The Blessings of Precious Teachings and
Sacred Sites in Sikkim

Contributed by: Mindrolling International News Staff
Published: 3rd December 2011

Immediately following this year's North American and European teaching tour, Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Jetsün Dechen Paldrön, Venerable Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche, Lama Riga, Lama Tenkyab, and Samten Tse’s senior nuns traveled to Sikkim to receive the Nyingthig Yabzhi (Four-Fold Heart Essence) empowerments. Following the precious transmissions they also were able to do a short pilgrimage to a number of sacred sites and monasteries in Sikkim and West Bengal accompanied by about 125 monks from Mindrolling.

Profound Devotion and Gratitude

The Nyingthig Yabzhi empowerments took place at Dodrubchen Monastery, Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche’s main seat in India, near Gangtok, Sikkim, a Himalayan state bordering Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet.

From the 10th to the 14th days of the 9th month of the Tibetan Year of the Metal Hare (November 5 to 9, 2011), 9,000 to 10,000 people gathered every day to receive these precious teachings from Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche IV, Thubten Thrinle Palzang. In addition to Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Jetsün Dechen Paldrön, Dzogchen Rinpoche, Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche, Lhatrul Rinpoche, and many other rinpoches, tulkus, monks, nuns and lay practitioners came from Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, and many different parts of India. The main shrine room was full beyond capacity, with another 7,000 people standing or sitting outside in the courtyard, on porches, and on rooftops.

View of the large crowd gathered for the empowerment at Dodrubchen Monastery.

The devotion and steadfastness of the Tibetans was truly inspiring. They came early to find places for themselves, family, and friends and stood or sat outside for hours on end, regardless of the weather. The first two days were overcast, rainy and cold, and this did not deter anyone. Some days, the crowd almost became too tight to move, but everyone remained cheerful and good-natured.

People also displayed tremendous gratitude, offering numerous kathags and teaching gifts every day and copious amounts of fruit, grain, rice, sweets and tea on the last day. They understood the preciousness of these empowerments and embraced the profound occasion wholeheartedly.

The Nyingthig Yabzhi

Nyingthig are the innermost secret teachings of Dzogchen and the most direct approach for students of the highest capacity to attain spiritual fulfillment. The Nyingthig Yabzhi, one of the most famous Dzogchen scriptures, condenses and elucidates the two primary lineages of Dzogchen practice. These are:

  • The Vima Nyingthig: Detailed teachings for scholars brought to Tibet by Vimalamitra
  • The Khandro Nyingthig (Heart Essence of the Dakinis): Profound teachings for yogis brought to Tibet by Guru Rinpoche

The Nyingthig Yabzhi also includes two instructional texts from Longchenpa: the Khandro Yangthig (explaining the Khandro Nyingthig) and the Lama Yangthig (explaining the Vima Nyingthig).

Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche

Considered one of the most important living masters in the Nyingma and Dzogchen traditions, Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche is the holder of the precious Nyingthig lineage. Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche studied with the great khenpos of Dodrubchen and Dzogchen monasteries in Tibet and received the empowerment and transmission of the Nyingthig Yabzhi from Khenpo Kunpal, the heart disciple of Patrul Rinpoche, at the age of 11.

In this degenerate age, Kyabje Dodrobchen Rinpoche is an inspiring example of a truly accomplished teacher who has dedicated his entire life and work to authentic Dharma, completely free from any distractions or diversions. When people gather to receive teachings from Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche, any thoughts of ambition or self-indulgence subside in his presence.

During the Nyingthig Yabzhi empowerments, many great masters said receiving these precious teachings from Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche was the same as receiving them from Longchenpa himself. In Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche one sees the embodiment of the masters of the Nyingthig tradition: Jigme Lingpa, Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu and Patrul Rinpoche.

Kyabje Dodrubchen Rinpoche was tireless in his bestowal of the Nyingthig Yabzhi. During the final day, on which even the courtyard overflowed with people, Kyabje Rinpoche stayed in the shrine room well into the night so that every single person in attendance could approach his throne and receive his blessings directly.

Photo credits: ©2011 Mindrolling International

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