Guru Rinpoche Drupchod at Samye Ling
The Konchok Chidu drupchod has become an annual event at Samye Ling, one that has been honoured with the presence of many eminent lamas and that each year draws a large number of students and practitioners. Since coming to Samye Ling in 2008, Drupon Rinpoche has acted as dorje lopon and has given teachings on the Konchok Chidu practice. He has also bestowed the empowerment and reading transmission on various occasions, thus granting the permission for engaging in the practice. This year he was accompanied by his close students Lama Kating and Lama Rigzin, both of whom have completed retreats under his direction in Nepal.
A guru yoga sadhana practice on the Lama as the 3 roots, the Konchok Chidu (gathering of all the precious ones) is part of the terma tradition and thus originates from the very mind essence of Guru Rinpoche himself. It was discovered by the terton Jatson Nyingpo in the 16th century in the Draklung area of Tibet. Since its revelation, the terma has become widely practiced in both the Nyingma and Kagyu schools.
Guru Rinpoche made many prophecies concerning our present time, and his teachings, sadhanas and mantra are of particular relevance in overcoming all the negative and harmful influences which confront us in today's world. It is said that in such times, Guru Rinpoche's compassion and blessing is greater than that of any other Buddha. Samye Ling has made the commitment to perform the Guru Rinpoche drubchod each year to help dispel sickness, famine, war and environmental disasters.
Guru Rinpoche practice also holds special significance for Samye Ling, as the first Tibetan centre established in the West. Samye was the name given to the first monastery of Tibet, which was only completed (c. 775-779 CE) after Guru Rinpoche removed the inner and outer obstacles to its construction. Samye Ling too is nearing completion after many years and a beautiful stained glass image of the terton Jatson Nyingpo will soon adorn the entrance to the newly inaugurated temple courtyard.
Over the years the drupchod has attracted a steady stream of familiar faces as well as increasing numbers of newcomers. As the drupchod is held either at the end of or during Drupon Rinpoche's shedra studies course, it also provides an opportunity for many of the shedra students to practice in a group with Rinpoche. The subject of this year's shedra studies was Maitreya's discourse on buddha nature, and so participating in the drupchod with Rinpoche was a natural and practical way of literally 'putting the teachings into practice'.
There were two main practice sessions each day, with a tsok offering every afternoon. The chanting, led by Karma Namgyal, was strong and harmonious and the atmosphere calm and peaceful.
The drupchod brought Drupon Rinpoche's 2012 summer activities at Samye Ling to a close and he departed soon afterwards, to spend three months teaching in the long retreats on Arran and Holy Island.
The 2013 drupchod was the start of Rinpoche's teaching time at Samye Ling.
Summary by Inge Derijck.
