By Adrienne Chan

On November 26, 2011 His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche bestowed the Yellow Zambala initiation to Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Rinpoche (sister of His Holiness Sakya Trizin) and to the members of her center, Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling  of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The initiation took place over Thanksgiving weekend and it was, indeed, memorable. The weather the day before and the day after the initiation were sunny, crisp and cool. However, on the day of the initiation, we experienced an incredible fortuitous blessing; it rained, or one might say, it poured that day. Water is paramount in the practice of Zambala. Dagchen Rinpoche has mentioned that it represents infinity, no end. Zambala is a Buddha who grants material and spiritual prosperity. Thank you, Your Holiness, for bestowing the awesome body, speech and mind blessing of Zambala for benefit of all beings. May prosperity abound for all!

At the request of Dagchen Rinpoche, in the afternoon after the initiation, Venerable Khenpo Jampa Tenphel gave a teaching to the Zambala initiates. He explained how to practice the Dharma and the Zambala sadhana. He taught that before starting any practice a student should always recite with heartfelt conviction “Refuge” and “Bodhicitta”. Furthermore, the practice of Zambala is different from other practices. It is unique because it can grant two kinds of siddis—the common (worldly) and the uncommon (accomplishments of a Buddha or Bodhisattva). At the end of Khenpo’s talk he asked each student to perform the Zambala water ritual and recite the mantra three times.   

The following day, about 50 members of the Vancouver Tibetan community had an audience with Dagchen Rinpoche. Tibetans of all ages attended. Dagchen Rinpoche gave advice to all, and in particular he spoke to the younger generation on preserving Tibetan Buddhist culture. Additionally, Rinpoche bestowed to the group the oral transmissions of Chrenrezi and Manjushri.  

His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho and entourage (Ven. Tulku Yeshi, Ven. Khenpo Jampa, Thupten Jampa (translator), Beth Johanson (driver) and I), thank Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Rinpoche and her center members for their kind hospitality. We enjoyed meeting her devoted Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling students, especially Cathy Diaz and Jin Yeo. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend in Canada.

By Stephanie Prince

We were very happy and honored to have His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche visit Sakya Monastery on June 27, 2011.  We were a large assembly to greet him.  H.E. Khyentse Rinpoche expressed his delight to be at Sakya Monastery.

H.E. Khyentse Rinpoche bestowed upon us the oral transmission of the Aspiration of Samantabhadra, which is one of the most devotional prayers recited regularly by members of Sakya Monastery under the guidance of His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Rinpoche.  Additionally, Khyentse Rinpoche gave us a brief explanation of the deep importance of the sevenfold branches found at the beginning of the Aspiration: taking refuge with prostrations, confession, rejoicing in the happiness of others, making offerings, requesting that the buddhas continue to turn the wheel of Dharma, beseeching that they remain for the benefit of all sentient beings, and dedication for the benefit of all beings.

He clarified for us the difference between Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva, and the Samantabhadra who is the Primordial Buddha (in the Tibetan Nyingma tradition).  He also related a memory from his youth when he was instructed to pay respect and homage to one of the Sakya Dhungseys (lineage holder) who was visiting the monastery where Khyentse Rinpoche was living and studying.   He told how very revered and important are all members of the Sakya Khon family.
 
At the conclusion of the Dharma teaching, dedication prayers were recited and katags were offered.  Khyentse Rinpoche specifically dedicated merit to H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche, praying for his long life.  We disciples, in the traditional manner, requested three times for Khyentse Rinpoche to return to Sakya Monastery.

Mandala offerings were made to Khyentse Rinpoche first by the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang family and then by the Sakya Monastery Board of Advisors.  H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche then arrived at the Monastery and Khyentse Rinpoche offered a mandala to this senior-most member of the Sakya Khon lineage.  It was a rare and auspicious opportunity for us to behold these two great masters of the Sakya tradition performing the activities of enlightenment in each other’s presence.

By Beth Johansen

On a beautiful summer day of September 11, 2011 at the Sakya Centre in Rajpur, India, His Eminence Khondung Asanga Vajra Sakya Rinpoche successfully took and passed the sacred VajraKilaya Puja examination before a packed monastery full of lamas, nuns, distinguished guests and hundreds outside the monastery courtyard.

Ready to guide sentient beings by

Inviting them to travel the road to liberation

Never tiring of bestowing blessings on the

Path of bliss and emptiness - you of

Outstanding wisdom and compassion -

Courageous leader who rises to

Help all to end suffering - you are the

Emanation of holiness

-Murray Gordon



The lama asked the students, “How do you know when night has ended and day has begun?” One student answered, “That’s when you can look into the distance and tell if a tree is a pine tree or an oak tree.” The lama replied, “No.” Another student said, “That’s when you can look into the distance and tell if a small animal is a cat or a dog.” “No.”, the lama said. “Tell us then!” the class asked. The lama answered, “It’s when you can look into the face of the nearest person and see that the person is your brother or sister. If you can’t, then it will always be night for you.”

-Murray Gordon