H.E Lopon Tenzin Rinpoche Invitation for Receiving Blessings from the Sacred Cloth of the 15th Karmapa
on Nov 26, 2005
at Karma Kagyu Monastery, Taiwan

However great a historical event was, it would only become a paragraph of chattering in the flow of a writer's hand; however enormous the influence that a dynasty could have in the past, eventually it would only become words on paper. If some day there is no more paper in the world, probably the only thing left would be just the awareness of the wise without being carried in future generations.

The current situations in the world have caused us worry and anxiety. Upon seeing the ebb and flow of the rivers (of truth), transferring around from east to west, and vice versa, how can one be carefree after such contemplation? Just as people think of the past when visiting a historic monument or muse upon an antique, I always adore my Guru with earnest devotion though the memory is fading as time goes by.

That night, dreaming of a warrior bawling me out, I shed tears like a torrent without knowing what had happened. When trying to wipe away the tears with my hands, I found myself using an old cloth with a familiar odor of mildew haunting around the room. In between wake and sleep, I vaguely recalled that someone gave me a piece of cloth and told that it bears extraordinary significance to me. Then I woke up and in my hand I was holding a sacred bag obtained from a hermit in the region of Himalayas. When I unfolded the wrap, it turned out to be the vest of my Guru the 15th Gyalwa Karmapa Khakyab Dorje! It had become discolored and fragile, and when I put my lips on it, I was shocked to learn that the odor was the same as what I'd smelt in the dream. How many historical events of flourishing and declining of Buddhism could a piece of decayed cloth conceal? It reminded me of my Guru, and now it makes me feel that my Guru is here in person as well. Therefore it is as precious as a wish-fulfilling jewel to me.

With religious evidence of verification, I was first incarnated in 1880 in Tibet and designated as the Dorje Lopon (Vajra Master) of Tsurpu Monastery, assisting the 15th Gyalwa Karmapa with coordinating the Dharma activities of the lineage for twenty years. During that period of time, the first Lopon Rinpoche conducted both the cremation ceremony of the 15th Gyalwa Karmapa and the enthronement ceremony of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. When the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa was eleven, the first Lopon Rinpoche resigned the position of Dorje Lopon and took a long retreat in the mountain behind Tsurpu Monastery. Until his demise in 1948 at the age of 68, the first Lopon Rinpoche contributed his whole life to the Buddha-like Karmapa without any regret. And for this reason, I am reverent to have the holy Khakyab Dorje sculpted into statue to place on the high throne in the fifth floor of Karmapa Sanctuary, which symbolizes never staying apart ( from the precious master).

Before the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa decends his lotus feet on the land of Taiwan again, I present this precious object to the public with a most trembling heart. The length of a hundred years is so far away from now, it bears just a faint memory although the stars still shine as before.

I hereby invite all followers to return to the monastery by the evening of November 26th. Let us recite the ritual text of the Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara as well as chant the six-syllable mantra and the long mantra till the daybreak. I will bless audience with the sacred cloth after unfolding it in a solemn manner. You can pay your respects to it with offerings of incense, flowers and lamps to gather your own accumulation of merit and wisdom, and pray for longevity and so on.

No specific items of donation are set for this time. However, you can make contribution to accomplish the activity of giving according to your own wishes.

It is deep in autumn, and dewdrops have gathered the fragrance of the sweet osmanthus.

May the odor as well as the memory of Guru and his disciples
this night endure as long as the universe exists.

The Third Lopon Tenzin Rinpoche
November, 2005

 

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