The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds: The Life and Times of a Realized Tibetan Master, Khyentse Chokyi Wangchug by Norbu Chogyal Namkhai

Author:Norbu, Chogyal Namkhai [Norbu, Chogyal Namkhai]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781583945285
Publisher: Random House Inc Clients
Published: 2012-10-15T16:00:00+00:00

19

The Death of Jamyang Khyentse

Chökyi Lodrö

IN THE YEAR OF THE EARTH DOG (1958), I began the study of Sanskrit at the Namgyal Research institute in Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. In that period, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö was resident in the former palace of the Sikkimese government, and from time to time he gave teachings. An overwhelming desire to hear from him all the teachings he was giving so liberally matured in me, as a parched man thirsts for water. Although I sought to encounter the master ten times on as many occasions, I did not succeed, because every time I was told either that important persons were engaged in conversation with him or that it was impossible for other reasons.

Once I was able to speak with the lama, because I chanced to see him seated in a field behind his residence, and he gestured to me to approach him. Another time I met him because his wife, Khadro Rinpoche (Tsering Chödrön),1 whom I came upon outside the front door of their house, interceded in my favor.

On another occasion at the same place, I happened on Tashi Namgyal, the assistant administrator at the lama’s residence, with whose aid I was ushered into the presence of the lama. But since, unlike other disciples, I was not granted permission to be present while he taught, I lost all hope of receiving his profound teachings.

When I learned that Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö had fallen ill, I prepared several things to offer him and sought to see him twice, but was prevented from doing so and was told that no visitors were allowed. Hence I asked if the offerings could be delivered to him, and left them there, but I do not know if that actually happened. Realizing that it would be utterly impossible to encounter Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö before his death, I felt an immense sadness.

One early morning in the autumn of 1959, when I was in Gangtok in Sikkim, I had an extraordinary dream. I was going to pay my respects to the mortal remains of Chökyi Lodrö in the temple of the lama’s residence. On the way I encountered the ḍākinī Tsering Chödrön2 dressed in azure silk. The ḍākinī, who held in her hands two bouquets of white and red roses mixed with blue roses, asked me how I was. I said I was going to pay homage to the remains of the lama, emanation of Mañjuśrī. She answered, “I am also going to him. Let’s go together.” She gave me the bouquet of flowers she held in her right hand, and we set off.

We reached the center of the temple and stood before a splendid funerary stūpa. I said to the ḍākinī, “I did not know so large a funerary stūpa had been constructed for Lama Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, emanation of Mañjuśrī.” The ḍākinī responded, “Jamgön’s funerary stūpa, even though originally built in the usual size, later expanded spontaneously.”

I proposed that we practice guruyoga together; the ḍākinī agreed, and we sat down in front of the funeral monument.

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