Dagyab Rinpoche is coming and Grand Puja at MBS 28 Feb & 1 Mar 2015

My dearest teacher is coming to Singapore again!  After one whole year, the popular Grand Puja @ MBS which everyone is waiting for is here again, happening this coming weekend!  Exciting weekend ahead! 

White Umbrella Goddess Demon-Subduing Grand Puja

Pacify major obstacles, demonic forces & supernatural harassment. Those who own the White Umbrella Goddess khorlos may bring it along for recharge of blessings.

28/2/15 (Sat) 10:00am to 12:30pm

This grand puja is a ritual based on the practice of the White Umbrella Goddess, and is one of the most powerful and sacred puja amongst various Buddhist rituals.  One procedure of this ritual is to consecrate and offer tormas (ritual cakes) to counterattack negative forces such as illnesses, mental disturbances, disputes, enmities, defilements, misfortune, premature death, factors against congenial surroundings and 84,000 bad forces. Hence, this puja is named DUKAR TORTHOG in Tibetan, literally meaning - counterattacking negativities through torma offerings.

By this ritual, we drive away all harms and evils by the blessings of the White Umbrella Goddess and her surrounding deities in the form of tormas (one big torma in the middle representing the Goddess, and surrounded by 33 white flags representing the deities). More than 30 different kinds of ingredients are required for this puja - whereby it serves to offer to specific deities, and seek their protection for different kinds of obstacles. By participating in this puja, one gains the protection from dangers of fire, water, weapons, poisons, malediction, untoward accidents and untimely death. It also pacifies the chances of epidemics, harmful spells, contagious diseases, conflicts and wars. In addition, we also receive the benefit and protective care of a myriad of divine guardians and goddesses.

During the puja, visualize all your obstacles & negativity of your past & present lives are being taken away by the substitute figurine. Throw away your shirt （symbolic of obstacle-clearing, and generate in your mind infinite food and money offerings to offer to all your debtors. Once the substitute is being sent out, think you have no more relationship with all these supernatural beings, and all your obstacles are ceased.

Cittamani Tara Grand Cleansing Puja of Immediate Rescue from Poor Health & Danger

28/2/15 (Sat) 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Cittamani Tara Blessing Initiation

28/2/15 (Sat) 7:30pm to 9:30pm

The Cittamani Tara practice is a special method of Tibetan Buddhism to dissipate interferences and to liberate all living beings from any form of fear or danger. And this grand puja is the most extensive ritual amongst all healing pujas, to alleviate the sufferings and bestow blessings to aid recovery of all patients.

This Cittamani Tara Grand Cleansing Puja is especially conducted for people whose force of bad karma is very great. When bad karma ripens, many obstacles arise and we face various problems in our career, family, things do not go smoothly for us in various aspects, and the most disturbing of all is none other than that of our health problems. When the negative karma is heavy and strong, then the obstacle that manifests from its ripening is greater. We require the huge merit and blessings of our daily practice and pujas to overcome all our hindrances.

This puja is especially beneficial towards the purification of the 4 types of obstacles mentioned below:

1. Serious illnesses, including prolonged medical conditions and strange diseases which doctors are unable to treat / diagnose
2. Curses and other unorthodox methods / negative actions to instill harm done onto you
3. Black magic, witchcraft, evil spells
4. Offended nagas, Landlord Gods and other worldly gods or protectors

The merit and power of this grand puja is inconceivable. It helps us to avoid all sufferings of the health, stay peaceful, auspicious and healthy; and even for patients on the verge of dying, this puja can instantly bring you to safety – just like how a miraculous force of power saves you from falling to your death from a cliff. Unless all conditions for death has fully ripened, otherwise under other circumstances of death due to exhaustion of merit, or premature death, this puja is certain to aid significantly in recovery and redeem back one’s life. In case where the person cannot be saved, especially those who have committed heavy bad karma to be reborn in the animal realm, this puja can help save them from the lower realm rebirths.

This puja text is a ritual from Tantric practice and requires an elaborate set of torma (ritual cakes), human effigies made from dough, special puja offerings and other necessary items to be used during the ritual. And together with chanting of secret mantras and performing mudras, this puja is very powerful.

Cittamani Tara, the Wish Fulfilling Mother, is the embodiment of the heart-jewel wisdom and energy of the Buddha. Of the various types of Tara practice, Cittamani Tara is a unique practice of the Highest Yoga Tantra class, which possesses the heart-jewel method of developing the five deep awareness, or Buddha-Wisdoms. It has a special efficacy for developing the wisdoms of accomplishing activities and overcoming outer and inner obstacles in one's lifespan, clearing obstructions in the path to enlightenment. We are fortunate that H.E. Dagyab Rinpoche has compassionately agreed to bestow upon us the blessing jenang initiation of this practice to all of us.

The Elements Cleansing Healing Grand Puja is ranked second class amongst all healing pujas in Tibetan Buddhism, and Cittamani Tara Grand Cleansing Puja belongs to the first class of healing rituals. These two grand pujas are considered to be the two most beneficial pujas effective and most helpful for the masses, especially the ill. Cleansing pujas are very beneficial as it aids in quick recovery of illnesses. The more cleansing pujas one attend, the greater the benefit towards recovery.

Note:   All participants must attend the puja personally to receive the blessings and effectiveness of the puja. All are required to bring along a small amount of bathed water (water from your own shower) on that day for participation of the puja. There are also specific items that are required for this ritual and this can be invited at an offering of $10 per set at the puja.

Leng Chag Torma Puja to Repay Karmic Debts

Specially to repay karmic debts of past lifetimes, preventing/resolving supernatural harassment.

1/3/15 (Sun) 10:30am to 12:30pm

Since beginningless time, we have been trapped in this uncontrolled cyclic existence of samsara, and have undergone countless reincarnations. Although we are unable to recall what we did in our previous lives, it is certain that we must have committed many acts of greed and hatred out of our ignorance - which explains why we are still unable to be liberated from samsara. It is also certain that we must have accumulated many debts in all these lifetimes, ie. we could have owed someone a sum of money, or even a mere sack of rice, or in serious cases, we could have harmed others or caused their deaths.

When we do not repay such debts and they accumulate, these creditors may one day return to seek revenge against us, especially during times when we are experiencing low luck. They can cause us various obstacles, from illnesses to problems at work, sleepless nights, nothing seems to go smooth, or in worse scenarios, could be even fatal. Through the performance of this Leng Chag Torma Puja - by offering torma (ritual cake offerings) to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Protectors, and together with the immaculate blessings by the Holy Speech of the Buddha’s texts, we purify the negative karma that we have accumulated over the reincarnations and pay off these incurred debts.

Note: Interested participants may invite the dough offering (to repay karmic debts) at $2 per set at the puja. You may also like to offer on behalf of your family or friends.

Five Dzambalas Wealth Congregating and Fortune Blessing Puja

Invoke wealth blessings of all directions for increase of positive conditions in work and dharma practice

1/3/15 (Sun) 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Five Dzambalas Blessing Initiation

1/3/15 (Sun) 7:30pm to 9:30pm

The five Dzambalas are the manifestations of the compassion of Buddha and Bodhisattvas to guide sentient beings along the path to enlightenment. They have the essence of generosity and represent the activities of increasing benefit.

In Buddhism, fortune and wealth refers to ‘merit’ - because everything good that we possess is established from merit. Every form of success, every piece of happiness, every kind of enjoyment can only be materialized should there be enough merit to support it. To have merit means to have wealth and assets; if there is no or insufficient merit, then one encounters many negative conditions and obstacles. Even in the Buddhist path, you also need to practise and fulfill both merit accumulation as well as karma purification to be able to attain Bodhicitta.

This wealth grand puja summons immense positive wealth energies upon the puja participants, and is a very effective method to invoke positive wealth energy of the universe and its inhabitants. Though getting rich is a result of one’s past actions, participating in such wealth-congregating pujas play a significant role in its own way to change the course of one’s financial situation. With a sincere motivation to accumulate merit, purify our negative karma, as well as make prayers for all sentient beings to be freed from all poverty and all sufferings, without doubt - one will certainly receive the vast blessings and protection of the five Dzambalas.

Note:   Interested participants, please feel welcome to bring along your wealth vases, fortune wands and amulets for recharge of wealth blessings and energies during the puja. Interested participants can invite the Namtose Wealth Incense.

Green Dzambala: Will enable all endeavors to be perfectly accomplished and purify all bad luck and obstacles, prevent theft, bad debts and loss of wealth.

White Dzambala: The compassionate manifestation of the Bodhisattva Chenrezig (Kuan Yin). By practising White Dzambala one can remove the suffering of poverty and sickness, purify non-virtuous karma and karmic obstacles.

Yellow Dzambala: By practising Yellow Dzambala, can remove poverty within the six realms, increasing virtues, life span and wisdom. All material and spiritual needs shall be met.

Red Dzambala: By practisng Red Dzambala, one can attract people, wealth and fame. One will enjoy wealth in abundance and shall be well respected and supported by people.

Black Dzambala benefits the poor and those in solitary retreat. If a person’s mind is always virtuous, Black Dzambala will always take care of him/her.

Wealth Deity Practice with the Correct Motivation

It is a common misconception to believe that one could obtain wealth by making offerings and reciting the mantras of wealth deities. The wealth deities in Buddhism have manifested as Protectors driven by the bodhicitta mind to benefit all beings. Hence should we wish to achieve success and wealth by engaging in their wealth practices, one should be driven by the positive motivation to benefit others, uphold the dharma, make offerings to the three jewels and the like. If it is solely for one’s own self benefit, we shall not be able to receive the blessings of the wealth deities despite extensive effort of practice. With pure motivation to benefit others, dharma practitioners shall receive boundless blessings and protection to achieve both material and ultimate prosperity.

Recently in Dec 2014, during the Jangchup Lamrim teachings bestowed by His Holiness Dalai Lama in Gaden Monastery, Dagyab Rinpoche and the people of Dagyab offered a long life offering to His Holiness.  It was an auspicious and joyous occasion. Here is the context. 

Month of March

Here's how my month of March went.

My guru Dagyab Rinpoche left Singapore after a month of teachings and initiations and CNY celebrations with us. I'm really grateful this time, Rinpoche taught something which I had wanted to ask and which he clarified through his teaching. I'm also blessed to have received from him a particular initiation I've been waiting for for a long time. 

A blessed long life puja offered to Dagyab Rinpoche. 

A new lease of new life after shifting to new office with a view. 

This period I particularly miss Lhamo very much. 

Celebrated my father's birthday after more than one month of being hospitalised. Hope he will recuperate well to be normal again. 

I have a liking for big breakfast set. Found a small joint selling hot dogs selling a whole day breakfast Big Brekky set for about $10. 

My cousin in Thailand got married with a beautiful grand wedding. May she and her hubby have a blissful marriage filled with love, happiness, and kindness. 

I'm beginning to like interesting pants. Here is a chequered one, haha. 

My all time favourite supper - Seng Kee kidney mee sua. I love to have supper with friends for a midnight chit chat over the weekend. 

Really grateful to this batch of monks from Gaden Shartse Monastery for being here this time. They were very hardworking, dedicated and very skilful in their pujas. 

Singapore is really beautiful in a different light at Marina Bay Sands. Recently in Huffnington Post,  MBS was listed by them to be one of the 19 places in Southeast Asia that will actually change your life. Haha! I laughed at this incredible claim but nonetheless we are so lucky to live in a clean city in Singapore. 

How else should the rest of us behave?

I was from Christian schools from primary school all through secondary school and junior college.  So I am not unfamiliar with stories of lepers in the Bible and how Jesus healed them. This was one of the miracles Jesus performed to instill faith in the followers. Leprosy was very foreign to me, even in those days.  

So when I read news of His Holiness the Dalai Lama visiting leprosy patients in New Delhi a few days ago, I did not realise that leprosy, being one of the oldest known diseases to mankind, is still quite prevalent in India.  The purpose of his visit was to boost the morale of the leprosy patients and their families and to help people overcome their prejudice against the affrected. It was so touching seeing His Holiness getting close and personal with the patients, bowing low, touching them, blessing them and healing them too.  (I must say they are so so so fortunate to be touched and blessed by His Holiness, the Living Compassion Buddha, 1000-Armed Chenrezig/Guan Yin).

His Holiness Dalai Lama said, "People who spend money on luxury are foolish. They should spend money for the needy. If you believe in God or Buddhism and spend your money on the needy you will accumulate good Karma."

Another thought came to me .... 

"Even the highest of all teachers shows such humility, compassion and equanimity towards anyone, everyone. How else should the rest of us behave?"
   

A glimpse of death

Some of us would have read the book, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, about the Bardo (intermediate state before rebirth). When a person dies, he/she enters the Bardo world and remains there for 49 days before one takes rebirth. The death process can be a terrifying experience if we do not know how it works; what we may see or hear or feel. Most of us are not prepared for death when it comes. 

Tibetan Buddhism or Vajrayana,holds the view that the purpose of existence is to escape life on this planet. While this painful life ends with death, it is immediately followed by rebirth filled with more change and inevitable suffering. We are always trapped within the circle of birth and rebirth (ie. cyclic existence). The ultimate test of our practice is at the time of death when we can help ourselves proceed to where we would like to go instead of be controlled by our karma. By understanding the process of death and with proper practice, we can learn how to attain rebirth on a higher plane so that we will at least be closer to liberation. 

This is an interesting documentary which gives a glimpse of this Buddhist philosophy of death. Mahayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism aims to help the dead on their way to nirvana or reincarnation in order to pass through all after-death visions and temptations as painless as possible.

Eclipse day and an update!

Today 3 Nov 2013 is the last eclipse of this year. Whenever there is an eclipse it is a very auspicious day for prayers and doing everything positive in order to create merits. This is because on eclipse days, whatever merits you create is multiplied by thousands or millions times. For today the solar eclipse is between Singapore time 6.05pm to 11.28pm. The eclipse peaks at 8.49pm. 

I had such a restful Sunday, recuperating from very bad shoulder pain for the past few weeks. It was so bad that I could not turn to my right or left when sleeping. I had to sleep face up. Luckily my sleep was not compromised. Anyway I feel so much better today. I even mopped the floor and packed my room. By the way I have a new room layout again. Whenever I feel the need for change to improve the energy of the room, I will rearrange my furniture again. Diehard hobby. 

I did not consciously intend to be vegetarian today. However, coincidentally my brunch was fried black carrot cake and that lasted until dinner and my mom cooked Sayur Lodeh (curry mixed vegetables). So in the end it turned out to be a non-meat day which is just right for today. 

Happiness is sending little blessed gifts by post to a friend in Norway, whom I just got acquainted with online. Feels like the old days when the only way to keep in touch with pen pals is writing long letters and sending by snail mail. Today I received a message from her that the parcel has arrived!  Although the gifts do not cost much but they have been consecrated and blessed by the Rinpoches, thus each item has special significance, they are priceless. My friend said she was both overwhelmed and touched. :)

In the late afternoon I went to run an errand and to buy some necessities from Parkway Parade. I am so happy Daiso the $2 shop has opened an outlet there. Managed to get some stuff to 'revamp' my personal altar. I need to do up the 'ceiling' of the altar. Also to finally get the lights on the altar fixed once and for all. The previous colorful lights had stopped working yesterday. So I finally found a solution to the type of lights I like, ie. flat LED light in the form of a wand-like stick instead of those in strips which I was eyeing. Again I did all these without knowing today is an eclipse day until a Dharma friend sent me a sms about it.

So I got home, fixed the lights and 'ceiling', cleaned my altar thoroughly, and rearranged my precious dharma books and cabinet. Since my personal altar is so small and I have many beautiful blessed photos of Buddhas and holy objects, it is often a tussle in deciding which ones to put up. Apart from Lama Tsongkhapa statue, the photos sometimes change. That is why my altar 'design' is always slightly different. Haha! Here's a glimpse of the latest arrangement.  I always feel very blissful looking at all the holy objects in my altar. 

So on this eclipse day, after dinner at 8pm I started to do an extensive session of my daily prayers followed by extensive dedication. I feel so good and extremely happy afterwards. And here I am blogging about it.

It has been hectic for the past 3 over months (in fact come to think about it, hectic this entire year). In addition, this year is officially the year of death. I did a count. Since the end of last year 2012 until last week, there is a total of 11 people that I know of passing away. I hope there is no more for now. 

Just last week, an aunt of mine passed away suddenly, and that was really a shock to everyone. Last Sunday, as she was bathing, she fainted and just passed away. The scan showed it was coronary artery disease. Something ruptured near her heart. My 75 year old aunt was very health conscious, very healthy with no prior sickness. She had a very healthy diet, and the food she cooked was always very bland with no oil. She exercised daily and she could walk faster than any of us youngsters. Although we did not meet often, I know my aunt doted me. The last she called me was in late August when I was busy at the Grand Puja. I missed her call and I forgot to return call. So I am feeling quite guilty now. May my aunt have a good perfect human rebirth as soon as possible and continue to practise the Dharma again. 

That is why I termed this year as the Year of Death. I have learned a precious lesson on impermanence within such a short period. By becoming aware of impermanence, by observing it and by understanding it, we can then find a suitable remedy for the sorrow of human life and achieve liberation the quickest possible from the process of impermanence. Om mani padme hum.

Choden Rinpoche in Singapore again!

One of my favourite gurus, the Guru of many gurus, is in town again, the second time this year! How fortunate to have one's guru visit you so often in one year. His visit is timely just when I was feeling a little down and disheartened during these couple of months. 

At the age of seven, Choden Rinpoche took novice ordination from His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche (below photo), who reportedly said, “I found your name in Ganden Monastery’s Golden Stupa.” His Holiness named the child Losang Gyalten Jikdrel Wangchuk. Choden Rinpoche's gurus include HH Pabongka Rinpoche, HH Trijiang Rinpoche, HH Dalai Lama and many prominent lamas of his time. Choden Rinpoche mastered the Five Canons and earn the title Pandita. Many miracles were often witnessed in his presence. 

In those days, the Chinese government did not allow Choden Rinpoche to meditate even in a cave, he meditated at a tiny backroom of a disciple. He did not have anything with him, no mala, no Buddha statue, no thangka, no text etc... He practised the Lam Rim, lojong, and tantra from memory. He also ate very little, mostly absorbing the essence from the air or plants. Instead of being angry, he meditated for 19 years without leaving the room. Today, Rinpoche holds many important and rare lineages of the Buddhadharma, especially in the Gelug tradition. And I am fortunate to receive from him many oral transmissions. I believe he is the guru who gave me the most oral transmissions of many texts and mantras. 

Earlier the past 1-2 weeks, Choden Rinpoche gave the lengthy (one hour) and precious oral transmission of both the Sutras and Tantric Paths. This has been transmitted since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni with an unbroken lineage. It is imbued with immense blessings as it plants the seed for us to receive the blessings of the Buddha's sutra and tantra teachings when we hear and meditate on the teachings. 

Rinpoche also gave the empowerment of the 21 Taras, the Mother of all Buddhas of the 3 times, as well as the oral transmission of each of the 21 Taras' mantras. How blessed!

 

Offering White Tara and the 8 Auspicious Objects for Rinpoche's long life earlier this year. As all my gurus get older each year and some passed away, I feel I just had to request for their long life each time I see them. 

During one of his teachings, Rinpoche said, "Because of our ignorance we need to generate wisdom. In order to achieve wisdom, the supreme method is to develop compassion, as it will remove all our obscurations. Just by developing compassion, all the other qualities and wisdom will follow."

Choden Rinpoche is a very quiet master. He does not like to talk except when giving teachings. And when he does talk, his voice is deep and resonant. He reminds me very much of my another guru, the late Kyabje Lati Rinpoche. When one faces Choden Rinpoche, he appears to be huge in size with his overwhelming presence, like the Buddha. This time, when Choden Rinpoche saw me, he paused for a few minutes to bless this card of Lama Tsongkhapa together with his photo, which he gave in Malaysia a couple of years ago. And this time, he also signed his name for me as well, and spent a few minutes giving me advice and instructions. I know I am truly blessed. Blissed out!!! 

Why is Choden Rinpoche so special to me? Because he is the only guru whom I first met in a dream without knowing who he was.  Back in Jan 2010, after the dream, I had to go online to search who this Rinpoche was, who appeared in my dream and what his name was. Then I started making fervent prayers to meet him soon, by chanting his name mantra in my daily prayers.  I was elated when I finally met him when he came to Singapore in June 2011. The rest is history and I managed to receive his precious teachings. When I attended Rinpoche's event this time, I am happy when Dharma friends (newly acquainted with Rinpoche) told me they only got to know Rinpoche from this blog here. It was the same when Rinpoche visited earlier this year. Rejoiceful connections!

May Choden Rinpoche live long and come back to bestow precious teachings again and again, and may Rinpoche be my guru in all my lifetimes until enlightenment.

My dying friend

It is painful to watch life wither away slowly. Often, I'm not sure the dying suffers more or those who are alive watching the dying suffer. The fragility of life. The impermanence of life. 

I have known my 57-year-old Dharma sister for about 4 years. Comparing the chatty person she used to be to what she is now, is a completely different picture. She was the chilli padi who would not mince her words at certain times. She was a real live wire who would talk nonstop. She often describes herself as 'a monkey who cannot sit still, jump here and there'. The only time she is quiet is during a puja/teaching or when her guru is in front of her. She would spend hours just telling me stories of her gurus as well as their kindness. She herself has a kind heart. She would not hesitate spending money on beautiful offerings for her gurus. The material offerings she offered would always be delicately carved or chosen from the best quality. She is never worried about not making enough money, for it would only mean driving a longer 12-hour shift in her taxi. And most of her hard-earned money was offered to her gurus, or the Sangha community or charitable causes. She told me she drove a taxi because she could share the Dharma with her passengers, giving them little holy objects or sharing her wonderful experience with them. Even on her dying bed now, she is still thinking about her gurus and how to make offerings to them. In this aspect, I do admire her pure motivation. 

Last time, she used to drive me in her taxi to her favourite eating places. One of them is the Yong Tau Foo stall in Geylang Bahru. She always had her usual order 'customised', yong tau foo pieces in soup, and dry bee hoon on a separate plate, with no oil and no lard. She also likes the Teochew bee hoon fishball soup in Beach Road, with just fishballs and minced meat, and without fishcake. She is always hungry and she has a ravenous appetite. When she cooks at home, she would stir fry a huge plate of vegetables and a simple bowl of soup, and down 3 bowls of rice. She told me she is a 'png tang' (teochew for 饭桶). When she was undergoing her chemo-therapy treatment a few months ago, she wanted to go to a Korean restaurant in Katong, to have Samyetang, the best korean ginseng chicken soup, so I accompanied her there. Both of us had our own huge pot of the ginseng chicken soup and dozen of tiny dishes. Afterwards I brought her to a cafe and asked her to try the mixed berries panna cotta for dessert, which she totally loved. She was really very happy that day.  

Four years ago when I just got to know her, she told me upfront, she was not one who made friends easily, as she preferred to be alone after she was first diagnosed with cancer about 5 years ago. She did not like people to talk too much to her (I think it was because she would be the one talking most of the time, haha!). So as her friend, I am the listener. Although we have differing opinions at times, I know she trusts me. A few weeks ago, I visited her when she was first admitted to the hospice, and before I left, she held me my hand tightly, and kept thanking me, 'Thanks for coming to see me. I really really appreciate it. You know you are very close to me, right?'. I held back my tears because I did not want her to be sad and did not want her to see me sad. I broke down only when I went outside. 

Watching my friend suffering from the ravages of cancer now is a stark reminder to put our Dharma knowledge into practice. Seeing friends come together to offer prayers and concern for our friend, and everyone's earnest efforts in doing their part is really heartwarming. Troops and troops of friends come to see her almost daily, offering prayers, holy objects and food. I see how a couple of friends give her massages to soothe her aching pain from the cancer and morphine injections. The lumps on her are becoming more apparent, turning red and then to darkish colour. She is becoming weaker, tires easily, and sleepy all the time. However painful it is, she does not complain much at all. 

I was telling my mom how my friend has different cravings now, like she had asked me to buy her prawn noodles from Joo Chiat, and mee tai mak soup, and then cup noodles, and pomelo. My mom told me, 'Just get her what she wants. Whatever she wants to eat, let her eat. Just do'. That is what I am trying to do. Despite the emotions and some disturbing episodes I encounter during this period, I am just trying to fulfill a dying person's wishes, no matter how small a request it may be. My main motivation is to help a Dharma friend. She has been kind to me, and I should repay her kindness in return.  

May my friend be in a peaceful state despite her pain, and I hope that when the time comes, may her departure towards a better future life be smooth and blissful. May everyone around her ensure a quiet and calm environment for her, devoid of sadness and tears, for at the point of death, it is most crucial that the dying should not be disturbed as her consciousness prepares to take rebirth for her next life. No matter how long or short our life is, this is just another phase before we are born again. Om mani padme hum! 

Dream of my guru on Chokhor Duchen

Here's a post which I wrote a couple of months ago which was still in Draft mode.  On 23 July 2013, it was Chokhor Duchen, one of the 4 great holy days of Buddhism. Also known as the Festival of Turning the Wheel of Dharma, Chokhor Duchen commemorates the anniversary upon which Shakyamuni Buddha first began teaching the Dharma. For seven weeks after his enlightenment, the Buddha did not teach. After this period, Indra and Brahma offered a dharmachakra and a conch shell and requested Shakyamuni to teach. Accepting, Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time at Sarnath by teaching on the Four Noble Truths.

At dawn of Chokhor Duchen, I dreamt of my guru Kyabgon Dagyab Rinpoche. He was sitting on a high throne seat and giving blessings. It was on a big platform with no shelter, in an open space, with clear white skies and tall mountains behind. Rinpoche was wearing very elaborate ceremonial robes, complete with a hat (more like a jewelled crown) with thick and heavy colourful robes draped over him. He looked like a King or Prince from ancient times. I have never seen Rinpoche in this appearance before, besides his usual monk's maroon robes and tall yellow hat in official occasions. I also joined the people who were queuing up to offer khata and to receive blessings from Rinpoche. Most of them were Caucasians. As usual, Rinpoche was full of wide smiles for each one of us when he blessed us. 

Afterwards it seemed that the platform which Rinpoche was sitting on became like a vehicle and it started moving. Then, what looked like four giant warriors appeared instantaneously on the platform surrounding Rinpoche. They were tall and twice the size of Rinpoche, had a fierce demeanor and armed with weapons and wearing thick armors and helmets. From where I was standing, the giant warriors were looking sternly ahead as the platform slowly moved from my left towards my right. Dagyab Rinpoche also looked solemn as he sat on the throne on the moving platform. Then in a few seconds they were gone, vanished, and what remained was the quiet clean air of the tall mountains in the background. 

It has been a while since I last had a dream of my guru and I was quite happy it was on the auspicious day of Chokhor Duchen.  Om ah hung benza guru padma siddhi hum!

 

Which channel are you turning on?

Recently, one friend asked me, "How can I force myself to smile when I am filled with sorrow? It isn't natural." I told her she must be able to smile to her sorrow, because we are more than our sorrow. 

A human being is like a television set with millions of channels. If we turn the Buddha on, we are the Buddha. If we turn sorrow on then we are sorrow. If we turn a smile on, we really are the smile. We can not let just one channel dominate us. We have the seed of everything in us, and we have to seize the situation in our hand, to recover our own sovereignty.

- Thich Nhat Hanh 

The most Venerable Zong Rinpoche in Singapore for the very first time!

I am very excited that one of the highest reincarnate lama from the Gelug tradition, His Eminence the 4th Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, is coming to Singapore for the very first time in 2 days time on Thursday 22 Aug 2013! 

The former and current Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

The late His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is one of the greatest Masters during his time, an accomplished scholar and debater, as well the distinguished Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery for 9 years. Zong Rinpoche was also a powerful healer developed along with his pure practice and who manifested numerous miracles. 

Like his previous life, the current His Eminence Zong Rinpoche is also a brilliant scholar and has all the makings of a great Teacher. Despite his age of 28, Zong Rinpoche is very mature, composed and learned. Even His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has publicly praised Zong Rinpoche to be an excellent scholar and practitioner, the best amongst the young reincarnate lamas today. 

Kicking off Zong Rinpoche's dharma program in Singapore would be this Friday 23 Aug 2013, in-house teaching on the Four Noble Truth @ Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling (12, Guillemard Lane) and then followed by the Wisdom & Bodhicitta Grand Puja during the weekend, 24 and 25 Aug 2013 at Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall.  

This upcoming event is a significant one, because it is symbolic of Zong Rinpoche taking over Lati Rinpoche's responsibility in serving all sentient beings. Even though Lati Rinpoche is no longer around, but the energy of his great compassion has not diminished. This time, Zong Rinpoche will undertake this event.

The previous Zong Rinpoche was the teacher of my dear precious guru, Lati Rinpoche. The two Lamas have a very special affinity. That is why Zong Rinpoche had returned to become Lati Rinpoche's student in this life. Very likely, Lati Rinpoche will return soon to become the student of Zong Rinpoche again. Since Zong Rinpoche's tender years, Lati Rinpoche undertook full responsibility of both his academia and spiritual progress. Lati Rinpoche once mentioned that he was fully satisfied with Zong Rinpoche's study.

HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, the great healer, (Inset: the current Zong Rinpoche)

"The previous Zong Rinpoche is very well versed in both sutra and tantra. He is also known as a great healer. Zong Rinpoche possesses great powers to command dharmapalas (protectors) and spirits. Because of this great power, Rinpoche is able to verify oracles and if in any case, the oracle is not authentic (entered a spirit instead of true dharmapala), then Rinpoche is able to subdue the spirit and stop it from entering the oracle's body," said Zong Rinpoche's personal attendant, Tenzin Wangchuk. 

Tenzin Wangchuk continued, "The previous Zong Rinpoche was very well-known for rain-making. Rinpoche went to many Tibetan settlements and all he did was meditation and performed a Naga Puja, and he brought rain to the villagers. Rinpoche shared a very special connection with Nagas. At times when he goes to lakes, or walks by the waters, Nagas would come from these waters and appear to him (in form)."

Zong Rinpoche with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Rinpoche's residence, 2008

His Holiness the Dalai Lama had mentioned that Zong Rinpoche is one of the best Tulkus (reincarnated lama), who has consistently topped the exams. His Holiness Dalai Lama said that he was very pleased with Zong Rinpoche's academic achievements and he hoped that Zong Rinpoche will be one of the Tulkus who will preserve and spread the Buddhadharma in the future.

The past His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was the Guru of many of today's gurus, and his students include literally ALL the most distinguished masters of the Gelug tradition, including His Holinesses the 100th, 101st, 102nd Gaden Tripas, Lati Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Khensur Jampa Yeshe and many many more masters. 

The present reincarnation of Zong Rinpoche's gurus include His Holiness Dalai Lama, Lati Rinpoche and Dagyab Rinpoche.

Zong Rinpoche taken in Gaden Shartse Monastery.  (Photos copyright of Bill Kane) 

Zong Rinpoche is currently staying in Gaden Shartse Monastery. The above photos taken were in his residence and during the debate session in the presence of HH Dalai Lama in 2012, when His Holiness visited Gaden and Drepung to conduct the Lamrim Jangchup teachings. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has publicly praised Zong Rinpoche to be an excellent scholar and practitioner, the best amongst the young Rinpoches today. Zong Rinpoche has been conferring initiations to the Sangha community in Gaden Shartse Monastery, South India since 2001. 

6-Armed White Mahakala

When Zong Rinpoche was requested to select the initiations which he would like to confer in Singapore, he specifically chose Green Tara and Six-Arm White Mahakala.  It was unbelievable and amazing as coincidentally one of the highlights of the Grand Puja in MBS would be the White Mahakala Puja as well as the opportunity to sponsor the White Mahakala Wealth Vase. Hence Rinpoche's choice fitted in very well with the overall event! 

Mahakala is the wrathful and powerful emanation of Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin),bodhisattva of great compassion. The six-armed White Mahakala is known as Wish-Granting Gem and is very popular in Gelugpa. His iconography is rich and symbolic of his ‘wealth-deity’ status. For example his skull bowl, rather than contain the mortal remains of his victims, is full of various jewels. This wealth aspect of Mahakala specially supports the comfort and economic well-being

       Group of students from Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling visited Zong Rinpoche in his residence

I am so happy that Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling Singapore is able to invite Zong Rinpoche into Singapore for his first Dharma teaching program. I strongly encourage everyone to receive teachings and initiation blessings from the great Zong Rinpoche.  Do not miss the excellent opportunity in these Dharma-degenerating times to connect with a great Master! 

So far, there is an overwhelming response from devotees far and near who are coming to meet Zong Rinpoche! May everyone be able to plant the seed of affinity with this Great Master who is the Guru of practically all Gelug masters! Rejoice! 

For the biography of Zong Rinpoche, click here. 

For detailed information on Zong Rinpoche's event in Singapore, click here. 

Zong Rinpoche would be arriving early this Thursday morning 22 Aug 2013 via SQ503 at 6:05am. All are encouraged to give Rinpoche a big warm welcome at the airport. May all be auspicious for Buddhist devotees in Singapore!