SACHEN NEWS

December 1999- January 2000                                             ISSN 1203-3367                                                     Volume 11 Number 1
In this issue


An Interview with His Holiness Sakya Trizin and Ratna Vajra Rinpoche on Lamdre Lobshey, Uncommon Lamdre, to be bestowed in Vancouver, B.C.,  Canada, in Year 2000

(published in Snowlion newsletter, Spring 1999, Volume 14, Number 2)

His Holiness Sakya Trizin

Linda Tokarchuk: Your Holiness, Can you describe what the Lamdre teaching is?

His Holiness Sakya Trizin: Lamdre is actually the most important teaching in the Sakyapa Order. Lam means The Path, and Dre, The Result. It actually means the complete teaching from the base, to the path and then to the final results.
 It is a complete teaching of how an ordinary person can enter the path, the Vajrayana Path. The complete teachings include the preliminaries and the main practices up to the final achievement. The Mahasiddha Virupa received this teaching. Mahasiddha Virupa is one of the very famous Indian masters, who received this teaching directly from the deities. Since then, it was passed down through Indian masters and then to the Tibetan translators and thus it came to Tibet.

L: How is the master Virupa related to the Sakya lineage?

HH: Not in the physical reality, but the Sakyapas consider themselves to be the main teaching holders of Virupa. As Virupa's main teaching is the Lamdre, the Sakyapa's main teaching is the Lamdre too.

L: Within the Lamdre teachings, what is the difference between the Common Lamdre and Uncommon Lamdre ?

HH: In early Sakya Tradition, Lamdre was actually one teaching. Later , during the time of Muchen Kunchog Gyaltsen, when he gave Lamdre teachings, he gave the most esoteric, essential and important teachings to his inner most disciples in his private room, whereas for the assemblies he gave the  common one. Since then there have been two Lamdres.

L: Is the uncommon Lamdre more complicated?

HH: Yes. It is much more profound and elaborate in explanation.

L: Because of the difficult times, these days, with so many distractions, it is very difficult to be able to practice, as in the past. Do you have any advice for people practicing the Uncommon Lamdre? How hard is it, can people today have the opportunity to practice it properly?

HH: Yes, well it depends on the individual. Some people can practice very, very seriously. Some people can't. So you can't say to everybody one thing. It all depends on the individuals.  I think that today with so many distractions, it is very important for practitioners to first
train well in concentration before starting anything else.
Your mind will sort of become calmer, more relaxed and
steadier. Then your practice will be better, even the common practices.

L: Unfortunately today, not many people are even at that  level. So, what then? If someone were having trouble to even calm their mind, would they still be able to benefit from going to the teachings?

HH: Of course. Without studying, how can you practice?  Without studying, we even don't know what to practice, what to discard, and what to take. So through the hearing, through the study, you gain knowledge, through the hearing you will know what to do. So therefore, of course, for those who are interested it is beneficial.

L: The uncommon Lamdre was very rarely given before?

HH: Yes. Nowadays, it is given to quite a large number of people.

L: Is there any reason for that? Why did it change?

HH: Because the audience has increased. More people are interested to receive the teachings.

L: That's wonderful, I would think.

HH: Yes.

L: Can you go into more detail about what the Lamdre teaching is, for students who are interested in the teaching?

HH: You see it has everything? the ground the base, which describes the samsaric conditions. We need to know the samsaric conditions. So that is the base. Then the Path, the person who is dwelling in the Samsara will enter the Path. It has all the preliminary practices. And then how that person enters the Vajrayana path, to receive initiations, and support. And then you have all the higher practices such as the process of creation, the process of completion, etc. As you enter the higher, more advanced path, and finally there is the result, which is Enlightenment.

L: Is there anything that you feel is particularly important for students who would like to receive the teachings to know about or to understand?

HH: Yes. People want to study Buddhism in order to overcome the sufferings, isn't it? And they want the highest teachings.  They want to practice the Vajrayana teachings, teachings such as the Lamdre. I am not saying that Lamdre is the only teaching. Other schools don't have the Lamdre, but they have similar kinds of teachings. So the teachings like Lamdre are very important to receive and to practice.
 The teachings explain the qualifications of the disciple. There are different levels, but the minimum qualification is someone who has an unshakeable faith in the teachings. This is very important. Without faith you can't grow any of the other qualities. And also, this faith is not just a kind of blind faith.
 In Buddhism, we explain different types of faith. But the most important faith is what is known as a believing faith?when through your own intelligence, through your own wisdom, you investigate and then realize that this is the genuine teaching, this is the real teaching.
 It is not what somebody told you to believe, but through your own investigation that you come to the conclusion that this is a genuine teaching. When you have such faith you can receive teachings. So, it is really important to make such preparations.

L: What can people do over the next year to prepare themselves properly?

HH: Study and practice the common teachings and general Mahayana teachings. For example, the Bodhicharyavatara, and the Parting from the Four Attachments.  Such teachings are very important, and if you study these, it will help to receive the Lamdre teachings.

L: Can you tell me about some of the great masters of past and present who have practiced Lamdre?

HH: The Lamdre Lineage holders begin with Mahasiddha Virupa, then there are five Indian masters Krishnapa, Damarupa, Avadhutipa and Gayadhara. And then the first Tibetan to bring Lamdre, Drogmi Lotsawa, the great translator. Then his disciples Seton Kunrig and Shangton Chobar.
 And then there is the five great Sakyapa masters Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, his two sons, Sonam Tsemo and Drakpa Gyaltsen, Drakpa Gyaltsen's nephew Sakya Pandita and Sakya Pandita's nephew Chogyal Phagpa. The great lama Sachen Kunga Nyingpo received the Lamdre from Shangton Chobar.
 Thus the teaching was passed down. Then there is the great master Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo the founder of Ngorpa Then later, there is Tsarchen Losel Gyaltsen, the founder of Tsarpa School or sub-sect of the Sakyapa Order.
 Today, the greatest practitioners of Lamdre teachings are His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche, Khenpo Appey Rinpoche, Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk etc. There are many more masters, khenpos and practitioners too.

 Ratna Vajra Rinpoche

Linda Tokarchuk: I would like to ask you, when did you receive the Lamdre teachings?

Ratna Vajra Rinpoche (His Holiness Sakya Trizin's elder son): Actually I have received Lamdre four times, all from His Holiness. The first one was in Puruwala in 1980, or something like that. And the second one was in 1996, in Sakya centre. And the third one was in Australia, in 1997, and the fourth one also in 1997 and in Singapore.

L: His Holiness has given the Uncommon Lamdre only a few times, is that right?

RVR: Yes.  I think only three times.  His very first Uncommon Lamdre was in Puruwala, I think.  And the second in 1984, and third in Australia.

L: What is so profound and special about Lamdre teachings?

RVR: I think, the Lamdre teachings, includes all the essence of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings.

L: And could you, for people who don't know, describe what you mean by Triple Vision and Triple Tantra?

RVR: Actually, the triple vision is like a preliminary teaching. You can receive the triple vision before you receive any initiation. It is not a Vajrayana teaching. It is like the Bodhicharyavatara. In the Triple Vision text, there are many quotations from Bodhicharyavatara.  The Triple Tantra is a secret teaching  It belongs to Mantrayana.
Normally when you receive Lamdre, you receive Triple Vision, and then after that you receive the cause initiation.  Hevajra Cause initiation is a wang chen?a two-day initiation: the preliminary and the main initiation. After that you receive the Triple Tantra. During the Triple Tantra teaching, you receive the Hevajra path initiation.

L: And that is the pinnacle of the teachings, the result? Path is Lam, and Dre is the result?

RVR: Yes, for example. Everybody has the capability to attain the enlightened state. But if you don't meet with the right cause and conditions, then you won't be able to attain it. For example, if the seed of the rice is kept in the box, then there cannot be a sapling from this seed as it has not met with the right causes and conditions, like water and so forth.
          The method, the Body Method Tantra is like the Path. To bear the fruit, you need to practice the teachings. For example, if you plant the seed on the fertile ground, then you need to put water, and fertilizers and so forth. And if you have met all  the right causes and conditions, then you will bear the fruit.  So like this, if you practice with all the right cause and conditions to gain the result, then finally you will get the result, which is the third Tantra, the Non-ordinary or Result Tantra.

L: What are the benefits of receiving Lamdre teachings?

RVR: Lamdre teachings will lead sentient beings from suffering and dissatisfaction to temporary and then ultimate happiness. If you practice Lamdre in a right way, then you will be happier. Your mind will be happier. You can practice more. And you can decrease the defilement, at the moment.
 And finally, you can eliminate all the defilement that is within our own mind. And also, it makes our physical body healthier because in Lamdre, there is also a physical practice. So if you do this, then you will not get any illnesses. And you'll be healthier. And finally you will attain the highest, and the ultimate happiness, for both the  mind and the body.

L: What is the physical practice?

RVR: In Lamdre teaching, there is a kind of yoga practice.  Actually one difference between the Common and the Uncommon Lamdre teaching is that in Uncommon teaching, there is a physical practice like a Yoga whereas in common, there isn't one.

L: Are there a lot of practices to do afterwards? Like for example you said that part of the practice afterwards is the physical Yoga?

RVR: Actually after receiving the initiations, the Hevajra initiations, you have to do a daily Sadhana.

L: So people need to be prepared to make a serious commitment then?

RVR: Serious commitment?in the sense that people have to do practice daily.  For someone who receives the Triple Vision teachings and not whole path, that is also okay. I mean, if you don't receive the initiation and just the Triple Vision teachings then you don't need to do the daily sadhana.

L: It is a great honor or special and extraordinary blessing to be able to receive the teachings from His Holiness. Could you comment on that?

RVR: His Holiness is a great master. As he is born as a member of the Khön lineage and we believe that he is an emanation of Manjushri and also of Padmasambhava. There is no contradiction in being emanation of Padmasambhava and Manjushri, as both of them are in reality, Buddha. He is also a very great and learned master. He showed extraordinary abilities when he was very young, which ordinary people cannot do at that age.
 For example, I think he has done the Hevajra retreat when he was eleven years old, I think, for about 8 months, waking up at about 3 o'clock in the morning, and doing practice until night. So, it indicates that he is not just an ordinary person. When he was born, there were many auspicious signs that appeared.
 I think his guru prophesied that he was a great master. He is also the one who keeps the Collection of Tantra teachings alive. Nowadays, it is difficult. There are not many great teachers who have received Collection of Tantra teachings and initiations. He is one of them. There are great teachers who  have received all, but they are old, so they cannot bestow again. But, he can bestow the teachings, so he is the one who  has kept the Collection of Tantra lineage alive.

L: And I think it is special for the West, as he speaks English too.

RVR: Yes, he can speak English. And for many westerners say  that he speaks very clear.

L: Is there, anything more you can comment about the teachings  for people who are going to receive them?

RVR: Yes, I think it is a very, very great opportunity to receive the profound Lamdre teachings from a very great  master. Because, the present times is a time of degeneration.  So, it is very rare to receive Lamdre teachings and it is very  hard to meet a great teacher too. Nowadays, there are many, many causes and conditions that lead us in a wrong way and interrupt our practice.
 So, in order to practice well, it is important to have a teacher. Without a teacher we cannot practice properly. You cannot practice teachings just by reading a book, without meeting a good teacher or without having a good guide. How can we practice? So, it is important to have a teacher. And it is important not just to meet the teacher, but also to receive profound instructions from a good teacher. And as we have this opportunity, it is important to receive the Lamdre teaching.

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Letter to the Editor

Dear Sachen News,

 I'd like to give feedback to your latest  newsletter,  received today. It was heartening to read  the title of the article on Kosovo. I thought, "great, finally  an article that addresses political reality."

 Unfortunately, the title is misleading; I thought there would be  suggestions to  help the situation. The article reinforces the perception I have had for  years of Tibetan buddhists' tendency to disregard political reality. On the  other hand I have seen more political activism in the
Theravadin/Vipassana  community.

 I myself was drawn to trying to see what I  could do in a direct way. I e-mailed a feminist  peace activist  friend in  Toronto who has continually sent me  articles on what is  going on. I learned right away that you are not going to get the full truth on CNN. We are, as Canadians, involved in a war. NATO is violating international law. More could have been done through negotiations, through the UN. I think the first thing one can do to help is to get educated, and then to use the democratic means available to intervene on behalf of compassion and non-violence. I called and wrote my MP. A friend pointed out one call counts for 99 people having that same view.

 So much more could be said on this issue but I leave you with a quote from HH Dalai Lama, Worlds in Harmony: "Unless hope leads to action, it is not of much use.  Although I myself pray, frankly speaking I'm not much of a believer in prayer.  Action is much more important that simply praying. Unless our insights result in some practical action, they are not useful at all."

Take care.

Paulette Marchetti.

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STTL Schedule

8 Jan 2000 10:00AM     Avalokiteshvara empowerment given by Jetsun Chimey Luding
8/Jan            2:00 to 5:00PM    Nyenay retreat  practice session

9/Jan            9:00AM to 5:00PM Nyenay retreat practice session
                    Note:  The Avalokiteshvara empowerment is a pre-requisite to attend the retreat.  Vegetarian meals required for the two days.

13 Feb          10:00AM to12:30PM  Tara puja and 16 Arahat puja
                       1:00PM                     Potluck

12 Mar         9:30AM-11:00AM       Tara puja
                    11:00AM                       STTL Annual General Meeting
                    (date to be confirmed in February 2000)

21-23 Apr  White Tara retreat with Jetsun Kushok
                  organised by: Sea to Sky retreat
                Note:  Call or email Sea to Sky retreat (604) 932-1677 email:  [email protected] for details.

1 Jul - 15 August  Lamdre Lobshey
 Note:  Pre-registration required.  Due to the current number of pre-registered students, STTL can only accommodate another 30 students due to size of the teaching halls. 

July/August 2000  Public Talks and empowerment by His Holiness Sakya Trizin
Note:  Details available in March/April 2000.

Regular programs:  Please call ahead for schedule confirmation if you wish to attend the weekly Sunday Tara puja at 10:00AM or the Vajrayogini tsok feasts, offered twice monthly, on the 10th and 25th of the Tibetan lunar calendar (7:30PM on week nights, 2:30PM on weekends).

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A REQUEST TO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF STTL

Dear friends,

    The Lamdre Lobshey 2000 is a massive project for STTL with major expenditure.  While preparation is currently underway, we would like to request friends and members to participate by helping us in whatever way you can?because there are still many things to be done and areas not catered for.

    There are many different areas to participate in, even if one is not attending the program.  For example, one can sponsor a monk or nun's cost to attend this program (all ordained sangha attend the program free.  We also provide housing and food for some visiting lamas).  Or, one may offer tea for the teachings as STTL will be making the traditional tea offering daily to His Holiness and the lamas.

    There are items which we would like to have during the Lamdre program to facilitate the logistics.  This could be either in the form of loan to STTL or donation.  Our "wish list" is provided in the form enclosed for your action.  All donations are eligible for tax receipt.  We believe that great merit can be accumulated by donating or helping out in this precious teaching program.

    The next appeal we have is regarding housing.  Despite our efforts to provide economical housing at UBC, we still received many requests for alternate accommodation from students who cannot afford to stay at UBC's dormitory.

   Particularly, we have ordained sangha coming from abroad requiring housing as the center is full. We are appealing to students in the Vancouver area to kindly offer accommodation to these students of Dharma who are in need of your help.

   We have a nun from Scotland who requires accommodation during Lamdre.  If you wish to accommodate her, please call Ann McNeil at 541-8797.  Or if you have room for other students which you could offer at a modest cost (or free), please contact Wendy Reed at 244-8439.  This gesture of generosity will undoubtedly be appreciated by those who will benefit from it as well as bring great merit.  So please call now.

   Thank you all and have a happy New Year 2000.

                  -from the organizing committee for Lamdre

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