On 5 Apr 2015 Acho Rinpoche was invited to inaugurate the
opening of a new Dzogchen Centre – “Sangchen Woesel Dzogpachenpo Centre” in Rawang,
Malaysia. He also co-presided over the Hundred Deities Puja cum Soul
Deliverance Prayer and Naga Vase Puja with H.E Konde Rinpoche,
the abbot of the centre.
During his speech, Konde Rinpoche thanked Dharma Brother Wong
for offering his 3-storey shop house for setting up the new Dzogchen Centre cum
hostel for the resident monks, which was a great meritorious act. Konde
Rinpoche also offered an Amitayu Prayer for Acho Rinpoche, praying for his longevity
and good health for the benefits of the sentient beings.
Acho Rinpoche later shared with the audience that a cultivator
should aspire to attain true enlightenment in order to be able to help the
sentient beings. It is not important whether a cultivator sits on the stage or
below. He particularly applauded the conduct of Patrul Rinpoche who was a very
low profile but a truly accomplished practitioner. During his time, there was
an occasion when Patrul Rinpoche was invited to preside over a dharma assembly,
but he ended up working quietly in the kitchen, without telling anyone who he was.
Finally, when he was invited by the organizer to go on stage, his co-workers in
the kitchen realized who he really was. Acho Rinpoche admired the conduct of Patrul
Rinpoche very much and regarded him as a role model. There was an occasion when
Acho Rinpoche was invited to a Vajrayana centre in Taiwan by the resident
abbot. On the very day, Acho Rinpoche arrived early at the centre when the
resident abbot was out. The helper at the centre did not know who he was and
advised him to just wait for the arrival of the abbot. Acho Rinopche did not
reveal his identity as a Buddhist master to the helper and simply waited for
the arrival of the abbot while seated on the floor. When the abbot returned to
the centre, he immediately invited Acho Rinpoche to sit on the throne instead,
much to the surprise of the helper.
Acho Rinpoche also applauded the spiritual attainment of Konde
Rinpoche, telling the audience that the latter is another humble but
accomplished cultivator too. Acho Rinpoche advised those who have a spiritual
connection with Konde Rinpoche to cherish the latter and follow his teachings,
for they will attain good spiritual accomplishment too. Acho Rincpohe stressed
that a big Dharma assembly does not necessarily guarantee a powerful blessing,
as it all depends on the spiritual attainment of the one presiding over the practice.
A small Dharma assembly will receive great power of blessing if the one presiding
over the practice is an accomplished cultivator. A Dharma assembly with tens of
thousands of participants does not necessarily reflect the level of spiritual
attainment of the one presiding over the practice. Similarly, a famous Buddhist
master who has millions of followers also does not mean that he is an
accomplished practitioner.
The whole event ended nicely with a trip out to the sea, for the
dragon vases to be offered to the sea. We prayed for the safety and prosperity
of the country and conducive weather conditions. We also urged the Naga Kings to attain Buddhahood soon as part of the prayer, while seeking their blessing
of wealth to support the cultivators financially. When we arrived at the pier,
the sky was sunny and yet we heard a sudden loud thunder piercing through the
sky. When we were out in the sea, we threw all dragon vases containing
medicinal herbs and holy objects that could help heal the sea beings of their
sickness and cleanse their karma into the sea. Soon after, the sky turned dark
followed by a heavy downpour. It was so cooling and breezy! We thanked the Naga Kings for coming forward to support this event and their blessings,
which brought the Naga Vase Prayer to a perfect closure.
