3 Interviews on Sacred Tara Pendant

Q : How well do you know Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche ?

Victor : I have never met Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche before, well at least not in this lifetime. I actually have not even seen a picture of Rinpoche before and do not even know how Rinpoche looks like! I do recall having seen his name in some Buddhist magazine and that Rinpoche is the Resident-Rinpoche at Singapore Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre. All this is until I was directed to Rinpoche's website by Vicky of Green Tara Shop.

The Kagyupa School is particularly known for its emphasis on meditation practice, rather than intellectual study and for the strength of the Guru-disciple relationship which can bring ordinary beings to Enlightenment in one lifetime.

Tara Pendant (79kb)

Q : What are your impressions of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche? What are your feelings about Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche?

Karma Sonam : I was first introduced to Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche 8 years ago. At that time, “Tibetan Buddhism” and the term “Rinpoche” was to me an ancient, ancient practice that has not changed nor revealed over thousands and thousands of years. I knew no more about Tibetan Buddhism than I knew anything of, about Mars. To me, it was all strange, mystic and supernatural. The strange stories that I was told didn’t help, about Rinpoches being able to read your mind and know exactly what you think and them being able to perform miracles and so on …

When I first saw Shangpa Rinpoche, I was both scared and excited. On first sight, he appeared to be stern and serious; he looked to be the kind of Rinpoche who would run his monastery with an iron fist. I also remembered him saying to me: “Humm…. You look very familiar. Have we met before?” Till this day, he hasn’t told me what he exactly meant by what he had said although others have had their own interpretations… some have said that we have met in our past lives while others say otherwise... nonetheless, my impressions of this Rinpoche has changed over the years.

Looking back, it all seems so funny, silly even. He is to me a humble and unassuming Rinpoche who has a rather good sense of humor whose constant wish is to benefit as many sentient beings in as many ways as he can. Through the projects that he has initiated and the works that he has done and is still doing, it seems almost as if he has a limitless source of energy from which he draws so that he can work tirelessly to benefit others. He has been the source of great inspiration and blessings to me at times both good and bad.

May his Dharma wishes come true and shine forth like the sun.

Q : How long do you know Ven Shangpa Rinpoche? What impresses you most about him?

Grace : I cannot recount the exact year, it was probably in 1990 or 1991 when I was invited to M.C. the 3-day 1000 Buddha Ceremony organized by Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre Singapore at the IMM building that I first saw Ven Shangpa Rinpoche. We were briefly introduced prior to the event at the old KKBC building. Rinpoche spoke little and was quiet most of the time (in fact Rinpoche has not changed much till now), but what struck my attention was Rinpoche’s unique composure. I was, and still now, impressed with Rinpoche’s calmness and his mindfulness. Both these reveal much particularly in Rinpoche’s way of walking; every step is so mindful – an important factor of a meditator. My brother shares the same view. Seeing Rinpoche constantly reminds me to remain composed in whatever situation, be it pleasant, neutral or unpleasant. I treasure this indirect teaching.

Q : How did you first know about the Green Tara Herbal Pendants ?

Victor : Steven at the Green Tara Shop was the kind person who introduced me to the precious Green Tara herbal Penants.

Q : What made you order 2pcs immediately and soon after that another 6pcs?

Victor : When Steven first showed me the precious Green Tara Herbal Pendant, the simple yet beautiful design of the pendant immediately caught my attention, especially the very clear image of Green Tara. When I held the pendant in my hand to examine it more closely, I realized that it was made up of herbal material of a type I had never seen before. Let me explain a bit. I have been collecting Thai Buddhist Amulets/Pendants for more than 20 years and am quite familiar with most collectable pieces as well as having a general knowledge of amulet materials and creation process of Thai Buddhist Amulets/Pendants.

Steven told me that this Pendant was made for a good cause to help Rinpoche raise funds. Immediately I decided to sponsor one piece. When I was shown the list of sacred materials that went into the creation of this precious Green Tara Pendant, I was dumbfounded. I realized that this Pendant would be of immense benefit to all sentient beings. I decided then to take 2 pieces instead. One piece for myself and my wife to enshrine and venerate, one piece to keep for a future time when it can be offered again for any cause to benefit others. I also decided to try and introduce others to this very precious Green Tara Herbal Pendant as I knew that this was a very rare opportunity for them and the benefits and blessings for them would be very great, in fact, immeasurable. Eventually, 6 more people were introduced to the Pendant.

Q : What inspired you to come up with this design for the Certificate of Authenticity for the Tara Pendant?

Karma Sonam : When I was first approached to design the Certificate of Authenticity for the Tara Pendant commissioned by Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, I was a little apprehensive. Having been told of the amount of spiritually priceless relics that had gone into making the pendant, I was afraid that my design will not appropriately represent the pendant or that it might do the pendant injustice.

I had experimented with motifs that will visually link the viewer to the deity: The Great Mother Tara. Motifs like the Upala Flower, the lotus, the slightly outreached right leg of the Tara, the mudras that she forms and so on… when I finally got to see a sample of the pendant; it dawned on me that the pendant itself spoke for what it represented. The intricate details and delicate designs represented the vast amount of work, efforts and blessings that had gone in to make the pendant possible. In fact, the pendant was modeled after a special tangka that is the prized possession of Rinpoche.

I would like to thank Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche for his blessings without which the design work of the pendant would not have been so smooth and successful. I would also like to thank Green Tara Pte Ltd for the opportunity for me to put in my two cents worth of efforts in serving the propagation of Buddha Dharma. I would also like to thank the people who have paid compliments to the design work and the write-up. I hope that it will continue to inspire people to practice and benefit all mother sentient beings.

May all be auspicious.

Q : Why did you order the Green Tara Herbal Pendant without even seeing it? Why did you subsequently get another piece for your friend ?

Grace : I have not really helped Ven Shangpa Rinpoche in any of his projects, what more in fulfilling his holy wishes. On the contrary, Rinpoche, together with his disciples/students had very much helped in their own way the charitable project that I was involved many years ago. I deeply appreciate that. When I was told that this year, there will be Green Tara Herbal Pendants for sponsorship to help Rinpoche, I have no second thoughts about helping, in a very small way though, and placed the order. Faith in Mother Tara and Rinpoche is what I have even without seeing the pendant.

The situation of SARs in Singapore recently had unfortunately struck my financial status as well as some of my friends that held me back in promoting the pendants for Rinpoche. I am very happy to learn that the response for sponsorship was overwhelming. Praise the Lord indeed! 3 weeks ago, the brother of a good Dharma friend met with a fairly serious road accident in Singapore and the first person I thought of was Ven Shangpa Rinpoche to do prayer immediately. Rinpoche had just got back to Singapore probably just a couple of days when I telephoned him for help. He was out on the road but told me to SMS him the details and he will do a prayer as soon as he got back to the centre. I deeply appreciate Rinpoche’s spontaneity but at the same time felt bad as I have not even visited Rinpoche to apy my respect and yet I needed his help immediately. My friend’s brother was discharged from hospital one week ago and recuperating at home. I took the opportunity to suggest to my friend who without hesitation to sponsor a Green Tara Pendant so that not only we could help Rinpoche but most importantly, his brother would have an affinity with Mother Tara. I even suggested that the brother should wear the pendant for speedy recovery. This is one of the best way to repay Rinpoche.

Last but not least, I pray that may all obstacles be cleared for Ven Shangpa Rinpoche and that the Kirtipur project be completed in the quickest possible time according exactly to the holy wishes of Rinpoche.

Tashi Delek !

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3 Interviews on Sacred Tara Pendant