Initiations at Shechen Monastery

Shangpa Rinpoche receiving a series of Initiations from 'The Treasury of Spiritual Instructions' - Nov 2002

Ven Shangpa Rinpoche is now in Kathmandu receiving a series of very extensive teachings and Initiations from His Eminence Trulshig Rinpoche, on the collection by Jamgon Kongtrul known as 'The Treasury of Spiritual Instructions'. This collection covers teachings from the 'Eight Chariot of Practice' lineages, which are the Kadampa, Sakyapa, Kagyudpa, Shije or Chod, Shangpa, Nyingma, Dorje Naljorma (which also includes the KalaChakra), and Dorje Nyendrup practice lineages.

Several hundreds Rinpoches and thousands of lamas gather daily at Shechen Monastery, as well as large numbers of lay practitioners and devotees. They gather at this auspicious events with great devotion, and the wish to turn the wheel of Dharma in the future, for the sake of liberating all sentient beings.

The teachings may last for up to 2 months. As such, Shangpa Rinpoche will not be back in time to conduct this years Mani Dungdrub at the Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre in Singpore, which takes place in mid December 2002.

We reproduce below a letter sent from Nepal from Ven Shangpa Rinpoche. It is addressed to his disciples and devotees, especially those in Singapore concerning his inability to lead the coming Mani Dungdrub project due to the above circumstances.

For the sake of liberating all sentient beings, for the sake that the Wheel of the Dharma will continue to turn, we rejoice.

Shangpa Rinpoche :

"Dear Disciples,

This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but I believe that your faith will carry every single one of you through the Mani Project 2002. I believe it will ensure that the project will be an event of great success, and an event that will bring forth boundless blessings which are much needed by all sentient beings.

My journey is an unending journey to liberate all mother sentient being. For me to tread this ceaseless journey, I need important spiritual tools to aid me in my goal. I am not present for this year's Mani Project because of an important spiritual calling that I need to tend to. There will be some initiations in the month of December that are extremely rare. These initiations will enable me to help even more sentient beings along my path, and give me much aid in my goal to liberate all sentient beings. I have given this decision much thought and I have spent much time thinking about the possible implications of my decision.

The faith that I have in every single one of you has given me the much needed assurance that 'The Mani Project 2002' will be even more successful than the previous ones which we have held. Though I may not be physically present at the event, I give my fervent blessings to the entire project and to every single person organizing and participating in the event. I will be with all of you spiritually every single day, united in prayers with all of you, for peace throughout the world.

With my prayers,

Shangpa Rinpoche"

We are pleased to present below some images that Shangpa Rinpoche sent yesterday (25 Nov) from the Initiations in Kathmandu .... to follow ....

Latest report from Rinpoche : 29-11-02

"Now the Kadampa teachings and Initiations are complete and we have started the Sakyapa Teachings and Initiations. As part of this, HE Trulshig Rinpoche gave the Hevajra initiation for two days. This Initiation will come to completion tonight.

The next few days, there will be continuous teachings and oral transmission of Lamdre (Path and Fruit), the central Sakya teachings.

The photo on the right is of HE Trulshig Rinpoche bestowing the Hevajra initiation, whilst wearing the Sakyapa hat."

Further report from Rinpoche : 04-12-02

"Now the Kadampa and Sakya teachings and Initiations are complete, so today the Kagyu teachings and Initiations begin.

To begin the Kagyu section, HE Trulshig Rinpoche today (4-12-02) gave the initiation of Chakrasamvara from Rechungpa's Nyegyud transmission. 'Nyegyud' means 'directly transmitted from one mouth to one ear'. Rechungpa was one of Milarepa's two main students, along with Gampopa.

This Initiation is divided into two sections, which are the preparation and the main Initiation. Today, HE Trulshrig Rinpoche bestowed the preparation part of the Initiation.

New report from Rinpoche : 07-12-02

"Today Rinpoche has bestowed the Vajra Yogini Initiation according to the
Rechungpa's ear (whispered) transmission, which forms part of the Kagyupa teachings. The photo on the right is of HE Trulshig Rinpoche wearing the Gampopa hat and was taken whilst giving the Vajrayogini Initiation.

Tomorrow Rinpoche will be giving the Initiation of Vajra Yogini according to the Taglung Kagyu Tradition. Taglung is one of the eight 'minor' branches of the Kagyu Tradition."

Report from Shangpa Rinpoche : 26-12-02

"From today onwards, the Shangpa Kagyud Teachings and Initiations start. Yesterday, the Kagyud teachings (under the four major and eight minor lineages) came to completion.

The start of the Shangpa Kagyu teachings is marked by the Initiations of five major Tantric Deities, the deities being Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, Mahamaya, Vajravairava, and Hevajra.

I will send you photos later."

Report from Shangpa Rinpoche : 30-01-03

"Now the Shije and Chod Teachings and Initiations have started. [Shije are the teachings of 'pacification', brought by the Indian teacher, Padampa Sangye to Tibet, Chod are the related teachings of 'cutting off' taught by the Tibetan, Machig Labdron].Thus far the teachings and initiations on the Kadampa, Sakyapa, Kagyudpa, and Shangpa are complete.

I will be returning to Singapore at the completion of the cycle of teachings, just after Tibetan New Year."

Report from Shangpa Rinpoche : 27-02-03

"I am now at Pokhara. The last few weeks have been very busy for me, with a heavy schedule. Due to the change of weather I became sick, so I couldn't send any further update to the website.

The Initiations are now complete, and I am back in Pokhara to join our yearly Grand Mahakala Puja. In Jangchup Choeling monastery, the week long Mahakala puja is progressing well. There will be a Mahakala Dance and Offering of Tormas on the 29th of the 12th lunar month of Tibetan calender.

I will send some photos later.

I wish everyone will have peace and harmoney. Happy Tibetan New Year"

Images to follow ...

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche

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