My Teachers

Lamas of Empowerments

Trulshig Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, and Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche were three of the main lineage holders in Nyingma school. From them tens of thousands of practitioners have got connected to, and empowered by unbroken lineages, streaming from one enlightened master to another through centuries. Empowerment, connection, and blessing of the lineage are crucial for entering Vajrayana practice and following it. I will never be able to express in words my gratitude and appreciation to these three enlightened teachers and their role in my connection to Longchen Nyingthig tradition.

Transmissions received from H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche:

Empowerments received from H.H. Penor Rinpoche:

Empowerments received from H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche:

Other empowerments and transmissions received:

Teachers of Pith Instructions

About each of these masters, I would prefer either to write a book or do not say anything otherwise, because the qualities they possess, are beyond the reach of my limited ability to describe it.  Here I can just mention a few simple facts about how we have met and a few words about their role in my training on the Path.

Khalkha Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche (on the left) was my first Dharma teacher. I was fortunate to meet him soon after my arrival to India. That was the time when H.H. Dalai Lama and Khalkha Rinpoche where bestowing great empowerments, one after another, and we - disciples and students -  were in the ocean of blessing. That, in fact, has played a crucial role in the process of purification and clarification which just has begun for me at that point but already started to change my perception and view. Meeting - in a small group - with H.H. Dalai Lama and being close to H.H. Khalkha Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche, for months, has provoked that magical shift in my state, which I consider, has determined most important events and revelations in following time. After my first short retreat in Khalkha Rinpoche's house-temple, and from that time,  I didn't perceive him other than Buddha in flesh, and that in turn, was connecting myself to a shower of blessing, purification, experiences, inspiration, strength, determination etc. I didn't have to convince myself that he is Buddha, didn't have to think about it. Just everything before I was approaching him, tears were coming to my eyes together with the feeling, that actually, at last, I see the Truth again. Even from a distance of my ignorance and through all layers of my delusions his light was able to penetrate and touch my heart. And stay with it. And guide it.

Lama Tashi Choijor (in the middle) was an embodiment of Dharma. In him, I have seen what actually does it mean "to mingle your mind with the Dharma". For some reason, I always saw him as Dza Patrul Rinpoche. He was an ocean of wisdom and compassion and had a very kind heart, without any agenda towards simple people. With easy going attitude and limitless kindness, he was living among common people as a hidden yogi and known as a kind simple lama to whom anyone can come for an advice or help. At the same time, he was recognized as a tulku and supposed to be a head of a monastery in Bhutan, but just very few people knew about it. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche told him that he is a reincarnation of Maitripa and once even have sent a letter to a monastery where Lama Tashi was temporarily staying. On the next morning, Lama Tashi has left that monastery and continued his path. There are many interesting stories about him which have yet to be told. However, beyond all ordinary appearance, he was truly a great master of Dzogchen, perhaps among very few in this time. And when it comes to teaching or discussion about Dharma, he was a lion.

Lama Pema Donyo (on the right) of the Dzogchen monastery has done nine years retreat, and after the short pilgrimage has moved to mountains for life and practice. He was living and practicing as a hermit yogi. The power of his presence and realization was the transmission in itself. If I say that he was a true master and practitioner of Longchen Nyingthig, I'm afraid, now, it might not be understood well.  What I mean is that if Jigme Lingpa would meet this master in life, he would definitely express joy, for he would see someone who actually following his steps, and not just in the way of practice, but in the genuine realization of the luminous essence of the Dharma.
One day he found me sitting in a cave in Urgyen Dzong, in Ladakh, a place which is also hard to reach, were a white boy, sitting in meditation in a cave is perhaps the last thing for a Tibetan yogi to expect to see. Well, it has happened and this is how we have met. After a few days, we were talking as old friends, who have just met again. Of course, I have recognized him as a great master. Though his qualities and realization have never stopped reveal to me in a new view, just depending on my own little steps in practice, while his realization was beyond limits I could comprehend.

As I said earlier,  about these great masters, a book has to be written, and I hope later I will have a chance to make it happen.
For now, I just want to add that while all teachings, advice, and instructions of such masters are priceless, the essence, the heart transmission, perhaps, happens a lot between the lines and words. These three lamas were my true family and they remain as such, now, in my practice and in my heart.

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