KYABJE KHAMTRUL RINPOCHE JIGME PEMA NYINJADH

Thimphu onwards

On 31^st October 2011, the pilgrimage started with around 70 participants that included monks, Drukpa Vietnam Sangha members and lay Bhutanese participants. At Dochula, led by His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche, Riwo Sang-Chod (smoke offering) was performed to prevent obstacles during the whole pilgrimage period. Rinpoche also gave teachings on the Amitabha Pure Land and concluded by mentioning that for the duration of the pilgrimage, the participants should at least take the basic Bodhisattva vows of not eating meat, not killing, not stealing, avoiding sexual misconduct, not engaging in useless talks and not creating disputes amongst the Sangha members.

Next stop was at Chendebji under Wangduephodrang district, wherein the entourage was cordially received by representatives of the Trongsa Dratsang . We spent the night in Bumthang which is in the central part of Bhutan and is a holy place of Guru Rinpoche.

In the morning the pilgrims travelled to Mongar which was around 6 hours drive from Bumthang.

Gom Kora, Tashi Yangtse

It took the pilgrims about 3 hours from Mongar to reach Gomkora, where the entourage was warmly received by the Lam of Gom Kora. After having tea and snacks, Guru Yoga practice and offered Tsok offering was performed in the main temple. There, the pilgrims saw various holy sites where Guru Rinpoche performed miraculous activities to subdue the harmful demon that was residing in this particular area. Holy objects such as the sacred statue of Lord Buddha, which was brought by Terton Pema Lingpa from Tibet, the foot print of Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal on a rock, the foot print of Guru Rinpoche on a rock, egg of Garuda, Dakini’s letters on small pieces of rock, which when translated is said to produce two to three volumes of teachings and many other holy relics was also observed by all.

Khenyi Lower Secondary School, Tashi Yangtse

Then the groups travelled to Khenyi Lower Secondary School, where by the the entourage was received by the Head of the school, the teachers and the students. Rinpoche gave a short teaching to the teachers and student of Kheni LSS and initiated Baza Guru Lung.His Eminence thanked the school and said that though the school is located in a far flung area, it was well maintained. He also thanked the Government of Bhutan and the Kings, for their noble activities which benefitted people from all walks of life. Later that night, H.E continued with the teachings on the Amitabha Pure Land and the qualities one must possess to be reborn in the Pure Land of Amitabha.

Ohmba Naey

The next day was the walking pilgrimage to Omba Ney, which took around 3 hours of tough uphill trek. On the way to the Ney, the local people offered tea and snacks to the group. Tshog offering and Ney kor (visiting the holy sites) in and around the main Omba Ney were carried out. The self arisen Om on the rock face along with other letters such as Ohm Ahh Hung, a self-arisen replica of the Chorten in Bodhgaya, a self-arisen stupa replica of one in Tibet, and many hidden Ters(Treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche for Tertons to discover) and other holy sites and objects were witnessed by the pilgrims. There were stories about how Guru Rinpoche subdued demons residing in that area and the secret paths taken by the Dakinis.

Chorten Kora

On the 4^th of November, at Chorten Kora, the group was received by the local people and officials including the Dzongda(Govenor) and the Drangpon of the District. Tea and desi (sweet rice) was offered to the group by the Dzongkhag officials, after which a Riwo Sang-Chod Puja at the Chorten was performed. In the evening, the entourage headed towards Bumdeling Park and halted the night at a  school , where Rinpoche gave further teachings on the Amitabha Pure Land and also gave some information about Rigsum Goenpa, which was the next destination.

Rigsum Goenpa

The next day, it took 4 hours of gradual trek to reach the Goenpa. The main holy object of the Rigsum Goenpa was the statue of Jowo, which is said to have the same blessing to that of the one at Lhasa in Tibet. Higher up the monastery, there were Guru Rinpoche’s Zhuthri (seat), 21 Taras’ rock, the representation of Avalokiteshvara, Chana  Dorje and Manjushri.

The Rigsum Goenpa derived its name due to the presence of three mountains surrounding it and also because of the holy sites of Avaloketshvara, Chana Dorji and Manjushri representing the Body, Speech and Mind of all the Buddha’s. Below the Goenpa, there was another Temple which had the frescos of the twelve depictions of the life and deeds of Lord Buddha which was done by Lam Jangchub Gyeltshen, holy relics like the self arisen turtle, self arisen wisdom sword of Manjushri and a Zambalha(Buddha of Wealth). Towards the late evening, Rinpoche gave teachings on the Amitabha pure Land and concluded the teaching as it was the last place of visit. During our stay in Rigsum Goenpa, the pilgrims felt spiritually enriched and blessed because of the blessings of the Jowo and the presence of H.E. Khamtrul RInpoche.

On return from Bumdeling, the entourage was invited by the Lam of the old Tashi Yangste Dzongkhag. In the old Dzong, tea and desi was offered. There in the Dzong, the pilgrims got the opportunity to see the statue of Chenrizig Chuchi Shey(Eleven-head Buddha of Compassion), which is said to have been discovered by a  lady in a forest nearby. The statue is considered very special as it is said to have spoken and the pilgrims felt extremely fortunate to have had such an opportunity.

Mongar to Bumthang

The next day the group travelled to Gyalpozhing whereby, H.E Khamtrul Rinpoche gave a short teaching to the students and teachers. “The main aim of doing practice is to improve our selves that is our mind, therefore, all of us should do practice to be a better human being, be it husband, wife, teacher or a doctor”, was the advice given by H.E. After lunch, the group headed to Bumthang.

 In Bumthang, Kurje Lhakang, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have mediated and left his bodily imprint in the cave, Tsog offering was performed. Rinpoche thanked the organizers for arranging everything in a wonderful manner and making the tour a success. Before departing, a group photograph was taken in front of the Lhakhang thereby ending the pilgrimage successfully.

“We would like to thank all who have been very generous and kind during the entire tour. Firstly, we would like to thank H.E Khamtrul Rinpoche for thinking of such a noble idea and then the Pilgrimage coordinators for coordinating everything in a magnificent manner and lastly to the Lam Netens, Lama Zeko, Dasho Dzongdags, Dasho Drangpons, Doctors and health workers from Mongar and Tashiyangtse Dzongkhags and all who were involved directly or indirectly into making this tour a success. Appreciation also goes to all those villagers and people who came all the way to offer tea and snacks to the pilgrims.”

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