Live Story from the Oral Tradition (10) – My Root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso (3) 罗珠仁波切
Chat with H.E. Kunde Rinpoche (Tulku Sonam Gawa) – Sonam Yeshi. Transcribed in Q&A format (herein address as Tulku) on 9 January 2012 at BodhGaya, India
Q= sonam yeshi, A=Kunde Rinpoche, Bracket ( ) – notes added for clarity, [ ] – expression
Q: Today, we met a Buddhist from Shanghai, she said herself a student of Tsultim Lodoe (transliteration) Rinpoche’s 慈诚罗珠仁波切， 五明佛学院。
A: That is one of the well-known monasteries in Sichuan.
Q: She showed us a picture of one famous ‘Acu Rinpoche’(?), in cremation process, she captured a picture which had this Rinpoche’s physically in the sky, what’s its significance?
A: I heard from others this Master, a Dzogchen practioner of Nyingma. It is possible for attained practitioners, there were many in the history of Dzogchen practioners who shown blessing signs when their physical body disintegrated. This shows the importance of Meditation, specifically the Great Perfection practice.
Q: I was a little surprise this friend did not know who was Lodoe Gyatso 罗珠仁波切, when i mentioned this Master’s name was mentioned in the book translated into Chinese language by Khnepo Sotaji on the preliminary practice of Dzogchen, the preface page from Khenpo Jigme Phunchok did mention it at the end of the text about the transmission of Great Perfection teachings from 罗珠仁波切 .
A: [Silence]…
Q: Sorry to say, we lay people would looked for ‘measurable evidence’, at least pictorial signs, naturally occurences; many even viewing physic power ability as the end product instead of natural phenomena in the process of mental cultivation.
A: Oh, when he declared the date he was going to pass away, he still taught his students till the end, and invited questions from his students. When his physical body merging into the space (diminishing naturally), before it totally disappeared, He was cremated based on his instruction (otherwise he would not take rebirth, or reincarnated). Then the smoke during the cremation process had turned into like dizzling water (甘露水) – at the end, many relics (色利子）were found and remained.
Q: Wow, Where are those relics now?
A: Kyabje Pema Kalsang has it, Choktrul Karde Rinpoche (Abbot of Horthang Tashi Monastery) also has some, among others.
Q: i understand this is a universally recognized phenomenon of an attained spiritual practitioner. Tulku, you must be lucky to had learned under him in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery till he physically passed away.
A: Yes, I like my Master, root Lama very very much, thus day one to the end I followed him, guided by his compassion and wisdom. I had some friends studying under him at Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery for 2 years, then they go to another Teacher/Master at other Monastery.
A: Thank you Tulku for your sharing, and i am impressed by your devotion towards your root Lama till today. In my opinion, your emphasis to your students to regard Him as our root Lama is indeed a gracious act of highest respect.
May the pristine teachings of the Great Perfection be heard and practise by all those who have connections and affinity to the practice until Enlightenment!
Tashi Delek
Happy New Year
