SACHEN NEWS

8:20 a.m. Light conversation and private meditations permeate the gompa. The retreatants file in and quietly take their places. 8:30 a.m. The sound of "gya-ling" horns usher His Holiness the Sakya Trizin and his entourage in. Prostrations and prayers, then the teachings begin.

This summer's Lamdre Lobshey was a veritable banquet of commentary, blessings, bodhichitta, tea buns, and birthday cakes. Approximately 225 participants attended the six week teaching held for the first four weeks at UBC Asian Centre and the final two weeks at Totem Park Conference Room. It proved to be a stunning six weeks of fascinating commentary and meditations as well as a deep healing of mind, body, and soul. It all began in the dignified academic environment of the Asian Centre, a sealed, private space surrounded by beautiful greenery and a pond then moved into the warm summer air and sunshine at Totem Park. We, the lay participants, fellow ordained sangha members, and our venerable spiritual guides, came together forming a mandala of peace, bodhichitta, and auspiciousness that permeated the UBC campus and the world outside.

A number of people came specifically for the first week's commentary on the Triple Vision followed by a beautiful and peaceful Bodissatva Vows ceremony in a room filled with flowers and candles and blessings raining down.During the Triple Vision, His Holiness gave the commentary in the morning and his youngest son, His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, a fully ordained monk, followed in the afternoon with a more detailed explanation of the teachings as well as some guided meditations. His Eminence proved to be a friendly and diligent teacher, skillfully leading us through the teachings with a perceptive eye and a sense of humour. On July 5, we were delighted to share in his twenty-first birthday celebration with a huge, delicious cake and candles, a long life prayer, and mala bracelets distributed to all the participants. What a surprise it was to come back the next day and have another birthday celebration with yet another cake and long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Two weeks later we were delighted to have another birthday celebration for Lama Kunga Rinpoche of Berkeley.

The next five weeks of Lamdre Lobshey commentary and empowerments followed the same schedule of teachings in the morning from His Holiness and more detail in the afternoon, this time explained by his eldest son, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche. With Rinpoche's perceptive and conscientious guidance, gentle laugh, and twinkling eyes, we were able to deepen our understanding of and commitment to the precious Lamdre Lobshey teachings and practice. We become sufficiently single-pointed of mind to be able to file out of the Totem Park gompa during a fire alarm with mental clarity and emotional calm.

We all have so many wonderful memories of our time together. His Holiness is such a kind and humorous master teacher and guru. His main attendant, Lama Jamyang Zodpa nurtured us with his bright, shining eyes and flashing smile, keeping our spirits and energy up, our hearts high. With his deep, melodic voice, the umze (chant master) Jamyang Shedrup had us not just chanting, but singing and Lama Tsering Tashi, who led the majority of the mandala offerings, inspired us to throw rice straight up to the Pure Land. One special memory we all share is of the daily morning tea and mandala offerings, especially the fortifying stream of delicious sweet buns.

Evening events included an Amitayus Long Life Empowerment sponsored by the Tibetan community, who filled the room with their generous spirit and vitality, as well as Chenrezig, and Vajrakalya initiations and two nights of teachings given by His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche on Madyamika, the Middle Way.

This precious Lamdre Lobshey teaching would never have been bestowed in Vancouver had it not been for the hard work of Jin Yeo, who organized and managed the entire event with a stunning level of patience and competence, Wendy Reed, who took care of a myriad of things, and all the sangha members who helped with tea offerings, meals for the entourage, taping, cleaning up, sales, photography, and many other essential jobs. Thanks also goes to all the lay and sangha members, including the Sakyapa, Nyingmapa, and Gelugpa lamas, for coming and sharing in this precious mandala.

Special gratitude, of course, go to our beloved teacher Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog and Se Kushog of Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling for having the love, energy, and determination to host such an immense event and to His Holiness Sakya Trizin, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche for sharing their immense wisdom with us and bestowing their enormous blessings.

Anyone who has had the precious opportunity to sit with His Holiness would say that it is such a profound and unforgettable experience that it will change one's life. We all hope to warmly welcome His Holiness, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche back to Vancouver very soon!

Contributed by Sandra Filippelli

At two meetings this fall, the membership of STTL discussed a variety of future plans with Jetsun Kushab. Through these discussions, it became clear that an immediate priority must be meeting our monthly mortgage payments. If we can count on regular monthly contributions, we will then be able to proceed with Her Eminence's exciting vision for the Dharma in the future.

All contributions may be sent by cheque to 9471 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B.C., V6X 1V8 Canada. All donations are tax-deductible.

On October 5, 2000 Her Eminence Jetsun Kushab started a series of teachings that would be held at Sakya Centres in Germany, Spain and France, and continue in America in New York, Minneapolis and Boston.

The first to welcome Jetsun Kushab and Se Kushab was Pfauenhof, Germany where students received Lojong Teachings and Her Eminence guided the building of the new Stupa. This program , set up by the European Sakya Foundation in conjunction with Pfauenhof, was attended by students from Germany, Spain and Switzerland. Lama Gendun from Switzerland assisted with the teachings and pujas, including the consecration of the Stupa site before building..

Next, in Spain, teachings at Sakya Drogon Ling in Denia were enthusiastically attended. Here, Her Eminence bestowed Chenrezig Sinhanada and 21 Tara initiations and then gave the transmission of the 100 Tormas and Mind Training teachings. Next on the tour was Sakya Tashi Ling near Barcelona where Jetsun Kushab kindly gave the Seven Day VajraYogini Teachings and Initiation. Near Barcelona, she gave a public lecture about the view of a Tibetan Lama in exile. In addition, an interview for an article in a local paper was circulated to over 6 million people in Spain! At all the centres, Jetsun Kushab and Se Kushab were warmly received, and several participants from the Lamdre in Vancouver were able to meet with her again.

The final stop in Europe was hosted by Sakya Kunga Ling in Paris where Her Eminence granted the individual 21 Tara Initiation. The two day 21 Taras and Refuge ceremonies were well attended by students from as far away as Brazil and Russia.

After returning to Vancouver for only one night, Jetsun Kushab flew to New York to Palden Sakya where Her Eminence gave two days of VajraYogini Teachings and several other initiations for which Lama Pema translated. Then three days of teachings followed at the Sakya Center in Minneapolis. This long time Sakya Centre, Sakya Thupten Dargue Ling, has a new resident Lama, Lama Gendun who has recently been appointed by His Holiness Sakya Trizin. Manjushri, Tara and Chenrezig initiations were a few of the teachings Her Eminence gave before flying to the Boston Sakya Centre. There, Jetsun Kushab with Lama Migmar translating, offered the Prajnaparamita and Sarasvati initiations along with many Tara initiations.

Her Eminence Jetsun Kushab returned to Vancouver at the end of November after bestowing these numerous teachings to many grateful students. In December, Her Eminence will resume the weekly Tara Puja and Tsok at the Centre in Richmond.