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Tonight, I requested all of you come, and everybody came. I’m
really happy, thank you. You know, used to be, I had lots of time
to spend with individuals. I really enjoyed it. But lately due to
my circumstances, that’s not available all the time. At this
time, I have some teachings I’m trying to hold up myself.
But I forgot that my body is supported by medicine. Then I thought,
that if I cheated, pushed myself, then my body will give a signal,
“that is too much, you can’t do that.” I am learning
– myself and my body keep debating back and forth.
I try to, how much is possible under the guidance of Kyabje Dungse
Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, to give some teachings and how much is it
possible to come to tsok and gatherings. It is so wonderful to feel
a big family together, a dharma family with everyone’s intention
and positive energy and warmness. I’m so lucky to have all
of you. You know of course the sublime beings – there is no
way to compare with them. For an ordinary being, I’m the number
one luckiest person. I have the best Dharma and best Teacher and
best Sangha and everybody has care, love and support. I’m
a little old man, kind of spoiled by all of you. I want to say thank
you.
And tonight, the main thing I want to say is kind of urgent. Not
badly urgent, but it is needed, really badly. I need to pay attention
for myself. And the main thing is not only for myself, but for you.
Why I said “myself,” even though my health is kind of
unpredictable – I am not worried about myself, I am worried
a lot about the dharma center. Because I put a total 100% effort
into this dharma center and my personal, physical, mental capacity,
ability, totally 100% put in the center. I never was taking care
of myself, these many years, until I accomplished getting to the
result. This whole dharma center was supported by Regina and myself.
You know she fed me and supported me while I stayed at her house
and she never charged me rent. And I never made any donation or
offering for my food either. She 100% supported me. Then whatever
I have – energy, mental capacity, physically, and money (and
lots of people giving me money) – I never put the focus to
myself.
Then Steven and Susanne and all of these others and Regina, made
up this fire, and kept adding wood, now the result is incredibly
a success. This never automatically appears you, know – it’s
caused by lots and lots of effort. Why did I put that much effort,
more then myself? Because, number one, my teacher told me to teach
dharma. (That’s His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche). Then secondly,
Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche told me to stay in America to teach dharma.
That’s both of my teachers – I took that order seriously.
You know I am not smart for the worldly, material point of view,
but in a dharma way, I’m pretty smart. I’m not like
dharma, like a kind of extra, formal aspect, outer, inner, secret
aspects. Temporarily and long term, my schedule is best actually.
Not only praising by myself – Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche, when
he gave Dzogchen Nangjang teaching – he said, “Of course
there are lots of dharma centers, pure dharma centers in Tibet.
But outside of Tibet, outside of India and Nepal, in the West, Europe,
America, Pema Osel Ling is the most pure dharma center.”
In the future, I hope there’re many centers that will copy
from here. This can be a model of the dharma center for the future.
His wisdom speech, or Vajra word is praising that much. He doesn’t
have to. I didn’t scare him to say it or anything, but he
said it, honest and truthfully. And for example, Lama Nyingkula,
last year he came. He was completely shocked. He said, “You
know, Bhutan we call the Dharma Country. But dharma is much richer,
profound, deepest in America, at Pema Osel Ling. Really truly, profound,
deep, pure, & genuine dharma is incredible here. And much better
then Bhutan,” he said, “because we all have a desire
to receive teachings and all have a desire to see Dungse Rinpoche.
But we never get teachings, and even though we want to see him,
he never comes back to Bhutan.”
He is spending time in American and especially at Pema Osel Ling.
He gave a Great Perfection Dzogchen teaching he never taught any
other places – only here. Isn’t that a special gift?
He sees that our Sangha has a positive energy; there’s some
reason for coming. You know, the first time he came here, he said,
“You put so much energy, and it’s very successful, and
beautiful, and I want to help you. But I can’t help any other
way, I will give empowerment, I will give teaching and support the
dharma, which is your wish.” He promised to me, and not only
promised in words, he did – many times. He always said, “Many
dharma centers are inviting me, but too much politics and lots of
things I don’t feel. I’m very comfortable coming to
Pema Osel Ling.” He has a special heart connection to here.
And plus, you know, a couple years ago, I had some prophecy from
treasure revealers, when I was fourteen years old, that Tiger year
is a bad obstacle year. Then Rinpoche wanted me to do a retreat.
I took a one year retreat and spent time with Rinpoche – so
wonderful! I thought, generally everybody’s life is impermanent,
and especially my life, at a difficult time as predicted by the
treasure revealer. Then I thought that, this dharma center –
if I died suddenly – I don’t want this dharma center
to disappear and be lost forever. Generation to generation, other
teachers can come and give a teaching, other generations of people
can come, practice and receive teachings. This is a dharma ocean
and long lasting.
Therefore, this center is totally dedicated to the Dudjom Tersar
Lineage. I told some Trekchod retreat people the other day, that
some people think, “His mind is very narrow and partial, not
really non-sectarian. He can (with) Dudjom Tersar Lineage, just
take a piece of dharma and put it to the side.” Some people
think that way, but reality is not like that. You know, Dudjom Tersar
Lineage is most profound and direct and especially for this time.
People’s metal capacities and time are very suitable to this
direct linage. And plus, most profound, Buddha Shakyamuni taught
the Mahasiddhas 84,000 teachings. And, Great Perfection masters
taught 640,000 Great Perfection tantras – everything is completely
maintained in the Dudjom Tersar Lineage – and nothing’s
missing. In the Dudjom Tersar Lineage you have all Buddhism. And
not only that, but the essential heart essence is contained –
very suitable for degenerate times.
In that way I put this energy so if I died, it won’t be
lost to dharma centers any longer –this is an honor.
Who belongs to Dudjom Tersar Lineage is a representative of His
Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. Who can hold this lineage? Kyabje Dungse
Rinpoche. I told him: “The position belongs to you. I am returning
it to you now. You are the owner of Dudjom Tersar Lineage.”
And last year, when we went with some Pema Osel Ling Sangha to visit
Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche in upstate New York in Delhi at his place,
Kunsang Gyaltso. What most hit my heart with satisfaction and happiness,
is he told everyone: “Don’t think anything different
at Kunsang Gyaltso and Pema Osel Ling. Kunsang Gyaltso is like a
home, and Pema Osel Ling is a dharma center to the public. That
is the only difference. He totally accepts and he is leading us,
under his guidance.
If I die, then what you guys can think, “Oh, he’s
dead – unimportant, dharma center is just land.” I don’t
want you drop it like that. Take it seriously. Vajrayana Foundation
belongs to each single person – it never belongs to just one.
Like this sun belongs to everyone who has the time to sit in the
sun. Pema Osel Ling is anyone who has the time to practice, who
has a desire to receive teachings. Everyone who wants it, who has
a desire – it belongs to them – not just one person.
It’s everyone’s – it belongs to everyone.
Therefore, I want to have you pay attention.
Take seriously, this responsibility. It’s a very, very important
dharma center. Why? Outerly we have ritual aspect, innerly teaching,
secretly Drupta and practice, trying to reach Enlightenment. You
know, the dharma center holds what is actually the life of the dharma.
There are two things holding the Buddhist teaching completely: education
and practice. We have a Shedra, and an incredible teacher, local
teacher Khen Rinpoche. He is just our treasure. You know I am thinking
about India, Nepal, and the Sakya, Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma –
so many fancy gompas. And thinking about our karma, what got us
this kind of Khenpo here? Then I am thinking during the night, each
gompa I’m counting, “does, anyone have this kind of
Khenpo in Nepal, India?” I’m not finding anyone like
him. You know some of them are educated in the Sutrayana very well
but comes to Tantrayana, very weak. And comes to the Great Perfection,
even weaker. But, this Khenpo’s knowledge and view is so well
educated. And not only educated, but he is the best practitioner.
He does put in the practice, and has experience, and realization.
You know, some Khenpos, they have some knowledge, but their ego
is unreasonable. And their knowledge and egos – no way to
compare! They are totally involved with dharma politics –
how to have a competition between Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya, Gelug.
Every little bit of their knowledge is kind of totally polluted
by ego and politics. Our Khenpo has none. Just genuine, like 24
carat gold. And you don’t have any doubt, he will tell you
directly. Like a crystal – anything you can see from outside,
inside, same thing. That’s incredible. Plus, he doesn’t
have any ego to his fame, and name, he’s a genuine teacher.
And the same with Tulku Rinpoche and whom we have here: Tulku Jamyang,
Khenpo Sonam, Angyur, Lama Ngawang and Lama Yeshe Wangmo. All of
these Vajrayana Foundation teachers have genuine dharma. They want,
desire only dharma.
Having this kind of circumstance is due to our positive qualities
that we are magnetizing an incredible teacher like Kyabje Dungse
Rinpoche. Under this blue sky, I guarantee that no one can compare
in realization to Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche. He’s exactly same
as his father, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. Who can get that kind
of root teacher? We do.
And locally, those who live, who run, who help – all of
these names I mentioned – they have just genuine, pure from
the heart, dharma. There’s nothing polluted by any others.
We have to appreciate this kind of opportunity when we have it.
If I’m physically here or not, my footprint is here –
that is for all of you. Everyone should recognize that. I want you
to demonstrate your involvement with this dharma center and take
responsibility. Each of you, take responsibility. When you say:
“Vajrayana Foundation,” don’t put it over there,
“Vajrayana.” Don’t put it over there. Each of
you are the Vajrayana Foundation Sangha. I want this to be the enthronement
of you, taking responsibility. That’s my wish. If I live,
I’m satisfied if all of you do that. If I’m dead, I’m
satisfied. You don’t need say any extra prayers, “oh,
he’s dead, now I have to pray for him.” You don’t
have to do anything – just take care of the center. That’s
number one.
Then how do we know you are taking responsibility or not?
One way to demonstrate and show a sign that this group is Vajrayana
Foundation is called membership. I want each of you to take responsibility
for membership. How we can recognize you are Vajrayana Foundation
sangha or not is in membership. Somebody will raise their hand who’s
in charge of that; be responsible and contact that person. Membership
is very important. Why is it important? You can each put little
pieces of wood in one place and it makes a big pile of wood. Or
each one can take one piece of wood and it can become empty. That’s
why I want to put energy together. I’m not joking –
this is serious and urgent, tonight.
Go to Membership
Form
Rest of the talk ->
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