Good afternoon, His Eminence Kunde Rinpoche, Khenpo Gonga Tashi and the rest of His Eminences and Khenpos of Horthang Tashi Monastery, the honourable Mr Tashi and the rest of our Tibetan friends at Baluwala of Dehradun. Tashi Delek.
I feel honoured to participate in this remarkable Enthronement Ceremony of Kanchen Thethe Rinpoche. Kunde Rinpoche has recently published a book entitled “The History of Vajrayana Buddhism”. It was mentioned in the book that Dhongwah Monastery (the former name of Horthang Tashi Monastery) started in a yak tent more than 200 years ago; it was started by Lama Karde and Lama Kunde in 1787. In 1814, the 2nd Lama Karde officially built the Dhongwah Monastery.
In 1897, Lama Kunde Rinpoche of Dhongwah Monastery built a Buddhist college called “The Jewel of Learning”. Many great Buddhist teachers from Sri Singha Five Sciences Buddhist College were invited to teach at this college. There were more than 500 students studying at this college during its early years, with many of them becoming great adepts at a later stage. The accomplished Dzogchen masters who graduated from this college included Lama Karde, Man Tse Rinpoche, Ari Rinpoche, Acho Rinpoche, Tulku Tong Due etc.
In 1920, Acho Rinpoche built the first retreat center that produced many great adepts of inconceivable accomplishments, who completely vanished into rainbow lights during their passing. This retreat centre created the highest number of rainbow body attainments. Acho Rinpoche spent his whole life in this retreat centre while transmitting the Dzogchen teachings to his students.
In 1941, Karde Rinpoche, Kunde Rinpoche, Man Tse Rinpoche, Ari Rinpoche, Acho Rinpoche, Ghe Jou Rinpoche, Khenpo Thethe, Khenpo Chu Tsa, Khenpo Zong Zhe, Lama Lodoe Gyatso, Tulku Tong Due, Urgyen Tsering etc., worked tirelessly in transmitting the various teachings continuously including Padmasambhava’s Jewel Vase, One Hundered Deities, Mindroling’s Vajrasattva Practice, Nine Dorma Practice, Amitabha Soul Deliverance Practice, Padmasambhava Puja, Yumka Dharani Puja etc., and the annual Big Smoke Puja.
I told Kunde Rinpoche that that period of history of Dhongwah Monastery is very precious and that the stories of these past patriarchs should be recorded and published in a book for the benefits of the future generation, which could strengthen their faiths in the teaching of Dzogchen.
The 5th Lama Karde was born on 1st December of 2014. He is 9 year-old now and is currently under training. He would become the future abbot of Horthang Tashi Monastery. Now Kunde Rinpoche received an instruction from Ekajati in his dream on the recognition of Khenpo Thethe Rincpoche, who is 11 year-old and being enthroned today. When Kunde Rinpoche informed me about his recognition, I too recognised this reincarnation in my Dream Yoga on the very night.
May Khenpo Thethe excel in his studies and help in transmitting the Dzogchen teachings worldwide in future. I pray to Ekajati for her blessing that Kunde Rinpoche may recognise the reincarnations of more past patriarchs of Horthang Tashi Monastery, who would help to transmit the Dzogchen teachings worldwide for the benefits of all sentient beings.
Thankyou. Amitabha Buddha. My homage to Ekajati.
Acho Rinpoche, Singapore
21-7-2023
