His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Prayer to His Holiness Karma Kuchen

August 20, 2016 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo while at Palyul Ling Retreat Center in Upstate New York:

To the victorious Guru Karma Kuchen I pray – for the sake of beings in these degenerate times, ascend the Lion Throne of Palyul fully endowed with every strength and virtue! May we who long for your blessing be satisfied!

In previous times you came to us as Karma Tashi to clear our ignorance, our attachment to ordinary confused appearance!

You again sat on the glorious Palyul throne to grant us the awakening to Primordial Buddha nature as the great display Karma Gyurmed, the dance of suchness, as it is!

Then you returned as Karma Tegchog Nyingpo, also known as Tsawei Lama by the peerless Guru, the Third Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche.

You now have come again as Karma Kuchen, pure and stainless. Kye ho! Such are the many miracles of your display for the sake of beings. Now please abide steadfast upon the Lotus Throne of my heart. Rise this very moment, clear all obstacles to mighty Palyul, banish the enemies of the Heart Essence Nectar given to us by the second Buddha Padmasambava through the child Terton Migure Dorje. Restore us all to original purity, clear recognition and perfect virtue!

May Palyul remain as the great unbroken refuge it is in the world now. Please establish the work of your predecessors and that of our Guru. Protect with mighty vigor the insurmountable accomplishment of our Guru Kyabje Pema Norbu, may nothing be wasted, and may all beings benefit! Live long! Strengthen the Throne of Palyul and remain in perfect health! Show your holy face as we hunger and thirst; and we need you now more than ever, in these darkening times we need your light, the sun of Palyul, Guru within my heart, grant your blessings!

From Student to Teacher: Pure Offering

December 17, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following was submitted by a student of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, Kunzang Drolma:

From Student to Teacher

His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche

I dream of the day my Guru will be reborn and found. I long for it. This Precious Incarnation is sorely missed–every day.

I have my Palyul Lineage and all our AMAZING throneholders. But His Holiness Penor Rinpoche is my root Guru, enthroned upon the Lotus in my heart.

His Holines Penor Rinpoche is present always! Through my humanness I long to see His Precious Face- hear His voice, the fragrance of His holy breath! Ah, tears…

I must satisfy my heart with His many teachings, prayers, and mixing my mind with His. Like milk with water, inseparable! The way…

I have never seen such compassion in anyone else but His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. He was a living Buddha, peerless. He made Palyul what it is today!

~ Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The relationship between Teacher and Student is the foundation of Tibetan Buddhism. Devotion is the method of awakening to the true nature of compassionate wisdom or Bodhicitta, and through which the Teacher’s pure blessings pass to the Student. The Student is in a posture of offering, of holding nothing back, with the certainty that their pure Teacher will not, can never, abandon them, but will work ceaselessly for the benefit of the Student and all beings.

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo has never wavered in her devotion to her Root Guru, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, who passed from this life in 2009. Her public expression of her love of, devotion to and yearning for His Holiness is a display of humble reverence for the most holy being who appeared in her life. Holiness recognized Jetsunma as the reincarnation of the first Ahkon Lhamo, who – along with her brother Kunzang Sherab – founded the Palyul Lineage in the Nyingma School. In so doing, Holiness firmly established the presence of Palyul in the West and acknowledged the purity of Jetsunma’s presence in the world. On one occasion, as Jetsunma was prostrating to welcome Holiness to the Sates, he responded. “It is I who should be prostrating to you.” Such was his reverence for Jetsunma.

Jetsunma never ceased to make offerings to Holiness during his most recent lifetime, including a song she wrote and recorded for him, titled, Father. Holiness in turn never ceased to support and respect all of Jetsunma’s activities, even in the face of overt criticism and hostility from Westerners who questioned Jetsunma’s authenticity. At least twice, during Palyul Summer Retreat, Holiness spoke from the throne about Jetsunma and her purity as a Tulku or reincarnate Lama, and her absolute commitment to ending the suffering of all beings.

It is no surprise that Jetsunma’s generosity and gratitude to her Root Teacher did not end with his passing from this life, as evidenced by her heartfelt prayer to him. For she and Holiness remain inseparable in her heart. It is from this pure posture that Jetsunma has offered the entire holdings of Kunzang Palyul Choling, the Buddhist Temple of which she is Spiritual Director, to the Labrang of His Holiness’ Yangsi.

Labrang refers to the offerings held on behalf of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche until his Yangsi, or reincarnation, is recognized. His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, current Throne-holder of Palyul, will hold the Labrang on behalf of the Yangsi until his reappearance and recognition. Jetsunma is making a pure and uninhibited offering of her activities and her purpose in this lifetime, in the form of the KPC Mandala, because she can hold nothing back from her Root Guru. It is this posture that proves her purity of heart and devotion, and teaches all of us that Vajrayana is not an intellectual concept; it is an expression of love, commitment, yearning, joy, devotion and certainty there is nothing of true value in this ordinary world, other than the constant presence in one’s heart and mind of the blessings of one’s Root Guru.

To His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Tsawei Lama I pray

O great treasure of Love and Blessing, Supreme Wisdom Holder! Return for the sake of all sentient beings!

Come, lead us out of confusion into Pristine Awareness as only a true Buddha can! I await the Bliss of Your return!

Show us the way to attain Supreme Enlightenment as you have always done! Return to us! There is such suffering!

Show us how to awaken from this deep, narcotic trance- to the Pristine Primordial Nature, free of contrivance! E MA HO!

Beloved Guru, may I always, in every future time be reborn in Your Entourage and serve you and all beings with body, speech and mind.

~ Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Tea with His Holiness Karma Kuchen

September 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Palyul totally rocks, moves my heart, and is my beloved family. The tea with His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was wonderful! There was so much to tell each other. I shared what hellishness has gone on the past few years. His Holiness Karma Kuchen said it doesn’t matter. Palyul is huge, and I am 100% supported by the great Palyul. And so importantly, His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche supports me. As I do all Palyul, always have.

All feels good now. Palyul is thriving again. We lost His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, beloved Tsawei Lama, but now we are marching forward. Palyul Tibet, consisting of many monasteries is also doing well with His Holiness Karma Kuchen as the Head of all Palyul. His presence is so luminous, peaceful. He is so much like His Holiness PenorRinpoche it is baffling, clearly His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche has mixed his mind with the Tsawei Lama. I am re-inspired! Did the Precious Guru ever leave me? Never. Never since I saw the precious face in this or any lifetime.

Welcoming His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche to KPC

September 12, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I am happy that Palyul Throneholder His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche is here and settled in. He seems comfortable and happy. And His Eminence Muksang Tulku will be arriving tomorrow. How fortunate we are! We are blessed to gather again we have been close many lifetimes. And the Sangha is blessed to have the merit to be with this young Throne Holder, a living Buddha!

Palyul is rich in wisdom, having indeed been the astounding effort and lifelong work of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, without whom nothing of this would have happened. We are very fortunate beings!

We will be busy for a few days, but I’ll tweet when I can. Thank you for your friendship! May all be rich with blessings and love!

Young Throne Holder

August 25, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

KPC HH VISIT

Prince of power this is the hour
This is the time when you must shine
I see it on your face, in your mind
You awaken right on time
To honor our Guru, our Lord Sublime.

You alone are well prepared
This time would come, you were aware
He gave you his essence with such care
I would have known Him anywhere.
You mixed your minds like water and wine

I hear His song in your mind.

Karma and Purification on the Path

August 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I personally know a story about a young lady who took robes of ordination as an Ani years ago. Deep habitual tendencies caused her to fall off her path and break the vows very seriously, more than once. As a lay woman she continued the pattern, there was so much rage in her, the events seemed neurotic, obsessive. She was determined to ruin her Teacher, as she imagined the downfall was her Teacher’s fault. The breakage seemed to spiral and worsen until she lost friends, and suffered terribly, as did the ones she attacked. It was a terrible mess! But she went to other Lamas and asked for advice, and to become their student. All told her she must return to her own Tsawei Lama and make amends.

How terribly difficult when so much damage to so many had been done. But she persisted. Correcting lies, doing purifying practice, applying the proper antidotes. She went to retreat and was welcomed and treated kindly. Her Guru had already taken her back. Except for one elder Lama who, when she served tea, poured it on the ground and said “you may not serve me!” as he himself had witnessed what she’d done personally, and had known the effect on all. She accepted and bowed low, wondering why everyone didn’t treat her just the same. But it was through that Lama’s activity she was instantly able to see the depth of her betrayal and was able to make confession without leaving out any details at all. She was given kind instruction from His Holiness Palyul Karma Kuchen Rinpoche and is now taking advanced teachings, much happier and her mind continues to be freed from the imprisonment of the cycle of hatred, greed and ignorance. Stage by stage she grows more free!

She repeatedly asked why she was so compelled, so intensely obsessed with harming her Teacher and Dharma. The answer, repeatedly, was a real kicker. In past lives she had made up her own path and convinced (skillfully) others to follow and practice what she taught. So in this life, although she is skillful and brilliant, it was impossible for her to keep the robes of the Buddha or to follow the path of Buddhism nicely or purely. It will take time to repair, but she is diligently applying herself. She was instructed to tell truth always and make an unshakable commitment to never behave that way again.

There is always a way to purify mistakes, but so much better to never make them in the first place. To try to teach a made-up path that causes downfall for others results in great mental instability and even insanity. Emotional equilibrium is lost. And it continues into future lives. Suffering of others is experienced by the false teacher. You will always know them by their current lives and experience. Sadly, still ignorant, they cannot see it for themselves. Karma is real, if you believe it or not. And you are experiencing it right now, and will continue until Supreme Enlightenment.

One more thing. I am so proud of her. And love her so deeply, she is a miracle.

The Twelfth Throne Holder

March 15, 2011 by Holly

The Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche

(1970 – date)

The 5th Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was born in the year of Iron Dog (1970), along with many auspicious signs in Southern India, to a noble religious family. When he was two years old, the late His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, and H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche notified his parents that their son was quite a special child, and they should send him to the monastery for training as a monk.

H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was sent to the monastery at the age of four, where he studied and perfected the teachings of Namcho (Sky Teachings) preliminaries (ordinary and extraordinary), Tsalung and up to Dzogpachenpo under the direct guidance of H.H. Penor Rinpoche. He also took the Bhikshu and Bodhisattva vows, and received the Namcho, Ratna Lingpa’s revelations and Rinchen Terzoed empowerments from H.H. Penor Rinpoche. In addition, he received many teachings under the late H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, and many other great siddhas.

He displayed infinite wisdom and understanding of Vajrayana and Mahayana teachings when he gave a long discourse at the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in the presence of many high Khenpos. In 1994, at the instructions of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, he went to deepen his studies at the main Palyul Monastery in Tibet where the retreat centers and a Buddhist Institute are also located. H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche often gave lectures at the request of his students at the Dharma Institute. There he was recognized as the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche by Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche and Khenpo Acchu.

In 2000, on August 14^th, H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was formally enthroned at the main Palyul Monastery in Tibet. This was considered an important event in the Buddhist world. Equipped with inconceivable wisdom, modesty, grace and boundless compassion, he has vowed to bring peace and happiness to all sentient beings and spread the supreme Dharma in the 10 directions.

Significant achievements of H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche since his arrival in Tibet are that he has built many temples, Stupas, prayer wheels, images of deities and other objects of veneration and faith. Under the direction of Penor Rinpoche, he has also built a very grand and magnificent temple on the monastery premises.

Of the many remarkable qualities that he possesses, the most striking quality is his strict and pure observance of all the vows of a monk. He is thus the embodiment of pure conduct in these degenerate times.

Reference: Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies

Advice for the Path

December 8, 2011December 28, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

HH Penor Rinpoche & HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche

The very best way to announce that you are an ordinary deluded sentient being is to claim yourself to be Enlightened.

The best way to announce you are needy with an ego to match is to insist that you are enlightened.

The very best way to let everyone know you are truly a fool is to shout out everywhere that you are enlightened.

The very best way to warn everyone you are an egomaniac and dangerous is to claim enlightenment and that you can “give” it to others.

The #1 way to announce your ignorance of spiritual matters is to be hateful and vengeful.

The very best way to let everyone know you are not acquainted with compassion is to gossip and slander.

The best way to express good qualities and show your stuff is to shut your pie-hole and benefit beings. Make the world better.

The best way to live a decent wholesome life is to get off your butt and actually do it!

The best way to offer spiritual leadership is to walk your talk and know it isn’t about you.

The best way to bring beings to the Path is to practice it, accomplish it, be it in every area of your life.

If you meet someone who proclaims himself to be accomplished and enlightened, the best thing to do is let him be.

If you meet a teacher who makes no claim for themselves, but allows others to speak; and their life and works are sublime- call them Guru!

If that teacher promises hard work, change, method, empowerment, a lineage of purity to depend on- follow to the ends of the earth!

If you are on the path and are practicing daily and well under the guidance of a qualified Guru, please rejoice! Be happy! Each day new and better causes and conditions will appear to enhance your progress.

If you walk the Path of Dharma guided by a pure Guru you have already attained the nectar of this human rebirth.

Tsawei Lama 2

November 26, 2011December 17, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Jetsunma greeting His Holiness Karma Kuchen

It’s raining now, but I can see
That soon the sun will be with me.
It’s pouring now, but I can tell
That soon the bliss will come, as well.

That kiss of sunlight, a warming spell
Reminds me that when darkness fell
It seemed I’d lost you for a while
But then the gift- your blessing smile.

I knew that it would take some time
That soon the glory that is your Mind
Will come again, and in a while
You will come as a precious child.

Oh, lead me swiftly to that day
When I can close my eyes and pray
When I will know in that secret way
He has come! He is here! The great display!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Long Life Prayer for His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche

November 24, 2011November 3, 2010 by Holly

The Melodious Sound of the Indestructible Vajra

RAB JAM SE CHE GYAL WAI SANG SUM LHA

Infinite buddhas and their heirs, the deities of the Conqueror’s three secrets,

CHI MED TOB DANG WANG CHUI DEN TSIG GI

By the truth of your ten powers and the strength of your immortality

CHOG GI TRUL KUI SANG SUM JIN LAB TE

Bless the three secrets (body, speech and mind) of this supreme Nirmanakaya

TSE DANG YE SHE GYÉ PAR DZED DU SOL

And increase his longevity and wisdom.

O GYEN SANG GYÉ NYI PAI RING LUG KYI

The tradition of the second Buddha of Oddiyana

KA TER DO NGAG TEN PAI PEMÖI TSAL

The doctrine of Kama, Terma, the sutra and mantra are like a field of lotuses.

JED DZED CHÖ KYI NYI MA NAG Ö KYI

You are the Dharma sun who blossoms them, worthy of highest praise,

YÖN TEN CHA SHÉ DZOG SHIN SHAB TÉN SOL

May you live long, perfecting every excellent quality.

SANG SHEN ÖD SAL NYING POI RING LUG DAR

May the early tradition of the Great Secret’s clear light essence spread.

KAL ZANG KHÉ DZUN GE DÖN DÜ PA GYÉ

May the gathering of fortunate sangha, wise and pure, grow.

NÖD CHU GÜD SHI PHEN DEI PAL GYÉ PAI

May the degeneration of the world and its peoples subside.

TA SHI NANG WÉ SA SUM KHYAB GYUR CHIG

May glorious happiness and good fortune auspiciously spread to fill the entire three worlds.

According to the command of Choktrul Rinpoche, I, Gyurme Tegchog Tenpai Gyaltsen (Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche), wrote this by supplicating to my lama and the mandala of the three roots and longevity deities. May virtue increase!