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Sakyong to Receive Nyingma Kama Empowerments

Oct 27, 2011

His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche will bestow the Nyingma Kama upon the Kongma Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche starting today, 27 October, through 27 November at Rigon Tashi Choeling Monastery in Pharpeng, Nepal. The Nyingma Kama is a collection of empowerments and instructions for the kama, or oral transmission lineage, one of two unique streams of teachings in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. It includes Indian root texts and commentaries that were translated into Tibetan during the initial spread of Buddhism in Tibet, and then handed down orally in a continuous stream up to the present day. The Nyingma Kama also includes centuries of Tibetan commentaries and instructions based on the Indian tradition.

The teachings in the Nyingma Kama cover all levels of practice, but primarily present the highest tantric traditions of maha, anu, and ati yogas, which are the specialties of the Nyingma lineage. Authors in the Nyingma Kama include such great masters as Garab Dorje, Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Vairocana, Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Jigme Lingpa. One of the most important editions of the Nyingma Kama was edited and expanded by Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, the 2nd Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1988).

The kama teachings are the counterpart of the terma teachings. Termas are concealed instructions and practices discovered from the 11th century onwards by reincarnations of Padmasambhava's closest disciples. The function of terma is to revitalize the essence of the kama at times when the dharma is waning or threatened. The heart of the terma tradition is presented through the Rinchen Terdzo, The Treasury of Precious Termas, a three-month series of terma empowerments and instructions that His Eminence bestowed on the Sakyong during the winter of 2008-2009.

The Nyingma Kama and Rinchen Terdzo are the two essential transmissions a Nyingma lineage teacher must receive and uphold. For Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the importance of receiving the Nyingma Kama is highlighted because he is the rebirth of Jamyang Mipham Gyatso (1846-1912), one of the most influential figures in the Nyingma tradition. The kama empowerments are also important for the Sakyong in his role as the chief propagator of the Shambhala terma; the kama and terma lineages are the ground tradition out of which the Shambhala teachings arose.

Accompanying Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche during the empowerments will be Sakyong Wangmo Dechen Choying Sangmo and their one-year-old daughter, Jetsun Drukmo. While their time together in Pharpeng will be of spiritual significance, it will also be the first opportunity for the extended Ripa family and disciples in Asia to meet Jetsun Drukmo, the newest addition to the Mukpo-Ripa family. A number of western students from the Shambhala and Ripa communities are expected to attend the event as well.

Shambhala's Kalapa Patrons are inspired that the Sakyong will be receiving this empowerment and will be offering a lead gift to support this endeavor. As has been the case for previous retreats and empowerments the Sakyong has engaged, there will be an opportunity for all sangha members who are interested in making an offering to do so in the weeks ahead.

The Sakyong Ladrang would like to thank Walker Blaine for composing the majority of this informative piece.


(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)