DOKHAM

Our First Trip to Vietnam and Malaysia

Posted on 9th Jan. 2008

Last month we had a wonderful opportunity to accompany His Holiness to Vietnam and Malaysia. It is always a blessing to accompany His Holiness as we learn so much through his compassionate and wise examples. To be accompanied by dear Dharma brother H.E. Thuksey Rinpoche and nine monks made it even more special.

We reached Malaysia four days ahead of His Holiness. The Drukpa Centres of Malaysia were very impressive. The paintings on the walls were nicely done by the monks from Bhutan. I can honestly mention that the Drukpa Centers in Malaysia are best I have ever seen. They were really beautiful.

First discourse by His Holiness in Drukpa Penang was on ‘Sengey Tsewa’ which basically focused on the practice to forego one’s ego through offering one’s body. This practice was taught for a period of two days.

Back in Kuala Lumpur, His Holiness’s teaching was more generally suited to the crowd there. 800 years of Drukpa Lineage was also celebrated with great joy and gusto.

His Holiness also highlighted the importance of the philosophy “Live To Love”. As His Holiness rightfully expressed it as “if we all wish to live happily without any sense of guilt or regrets, it is really the time to put away the feeling of negativity ,hatred and pain and reach out to the various corners of the world with the loving heart and attitude. As a result there is no doubt that we will be happier and more confident”.

We are immensely thankful to Dato Sri Wong and Datin Sri Loo, Thong families, Jigme Phendey and all members of the Drukpa Sangha for organizing such a wonderful program in conjunction with ‘Live To Love’.

In Vietnam, the organizers were highly commended by His Holiness on their spectacular effort in encouraging and promoting the Drukpa Lineage in their country. Great effort was taken to show their appreciation and devotion to His Holiness and to the Drukpa Lineage by Drukpa Vietnam organizers under the kind support of their government. Organizers had also put up banners commemorating “800 years of legacy” and a banner, beautifully donned with a welcome message to His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa in almost every corners of the streets.

During his stay in Vietnam which spanned a significant 4 days, H.H blessed and gave teachings to a crowd of twenty thousand people or so. His Holiness and we were deeply moved by their exuberant display of devotion and by their keen interest on spirituality to attain genuine happiness.

While Teaching at Huan Pagoda, His Holiness explained the connection of the Drukpa Lineage (Lineage of Love and Compassion) and the devotion of Vietnamese to Guanyin or Avalokiteshvara. His Holiness prayed for all Vietnamese to be able to practice “Live to Love” and contribute towards the benefit of all 'Sentient Beings'.

Three days after His Holiness’s departure, Thuksey Rinpoche and I initiated Nyondro with the Tay-Thien practitioners. Our special connection with the Vietnamese and especially with the Tay-Thien nuns was greatly felt. Their level of devotion, sense of respect and understanding of the Dharma greatly touched us, giving us immense joy.

In line with their own wish, I hope that the teachings of great Drukpa will flourish in Vietnam and that Vietnam will be full of enlightened yogis as was the case in Tibet during the golden time of first Gyalwang Drukpa Tsangpa Gyare (1161-1211AD).

One notable thing I want to share is that, according to Vietnamese legend or History, the ‘Sacred lake of Hanoi’ is said to house the descendents of the legendary turtle weighing about 1000kg. It is said that the turtle offered a magical sword to the Vietnamese King during a war with China and the King was victorious owing to that magical sword. After that a famous saying became significant amongst the people that all auspicious events in Vietnam will be preceded by a sighting of 'Giant Turtle'.

It so happened that three days before His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa’s visit, a Giant Turtle was seen to come out of the lake and found resting in the middle of the Island for half a day. Many people were surprised and were talking among themselves that a great being might arrive or an auspicious event was going to take place, as it was very rare to see a Giant turtle and especially one that stays out for so long.

Our Drukpa Vietnam Sangha said that they knew the reason behind it and was indeed very Happy! I believe that an enlightened being like His Holiness is respected and welcomed by all seen and unseen beings.

When i was young people of Laadakh used to have similar beliefs of some local spirits or deities welcoming His Holiness with processions and music. Anyway, I am sure people of Ladakh and old attendants of His Holiness have many such stories to share.

Over the last few days of our stay there, a pillar blessed by H.H was erected on the spot where another practice center for the nuns of Vietnam would be built later. Consequently, a distant thunder was heard (as if a dragon roaring) two times at the time we erected the pillar. Which is also a very good omen.

In the midst of such eventful stay there, I prayed and hoped that all beings and people of Vietnam will receive the true blessing of His Holiness through his sacred teachings, the Glorious Drukpa Lineage!

Happy new year to all Dear Drukpa Dharma friends and to all the beings ...
Love with Eyes! Dokham