Date: Sunday, May 26
Location: San Francisco
Venue: Berkeley Adult School
Tsechen Ling Community of Bay Area would like to share this great news of teaching tour of His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, the head Lama of Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Seattle in the week end of Memorial Holidays.
His Holiness was born in Sakya, the western Tibet in 1929. Rinpoche received many teachings from his father, His Holiness Trichen Ngwang Thutop Wangchuk, the 40th throne holder of Sakyapa School. The unbroken lineages of teachings, such as Vajrakilaya and most cherished teaching of Sakyapa, the (Lamdre) Path and Result, were also giving to him by his father. Later, Rinpoche went to eastern Tibet, Dege Dzongsar, where he met renowned teachers His Eminence Khyentse Chokyi Lodro and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rabsal Dawa. His Holiness arrived in Seattle for the research project of Tibetan Civilization undertaken by the University of Washington in 1960. Since then, His Holiness has been living in Washington State and working for the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism in general, and particular that of Sakya school.
It is great hope of Tsechen Community that Tibetan community and local Buddhists will take every advantage of His Holiness being in the Bay Area.
His Holiness will be given initiation (wang) of Chenrezi, the bodhisattva Avalokishtevara, the embodiment of Compassion of Buddha. Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is one of the most important in Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhas are, of course, completely enlightened beings whereas bodhisattvas are beings who are on the verge of being completely enlightened. Manjusri, the bodhisattva of wisdom and Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion are two most honored bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhist Schools.
Avalokitesvara has vowed not to become a fully enlightened Buddha until after all sentient beings are saved from samsara. Avalokitesvara can assume any form in order to help sentient beings, and there are descriptions of him appearing gods, humans, and animals. He rescues his followers from fires, from drowning, from bandits, from murder, from prisons. He gives children to female followers who want children.
His Holiness feels very sad about the event in Tibet, the self immolation by young Tibetans, for this and
general welfare of sentient beings, His Holiness is going to conduct a special public prayer. Rinpoche also agree to give public Audience, so don’t miss this opportunity.