Remembering His Holiness Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche
Rigpa
It came as a great shock to all, to hear that His Holiness Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche entered parinirvana on the 14th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Iron Ox year, 15 February, 2022. His Holiness was the young incarnation (and grandson) of Dudjom Rinpoche, Jikdral Yeshe Dorje. Born in 1990, he was recognised by numerous lamas as the incarnation of the previous Dudjom Rinpoche, including by Kyabjé Chatral Rinpoche who meticulously guided his dharma education and training.
Dudjom Rinpoche’s training and activities
Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche was first recognized as the tulku of Dudjom Rinpoche by the great tertön and wisdom dakini Tare Lhamo. He was later also recognized as a tulku of Dudjom Rinpoche by Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, who held an elaborate ceremony in Dzongsar Monastery. In Nepal, Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa was recognized as an incarnation of Dudjom Rinpoche by Chatral Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and Minling Trichen Rinpoche. In 1994, the enthronement ceremony was held in Nepal by Chatral Rinpoche, which gathered many students of Dudjom Rinpoche, including Penor Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyente Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and Katok Situ.
Dudjom Rinpoche III with Chatral Rinpoche
Dudjom Rinpoche III with Jikmé Phuntsok Rinpoche
Dudjom Rinpoche III with Dodrupchen Rinpoche
Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa received teachings and empowerments from many renowned masters, including Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Khenpo Jigmé Phuntsok Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and many others. Following the instruction of his root lama Chatral Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche III undertook a traditional three-year retreat at the famous hermitage of Gangri Tokar in Tibet, from 2008 - 2011. Dudjom Rinpoche III visited many of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Tibet, China, Nepal, Spiti and Bhutan. His principal seats were in Nepal and Tibet.
As a teacher, Dudjom Rinpoche III was requested by Nyingma and Dudjom Tersar monasteries and centers all of the world to transmit the treasures of his previous lives, and he strove to fulfill all these genuine requests, bestowing the entirety of the empowerments and reading transmissions for the Dudjom Tersar upon thousands of faithful students.
The presence and qualities of Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche
Translator Christina Monson who had the great privilege and fortune to serve Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche, shared some of her experiences of His Holiness:
“For me, being in the presence of His Holiness was like being beside an utterly vast, deep, warm, still, crystalline ocean. It was not uncommon when meeting him to be greeted by a great, loving, silence.
When he did speak, his words were always exceptionally precise and profound. Some might have assumed he spoke sparingly due to having a naturally shy and introverted nature. I experienced his quiet nature as infinite spaciousness reflecting the overwhelming power of his wisdom realization. Over the years that I served him, I witnessed countless people make deeply meaningful connections with him in just a single meeting, transforming their lives and Dharma practice with inspired devotion. ”
She further described his qualities and accomplishments:
“His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche was meticulous about ethical discipline and took the lead in encouraging perfectly pure Dharma activity free from hypocrisy and materialistic intentions for all followers of the holy teachings of the Buddha. He insisted that his Dharma events be freely offered, and following in the footsteps of his root guru, offered donations that he received to free the lives of sentient beings and construct supports for enlightened body, speech, and mind.
“When he gave teachings, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche could teach at multiple levels simultaneously so that practitioners at different levels of understanding would connect to what was most beneficial for them. He taught spontaneously. While he adhered to the modern day practice of making schedules for Dharma events, he loved to do things that were unplanned and unannounced, including at times giving very profound instructions right on the spot to individual practitioners. His life was two-hundred percent dedicated to benefitting beings. It was quite normal for him to be receiving visitors from early morning to late evening. He honored numerous requests to teach, give transmissions and bestow empowerments to students in Nyingma and Dudjom Tersar monasteries and centers all of the world.”
We pray for the continuation of every aspect of His Holiness’s enlightened activity: may it continue for countless generations to come, and bring vast benefit to all sentient beings. May his incarnation be born quickly, found without obstacle or delay, be blessed with the qualities of all his predecessors, and be ready and able to benefit the Dharma and an infinite number of beings in this troubled age!
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