Shakya Shri tradition in the European Union and in Europe
Retreat – Himalayan Valley of Dakinis, Lahoul
19th July – 9th August 2016 (22 days)
Khandro Rinpoche, authentic Master and Practitioner of the yogic meditation lineage of Togden Shakya Shri, will teach and practice with students in her birthplace, Kardang Gompa, Lahoul. This most holy of valleys is blessed with the energy of previous great meditators. Kardang gompa sits at the base of the most holy mountain Drilburu. For circumambulation fame it is second only to Mt Kailash.
In later life, Khyentse Rinpoche spent many years with Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodro (1896-1959) who was also an incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. After receiving from him the many empowerments of the Rinchen Terdzö (the Collection of Revealed Treasures), Khyentse Rinpoche declared that he wished to spend the rest of his life in solitary meditation. But Khyentse Chökyi Lodro’s reply was “No. The time has come for you to teach and transmit to others the countless precious teachings that you have received.” From that moment onwards, Khyentse Rinpoche laboured unceasingly for the benefit of beings with the tireless energy that is the hallmark of the Khyentse lineage.
Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987) was born in Pemakö, southeast Tibet in the year of the wood dragon (1940). He was recognized as the incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904), the renowned tertön from Golok in the east of Tibet. Dudjom Lingpa was an enlightened yogi of great power.
Ngawang Yeshe Rangdrol, also known as Apho Rinpoche (1922-1974), became an outstanding master and probably the main holder of his grandfather’s lineage. He founded many retreat places in the Himalayan regions: Tibet, Ladhak, Lahoul and Manali. His son Sey Rinpoche, Gelek Namgyal (reincarnation of Pema Choegyal, the renowned Ladhakhi Yogin and disciple of Shakya Shri), is the current lineage holder.
Khandro-la brings an ancient wisdom into the modern world, understanding the need for a deeper spiritual meaning that can be partnered with the perceptions of the ‘western mind’. Having studied psychology in India and then pursued Masters in East-West Psychology in San Francisco, she well understands the need to find the bridges to connection between the cultural orientations of the East and West.
“As a great-granddaughter of the renowned Drukpa Kagyü master Drubwang Shakya Shri, Khandro Thrinlay Chodon Rinpoche was born into a family of great meditators. She recently spoke to the Gentle Voice.
Khandro Thrinlay Chodon: The feminine principle can be viewed at different levels in accordance with an individual’s understanding or perspective. Some of the ways she has been known is as ‘the wise crone’, ‘the nurturing mother’, ‘the powerful shakti’.
He completed his common monastic education miraculously. He had a magnificent way of learning things so easily, a way which no common person could comprehend. According to some of our old monks, Khyentse, as a young novice, was already constantly in meditation while he was going through all these learning processes.
The room was filled with excitement and anticipation to hear Khandro Rinpoche as regular Tibet House supporters turned up in good numbers on 18th September 2011. The mattresses were laid on the floor and the altar was beautifully set with a grand poster of HH the Dalai-Lama. On the floor, a beautiful floral mandala was laid out amidst candles. This created a gentle feminine energy around the room.
Her story reads like a fairytale. Via her mother’s ancestry, she has royal blood flowing from the line of Songsten Gampo’s minister Lonpo Ghar. Her great-grandfather, Togden Shakya Shri (1853 – 1919), was effectively a “self-made” guru, his mastery so legendary that he rose from a simple nomadic background to become one of Tibet’s most celebrated figures of Dzogchen and Mahamudra.
What we did have was the ancient wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings and truth, and it is this sacred and treasured “hand-me-down” of my family that is the surest prescription I know for easing the sorrows and ills of everyday life. Unlike a plastic charge card, the teachings are a true source of lasting joy and this can be with you everywhere and always.
Khandro-la generously offers public talks, workshops and teachings to a range of people, including children, youth, leaders, women and anyone interested to tap into their inner depth and engage in a meaningful life. Often people from different religious faiths, and different lineages of Buddhism enjoy her joyful and inspiring sharing. She speaks beyond culture and religious boundaries, sharing personal experiences with passion and integrity that come directly from the heart. She loves to chant and has a most beautiful voice.
Shakya Shri tradition in the European Union 