Finding Companionship in Books Again

If you’re reading this, you’re one of the rare ones in this digitised world where the habit of reading has almost vanished globally. And if you’re reading till the end, then you’re even rarer.

Ever since I was introduced to Chandrakirti’s philosophy of equanimity, my interest in Western books slowly faded. But now that I’m becoming more familiar—without claiming to know much, let alone excel in that field—I’ve started to love reading again. I don’t know why, but I often feel that many philosophies of ancient Buddhist masters were, in some way, borrowed by both modern and older Western thinkers. Just a thought, though.

Recently, after a short trip to Phuentsholing–Jaigaon, I bought a book titled The Art of Being Alone from a bookstore. I mention this because I usually buy books from street vendors. To my utter surprise, the moment I stepped into the store and moved towards the shelves, scanning what to buy, they stared at me as if I was about to mess something up. One of them asked, “What are you looking for?”
I replied, “Philosophy books—I mean self-help w-a-l-a.”
Another man, perhaps the owner, seated comfortably in his chair, interrupted with a chuckle, “Self-help h-o-g-a. Show him some.”
“Here, sir,” said the staff member who had come closer, pointing me toward a rack.

I picked the book, but I kept wondering why they looked at me with such curiosity. It might have been different if I were in pants or casual clothes—but I was in monk’s robes.

I’ve always found the best companion in books, even though I was never a voracious reader. I made sure to read at least a couple of books a year, but after choosing monastic life, that habit slowly faded. Of course, one could call that a convenient excuse.

Now that I’m in my mid-thirties—mid-thirties? Oh my God—the perspective changes. You start looking at the world from a different angle. You don’t just see it differently; you understand it differently. I think I’m maturing, learning, and experimenting with many things in life.

For now, I’ll return to my book—and yes, I have to chant my prayers as well.

Shingkhar: The Tale of the Wish-Fulfilling Buddha Statue

This is a Wish-fulfilling Buddha
Statue at Shingkhar. 
Photo credit: Lekden Wangchuk.
Since this is a sacred statue, please treat
it with respect. 

Our discipline master (Kudrung) said, “Please tell us about the upper floor of this monastery.” The monastic guide or caretaker, who was about to conclude, replied, “Oh! Actually, the upper floor has a wish-fulfilling statue of Buddha Shakyamuni; there is nothing else of significant importance. Trulku Chogdhen Gonpo sculpted three statues of the same size, representing the dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya: Buddha, Vajrasattva, and Guru Padmasambhava. He gave the other two to Sumthrang and Gadhen, respectively. Since the food is served by housewives, it is said that they were taught some lines to offer food and tea to receive blessings.

Wish-fulfilling Guru
Statue of Gadhen
Source: Druk Gi Nye,
Facebook Page

“Although this statue has gained fame everywhere, the other two have not received as much attention. This is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, and I have no doubt about the blessings it will bestow upon every being. I doubt if there is another way to accumulate merits than offering to Buddha. But this is a special statue.

“You are devotees of a highly revered Lama, so I should not be saying these kinds of words. The blessings of a Buddha are definite, and monks are aware of this. I will share one wish-fulfilling story among many:

"There was a man from Paro who came here to collect taxes from the people under the command of Desi. During that time, our local folks told him to make a wish in front of the wish-fulfilling statue. He said he had a dream of becoming a Paro Poenlop and promised that if his wish were granted, the people of Shingkhar would be waived from paying taxes, and their monastery would receive a Sertog. The villagers became happy and prayed together in front of the statue.     After being appointed as the Poenlop, he called men from Shingkhar and treated them to sumptuous meals. As promised, he sent the Sertog and wrote an order to waive taxes until his resignation. It used to take at least 13 days to reach Paro from here, so the Poenlop kindly sent them back with enough food and drinks for their journey. We still have the old Sertog, though it is worn out now.

"During those days, when people had to go through tough times, our village enjoyed privileges due to this statue. People became more devoted, and it is not surprising that whoever dies from our village is reborn here.

“Since my childhood, I've hardly seen genuine Dharma practitioners in this village. You might see someone wearing a religious outfit, but they did all kinds of household chores, like plowing fields. It was never about achieving enlightenment, but when they die, if a father dies in that house, he is born somewhere here and starts to recollect his past: 'I have this many cattle—such is my mother’s name—such is my father's name,' and so on.

"Isn't it funny that while Rinpoches are often unable to recollect their past lives, here in our village, common people can do so?” he laughed again.

“Our present Tshogpa was a cow herder in his past life. By the time he started speaking, he recollected the number of cattle, recognized each of them, and walked all the old routes on his own. It is like a spontaneous birth.

“I found it hard to believe and had to ask the late Dasho Shingkhar Lama for an explanation. Genuine practitioners find it hard to reach their past places, yet here, even common people can clearly recollect their past lives. Lama told me about the sacredness of the statue and why we must seek refuge in it.

"That’s all. Some of you might have come from far places to Kharchu. Although I'm a layman, we’re Dharma friends. If you count, there will be very few who have not received transmission from Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche. We are vajra brothers!”

After applauding him, we dispersed.

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Jaboema and the Legacy of Shingkhar Rabney

Picture: Druk Ge Nye,
Facebook.
In this place Kunkhyen
Longchen spent most of the
time meditating. 

“Jaboema grew up to become a young and handsome man. For us, it is acceptable to receive teachings from any lama. He was a lineage holder in the Nyingma tradition and had to pass that on to the next generation, so he was waiting for a suitable teacher. Fortunately, at that time, the great Terton Pema Lingpa was residing in Tang. Jaboema received teachings from him, considered him his teacher, and became a qualified master.

"Later, Pema Lingpa was received on the 15th day of the 11th Bhutanese month to consecrate (Rabney) a small temple built in this place. Today, we have the annual Shingkhar Rabney, performed with various sacred mask dances, which began the year Pema Lingpa visited. It is one of the coldest seasons," he said, as I felt the flat stone beneath my foot. “The iron hanging there is all handmade by Pema Lingpa,” he pointed at the small-sized door that leads to Rahula Phodrang.

As per my research, their annul event is celebrated from the 21st day of the 11th month of the Bhutanese calendar. I am not sure if there is anything to clarify.

“That’s all. Actually, it can be lengthy, but I've kept it brief.” He gently finished the precious story and summed up a few points in the following lines: “I have come across many new people. They say the moment they come from Tonglayla, especially at this time, they feel extremely happy. Even some lamas from Tibet told me that there’s no other place to describe paradise; this is the real one. But I think paradise is a different world. Here, in this world, it is like a prison that binds us in this samsara.” He chuckled, “That’s it.”

To be continued....

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The Story of Kunkhyen Rinpoche and His Heirs

Front view of the monastery 

He continued narrating eloquently, "Kunkhyen Rinpoche wanted to preserve certain prophecies and nangtens (sacred religious items) for future purposes. This made Za concerned, and he said, 'Lord, in the distant future, people will show less interest in religious activities. They will not care about precious dharma items, and even scriptures will be read by few. Please keep blessings to overcome all of these.' Kunkhyen replied, 'There will come a Lama who will fulfill all that I have said.'

"Later, Kunkhyen's grandson came from Tharpaling to beg for alms. By destiny, he stayed behind one night, met a woman, and shared a moment of intimacy. From them, great grandson Tsezang Thaye Drakpa was born.

"Tsezang might have been born to an aristocratic Lama’s family, but he didn’t wear red; instead, he wore white clothes. Nevertheless, he fulfilled the prophecy: people began to settle here, and a small monastery was built. In those days, and even today, we hardly grow crops here. Therefore, the Lama and some villagers had to go to Kurtoe to beg for various grains. We still find the route, Mem Tsezang Lam, named after him; the path is so steep and scary. That's how they traded.

"Later, the Lama married and had an eldest son, Jaboema."

To be continued.....

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Voices of the Divine: The Mystery of the Bird Proclaiming Kunkhyen Chhoeje

Shingkharpa's front view
from their village.

"Kunkhyen Rinpoche kept a word of prophecies for future purposes. There are many other stories, but they would be lengthy. This place was once a small grassland. Kunkhyen spoke like a lion’s roar, ‘People will settle here, a monastery will be built, and the time will come when a bird will proclaim Kunkhyen Chhoeje. This will be the time to act upon righteous deeds, bringing benefits to fellow beings. If you do as I say, there’s no need to practice other dharma; this is enough. You will be born in the heavenly realm. If you harm others, you will be born in the vajra hell. There’s no other way,'

"I think this is true. I am between fifty and sixty, whereas this temple has been here for hundreds of years. In those years, there wasn’t space to walk around the monastery or circumambulate; every space belonged to other people. It was during our time when Shingkhar Lama requested the private landowners and completed the formalities of land transactions in the name of the monastery. Then the Kora began for the first time at this place, hardly thirty years ago.

"Now, people are saying that they hear Kunkhyen Chhoeje being spoken by a bird. I couldn’t believe it when they said it, and outsiders like you won’t either,” he burst into laughter. “I never thought birds would make such a noise until I heard it while strolling above the male and female stream. I was skeptical, but it is true what Kunkhyen prophesied,"

He pondered, “I could not be of any benefit, but when I heard such, the thought ran through my mind—I’ve taken a step toward accumulating religious merits," Those words from an old man were a hair-raising moment. I would have wiped a tear if I had been alone in that room.

"Later, Lama tried recording the sound on a mobile, but surprisingly, it automatically gets erased from the phone. It doesn’t last even a year,”

To be continued.....

Za Rahula’s Drubchu

Monks Enjoying Porridge in the Early Morning.

"Compared to many other villages, our village has plenty of water. If you go towards the east, you'll find stream after stream, but there was not a single source that was worth offering to Kunkhyen. Za once again approached Kunkhyen and said, 'If YOU stay here forever, I have no say. If YOU leave tomorrow, I have no say. After all, it is YOUR destiny. As long as YOU stay, I'll serve YOU at any cost, no matter what.' He continued, 'But there are no clean water sources to offer YOU, Lama.'

"With his clairvoyance, Kunkhyen described a water source to Za: 'There's a male and female stream, black and white, meeting at the end of the grassland. That is drinkable. Bring that to me.' Za fetched the water and served his teacher, but only for a short time. Since he had to walk a long distance, he requested Kunkhyen if there was any possibility or destiny for him to find his own water source (Drubchu).

"Kunkhyen said, 'You have fortune, and in the future, your water will bring immense benefit to the village.' Za Rahula’s Drubchu is where you see it today, just a few minutes' walk from the temple. That is about Za Chu, although there are many other stories; I’ll be brief.

To be continued...

The Sacred Painting of Za Rahula by Kunkhyen Longchen

On Kunkhyen Longchen's recently unearthed throne, a statue of Kunkhyen Himself is kept. This statue is truly awe-inspiring. I have never seen any other statue of Kunkhyen that matches the charisma of this one. Additionally, buried underneath the throne is Lha-tsho, which I mentioned in my previous post.

An old man cleared his throat and continued, “One day, Za Rahula approached the revered Kunkhyen with a heartfelt concern. Za Rahula said, ‘In the distant future, I won't be visible to the people because I'm a deity. You're a Lama, so everyone will get a chance to see you. Please bless me with a solution.’ In response, Kunkhyen asked Za to bring an unpainted scroll. Using his own blood, Kunkhyen painted a likeness of Za on the scroll.

“Today, many people, especially those in elite society, claim to possess similar painting there of. However, the painting we have is entirely different. This distinction is crucial because, if not handled with care, the painting poses a significant threat to life. Even if you're a Lama, the consequences can be severe, ranging from death to prolonged serious illness. Regardless of one's purity of heart, punishment from Za is inevitable. We clean the place occasionally, but Za spares no one; there is always some kind of sickness or uncomfortable feeling associated with it.

“Kunkhyen bestowed the painting with a prophetic blessing: ‘In the future, this will be a sacred item. Nothing will happen to it; it will not be carried away by water, destroyed by fire, or stolen by thieves.’ Remarkably, this painting remains visible to this day, preserved through generations,"

The deep sense of affection old man has, rooted in his forefathers, is evident in the way he narrates and expresses himself. However, the painting is not accessible to everyone. Entering Rahula’s secret and sacred room is a privilege few can dream of.

To be continued.......

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