A Prayer for the Quick Return of Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe (English Translation) - Composed by HH the 14th Dalai Lama.

A Prayer for the Quick Return of Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe

O Son of Shudodhana, supreme Teacher peerless in speech,

O seven Nalanda masters such as Nagarjuna and Asanga,

O Tsongkhapa, crown jewel among the learned of the Land of Snows,

Your disciples and their lineage of masters, grant us auspiciousness.

With loving-kindness (Jampa) and compassion you’re most learned

In showing to the fortunate ones the meaning of the vast scriptures;

Wisdom (Yeshe) unblemished, you’re a glory of teaching and beings;

We offer supplications to you O spiritual teacher.

Due to increasing growth of the five degenerations,

Today the Buddha’s teaching, the root of happiness all beings,

Remains impoverished in meaningful exposition and practice,

May your new emanation appear swiftly for the glory of teaching and beings.

Due to the enlightened aspirations of the Three Jewels and the Ocean of Buddhas,

Due to the power of the purity of ultimate nature of reality,

And due to force of the infallible law of dependent origination,

May all our aspired aims be fulfilled as we pray for.

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When the former abbot of Ganden Shartse Norling monastery, venerable Jampa Yeshe, passed away, the following monasteries and Dharma centers asked me to compose a prayer for his quick return: Ganden Shartse Monastery, Phukhang Khangtsen, Kensur Ladrang Phuntsok Choling,Yara and Tsem monasterries, Tibet, Sakyamuni Dharma Center, Malaysia , Sakyamuni Center, Singapore, Gurun Phuntsok Choling Center, Malaysia, Mahakashapa Mahavir, Pune, Phat Quang Temple, Sweden.

So, at their request and on my part, remembering Khensur Rinpoche’s unwavering dedication, devotion and loyalty, the Buddhist monk and a speaker of the Dharma Tenzin Gyatso composed this prayer on 5^th August, 2011 – 6^th day of the sixth month of Iron-Hare Year, which belongs to the seventeenth Rabjung cyle.

Translated into English by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, a grateful student of Khensur Rinpoche.

[news] The Cremation Puja of our Guru on 8 August 2011.

The following is the account of what happened on this special day fixed for the cremation puja of the holy body of His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche:

At 7.44 am, the rainbow body of Rinpoche was taken from his room towards the stupa crematorium.

The Stupa crematorium

On 8 August 2011, 8am, the ceremony commenced. The Sangha members take the step to prepare the stupa. The rainbow body was placed into the stupa together with many items needed for the ceremation.

At the same while this is going on, the monks from both the Gaden Monasteries, name Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangtse, recited sacred texts and prayers.

The preparation was completed in approximately one and a half hour.

At 9.35am, the actual ritual puja began. It was led by the senior monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery, namely, the abbot Khen Rinpoche Jangcup Choeden, the former abbot Kensur Rinpoche Konchok Tsering, Shartrul Rinpoche. (We understand the ritual performed was that of Vajrasattva Self Generation.)

The first flame of the cremation was lid at the stupa at 10.00am.

Then two amazing things happened during the puja. First, at around 10.35am, a dizzle of rain fell and stopped immediately after one minute. Second, a few minutes before the fire puja concluded, at 11.00am, Rain fell again for twenty-six minutes, then stopped again. Some called this “Blessing Rain”.

The Puja officially concluded at 11.35am.

When we last spoke to monks in the monastery, they were waiting to close the crematorium stupa and also prepare offering. According to the monks, everything went smoothly and rejoiced at the excellent outcome of the Puja.

Om Mani Pedme Hum!

[Latest news] His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpohce has completed his clear light meditation

His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche
(1928-2011)

Finally, today, 7 August 2011, our beloved Guru His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche has completed his clear light meditation. His consciences now finally left his holy body.

Having been pronounced clinically dead on 29 July 2011, Rinpoche has remained in the clear light meditative state for ten days. This has allowed many of Rinpoche's students from local and overseas to travel to Rinpoche's house in India to pay homage to him.

During this period of waiting, it has allowed the students to do their Buddhist practices. The monks from the monastery have also been reciting sacred texts and performed rituals and pujas in honour of Rinpoche.

Although many of us were waiting for this moment to arrive, when the news was announced this morning, and all students were asked to go pay the last respect, all the students' hearts were still filled with sadness. Many after paying their final homage to their beloved Guru break down in tears once they exit the room of Rinpoche.

all students waiting outside Rinpoche's room to pay their final homage

all monks in the house waiting for their turns to  pay respect to  Rinpoche

The house is now full of activities, the monks are working double time to prepare the ground ready for the cremation ceremonial puja. The cremation has been set for tomorrow, 8 August 2011.

It seems Rinpoche has chosen many auspicious dates for his parinirvana. Rinpoche entered into parinirvana and into clear light meditation on 29 July 2011 (Protector Puja Day), exit on 7 August 2011 (Tara Puja Day) and his holy body would be cremated on 8 August 2011 (the day for Guru Puja and Tsog Offering).

Such manifestation by Rinpoche has increased the confidence of his students (especially the lay students) in the greatness of Buddhist teachings and its practices. It also shows that our Guru is indeed a greatly accomplished Buddhist Dharma Practitioner.

We sincerely pray and request that Rinpoche return swiftly to continue to guide us and all sentient beings. All students are requested to recite swiftly the two quick return prayers composed in honour of Khensur Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden (the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Mundgod, India) respectively.

[Personal Account] Trip to India - Parinirvana of my Guru (3 August 2011)

(Day 1 @ India) 3 August 2011

After almost 15 hours of traveling, we finally arrived at the house of Rinpoche in Gaden Shartse Moanstery, in Mundgod, South India. Today is also an auspicious day, it is the day Buddha Sakyamuni first turn the wheel of Dharma.

heavy beating on the car window

raining

It was rainy season in India, heavy rain welcome us when we arrived (a final obstacle and blessing?).
As we slowly walked in the rain towards to the compound of Rinpoche's house, we began to hear the sound of chanting. It gets clearer and louder as we approached the house. Then we could see hives of activities in the compound. The monks were putting up tents in preparation for the eventual cremation of Rinpoche's body. We were surprised to find out that the cremation would take place within the compound of the house. The crematorium has already been constructed. It is constructed in the traditional Tibetan styled which is reserved for a great teacher.

The partly constructed crematorium

putting up the tent

Chanting by sangha

light offering

Once we have unpacked and settled down, we were lead to the private quarters of Rinpoche. As we walked up the stairs in the rain, our hearts were heavy. It is a very tiny room, with four of us inside, there was almost no room left. The atmosphere was calm and serene. With full devotion in our hearts, we paid our respect by first making a prostration, then offering a khata (a Tibetan white scarf) to Rinpoche. We stayed for a few minutes, and said some private prayers in our hearts, then we were led out of the room.

Geshe Jampa Lobsang then sat us down and brief us on what had been happening in the Monastery. We were told that Rinpoche is still in his meditative state. As far how long Rinpoche would remain in his clear light meditation, it would depends on the wishes of Rinpoche. Geshela said that Rinpoche could be waiting for all his students to arrived at the Monastery before he exit the mediation. In our mind, we quietly rejoiced at such manifestation by Rinpoche, it is a clear sign that Rinpoche is indeed a high realised Dharma practitioner.; and we were also overwhelmed with gratitude that such great being had accepted us and taken us under his care on the path towards enlightenment.

Rinpoche's Throne at our centre in PJ

After lunch and rest, at 5pm, all Ronpoche's students from Malaysia and Singapore, gathered at the annex room next to Rinpcohe's private quarter to pay our homage to our Guru by reciting the traditional text of Lama Chopa (literally translated as “offering to the Guru”). The words and meanings of the text now began to hit us more strongly than ever. Many of us now realised that our Guru NOW would not be with us physically, it is only through our devotion and our practice that we could keep our Guru alive in our hearts and minds.

We would be doing Lama Chopa three time daily (6am, 3pm and 5pm).

[Revised Version] Quick Return Prayer- composed by Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, The Abbot of Gaden Shartse Moanstery

"Quick Return Prayer Wish Fulfilling Vase, A Song of Grief"
[revised version 2011-08-16]

(English Translation)

O, ocean of infallible Three Jewel;

Peerless Buddha endowed with ten powers,

Dharma the source of virtues of Samsara and Peace,

and superior Sangha the supreme assembly, grant me virtuous blessings.

O, benevolent master; from great kindness you care for beings

and radiating infinite rays of wisdom, amplify the welfare of Dharma and beings,

I supplicate to you.

It is sad that sun of your body has set into ocean,

when rough waves of darkness of five degenerations are rampant.

But please shine again in the form of the moon of re-incarnation,

and radiate brightness to dispel our sadness.

Please return quickly in the form of an amazing Lion (fearless scholar & practitioner); talented with the turquois manes of well learned wisdom,

sharp fangs and claws of proper contemplation,

and powerful body of right meditation.

Please return quickly in the form of marvelous wish fulfilling tree;

adorned with abundant branches of ten sciences,

gorgeous bloom of the pure conduct of Vinaya

and delicious fruits of the practice of altruism.

Please return quickly in the form of unprecedented Indra (King of the Gods according to Indian legend) satiating beings by holy feast of teachings,

destroying opponents by Vajra of debate

and delighting all by stunning rainbow of composition.

May these prayers and hopes be fulfilled immediately;

through the power of infallible holy truth of Three Jewels,

foolproof nature of emptiness and interdependence,

and righteousness and sincerity of us.

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Colophon:

On passing away of holy guide His Eminence Kyabje Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche, great illuminator of Geden tradition and very kind refuge and liberator to me, on 29 July 2011, I was approached by the students of Rinpoche from Phuntsok Choling Ladang to compose a quick return prayer. Due to irresistible request from them and me being a trivial disciple of His Eminence I, Gaden Shartse Khenpo Jangchup Choeden have composed this quick return prayer with pure and powerful dedication from the depth of my heart at my official residence on same day and I hope this will be helpful for many. May all the wishes I have expressed in this prayer be fulfilled. This quick translation of original prayer I composed in English. Translated on request of Chew Eng Ghee from Malaysia.

[Personal Account] Trip to India - Parinirvana of my Guru (2 August 2011)

(Day 0 @ KL-India)    2 August 2011

We were told that whenever one is embarking on doing things which are considered to be meritorious, you would face various challenges. They said good things should not come so easily, it is with that you would appreciate what you achieved. Some also said it is an purification process, with every challenges or obstacles overcome, your negative karma also gets purified.

Even since we decided that we would make our way to pay our respect to our beloved Guru His Eminence Kyabje Khensur Jampa Yeshe (who entered in parinirvana last Friday), we faced challenges after challenges.

Before we even could travel, we had to face mundane things like applying for leave from work, seeking approval of family, clearing of work before taking the break, applying visa, booking air tickets..etc. Some of us got our visa only a few hours before we need to check in at the airport. Even when we had landed in Bangalore Airport, we encountered issues with the immigration officer - something would normally be matter of course.

Then, of course, it was 15 hour grueling journey to the monastery.

It always during traveling to the monastery, when we complained about the journey, it would then dawn on us how difficult it must be for Rinpoche to travel to visit us in Malaysia and Singapore. It is then our hearts would fill up with gratitude towards Rinpoche for his compassion and kindness, for despite his old age and ill health, he would also make his way to bring Dharma and blessing to us.

[Sharing] Gehse Lobsang Tsultrim on the Parinirvana of H.E. Kyabje Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche

This is a sharing of thought of Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim, student to Khensur Rinpoche. Geshela posted this article on our facebook this morning. It is such a moving article, we took the liberty of sharing with all of  you on our blog. Thank you Geshela. May all of our wishes be granted. Om Mani Pedme Hum.

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I noticed Rinpoche's passing away on Centre's facebook yesterday (ie. 31 July 2011). Immediately I lit lamps on the altar and tried to make connection with him through heart and prayers. It is true that he is not physically with us in the material world now, but he still lives in our hearts and will live forever.

The midnight when I noticed the news of his demise I was shocked for a while. Slowly then I reflect on his teachings which help me to accept the fact. I gazed at a Buddha's statue with my two palms holding together and murmured to myself as a homage to my Guru:

Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche
(1928-2011)

Alas! my guru, our bonds are eternal.

We feel the warmth of your heart,

Through the teachings and practice you have shown to us.

May we treasure your gift until we become essentially one with you.

I beseech your blessings from the Tushita heaven,

Where you have ascended now for a while.

Here, we are eager to see you again.

May you soon descend back to our world

And continue to guide to us to the genuine path of happiness.

The Guru's reflection is more significant than the physical person when you're not together. His wisdom and compassion is not limited to time and physical expanse. His wisdom and compassionate being is always within each of us.

It is not the end, we could still feel him through our devotion, daily practice and all positive states of our mind, which he blessed us to cultivate in each of us. I would say this is BEING INSEPARABLE WITH THE GURU. It is the ultimate sanctuary of peace.

Please be firm, proud and happy to have such a wonderful bond with a humble and yet a great Guru.

We pray together that he will be soon back in an another human form and again pave the path of Buddha's teaching and practice for for all of us.

- Lobsang Tshultrim
(a humble student of Khensur Rinpoche)

Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim