The tradition
In a tradition of displaying true and highest devotion to their Guru, Lama Wangdi’s disciples offered a Dharma Crown to to their teacher. The tradition existed since the time of Guru Padmasambhava. The King of Zahor is said to have offered Padma Dharma hat to Guru Padmasambhava to pay tribute and display his true devotions.
Purpose
The ceremony was a display of eternal and pure devotion to the teacher and teachings. For Lama Wangdi, who have lived all his life as a hermit teacher, in retreats and prayers for most of his days, the dharma hat signifies his devotees’ devotion and Buddha dharma Lama has been able to propagate in more than five decades of teaching.
The Ceremony
It was a humble investiture ceremony organised by Lama Wangdi’s disciples at Dragkarpo hermitage on the auspicious day of the Medicinal Buddha, on 4th September 2022. The ceremony was attended by his disciples, relatives and followers.
The Dharma Crown
The dharma crown is Padma Hat, signifying the Nyingma hat worn by the Guru Padmasambhava. The hat is embroidered in Nepal with fine brocade which is interlaced with garments of Bodhisattvas and Rinpoches, and anointed with relics and remains of great masters.
The hat has two layers, symbolizing the Development Stage(Kedrim) and Completion Stage(Dzogrim) of the Vajrayana practice. The hat has three points, symbolizing the Buddha's three bodies. The five colors of the hat symbolize the five colors of spiritual accomplishments. The sun and moon pattern on the hat symbolizes the combination of activity and wisdom. The blue edge symbolizes the eternal vow to practice to benefit sentient being and enlightenment. The crest symbolizes the indestructibility of meditation and attainment of oneness with the Mind. The eagle feather decor symbolizes the supreme Dharma.
Lama’s disciples
Lama Wangdi had been teaching for more than forty years. Many of his disciples are teachers or retreatants in the hermitages across the country, some abroad. Many have completed three year retreats, some two and three cycles, and meditation practices in Longchhen Nyingthig and Tersar teachings. Some of disciples include Khenpos and Tshampas who had been ardent practitioners for decades.
Chodpa
Lama Wangdi, a retreatant(Tshampa), a lay monk, Gomchen, all his life, have begun his life as a monk from Trongsa Rabdey in his childhood. When his father became Yonphula Drungpa, Lama Wangdi left Trongsa for Trashigang. Yongphula Monastery soon after to learn from late Lama Karpo who was one of the foremost disciples of late Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji.
Lama Wangdi and his siblings are from Trongsa Laushong. Their father then was serving at the Dzong as Gorap. He was famously called Kheng Mitobom of Shingkhar and later had been Drungpa at Wamrong in Trashigang.
Lama Wangdi had been practicing Chod under the tutelage of Lama Karpo, receiving empowerments from His Holiness Dudjom and many luminaries of Nyingma and Kajyud. The stories of his travels to India to receive teaching are extraordinary feat of devotion, determination and courage.
Discipline
Rising up the ranks as a gomchen under tutelage of Lama Karpo, his primary teacher, Tshampa Wangdi became Umze, a chant leader at the monastery.
He was known for his rigour and focus as monk, disciplined at ritual practices. He had been a devoted practitioner who had several years of retreat practices and ritual experiences, learning and meditation. His disciples are are comparably less than his years of practices but are successful practitioners.
Home
Lama Wangdi stayed at Pelri Goenpa in Paro Bongdey as caretaker for several decades. He began teaching and taking devoted followers while at Pelri Goenpa with spiritual aspiration to propagate Buddhism. Today, Lama Wangdi lives near Dragkarpo in a humble makeshift home with his consort, providing teachings to his disciples who are at retreats around Dragkarpo and other hermitages.
Living in Paro for many years, Lama Wangdi is today one of the most sought for ritual performer, healer and teacher in Paro. Over the recent years his devotees in Chod practice have increased many times, including young and the old. Lama Wangdi in his late seventies already is one of the oldest retreat masters, Chod practitioners and ritual performer.
Tribute
Lama Wangdi is the only surviving younger brother of my father. I
When I saw Aku Tshampa, as we popularly call him, he was a Ngagpa, wearing white silk gown and Khamze scarf, with lock of hair and ivory earring. He resembled Marpa Lotsawa as I saw it in the comic books.
Aku Tshampa has been one of my inspiration and a teacher in my practices in Throma Chod. After I began my preliminary practices since 2003, I was guided and learnt through his filial advices.
Over the years, I have quietly appreciated Aku Lama’s unforgiving way of discipline ,indefatigable practices; his early rising prayers and consistency at making regular offerings with ardent passion to Buddha Dharma.
Aku Tshampa told me that, our practices must be relentless, reflective and consistent, evolving towards seeking meaning beyond mere ritualistic practices. He has inspired me and guided me more by what he is than what I couldn’t learn formally from him.
This are little things I write to pay tribute to a hidden Yogi, a man with a steel of devotion to Dharma.
0 comments:
Post a Comment