Spiritual Teachings By H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya
Translation by Dagmo Chimey Sakya
Sundays, April 12th and 19th, May 10th and 17th and June 14th and 21st
Time: 10:00 – 10:15 am (15 Minutes before Chenrezi)
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested contribution: Free, donations accepted
Out of his great compassion, H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya will be answering Dharma questions from Sangha members for the benefit of our spiritual growth and development. People are welcome to submit a question to the office. Because Dagchen Rinpoche will be answering one question per session, not all questions will be answered. This is a very precious opportunity to hear directly from the eldest lama in the Sakya tradition and one of the highest Tibetan lamas living today.
His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, Head Lama of Sakya Monastery, was born in Tibet in 1929. Rinpoche is the head of the Phuntsok Podrang of the Khon lineage of the Sakyas family. 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. Dagchen Rinpoche 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 center/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.
Translator: Dagmo Chimey Sakya has over 20 years of international experience translating for venerable Buddhist masters.