I have never imagined visiting Bhutan all my life. You would never move your butt to do something weird if nothing happens. But of course, something happens. That's how i interpret life. That's how i read myself and read other people. Sometimes i take a step back and try to understand what's going on, and all i can say is, life is a mystery.
That day, my sis just whispered to my dad, 'dad, sis is doing this this this nowadays...'
Dad says, 'what? your sis had a weird brain'
It's true. I come from a conservative family. Every day is a predictable day for my family. Extreme changes and surprises are not really welcomed here.
It's an advantage and disadvantage to be born in this kind of family.
Perhaps, time has come. There will come a time when you have to choose clarity and put clarity first before anything else.
I don't know why i choose Bhutan. While doing research, i suddenly realized i had attended the teachings of one of the country's most well known gurus - Pema Linga's reincarnation many years ago. He came to Singapore to give Dzogchen teachings and I was one of the students within within the group.
He is Gangteng Rinpoche - the Ninth Gangteng Tulku: H.E. Kunzang Rigdzin Pema Namgyal
Bio of Gangteng Rinpoche
In 1955, Kunzang Rigdzin Pema Namgyal, the 9th Gangteng Tulku was born to noble parents of the Bönbi Chöje: father Tshering Dorji, who was a descendent of the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen, and mother Tshering Pelmo, in the region of Trongsa, Central Bhutan. The birth of the Tulku was preceded by numerous auspicious and miraculous signs such as the rainbow filled sky, untimely flowering of trees and plants. Before birth, when the Tulku was still in his mother’s womb, his mother saw a very auspicious dream in which boiling water turned to milk and many children were fetching water. She also dreamt that the sands and stones on the banks of nearby stream turned into white pearls and the water flowing from one of the two openings on the shining cliff towards the north of the house turned to milk. When the Tulku was about a month old, while his mother was giving him the morning bath, to everyone’s surprise and amazement, a five-coloured rainbow was seen striking from the eastern direction onto the bath tub.
Coincidentally, around the same time, Gyal Yum Ashi Phuntsho Choden [Queen of the Second King of Bhutan and Royal Mother of His Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan], on her way from Bumthang, while residing in Sha Samtengang near the Luedtsho Lake, dreamt of a girl adorned with flowers and silk scarves, carrying a bowl of milk. She said that the milk is to be offered to Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche and requested the Gyal Yum to offer it to Rinpoche. Upon asking who she was, the girl in the dream answered that she is the Tshomen (Spirit of the Lake) of the Luedtsho Lake and offered the following song:
I offer this song to the Three Jewels: the ultimate refuge,
There is none other than you to rely on.
If you do not recognise this place,
It is the Luedtsho lake of Sha Samtengang.
If you do not know who I am,
I am Deki, the Tshomen of this lake.
The lake is the Spirit Lake (Latsho) called Gakhil,
It’s the Spirit Lake of Peling’s heart incarnation.
One Lama for one human generation,
By the time it reaches the sixth generation,
I have become very unfortunate here:
The Tulku’s focus of Buddha activity is elsewhere.
A number of years have gone by,
At Sangngak Chöling, the main seat,
There is no throne holder as yet.
In the last summer’s sixth month,
I had gone looking for the Tulku.
Towards the eastern direction from here,
Behind the great Pelela Mountain Pass,
Towards the source of the Mangde Chu,
A place where the unique language Henked is spoken,
The youngest of the three sons,
Is in the full bloom of health.
At Gangteng Sangngag Chöling,
The mind feels empty without a Tulku,
Thanks be for the Great Queen Mother’s arrival here,
Couldn’t you invite the Tulku to his monastic seat?
The young Tulku was enthroned as the 9 th Gangteng Tulku at an elaborate enthronement ceremony.
For more info, read up the full bio here!
One of places we will be visiting includes Gangtey valley and Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandsom and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded this temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation built the temple. The present abbot is Kunzang Pema Namgyal, who is the 9th reincarnation.
The Gönpa has been restored to a grandeur and splendour greater than ever before, the works for which are being completed in the year 2008.
It says there are four directions of the Gönpa and the sacred and symbolic significance of the areas surrounding it.
The region is the central region of Bhutan that is filled with medicinal plants and trees. In this central region, the blessed, peaceful and pleasurable land of the Gangteng valley is further surrounded by the sacred places: Gayney Lhakhang in Bumthang to the east, the Moenyul Namkha Dzong in the south, the famous Paro Taktsang in the west and Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave called Namthang Lu Gi Phu in the north.
As a symbol of the highest Vajrayana teachings and its practice, the temple is located at the highest point.
As a symbol of liberating beings on the ninth “yana”, it is located at the knotted base of nine huge mountain peaks.
As a symbol of lack of sufferings due to five afflictive emotional poisons, the valley is not afflicted by the problem of wild animals.
As a symbol of the supreme view and practice by the yogic practitioners of Dzogchen, the vast sky appears like the eight-spoked wheel.
As a symbol of equanamity and altruistic intention of Bodhicitta, the land is level and resembles the eight-petalled lotus.
As a symbol of the congregation of the noble sons and daughters from all directions, it is filled with the eight auspicious signs.
As a symbol of spontaneous fulfilment of the four activities, there is a victory banner in the east, long horns in the south, six-syllable mantra in the west and stupa in the north. These are the four unchanging Great Treasures that adorn this place.
As a symbol of success of the noble ones practicing Shamatha meditation and the dawning and enhancing of the 4 perceptions, the sun and moon rises early and sets late.
As a symbol of the continuity of the Three Vehicles, the three rivers flow perennially.
As a symbol of the auspiciousness of the higher view of Mahayana, the Gönpa is located on the ridge of an elephant-shaped peak.
As a symbol of the objects of prayer, the place is endowed with all ten virtues.
As a symbol of the spreading of the Buddha Dharma, the surrounding mountains and forests look like the sixteen great Arhats with their retinue of close attendants.
As a symbol of the eastern grey Tiger, there is the white road of Langleygang.
As a symbol of the southern blue Dragon, there is the blue river, Zhungchu Ngoenmo.
As a symbol of the western red Bird, there is the red rock in Trawanang.
As a symbol of the northern black Turtle, there is the pastoral meadow of Tsi Tsi La.
As a symbol of non-destruction by the four elements, there are the four local protectors (Sadags).
As a symbol of prosperity in both spiritual and temporal matters, it is surrounded by the evergreen Wish-fulfilling Tree (Paksam Joenshing).
As a symbol of the uniqueness of the teachings of the Three Baskets, the region has upper, middle and the lower sub-regions.
As a symbol of rule through the dual system, the retreat centers are filled with dedicated male and female practitioners.
Amidst such blessed and harmonious setting, the abode of the Buddhas, the significance of the main temple in Gangteng Gönpa is as explained below.
As a symbol of the perfection of teaching and practice, the temple is square in shape.
As a symbol of obstructing the outer evil influences, the temple is enclosed with large wall fencing.
As a symbol of opening of the doors of the three Yogas, there are 3 entrances to the temple.
As a symbol of clearing the darkness of beings through the hundred and eight dharma doors, the temple has 108 doors and windows.
As a symbol of the Compassionate One’s skillful means in the taming of beings, it is filled with painted and embossed sacred images.
Moreover, at the outer level the temple resembles the mandala of the Mahayoga, at the inner level it resembles the mandala of the Anuyoga, while at the secret level, it resembles the mandala of Atiyoga.
The ground floor of the temple houses the images of the Buddhas of the 3 times similar to the ones in Magadha, Vajrasana and Yangpachen. Next to these, are the images of 4 other Buddhas, the 8 Noble Sons, the Great Teacher, wrathful form of Hayagriva, and Vajrapani. In the Assembly Hall are Jangchub Tungsha and offering goddesses while at the sides of the entrance are the Kings of the 4 directions, the Mandala of Cyclic Existence, layout of Mt. Meru according to the sutras and tantras, Zangdog Pelri and the Pureland of Shambala.
On the next floor is the residential quarters of the successive reincarnations, 3 shrine rooms of the Dharmapalas and the Treasury with the Namsey Phodrang.
On the floor above, the Lamai Lhakhang with the statue of Vajrasattava surrounded by the Peling lineage holders and the complete Nyingma Gyud Bum texts is on the eastern side. To the south is the Tshengye Lhakhang with the statues of the 8 manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, canonical texts and 8 red-sandalwood Desheg Chortens. On the sides are the eastern and western living quarters. To the west is the Amitayus Lhakhang with the statue of Buddha Amitayus surrounded by his retinue. To the north, the Machen Lhakhang with the reliquary stupa containing the precious embalmed body of the 6 th Gangteng Tulku Tenpai Nyima also has statues of the 16 Arhats.
To the front of the main temple is the 11-faced Avalokiteśvara Lhakhang.
On one side is the Shedra’s Assembly Hall and on the other, the Kezang Lhakhang and enclosing on all sides are the monk’s living quarters.
The Monastery has the sacred relics of the Enlightened Ones and many substances blessed by great Lamas, Maha Siddhas and Treasure Revealers. The Monastery continues to uphold the tradition in all its integrity and performs all the rites and rituals in its entirety.
Credits http://www.yeshekhorlo.org/gangtengTulkuRinpoche where i read up most of the information here.
I hope to be able to get a copy of Pema Lingpa book from Amazon! :-)
