By H.E. Sakya Dhungsey Asanga Vajra Rinpoche
Sunday, February 14
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested contribution: Sponsors: $150, Public $55, Members $50
To register online, please visit: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=rkgbvycab&oeidk=a07ec11et7902590549
H.E. Asanga Rinpoche will bestow the Amitayus-Hayagriva Initiation. The practice of Amitayus, the Buddha of Boundless Life and Wisdom, is a meditative yoga for a prolonged and meaningful life, transcending sickness, disease and untimely death. Hayagriva represents protection. This fierce protector is a terrifying form of Noble Chenrezi (Sanskrit – Avalokitshvara).
Tang Tong Gyalpo is a legendary Buddhist master reputed to have an incredible lifespan of 125 years. Believed to be Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) appearing in the world to benefit living beings, Tang Tong Gyalpo constructed 58 iron suspension bridges, 60 wooden bridges, 118 ferries, 111 stupa monuments, countless temples and monasteries, and is credited for the creation of Tibetan opera. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it is believed that putting Tang Tong Gyalpo’s picture over a door or window serves as an Earthquake Protection Amulet.
His Eminence Khondung Asanga Vajra Sakya is the son of H.E. Khöndung Ani Vajra Sakya Rinpoche, the second son of the Phuntsok Phodrang family and Dagmo Chimey la. He is also the grandson of H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche and therefore a direct descendent of the unbroken Khon lineage which dates back to 1073. Asanga Vajra Rinpoche is also the grandson of H.E. Garje Khamtul Rinpoche, a highly realized and accomplished Nyingmapa master on his mother’s side. His Eminence Khöndung Asanga Vajra Sakya Rinpoche was born on May 1st, 1999 in Seattle Washington. In April of 2005, at the age of five and in accordance with his wish, Asanga Vajra Rinpoche left the comforts of home and family in Seattle, Washington to begin his new life to study and train at the Tharlam Monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal. In 2007, he received the Lamdre Tsogshay teaching from his paternal grandfather, H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. The following year, Asanga Rinpoche received the Lamdre Lobshey teachings from his paternal granduncle H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche. He has also received many other very important empowerments, teachings and religious instructions from other great masters such as H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.E. Chögye Trichen, H.E. Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, H.E. Luding Khenchen as well as from his maternal grandfather H.E. Khamtul Rinpoche. In 2011, Asanga Rinpoche successfully passed his examination on the Vajrakilaya puja and rituals with a perfect score and was also the youngest lineage holder in exile to have successfully undertaken the rigorous preparation and examination.