Ngawang Chopal Gyatsho

KYABJE DILGO KHYENTSE RINPOCHE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS 2010

The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910 -1991), one of the most remarkable spiritual teachers of our time. On this occasion we celebrate his life and pay tribute to the great benefit he accomplished while he was alive and later through the continuation of his enlightened activities.

His wisdom, compassion, and extraordinary presence profoundly affected the lives of many people. Even those who did not meet him in person have been inspired by his teachings, by seeing his face in photographs and films, reading his life story, and meeting the close disciples who carryon his legacy. Thus the stream of inspiration and blessing that he set in motion flows as powerfully as ever.

The aim of the Shechen monasteries has been to fulfill the wishes that Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche clearly expressed during his lifetime and to manifest his broader vision and activities. Since his passing eighteen years ago, we have fulfilled many of his wishes according to his last instructions, including the establishment of Philosophical Colleges and Retreat Centres in epal, Tibet and Bhutan; the building of Shechen Monastery in Bodhgaya; the construction of Eight Stupas Commemorating Lord Buddha's Life at the sacred sites of the Buddha in India and Nepal; the publication of Khyentse Rinpoche's twenty-five volume Collected Works and many other new publications of important teachings such as the Five Treasuries of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great.

Through Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's own kindness, his unmistaken incarnation (tulku) was easily found and unanimously accepted. 'Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi' Urgyen

photo by Matthieu Ricard

Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup was born in 1993 and enthroned at She chen Monastery, Nepal, in 1997. Since then, he has been concentrating on his studies and training in Nepal and Bhutan. He will continue to benefit others through teaching, officiating at major ceremonies and transmissions, and inspiring dharma activities in various parts of the world.

In this centennial year we will celebrate Khyentse Rinpoche's unique contribution to the world and dedicate the various undertakings that have been achieved in his name. Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche will formally begin to carryon Khyentse Rinpoche's activities. He will preside over the centennial ceremonies in Nepal, Bhutan, and India and consecrate the 'Eight Stupas for Peace' that have been built at sacred sites of the Buddha in India and Nepal. He will also visit a number of countries where his predecessor taught numerous disciples.

We hope that the visit of Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and the various events planned for the 2010 commemoration year will contribute to the continuation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's activities, revive and strengthen the devotion and confidence of his disciples, and inspire many others to enter the path of authentic dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.

I would like to invite all of our dharma friends to join together in celebrating this joyful occasion!

With best wishes,

Shechen Rabjam

5

Ugyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup

After Khyentse Rinpoches death in 1991, his close students turned to Trulshik Rinpoche, his most senior and accomplished disciple, to find his incarnation. Trulshik Rinpoche had dreams and visions that clearly indicated the identity of the incarnation. One such vision included a four-line poem revealing the year of the child's birth, the names of his parents, and the place where he could be found. He kept these details secret until April 1995, when he sent a letter to Khyentse Rinpoche's grandson, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. When decoded, the poem had revealed that the father was Choling Rinpoche, Mingyur Dewa'i Dorje (himself the son of Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche, one of Khyentse Rinpoche's closest spiritual friends), and the mother Dechen Paldron. Their son-born on Guru Padmasambhava's birthday, the tenth day of the fifth month of the Bird Year (30 June 1993) - was, as the verse stated, "unmistakably the incarnation of Paljor" (one of Khyentse Rinpoche's names). His Holiness the Dalai Lama confirmed that this child was indeed Khyentse Rinpoche's reincarnation.

On December 29, a simple and moving ceremony was held in the Maratika cave, the place where Guru Padmasambhava and Mandarava attained immortality. For those gathered there, some of whom had walked for days from Kathmandu or Bhutan to be present for the occasion, it was as if the sun had risen again after a long darkness.

Thus was fulfilled the prayer that the Dalai Lama had written only days after Khyentse Rinpoche had left this world:

The more helpless beings are,

The more it is in your nature to love them.

Therefore, to ripen and liberate all beings in this dark age, Swiftly reveal the moon-like face of your emanation!

In March 1996, on the auspicious tenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, His Holiness the Dalai Lama performed the hair-cutting ceremony for Khyentse Rinpoche's Yangsi (young incarnation), in the presence of many high lamas, including Drupwang Penor Rinpoche, who was then the head of the Nyingma Lineage. Following the ceremony, the local people received the Yangsi's blessing for several hours.

In December 1997, the formal enthronement of the young Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi was held at Shechen Monastery in Nepal. It attracted over 15,000 people from more than forty different countries, and more than 100 eminent lamas representing all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Since then, he has been cared for by She chen Rabjam Rinpoche. He is studying Buddhist philosophy, along with eight other tulkus, under the guidance of Khenpo Yeshe Gyaltsen and Lopon Dawa Sangpo. He also has been following courses in the English language and Western science, history, and culture under the direction of his tutor, Ms. Sally Williams. In addition, Yangsi Rinpoche presides over all of the annual ceremonies inaugurated by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in Bhutan and Nepal.

with Kyabje Trulshik Ril1poche

At all times, again and again, we should make vast prayers for the sake of all beings. When falling asleep we should think,"May all beings achieve the absolute state", when waking up, "Mayall beings obtain the body of a Buddha",

when putting on clothes, "May all beings have modesty and a sense of shame"; when lighting a fire, "May all beings bum the wood of disturbing emotions"; when eating, "Mayall beings eat the food of concentration";

when opening a door, "Mayall beings open the door to the city of liberation; when closing the door, "Mayall beings close the door to the lower realms; when going outside,"May I set out on the path to free all beings";

when walking uphill, "May I go to free beings from the lower realms";

when seeing happiness, "Mayall beings achieve the happiness of Buddhahood"; when seeing suffering, "May thee suffering of all beings be pacified."

Khyentse Rinpoche