29th October – Dorzong Monastery, Gopalpur.
Several thousand people converged on Dorzong Monastic Institute today to hold a long-life ceremony for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. In attendance were deeply devoted Rinpoches, Togdens, Khenpos, monks and nuns from across the Himalayan region, as well as international disciples from over a dozen countries. Following the long-life puja offered to him by Dorzong Monastic Institute, the Gyalwang Karmapa conferred the Amitayus long-life empowerment on all those assembled.
The long-life ceremonies mark the conclusion of the Gyalwang Karmapa’s five-day visit to Dorzong Monastic Institute. Three of those days were dedicated to empowerment and teachings on the practice of Chöd, organized by Tara Mandala and requested by Lama Tsultrim Allione and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Dorzong Monastic Institute was founded by His Eminence the 8th Dorzong Rinpoche, who noted: “Along with the previous and present Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche of Tashi Jong, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa was one of my outstanding root gurus. I am extremely pleased to be able to host His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is also my root guru.”
On the second day of the Chöd transmission, the audience also had the rare privilege of receiving a Dharma discourse by His Eminence Dorzong Rinpoche. In his profound teachings, Rinpoche explored the distinction between the oft-misunderstood terms, samsara and nirvana. He stated, “The only difference between samsara and nirvana is whether or not we recognize the true nature of our mind.”
His Holiness the Karmapa commented: “These teachings have been provided primarily for female practitioners. Although there is no gender in the Dharma—since the Dharma has to do with working with the mind, and the mind is neither male nor female, the Chöd teachings come to us from a female lineage, through Machig Labdron, a person who applied herself to the practice of Dharma in the form of a woman’s body. She can thus serve as an inspiration and empowering example to women wanting to practice the Dharma.”
He explained that he was offering the Chöd empowerment and teachings, “to further inspire and help women re-connect with their confidence.”
Tibetan Children Village School of Gopalpur performed cultural programs after the empowerment.
