4th Namo Buddha Manjushri
Retreat
at Vajra Vidhya Institute,
Sarnath.
Introduction
At the end of the 3rd Namo Buddha White Tara
Retreat, The Very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche suggested that we should continue
with the Namo Buddha series of retreat and we should hold the next retreat
at the Vajra Vidhya Institute in Sarnath. No reasons were given for the
shift of venue. From the organizers point of view, it was perhaps refreshing
to shift the retreat from Nepal to India. Sometimes in June 2000, Lama
Lodro informing us that Thrangu Rinpoche had suggested that the retreat
should be fixed on 22nd February 2001. We the organiser as usual informed
the former retreatants about the forthcoming 4th Namo Buddha retreat and
to all in our mailing list. |
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At that time all of you were aware that
the 17th Karmapa had not obtained confirmation of his refugee status and
for that matter we had absolutely no clue what was going to happen to the
Karmapa status in India.
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On or around 5th February when we read the
announcement that the 17th Karmapa had obtained his refugee status, we
were overjoyed by the news and we wished that the Karmapa could be in the
Vajra Vidhya Institute for the Losar (Tibetan New Year), so that we could
at least see the 17thKarmapa, in Sarnath.
Thrangu Rinpoche told us that the arrival
of the 17thKarmapa at the Vajra Vidya on the 22nd February 2001 was an
auspicious occasion for it was at the end of the Mahakala Losar 14-day
Puja. Rinpoche told us that the date was not planned at all. We were astounded
that 6 months ago, Rinpoche gave us the same date 22nd February 2001 to
reach Vajra Vidhya Institute. |
When our Mr. Fam thanked Rinpoche for organising
the event with the 17th Karmapa, Rinpoche whispered to him that it was
his wish for the Namo Buddha retreatant to have the opportunity to meet
the 17th Karmapa. We did and more. Thank you Rinpoche. We believe
that this indeed is auspicious for the Namo Buddha retreatants too.
Ordaination and Retreat
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This retreat is the 4th retreat organised
by the Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and the 1st time
the retreat was being held in Vajra Vidhya Institute, Sarnath, India. There
were altogether 39 participants of which 24 ladies and men took the robes.
The retreatants arrived on the 24th February 2001, on Tibetan Losar. We
were pleasantly surprised to find that that our accommodation had been
meticulously arranged. |
To this we have to mention the effort of
Mr. Andy Wong who made numerous calls to Vajra Vidhya Institute updating
the list of participants.
On the bright cool morning of the 25th February
2001, those who took the robes assembled at the roof top of the adjacent
building, with the imposing golden Vajra Vidhya gompa behind us. We had
our hair shorn off by Khenpo Lobsang, Lama Ajo, Khenpo Jigme’ and Karma
Tashi Wangchuk.
| For the first timers, it was an emotional
moment followed by a joy to have the opportunity to join the Sangha although
for a short time and be able to practice the Buddha Dharma in a retreat.
The previous Chagmay Rinpoche mentioned that even if you are lazy to practice
the Buddha Dharma in this lifetime. However, if you can do a retreat with
full concentration and devotion for even one day, keeping all your precepts
and vows truly before the Buddha, you will attain enlightenment when the
last Buddha appears in this eon. |
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Immediately after the hair cutting, we were
asked to change to our robes and assembled at the main hall. We were told
that his Holiness the 17th Karmapa would be giving the Amitayus Empowerment
to the members of the public. The Malaysian group was fortunate to be seated
in front of the Karmapa’s main throne. We were also fortunate to be blessed
by the Karmapa and witness the offering of Body, Speech and Mind by Thrangu
Rinpoches’ Lamas from Taiwan and Hong Kong. |
On the following day 26th February 2001, Thrangu
Rinpoche arranged a ceremony for the Malaysian group. We started with the
Body, Speech and Mind offering to the Karmapa. The Malaysian contingent
through Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya, and members of the United
Karma Kagyu (Vajrayana) Federation, Malaysia managed to raise a sum of
Indian Rupees 1.2 million as offerings to the Karmapa.
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The Karmapa then performed the hair cutting
ceremony for those who took the robes in which the Karmapa personally cut
off the last lock of hair of each and every individual retreatant.
The Karmapa gave the retreatants the oral transmission (lung) of the Majushri
text with an advice that that we should get the instructions (Tri) from
his teacher the Very Venerable Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche. |
| The Karmapa did mention that he was fortunate
to have a teacher who is very compassionate and learned in the Dharma in
the Very Venerable Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche. We as followers of the Dharma
should rejoice by the fact that we have the opportunity to have Kyabje
Thrangu Rinpoche instructing us. “Kyabje” used by the 17th Karmapa is a
term used to revere a highly respected teacher. |
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The retreat thereafter began in earnest,
with Rinpoche’s tight schedule and teaching timetable for the Karmapa;
Rinpoche found time to give us the oral instruction on the Manjushri text.
The retreat master was Lama Lodro Thaye, the resident monk of Thrangu Dharma
Society Petaling Jaya and Lama Tsewang Rabten, the chanting master of all
the ceremonies presided over by the Karmapa. |
We had to extend our thanks and gratitude to
Tsewang Rinpoche of Nenang monastery in Tibet who on the penultimate day
managed to secure an appointment for the retreatants to meet the Karmapa
in the reception room. Although there were no dialogue session because
of the long queue, we were able to present “katas” to the Karmapa and receive
blessings from the Karmapa.
All the retreatands in the 4th Namo
Buddha Retreat
(click on photo to view high
res)
| Conclusion
On the last day we had an audience with Thrangu
Rinpoche, individually all the retreatants presented Katas and gifts to
Thrangu Rinpoche for his kindness and compassion to accommodate the 4th
Namo Buddha retreatant. Rinpoche in his speech expressed extreme joy that
we were practising the Buddha Dharma and encouraged us to come again next
year. |
Sunrise veiwed from teh Ganges River
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Rinpoche apologised for any shortcomings
in his hospitality, to host us. Rinpoche, in answer to a question as to
what retreat we should perform for the 5th Namo Buddha Retreat, suggested
that we do the 4-Arm Chenrezig Retreat. Based on Rinpoche’s advice, we
also would like to announce that we would be organising the 5th Namo Buddha
Retreat in Sarnath at the Vajra Vidya Institute. |
Rinpoche did mention that when the Gompa at Namo
Buddha, Nepal has been completed, we should organise the 6th retreat there.
Presently the Gompa will take approximately 2 more years to complete and
with the construction of the Gompa being carried out, it may not be a suitable
place to hold the 5th Namo Buddha retreat there.
With this note we hope you will be able to
join us at the 5th Namo Buddha Chenrezig Retreat in 2002.
Lama Lodro releasing of fish into the Ganges River
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Lamp offering on hte Ganges River
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