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April 25, 2010
Address delivered by Abbot Kyabje Yongya Rinpoche Jetsun Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Thinley Gyatso Rinpoche on the occasion of 2nd Anniversary of founding of Serpom Monastery.
To all levels of staff members of the precious monastic community, to the bodhisattva reincarnate masters, to the aged senior Sangha members, and to the monastic Sangha in general: From the depth of my heart I would like to thank you for the responsibility you are taking and the unified way you are working to benefit the cause of the Dharma. I felicitate you all on this commemorative occasion.
Along with the most important thing of living together like the complete mingling of water and milk in terms of harmony, ethical purity and religious commitment, the venerable Sangha should engage in the practice of listening, contemplation and meditation. The thought of tending one's friend and suppressing one's enemy should not be harboured at any cost. Why? Because such thoughts go against the Dharma. We did not start with a thought like that. Therefore it is important from the outset to maintain a pure motivation devoid of such negative thought.
I would like to make a suggestion, a request, of our Staff members. With resolute intent and truthfulness, the staff members take great responsibility in order to clear the strains and difficulties of the Sangha. For this I extend my appreciation and praise. At the same time I urge you to continue your noble service.
As organized by Zawa Rinpoche of Canada, a doctor went to the monastery and kindly provided medical check-up and instruction about health care to our monks. Good health is priority for everyone. If the precious human body with which we practice Dharma is not fit, the physical condition will not sustain despite what we wish.
The rules prescribed by Lord Buddha have broad and narrow connotation, such as in the case of a sick person. As such, there is no fault when the sick take dinner. Bearing so in your mind, you must take care of your health.
Since the source of the welfare and happiness of all our Sangha members is Serpom Thoesam Norling Monastery, our loyalty and cherishing it are crucial. For the sake of Buddhdharma, everyone – senior or young – is requested to fulfill one's responsibility and exert efforts like the continuity of a river.
Based on the monastery's text books, our academic instructors and disciples must consult and refer to the authoritative texts written by Indian and Tibetan great masters. Without emphasizing on simply debating, one should understand the root verses and commentaries of the texts of these great masters. And thereby distil their essence or gist in practice. The understanding of pre-eminent qualities in each of the great texts is like the quotation 'The expert not led astray and the diligent not confounded'.
It is important to preserve the traditional manner of teaching, and listening and the practice and mediation, which came down from those lords of the Hearing Lineage Tradition led by Je Phabongkhapa, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang Jetsun Losang Tsondue, Zemey Dorjechang, and the great scholar Geshe Yeshe Wangchug and others. Furthermore, during the religious ceremonies such as Geshe and Rig-Chung in the monastery, one must pay attention to the method of debating and reciting with melody required of the specific occasion. Otherwise it would be like the case example of a faulty film that will produce only tainted photos no matter how many copies you make of it.
Concerning the monastic staff members, the Abbot, Disciplinarian and Chant Master represent the body, speech and mind respectively. As I said earlier, your respect and regard towards them are vital. Generally speaking, it is possible that a staff member might lack adequate knowledge and therefore be inconsistent in a particular area of his duty. There will be persons who wrongfully criticise a staff member although the latter had done right. This is quite possible. There is no option, for the time being, but to take such persons as the objects of one's understanding and compassion.
We lack the confidence about not taking rebirth in hell or other lower realms, and hence we take refuge in the Three Jewels for protection from such fearful consequences. Our ultimate refuges are indeed the Three Jewels. We should work without contradicting the law of cause and effect. In view of law of karma, in terms of virtuous and non-virtuous actions, it is important to observe what needs to be abandoned and what needs to be practiced.
Gelug Tradition—the stainless and comprehensive teaching of the union of Sutra and Tantra— is like a king of the best jewels. Therefore everyone should according to their ability make earnest effort to study both Sutra and Tantra. In the end, my prayer is:
May Buddhdharma in general remain for long!
May the glorious, incomparable Riwo Gadenpa in particular —
The tradition holding the yellow hat crown—
Flourish in every direction!
May the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa,
The Lord of Dharma, flourish!
May all signs of obstacle (against it) diminish!
May all favourable conditions (for it) abound!
Through the two accumulations of others and mine
Collected throughout the three times,
May the doctrine of Conqueror Lobsang Dragpa
Flourish forever more!
May all migratory beings live in benefit and happiness!
The continuum transformed by precious bodhicitta,
May they be like Conqueror Tsongkhapa
In upholding the Dharma by teaching and practice!
Separately I would like to make a special request. To remove obstacles and accumulate merit each day on the part of all senior, middle and junior Sangha members, there will be immense benefit if they can recite a rosary of Mig-tse-ma in conjunction with Hundred Gods of Tushita, a cycle of Guru Puja, and the great Dharmapāla's entrustment. |
