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.
