New Year Greetings 2012
To all the Drukpa Centre Heads,
Firstly I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and thank you all deeply for your continued contribution to the Drukpa Lineage and for fulfilling the wishes of our root guru His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa.
I have been commanded by H.H. to look after the matter of making a standardized uniform for the Drukpa Lineage lay followers regardless of whether they are European, Asian or American. H.H. and I feel that having a uniform that is consistent will reflect the unity and the harmony of the Lineage across the world though we may be of different cultures, countries and race.
Ultimately of course we are all one in non-dualistic wisdom, and great harmony always comes from love, understanding and keeping the pure Samaya between the Guru and disciple as well as amongst our Sangha family; but relatively speaking, our external form such as the color of our skin and hair, the way we dress and difference in languages, though all external and superficial, do make people feel different or dissimilar from each other.
It is understandable that we all might feel sense of attachments to our old uniforms (I think that is the obstacle His Holiness was referring to in his letter). Though we are all practicing Bodhisattvas, we still cling to our external differences which can create a feeling of separation amongst our Sangha members; therefore to use our external selves as practice on the path of Dharma I feel that our external forms can also be utilized to create a sense of unity and harmony within us. Having a standardized uniform will be of great support for us to develop a sense of unity & sense of belonging in our spiritual legacy of a thousand years.
The meaning of the uniform designed by His Holiness is two-fold. Externally the blue and red symbolize Buddha Chakrasamvara and Vajra Yogini, the two main visualization practice of our Lineage. Its inner significance is great compassion and great wisdom, which are the essence of the Drukpa Lineage! This is exactly why the Hat of Auspiciousness offered to the First Gyalwang Drukpa by a Dakini is blue on the outside and red on the inside.
And what better time to be reminded of our practice on our spiritual path than now, when our Guru has commanded us to wear a standard uniform for the sake of creating a sense of belonging and unity amongst our Sangha brothers and sisters? After all the rest of our mundane samsaric daily lives we are free to wear anything that we like!
However, for the sake of necessity and practicality the Centres are welcome to place the name of our country or centre on the back of the standard uniform and if truly necessary, your individual logo on the right side of the chest.
From the Year of the Dragon 2012, this will be the official uniform for the Drukpa lay Sangha members in all parts of the of the world; a symbolism that all Drukpa followers will be an offering of unity and harmony thus fulfilling the wish of our root Guru His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, of which there is no greater merit comparable.
Therefore I would sincerely urge you all, please take immediate steps to bring this into effect and during His Holiness’s Birthday let us make this harmonious offering to him!
If you have any questions please kindly contact my office.
With my love and prayers
Do Khampa
Please download source files of designs from the links below:
Logo - 1000 Years of Naropa: EPS | PDF | AI
