Tonight we welcomed Sherap
Galtsen Lama from the Mindrolling Monastery in Nepal. He learnt about Acho
Rinpoche from our Yeshe Khenpo (a former secretary to H.H Dzogchen Rinpoche) a
few years back. It was his second visit to Singapore and he finally met Acho
Rinpoche in person tonight.
After our group prayer, Acho
Rinpoche shared a message published on the Internet by H.H 17th Karmapa
on his 30th Birthday. In his message, Karmapa informed all about the
reason why he decided not to celebrate his 30th birthday. He left
China for India in 2000, at the age of 16. Now, he is already 30 year-old. He
left China for India for only two reasons: to learn the Buddha Dharma and to
propagate it. Least did he expect that he would end up being suspected by the
Indian Government for being a Chinese spy and restrained from moving around
freely. He cannot leave India for other countries freely and he cannot even
visit Rumtek Monastery, which is the main seat of the 16th Karmapa
in India. The Karmapa’s emblem – The Black Crown, is at Rumtek, out of his
reach! He yearned to visit Tibet, for visiting his aging parents and to do his
part in environmental protection – protecting the “3rd pole” of
earth, for the benefits of mankind. However, it seems unlikely that he could
have his wishes fulfilled in the near future.
We considered ourselves very lucky
for we can travel the world freely. Next year, when Acho Rinpoche Retreat
Centre which is currently under construction is ready, we will visit India for
its inauguration ceremony. We can also visit Sikkhim by then. We have a strong
karmic connection with Karma Kagyud, so the visit will be meaningful. Besides, during
her recent visit to Singapore, Princess Roshana from Nepal extended her
invitation to Acho Rinpoche to meet Dodrupchen Rinpoche, who is her Buddhist Master
and also a resident of Sikkhim.
Next, Acho Rinpoche shared a
story about Master Atisha. Master Atisha had three students during his time: Dromton,
who was his personal attendant and translator for his teachings, who attended
to his daily needs; Ami, who was a cook who prepared his daily meals; Kambawa,
who did a solitary retreat for years.
One day, Dromton was cleaning up
the excretion of Atisha when the latter fell ill. Dromton was very focused in
doing his cleaning while maintaining his greatest reverence of his root guru.
Suddenly, he entered a profound state of Samadhi and instantaneously attained
an extraordinary ability of omniscience. Dromton could read the minds of all
sentient beings including ants and insects which were present along the fly
path taken by a bird in 18 days.
One day, Kambawa, while in his
retreat, suddenly thought to himself, “I am such a hard working practitioner!
My spiritual attainment must be the highest among my fellow classmates.” The
omniscient Atisha instantly read his mind and sent a messenger to him, asking
him to end his retreat and go back to verify the fruits of his labour. So, he
contested with Dromton. Surprisingly, Dromton had attained a much higher
spiritual attainment than Kambawa! Even the cook, Ami, out did Kambawa!
Acho Rinpoche said, “Such is the
inconceivable method of Dzogchen (The Great Perfection) of serving one’s root
guru whole heartedly!”
The profundity of such method is
beyond our secular wisdom formed on the basis of mental fabrication. Only a
student who could let go of his stature, let go of his views, let go of his
temper, let go of his pride, let go of his personal pursuits and aims, who
could truly serve his root guru as a Buddha, stands the chance of a full
enlightenment – the state of Great Perfection!
Reported by Sun-Moon KFS on 25-6-2015
