August 29, 2006
His Holiness Karmapa's 21st Birthday Celebration
ELEVEN LUCKY STUDENTS OF THE DZOGCHEN PONLOP RINPOCHE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO ATTEND THE 21ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF HH XVII KARMAPA AT GYUTO MONASTERY IN SIDBHARI, NEAR DHARAMSALA IN THE NORTHERN INDIAN PROVINCE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH. WE TRAVELLED FROM NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE AS DELEGATES OF THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN RINPOCHE’S WIDE-REACHING MANDALA.
Visit the online journal to read the entire travelogue by Heather Chan and Oona Edmands.
The delegates were: Mark Power - Chair, NEC U.S.; Kim McMeans - Chair, NEC Canada; Sandra Roscoe and Stuart Horn - Nalandabodhi members at large; Pat Lee - official videographer and NB Connecticut member; Heather Chan - NEC Canada Publications Co-director and NB Toronto member; Christine McKenna - NB Boulder member; Heidi Caltik and Hans Wiesinger - Nalandabodhi Vienna members; Oona Edmands - Nitartha international Project Manager and NB New York member; Steve Seeley - Managing Director, Nitartha Institute, and NB Halifax member
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A few brief reflections on our Pilgrimage to His Holiness the 17’th Karmapa’s 21st Birthday Celebration
by Sandra Roscoe
While several people told me stories about being in the presence of His Holiness, nothing prepared me for how it really is. It’s like stepping into an entirely different atmosphere or climatic condition. Everything shifts. Perceptions, thoughts, considerations about the past and future, digestive disorders, likes, dislikes -- everything gets tossed around and re-prioritized.
Rinpoche told us before leaving for India that we should do aspiration prayers in the presence of His Holiness. There was no thinking about this, or any effort to remember this instruction -- it just happens – a continuously bubbling fountain of prayerful aspirations.
Rinpoche also instructed us that when we are in the presence of His Holiness to be aware that there is no place else to be. Again there was no conscious remembrance of this instruction. There is simply the brilliant awareness that there IS no other place to be.
When His Holiness sat quietly during His birthday observance, not speaking any words per se – there was so much activity coming from him, moving in all directions – at times like fierce lightening – at other times profoundly calm, and at all times luminous and radiant.
Traveling with other Nalandabodhi students was a mere reflection of the tangible joy, kindness, generosity, and care of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with his ever present hand above us, pulling us all up, connecting us with the living lineage. Everyone on the journey was effortlessly caring for and supporting each other. Countless times I felt the blessing of bringing the entire sangha with us in our thoughts and aspirations. Again, this blessing just seemed to erupt without any effort.
May our brilliant teacher, his amazing sangha, and all beings be benefited!
Posted by Jean1 at August 29, 2006 05:02 PM