, compassion and wisdom of a Buddha. He balances the energies of the elements (earth, air, water, fire and space) within ourselves and in our environment, and subdues harmful and interfering energies that affect our health, well-being and environment. The particular initiation of the multi-coloured Vajra Garuda that was conferred is an initiation of the Anuttara Yoga Tantra classification deriving from the Kalacakra Tantra and one of the special mandalas of the 1 st Dorje Dhenpa, Kunga Namgyal, the great Tantric Master and founder of the Dzongpa branch of the Sakya lineage. This was the very first time for this initiation to be given in Taiwan, and it proved to be both popular and greatly appreciated by the many practitioners who came to receive the transmission. His Eminence and Khyentse-la had just finished translating the Sadhana by Dorje Dhenpa Kunga Namgyal into English when their dear friend and webmaster, Deborah Hilton, arrived all the way from Hawaii to receive the initiation. His Eminence has now also agreed to grant the initiation for the first time in Singapore early next year, and also in England and the USA on His debut tour of the West later in 2009. Also in Taipei, His Eminence gave the White Tara initiation twice. To receive this initiation from His Eminence is considered a special blessing, as not only has he personally conduced an intensive retreat on this practice, His lineage has conducted the rituals of White Tara for centuries in the Zhol village just below the Potala Palace in Lhasa for the long life of the Dalai Lamas and the welfare of all sentient beings, making Gongkar Chde famous for their emphasis on this exalted and illustrious Mother Goddess. From the Thirteen Golden Dharmas of the Sakya tradition, the long-life and obstacle-averting initiation of Amaravajradevi deriving from the Cakrasamvara Tantra was given; the wealth deities Golden Jambhala and Vasudhara; the wisdom Goddess Sarasvati, and the Rig-sum Gnpo, which literally means The Protectors of the Three Races - Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani. His Eminence also presided over a Naga Puja at the coast, and a Fire Puja of the Shangpa Kagyu practice of White Mahakala at a Chinese Temple on the outskirts of Taipei.

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During the entire programme, His Eminence was ably assisted by Lama Gedhun from Khenpo Appe Rinpoches residence in Kathmandu, and also Lama Lobsang Dawa from Jamchen Lhakhang Monastery. He also managed to meet up more than once with his close friend and peer, His Eminence Thartse Khen Rinpoche, co-abbot of Ngor Evam Choeden, the seat of the Ngor branch of the Sakya tradition, who was conducting his own programme in Taipei and other countries. After one month of almost non-stop teaching and blessings, His Eminence returned to Singapore. There, he received expert consultation from a rheumatologist about the Ankylosing Spondylitis that has affected his health for over nine years now. A new course of medicines was prescribed and some excellent guidance received on dealing with the condition, and now His Eminence is enjoying much better health. Very special thanks must go to Judy Kim and Jennifer Tan for taking such heartfelt care of His Eminence and sponsoring all the treatment needed.

The White Mahakala Fire Puja, Taipei

And Back to Singapore...

His Eminence Gongkar Dojre Dhenpa Rinpoche, together with the Venerable Tsokchen Khenpo Jamphel Chdzin (Abbot of Gongkar Chde Monastery) and the Venerable Umze Jamphel Chdhar (Ritual Master of Gongkar Chde), together with a retinue of monks, will return to Singapore after this years special Sakya Monlam in Nepal to conduct an extensive programme: Letter of Advice for Nyendak Zangpo: An Introduction to Tantra The first Dorje Dhenpa, Kunga Namgyal (1432-1496), was a great Tantric Master, acclaimed as one of the Six Ornaments of the Sakya tradition, founder of the great Gongkar Chde monastery and the Dzongpa lineage of the Sakya tradition. Of his numerous profound teachings, the Letter of Advice for Nyendak Zangpo ( Nyendak Zangpo Damngag) is a particularly lucid manual of timeless advice for those embarking on the Tantric path.
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Forthcoming Events: Watch this space!

His Eminence will be giving a teaching on this classic text in Singapore from 19th - 20th December 2008. It is an auspicious and profound opportunity to receive profound teachings from an authentic Sakya Lama, both for those new to Vajrayana and for more experienced practitioners as well. This will be followed a session in which His Eminence will offer some explanation of the pujas, initiations and teachings being conducted at Sakya Tenphel Ling on 21st December 2008. Mahakala Puja In the Vajrayana Buddhism, the blessings of Dharma Protectors are invoked to protect practitioners from all obstacles. Of these, Mahakala, in various forms, is the chief Dharma Protector. His Eminence and his monks will be performing an extensive series of all-day Mahakala pujas for Sakya Tenphel Ling and its members from 22nd - 28th December 2008. 22nd - 25th: For the first four days, the full ceremony that is performed in Gongkar Chde will be conducted. 26th: On the fifth day, the same extensive ritual will be carried out with special emphasis given to Mahakali. 27th - 28th: On the last two days, the D-chog will be performed. This is a special ceremony in which a multi-dimensional loom is created, covered in multi-coloured threads, and later burned in a ritual purification. The burning will take place on 28th and that day will include Tsok. The puja that Rinpoche is leading focuses on Panjaranatha and Brahmanrupa Mahakala, as well as Mahakali, Sri Devi Dkhamma, Vaishravana (Namtse), Ganapati and Cittapati. The particular form of the Protector that is central to the Dzongpa branch of the Sakya lineage is Brahmanrupa, Mahakala in the form of a bearded Indian holy man ( Brahmin), which derives from the Guhyasamaja Tantra. According to legend, Brahmanrupa Mahakala appeared to the 7th Sakya Trizin, Chgyal Phagpa, and aided him in augmenting his role as Lama to the Mongol Emperor Kubhlai Khan and as ruler of Tibet. He later appeared to the founder of the Dzongpa branch of Sakya, Dorje Dhenpa Kunga Namgyal, the great Tantric master renowned for his ability to propitiate spirits and overcome dark energies, and has been the patron Protector of the Dzongpa, its monastery, community and supporters ever since. In Tibet, a chapel near the renowned Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the Meru Nyingpa Lhakhang, belonged to Gongkar Chde and housed a famous statue of Brahmanrupa Mahakala. It was so popular that the offerings made there were sufficient to fund Gongkar Chde itself, which housed around three thousand monks, without any additional patronage. This is because Tibetans have long had faith, based on innumerable miraculous signs, that prayers directed to this Protector are especially effective in warding off obstacles and bestowing success for ones business. Marici Initiation Marichi is the Goddess of the Dawn who embodies the activity of all the Buddhas. The initiation into the meditation and recitation practice of Marici is associated with banishing the darkness of all obstacles to happiness, well-being and wisdom. She also protects ones person and property from thieves, threats, governmental interference, fires, floods, dangerous animals, malevolent spirits - in fact, all inner and outer obstacles. His Eminence is bestowing the Marici initiation (jenang) for New Years Eve (31st December 2008) in Singapore, followed by some explanation of the practice. This is an auspicious and precious opportunity to ward off obstacles to the coming year, and to receive profound teachings from an authentic Sakya Lama that direct the mind to Enlightenment and promote healing, compassion and wisdom. The White Tara Initiation and Puja White Tara, the Goddess of Long Life embodying the compassionate activity of all the Buddhas, is one of the principle practices of the Dzongpa lineage. His Eminence, who works tirelessly to fully revive this sacred tradition, is giving the White Tara initiation ( jenang) for New Years Day (1st January 2009) in Singapore. This is an auspicious and precious opportunity to start 2009, and to receive profound teachings from an authentic Sakya Lama that direct the mind to Enlightenment and promote healing, compassion and wisdom. This will be followed by the traditional puja, which is performed every day without failure by the monks of Gongkar Chde monastery and will be led by His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche.

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The Vajra Garuda Empowerment His Eminence is giving the Vajra Garuda initiation ( jenang) in Singapore on Sunday 4 th January 2009. This is available to anyone who has received a major two-day empowerment before. The Guru Rinpoche Puja The Dzongpa branch of the Sakya lineage conducts a special two-day puja to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in Gongkar Chde monastery known as The Secret Collection in Eight Chapters ( Sang-du laiu Gye-pa), which is also known simply as Tse-chu (the ceremony for the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar calendar). The Sakyapa holds a sacred link to Guru Rinpoche, as Khn Nagendrarakshita was one of Guru Rinpoches chief disciples, through which many precious teachings and initiations were imparted and are upheld to this day by the Sakyapas. Nanam Dorje Dudjom was also one of the chief disciples of Guru Rinpoche, and, as foreseen by Guru Rinpoche himself, Dorje Dhenpa Kunga Namgyal was recognised as his reincarnation. The special puja of the Dzongpa tradition ends each day with the Tsok offering, together with the offering of nectar and long-life pills (tse-ril). Dedications are also made for the deceased. This complete puja will be conducted at Sakya Tenphel Ling from 6th - 7th January 2009 by the monks of Gongkar Chde monastery, led by His Eminence.

To receive more details on the complete programme, please contact Sakya Tenphel Ling directly.

Faith, Energy and Intelligence

Not long before passing away, His Eminence the late, great Chogye Trichen Dorje Chang, the Supreme Head of the Tsarpa branch of the Sakya tradition, took the hand of His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche, held it to his head, and implored Him from the heart to work with great effort and diligence to fully revive the Dzongpa. His Eminence often speaks of this as being a piece of advice emblazoned on his mental continuum that inspires Him and the Dzongpa Sangha to engage all their strength to fulfil its intent. Thus, His Eminence has accepted invitations to teach in Malaysia, England and the USA in 2009 to make the teachings available to those who wish to practice them. Many of the teachings and initiations that He has agreed to give will be first time that such transmissions have been granted in these countries before. Due to the heightening of strictness that Dorje Dhenpa Kunga Namgyal applied to the higher Tantric practices (the Lam-Dre and other major transmissions restricted to no more than four ears at any one time), the lineage has not had the fame of its close cousins, Ngor and Tsar, in recent times. However, some of the practices contained in the Sixty-five Mandalas of Kunga Namgyal were included in the Compendium of Sadhanas that was compiled by the great architects of the Rime movement in Tibet, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamyang Loter Wangpo, and have been given to larger audiences since in order to ensure that they remain as living practices in our time. And so, thanks to the blessings of the living and previous Lineage Masters, these precious teachings are now being opened up not just to monks in the Himalayan regions, but also to sincere practitioners overseas too. Another great means to learn about His Eminence and the Dzongpa that has been widely appreciated since its inception this year on His Holiness the Sakya Trizins birthday is the website created with great dedication by Deborah Hilton (www.dzongpa.com). His Eminences itinerary will be posted there soon, and the Chinese language version has just been launched thanks to our tireless friend, Tony Jan in Taiwan. Do check them out if you havent already!

Pilgrimage
At the end of 2009, the annual Sakya Monlam will be organised by Gongkar Chde, which we hope will be another great and fruitful success. Following that, His Eminence has expressed interest to make His first proper pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya and the other holy pilgrimage sites of our Master, Shakyamuni Buddha, in India. He has also said that it would be fine for friends to join Him on this pilgrimage. If you are interested, please write to Gelong Ngawang Khyentse and he will get back to you once plans are confirmed: Gelong Ngawang Khyentse, Sakya Heritage Society, House 62, Bhatti Mine Road, Near Satsung Beas, PhaseIV, New Delhi 110074, India.

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The Spontaneous Offering: A Prayer of Invocation and Aspiration

The Prayer for the Long Life of His Eminence the 6th Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoche, Tenzin Jampal Lungthok Namgyal.
OM DE.LEK.SU GYUR.CHIG OM: May auspiciousness arise! KHOR.DE CH.KUN NYAM.PA NYI.DU.ZIG NYAM.THAR DRO.WA YONG.LA LHAK.PAR.TSE DU.MIN CHI.WAi JIG.KUN SAL.DZE.MA PhAG.MA YI.SHIN KHOR.LOi SHI.PA.TSOL You perceive all the phenomena of Samsara and Nirvana as the same, And have extraordinary love for all destitute wandering beings: May you, the Goddess who cleanses away all fears of untimely death, Arya Cintamanicakra, bestow your blessings. SI.PI DE.WA TSA.TSEi SIL.TAR.ZIG THAR.D THE.TSN LO.DR JE.ZED.NE YANG.DAG TA.DANG ZHEN.PHEN JANG.CHUB.SEM THEG.CHOG LAM.SANG NYE.LA SOL.WA.DEB You regard worldly happiness to be like a dewdrop on a blade of grass, But the aspiration for liberation, faith, energy and intelligence as the enriching factors For completely perfect view, altruism and bodhicitta: Thus, I offer my prayers that the Supreme Vehicle of the Secret Path may be attained. JAM.PAL YANG.DANG NYI.SU MA.CHI.PI PAL.DEN SAK.YAi SHEd.SOL TI.TAL.NAM LUNG.DANG RIG.PAi TSUL.SHIN DZIN.KYE.PA TOG.DEN CH.KYI GYAL.TSEN SHAB.DEN.SHOG Between you and Manjushri there is no real difference The immaculate aims and practices of the Glorious Sakya, Both the verbalised and realised teachings, is the tradition you uphold in harmony: May you who wield the Victory Banner of the Dharma of Realisation live long. TH.PA GYA.TShOr NGAL.WAi RAB.TSN.NA SAM.PAi GO.D KUN.JYONG CHAG.DU.SN GOM.CHONG MI.SHE WOL.SEL TU.DEN.PA DRO.WAi DEd.PN CHEN.PO SHAB.TEN.SHOG Persevering through hardship, you study and listen to the ocean of teachings; Through contemplation, you fulfil all wishes and needs; Through inner cultivation, you actualise the power to know the unknown and relieve poverty: Great guide of wandering beings, please live long. TSOL.SHIN CHED.PAi NAM.CHd PHA.THA.YE DN.LA TSO.PAi DN.CHIG DR.DOG.CHd NYEN.SAB TSOM.KYI SHE.DEN YI.WANG.TROK KYE.WANG DRO.WAi TSUG.JEN SHAB.TEN.SHOG Your boundless teaching and activity is in exact accordance with the teachings; Your skill in explication, dialectics, composition and elucidation is masterful; Your profound poems and treatises are captivating: Pinnacle of experts for all wandering beings, please live long. CHI.TA CHI.NYE SHE.JAi NE.LA.KHE LAB.SHI YAR.DAM MIG.SHE JE.PAi.TSUN JAM.NYING THUG.JEt KA.DAR YANG.PAi.SANG SHE.NYEN TEN.DRO GN.PO SHAB.TEN.SHOG You perceive the infinitude of cognisable phenomena, Exalted and illustrious one, and guard your vows like we protect our eyes in danger; Your loving kindness and compassion is as boundless as the sky: Master and Protector of the Buddhas Dispensation and all wandering beings, please live long. 6

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TA.CH TSANG.MAi GANG.RIr NE.CHI.SHING SHI.LAM DRE.BUi YU.RUL JEN.KYI.DZE NYEN.JU ZHI.DEN DAM.PAi GEt.JANG.DrOK SHE.NYEN MA.WAi SENG.GE SHAB.TEN.SHOG The purity of your view and conduct are as evident as a snow-mountain; Like the mane to a snow-lion, the Lam-Dre and its foundation is your signature adornment; You roar with laughter the four whispered lineages, the melody of instructions: Spiritual Friend who is the Lion of Expression, please live long. DrEN.SHE PAG.YD KI.SUNG TSUL.TrIM.TSANG CHING.Gt YENG.WAi CHN.TEL TING.DZIN.DRUB KHOR.DE CHE.MEt TOK.PI SHE.RAB.KYI KYE.GUi YID.MUN SAL.DZED SHAB.DEN.SHOG Mindfulness, vigilance and conscientiousness are protected by your replete virtue; Freedom from the faults of heedlessness and inattentiveness is accomplished through your samadhi; Through your wisdom, you understand that Samsara and Nirvana are birthless: You who purifies the deluded thoughts of sentient beings, please live long. LEG.CHEd LHA.YI DZING.RING YANG.PAi.NG TSOK.NYI CHUNG.NGN CHENG.GI NYER.TrANG.NYE ThrIN.LE WD.KYI LING.ZHIi MUN.SAL.WAi KHYE.PA NAM.KHAi GYEN.GYUR SHAB.TEN.SHOG The vast and beautiful celestial paradise of the two accumulations Comes ever closer to consummation, like dawn approaching, As the radiance of your transcendental activities purifies the four cosmic continents: You who is the jewel ornament of all the scholars throughout space, please live long. TEN.DANG DRO.LA CHIG.TU MEN.PA.LA TEN.PAi THUN.JEN KUN.TSANG RAB.TEN.NE TEN.PA RIN.CHEN YUN.DU PHEL.WAi.CHIR TEN.DZIN KUN.ZHI SHAB.PEt TEN.GYUR.CHIG To benefit the Buddhas Dispensation and all wandering beings, You cause the conditions for the Buddhas Dispensation to flourish in completeness and stability So that the jewel of this Dispensation long endures, grows and spreads: May you and all the Holders of the Buddhas Dispensation live long. SE.CHE GYAL.WA GYA.TShOi CHIN.THU.DANG TEN.JUNG LU.WA ME.PAi DEN.DOB.DANG DAG.GI LHAG.SAM DAG.PAi THU.TOB.KYI MUN.PAi TN.KUN DE.LAK NYUR.DRUB.SHOG Through the blessings of the ocean of Victorious Ones and their Children, Through interdependence and the undeceiving power of truth, And through the power of my pure and sincere aspiration, May all these wishes be easily fulfilled.

I dont have skill in composing beautiful verses and titles, but my greatest wish is for the few topics contained in this prayer to be established in His Eminence Gongkar Dorje Dhenpa Rinpoches life. This is my own first and foremost wish. And some time ago, Jamphel Chsang-la fervently requested me with a ceremonial white scarf to compose this prayer. I couldnt ignore his persistent wish as well as my own. So because of these two wishes, the verses herein were written as a prayer for the long life of His Eminence by me, Jamphel Chogden, the Director of Gongkar Chde, in the year 2118 of the Rabjung Cycle, which is the year of the Iron Sheep according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, or 17th August 1991 according to the Western Solar Calendar. Sarva mangalam! This prayer by the late Ven. Jamphel Chogden was translated into the English language at the glorious Sakya Phunstok Phodrang in the Aryan Land of India in the year of the Earth Mouse (28 th October 2008 c.e.) by two fortunate disciples of the wish-fulfilling jewel to whom this prayer is addressed; the Bhikshu from England known as Ngawang Khyentse and the Upasaka from the Minyak region of Eastern Tibet known as Kunga Tashi. Although lacking experience and skill, they were compelled to attempt a translation due to the express and constant wishes of His Eminences many English-speaking students as well as for the benefit of their own practice. May its intentions be fulfilled without hindrance! Lhokha Gongkar Chde Dorje Dhen Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, India. 7