Bestowed by H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya
Translator: Dagmo Chimey Sakya
Sunday, August 4th
Time: 10:00 – 11:15 am
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested contribution:
Public $35, Members $30
Prerequisite: One should bathe and wear new or clean clothes; in addition, one must be vegetarian (no eggs, meat, alcohol, garlic) and celibate that whole day (24 hours).
The practice of Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa) is for the purification of one’s karma created through the body, speech and mind. The practice purifies and mends broken commitments, especially the Vajrayana vows. Please note that a dharma lecture on the “Vajrasattva practice in Ngondro” will be taught by Khenpo Jampa Tenphel Rinpoche at 1:30 pm on the same day. You must have received a Vajrasattva Initiation in order to attend the class.
His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, Head Lama of Sakya Monastery, was born in Tibet in 1929. He continues the great Sakya lineage which began with Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034—1102). He received teachings of the unbroken Khon lineage, the Sakya Vajrakilaya, the Hevajra and the complete Lamdre Tsogshe, from his father, H.H. Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchuk, the last Sakya throne holder in Tibet. He also studied with many other great Buddhist teachers, including Dzongsar Khyentse Jamyang Chökyi Lodrö and Dilgo Khyentse Robsal Dawa.
In 1960, H.H. J.D. Sakya was invited to work on a University of Washington research project on Tibetan civilization which was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. At the request of students, he co-founded with H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche the Sakya Tegchen Choling, a center for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. In 1984, the center became known as Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.
For the purpose of the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, Rinpoche has overseen the religious activities and administration of the enter/Monastery since its inception. Now that the Monastery is completed, Rinpoche is placing greater emphasis on education. The Virupa Educational Institute is devoted to the study of Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhism in general, religions, cultures, and sciences from around the world. Non-sectarianism and education are major components to Rinpoche’s teaching, in keeping with the beliefs of his root lamas.
Rinpoche regularly leads meditations, gives teachings and initiations, conducts Refuge ceremonies in which people formally become Buddhists, and holds special services upon request such as house blessings, shrine blessings, consecrating religious objects, marriages, baby blessings, divination, and healing to subdue negativity. Rinpoche regularly travels to teach in Asia, Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States.