by David Spiekerman
On behalf of His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya (head lama of the Phuntsok Phodrang of the 950 year old Sakya Khon lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the first Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in North America), I would like to extend a warm and gracious welcome to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. On behalf of the Sakya Dhunseys, Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya, Dagchen Rinpoche’s extended family, our resident lamas, our members, and all other Dharma friends gathered here today, I would like to thank your holiness a thousand times for being here and offering the precious Green Tara blessing and teaching.
The 16th Karmapa had a close relationship with both His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya and His Eminence Deshung Rinpoche, so we are deeply grateful that this beneficial legacy continues with the visit of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa to Sakya Monastery. There are several individuals here today who owe the 16th Karmapa an ocean of gratitude for planting the seeds of the Dharma in their mind streams. Those seeds happily found a fertile, holy space to ripen decades later here at Sakya.
It is my extraordinary privilege to thank His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya and His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa with their superior activities and qualities for creating the true and wholesome conditions for the Dharma to flourish. Speaking for all of us at Sakya Monastery, please return here again in the future to bless us with your Precious Dharma activities.