It's Chap Goh Mei and summing up the CNY!

In a flash, the 15 days of Chinese New Year has come to an end. Today is the Lantern Festival which is also known as 元宵节. In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, it is also called Chap Goh Meh.  It is a festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar, the last day of the lunar Chinese New Year celebration. For some, tonight will be another night of get-together to celebrate and feast again.

The CNY was extra meaningful this year as there were many celebrations and events that went on...

On 立春 Li Chun, Lion and Dragon dances in Gaden Shartse Dro Phen Ling...  May the Dharma prosper in the 10 directions! Group of volunteers Lo-hei with His Holiness Dagyab Rinpoche too! So blessed and great team work with dear friends!  

In the midst of CNY celebrations, also received precious initiation and teachings of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom, bestowed by Dagyab Rinpoche.

Our little reunion dinner and lo-hei at home, and time with my beloved Grandma. May my loved ones be happy and blessed with great health and good luck this year.

So privileged to be part of the Jade Buddha Exhibition in Singapore. Although it was physically exhausting, it was fun and full of merits. Received much blessings from Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi too.

This was the last glimpse of the Jade Buddha on the last day of the Exhibition. I was on stage to capture this photo. Love it so much. I witnessed both the unveiling of the Buddha during setup a day before the Opening and this, the closing on the final day after 14 days. Had a memorable time and great team spirit with old and new friends in Amitabha Buddhist Centre. 

Perhaps the below lovely video clip sums up nicely the truly blessed Jade Buddha Exhibition and CNY. The amazing Jade Buddha arrived and blessed thousands and thousands of people who came and made connection. And all these were made possible through the kindness of my guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

HAPPY CHAP GOH MEI and how was your CNY?

12 Sept - Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup's last days and cremation

Venerable Roger blogged a touching account of the last days of Lama Lhundrup. Please refer to his account for the details.  I summarised below:

5 Sept:  When Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Lama Lhundrup, they shared a quiet conversation, the atmosphere was calm.  Lama Lhundrup leaned very close and whispered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche very softly, "Even the very smallest pleasure is in the nature of suffering. If I have to go to the hell realms, may I be able to take on all their suffering, may it ripen on me.” 

 

6 Sept:  Lama Lhundrup asked for Kunkhen, his attendant, to help clean and wash his body, tongue and also asked for help to lie in the Buddha’s position (for passing away). He said he would not like to be disturbed and also did not want any more medication and food.

7 Sept:  In the morning, Kunkhen checked on Lama Lhundrup. When Lama Lhundrup moved and seemed restless, Kunkhen called for Jo (Lama Lhundrup’s nurse). She thought of giving him a small shot of morphine which they have never done before, because Lama Lhundrup took minimum amount of pain medication in order to keep his mind clear for doing prayers and meditating.  Lama Zopa Rinpoche came to see Lama Lhundrup. Immediately Lama Lhundrup said in English, “I don’t exist.”  Lama Zopa Rinpoche said, “Lama Lhundrup did not manifest any ‘ordinary’ signs near death. Good practitioners would not have any fear of death but see it as a path, something to travel through, something you pass through. You use the death experience. Death isn’t to be feared and you shouldn’t think it is a big thing.” As Rinpoche was leaving the room Lama Lhundrup kept repeating, with his hands in the mudra of prostration, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

7 Sept:  In the evening 11.10pm, Kunkhen saw Lama Lhundrup took his last breath and went into clear light meditation.

8 Sept:  Lama Lhundrup was still in meditation, Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited to offer khata. Outside Lama Lhundrup's room, Kopan lamas were doing 24 hour prayers. Below is a short clip:

9 Sept:  Lama Lhundrup finished his clear light meditation. 

10 Sept: All Kopan monks and nuns offered khatas to Lama Lhundrup's holy body. After that, the public came to offer khatas.

11 Sept:  Several monks prepared Lama Lhundrup's body for the cremation, and dressed the body in the deity’s dress. Prayers and pujas have been done continuously, all day and night.

12 Sept:  Lama Lhundrup's cremation day. His holy body was being taken around the gompa, all the Kopan monks and nun offered khatas. Below is a short clip.

All 900 monks offering khatas to Lama Lhundrup's holy body which was taken around the gompa

Lama Lhundrup's holy body, led by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi & Dagri Rinpoche

Long procession around Kopan Monastery grounds

Reincarnate lamas led by Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche (front), reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog

Fire pyre before

Fire pyre sealed with Lama Lhundrup's holy body

Fire pyre ready and cremation site

While Lama Lhundrup's holy body was offered to the fire pyre, light rain drizzled.

Lama Lhundrup's holy body in fire ritual which lasted for more than 6 hours

Sangha offering khatas and last respect to Lama Lhundrup in main gompa

The cremation started at 3.30pm (Nepal time) at Kopan Monastery.  At 8pm (which is about 10pm Singapore time), the cremation has just finished. The fire was still burning and there would be pujas going throughout the night. There will be extensive prayers daily for the next 49 days.

Thus, another passing of a holy being. I have known of the passing of 3 great masters within a short span of 2 months, one of whom is my guru Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup. Last year, another of my guru entered Parinirvana, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche. May their reincarnation appear soon as a source of merit for us.

We will miss you here in Singapore, dear "Khenrinpoche" Lama Lhundrup. May you have a swiftest rebirth in the quickest possible time. Thank you for your teachings and blessings. See you soon, Rinpoche!  _/|\_

My other blog posts on Lama Lhundrup:

29 Sept 2011 - Project Swift Return

25 Sept 2011 -  A closer look at the growing relics of Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup, an amazing blessing!

20 Sept 2011 - Discovering Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup's Holy Relics 

18 Sept 2011 - Devoting to a guru

13 Sept 2011 - My dream of Lama Lhundrup just after his cremation  

12 Sept 2011 - Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup's last days and cremation  

9 Sept 2011 - Beautiful memories of Lama Lhundrup  

8 Sept 2011 - Passing into Parinirvana - Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup Rigsel  

22 Feb 2011 - Dream of Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup  

28 Jan 2011 -  Khen Rinpoche back in Kopan Monastery

19 Jan 2011 - Update on Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup's health

14 Jan 2011 - Prayers for Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup

20 Sept 2010 -  Healing in a matter of time, but it sometimes also a matter of opportunity

The first and second days of CNY and Li Chun (立春)

During CNY, traditionally even though there are 15 days of celebrations, most people are the busiest on the first 2 days....visiting people, going to the temple, feasting and playing cards and mahjong etc... Here's my "CNY schedule"...

On 2 Feb, the eve of CNY, frantic last minute spring cleaning, mopping the floor, preparing the snacks, preparing red packets and changing bedsheets, ironing new clothes (how many of you wore red underwear?!).  Luckily, we usually had our Reunion Dinner earlier on the eve of CNY Eve, hence no rush to complete the dinner. I found this beautiful big beaded exotic piece which buddy bought for me in Dubai many years ago. I have totally forgotten about it! I draped it over my bed headboard. It's red, shiny, and it even comes with a matching cushion. So auspicious for the new year. Maybe next time I will have it framed up as a decor piece.

Photos from Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling

Then every year, at about 9pm on CNY Eve, I proceeded to Dro-Phen Ling for prayers and blessings before welcoming the New Year at midnight! Usually it would be packed with big crowds. This year we were fortunate to have Dagyab Rinpoche and 20 monks to celebrate the occasion with us. There were a total of 3 pujas, from clearing our obstacles in the coming new year, purification and cleansing, to receiving blessings. We brought our wealth vases or wands to be recharged, we brought our new clothings to be blessed by the monks, and we received personal blessings from Dagyab Rinpoche. I also took a moment to remember my guru, the late HH Lati Rinpoche (photo on throne seat), for without him, there would be no Dro-Phen Ling. May Lati Rinpoche's reincarnation return soon. 

Group photo with Dagyab Rinpoche and monks

For those of us still hanging around at about 1am, we had a group photo taken with Dagyab Rinpoche and all the monks. What a joyous way to welcome the CNY! When I thanked Rinpoche for coming to Singapore, he wished me a very successful year in the new year. I love Dagyab Rinpoche's teachings which are clear and concise, and I am thankful he bestowed sacred empowerments for us during this trip.  

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing the Lama Atisha Protection card

On 3 Feb, the first day of CNY, I visited Amitabha Buddhist Centre to see my precious root guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche! Rinpoche just arrived Singapore that very morning at 6am for 2 weeks of precious teachings. There was an one-day flight delay due to immigration problems, but I was very confident Rinpoche would make it for the CNY blessings. When he arrived, many people offered karta to him, and he never missed blessing anyone. As I kneeled down and offered my karta ( I forgot what I said to him), Rinpoche's eyes looked at me intently for a few moments and he smiled. At that moment, I wished I could captured his benevolent face in photo. I was brimming with tears.

Long queues from ground floor to 2nd, 3rd, 4th floor gompas

The turnout was amazing, about 600+ people who wished to receive blessings from Rinpoche. Rinpoche was so kind and patient; he blessed each one, gave advice, gave consultations, and blessed holy objects which people requested. He gave a short teaching from 11am-1pm and then from 1pm to almost 4pm were the individual blessings. The queues were so long that it took about 3 hours to bless everyone.

My smiling Guru

I did not mind hanging around until Rinpoche finished his blessings, I was just so happy to be so close to Rinpoche, to dwell in his presence longer and I took hundreds of photos. A venerable was so kind that he told me to go nearer to Rinpoche. The Venerable even took a photo for me with Rinpoche. Thank you!  Then I rushed home as I had many guests visiting my house.

Beautiful sunrise

On 5 Feb, the second day of CNY, was also Li Chun (立春). Traditionally, Li Chun is the day which the CNY officially begins, according to the lunar calendar. Hence it is an important day.  That morning was calm and sunny, compared to the one month of rain and cool weather. It marks the start of a hot spell. This was the beautiful sunrise from my window, with no clouds. Early that morning, an aunt came and gave us the "New Year Fish". How nice was that to have someone delivering fish to us on Li Chun, 年年有余!

Niece and nephew $miling

Then it was time to go visiting with my family! We usually visit a few places on the second day. My niece and nephew were more than happy to as that meant they have more ang pows (red packets). I think 6-7 houses that day.

House visiting

That day was time for me to feast and make merry. We visited my Grandma's house, as my aunts and uncles' houses. We gathered together in each place to help finish the snacks, haha! We visited an uncle and aunt's house for the very first time since they had just shifted. Kids played cards while the adults ate and chatted and watched movies. Fun!

Huat ahhh!

This was an unusual display at my aunt's house. Her friend from Hong Kong gave her this, a few ginger dressed up nicely, and if you have an eye for art, you may be able to see "rabbits" sprouting. How many can you find?

CNY dishes

It was feasting all the way, we ate and we ate like there was no tomorrow. I particularly like some dishes which we only get to eat during CNY.  That is why it is so hard to lose weight during CNY. Watch out for my next entry of the mouth-watering dishes for CNY. 

See the dragon?

Captured this setting sun on Li Chun, at my aunt's house. For a few moments, the sun was hidden by these clouds and made a beautiful outline. Can you see a rough outline of what looked like a dragon here? I think this year of the Rabbit is going to be a good one. :D

So how was your Li Chun 立春?

It has come

 

A couple of days ago, I was so happy to receive this bracelet of mala beads which are made of black semi-precious stones. This has been personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and hence a very significant gift to me. 

Then last night I just got the confirmation from ABC about the initiation of the sacred Yamantaka to be given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from 15-17 Feb. Not anyone can receive this empowerment as this is a higher tantra initiation. So I was really happy mine was approved. It will be a 3-day nightly marathon as Rinpoche's teachings and initiations have historically run into the wee hours of the morning and even till  the next morning. Rinpoche teaches what is karmically beneficial to his audience and not according to time slots given.

Another teaching next week would be a 4-day commentary of Lama Tsongkhapa which is open to the public (19,21,22,23 Feb).  This is also something  rare and sacred which I am really looking forward to, because Rinpoche would be giving oral transmission. This practice of Lama Tsongkhapa is designed to draw us closer to our teachers and to open ourselves up to the blessings of their influence in our lives. The migtsema prayer (Tsongkhapa's mantra) has special power to remove obstacles to our practice and to generate wisdom, compassion and power. Here is Rinpoche's program in its entirety.

And to kick off CNY, I would be at DPL on CNY eve for the yearly 3-in-1 puja that will last till after midnight to herald in the new year. And on the first day of CNY, Lama Zopa Rinpoche would be in ABC to give personal blessings to each of us.  Hence I would be pretty busy to even do CNY visiting, and may also be missing in action from blogging (I may blog and tweet 'live' during the teachings though... haha!). Or I may schedule some posts in advance. So, don't miss me. *chuckle*