Chimed Gyaltsen Rinpoche on parinirvana of Chimed Rigdzin Rinpoche and the Dharma practice

This is my third visit to Poland. I have also been to Siliguri once. Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche was the one who recognized me. Like you, I am his student, and although I am not very learned, I wholeheartedly wish to be helpful and strive to do so.

 

Rinpoche passed away many years ago, but he remains present here. We must understand his wishes and aspirations. Thanks to the immense effort and hard work of Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche, many practice texts are available to us. We have the opportunity to engage in practices such as the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava, Vajrakilaya, Rigdzin, and many texts of the profound heart essence of the Dakinis, that is, Dzogchen. Rinpoche’s tremendous work and effort have resulted in these texts being available in our language. This means that it was Rinpoche’s intention for us to engage in these practices. Although Rinpoche is no longer with us, his teachings should remain alive; we should keep them alive within ourselves.

 

The teacher may no longer be with us, but his words and teachings must not die. Some of you are old students of Rinpoche. Others are new and have never met Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche. The old students received empowerments and teachings from him. The new students have not received any transmissions from him, but they can receive them from Tulku Urgyen, Migme, and Gudrun. These lamas have Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche’s permission to grant empowerments. They speak English, so it is easy to communicate with them. I live very far away, and even though we can stay in touch, it is still difficult due to the language barrier. Whether the Khordong monasteries in Siliguri and Poland will flourish depends solely on the students. I don’t know many of you. Those I do know are old students of Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche, such as Tulku Urgyen, Tulku Migme, and Gudrun. I have known them for many years.

 

Generally, in Tibet, there is a tradition of commemorating the anniversary of a teacher’s passing. This is my third time here, and I have not noticed you doing anything like that. Therefore, I have decided that starting next year, we will strive to organize such commemorations of the anniversary of our Lama’s passing, who left us long ago. Depending on how much time you have, these events will last seven to eight days. It should be at least a week. During this time, we will offer tsok and recite the King of Aspiration Prayers. Once the date is confirmed, please try to arrange time off so that everyone can participate in this event.

 

There are many reasons to celebrate the anniversaries of masters’ passing. This is a way to repay the Guru for his kindness. It also helps accumulate merit, purify negative actions, and is therefore a very, very important activity. The date for these commemorations has not yet been set. We will determine it with Ania and announce it on the website. Then, you should reserve time off and inform your friends and other students of Rinpoche. The financial aspect is important when organizing such events. We do not have a sponsor, so next year, I will sponsor the entire event, including the cost of food and all other expenses. For seven days, we will offer tsok and recite the King of Aspiration Prayers. I would like such commemorations to take place in India as well, but it is very difficult for me to travel there. Coming to Poland is somewhat easier, so this event will take place here.

 

My personal request is that each of you participates in this and that the students of Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche across Europe live in harmony. My second request is that if you have free time, use it for practice. You can do retreats. If it’s more convenient, you can do retreats at the monastery in Poland or in India. Do it in the way that suits you best, but practice when you are not working. The purpose of listening to and receiving teachings is to practice. In ancient times, in India, practitioners focused on a single deity. In Tibet, they practiced a hundred deities but did not realize even one. In India, by practicing one, they realized a hundred.

 

Many different masters visit Europe. I am sure you have received empowerments and teachings from many teachers. Once you receive teachings, you must not hold wrong views about the teacher. It is said that even if the teacher does something improper, you should tell yourself that it is only your distorted perception, your mistaken view. Once you rely on a teacher, you must regard them as a Buddha, not an ordinary person. Before choosing a teacher, you can examine them. It is said that you should first skillfully investigate the lama, then skillfully rely on them, and once you have made a commitment, you must not hold wrong views. Whatever the lama does, you must not think ill of them but consider it your own mistaken perception.

 

As practitioners, you must strive not to be attached to this life. Secondly, when you die, you should die without regret. The entire purpose of practice is to die peacefully, without regret. Death occurs when you exhale, and there is no inhale afterward. When death comes, we should feel no regret. This is why we practice the Dharma in this life. You must not be focused on yourself, on “I” and “mine.” That is egoistic. You must free yourself from egoism.

 

I see that many of you have great devotion and faith in Chime Rigdzin Rinpoche. I am not saying that you change teachers, but there are people who go from lama to lama. Once you choose a teacher, you must stick with them until death. Of course, you can receive teachings from others, but the root lama should remain the most important. This is because the guru embodies the Three Roots. The guru embodies the Guru, Yidam, and Dakini—these are the Three Roots. They are also the embodiment of the Buddha. I am sure you know practices in which your mind and the guru’s mind are inseparable. You have probably read about the guru and know much about this.

 

Thank you for coming here despite being busy and for allowing me to spend these few days with you. If what I have shared with you is Dharma and useful to you, accept it. If it was useless, discard it. I am sure that Tulku Migme, Gudrun, and Tulku Urgyen wish to support the gompa both here and in India, and that all students will support the monasteries as best they can. I, too, will do so with all my strength.