Lama Jampa and Dechen Dolma have recently returned from a week long trip to Nepal to visit Karma Thinley Rinpoche. A grand master of the Sakya and Kagyu traditions, Rinpoche was born into the noble family of Bongsar in 1931 in the Nangchen area of Kham, Eastern Tibet. Lama Jampa took Refuge with Rinpoche in 1973 and two years later they together established the first Dechen centre. Since then Lama Jampa has received countless precious teachings and transmissions from Rinpoche, which he has in turn passed onto dharma students around the world.
“You are the activity of the holders of the Black and Red Crowns
Making the lineages of Buddha’s sutra and tantra shine like the sun.
Supreme root lama, Karma Thinley
May your life be long and your activities be completely fulfilled”
Extracted from the Long Life Prayer by Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro
During the visit, the ordained sangha at Tegchen Legshey Ling performed an extensive long life sadhana and tsog offering, dedicated to the long life and continuing good health of Karma Thinley Rinpoche and Lama Jampa Thaye. During the prayers a Tenzhug offering was made to Lama Jampa for his long and stable life. Lama Jampa and Dechen Dolma made offerings to each of the sangha, including money for the six young novice nuns for clothing and other such necessities.
Lama Jampa and Dechen Dolma also visited Kimdol Vihara, an ancient monastery and rest house for Buddhist pilgrims. Many great Kagyu and Nyingma Lamas stayed here as guests of the local Buddhist kings and Lamas. They include the 6th, 8th and 10th Shamarpa, the 13th Karmapa and the 8th Situpa.
For more about Karma Thinley Rinpoche, see the Dechen website, and for his role in the transmission of teachings and the establishment of Dechen, see Lama Jampa’s book ‘River of Memory’.