Special Ceremony - June 17th 2019
On the auspicious day of the Anniversary of Lord Buddha’s Enlightenment and Parinirvana (Monday 17th June 2019) we held a very special and deeply moving ceremony in the Temple. The ceremony marked the moment when Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche handed over responsibility for the running of Kagyu Samye Ling to Deputy Abbot, Lama Katen. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche spoke of his happiness in passing this role on, reminding us of how precious Kagyu Samye Ling is and urging us to support Lama Katen to achieve the vision that Akong Rinpoche worked so hard to bring into being.
Lama Zangmo, Lama Tsondru and Lama Rinchen talked about the courage, skill, compassion and wisdom with which Akong Rinpoche had first established Samye Ling, how more recently Lama Yeshe Rinpoche has guided and developed Samye Ling, and of their gratitude to him. They spoke of their full confidence in Akong Rinpoche’s decision to name Lama Katen as his successor, and offered him their support and all good wishes for his new role. The Lamas, along with representatives of the ordained and lay members of the Samye Ling Community then offered a Mandala and the traditional symbols of body, speech and mind to Lama Katen; and everyone present offered white scarves to both Lama Rinpoche and Lama Katen.
The final speaker was Drupon Rinpoche, who described both the first and the last words Akong Rinpoche had said to him. On both occasions, he said, Akong Rinpoche requested that he guide Lama Katen well, so that he could continue the work of Akong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe. Drupon Rinpoche continued by saying that whatever Akong Rinpoche decided was based on reasoning and his far-seeing view and that, because he believes Rinpoche’s plan is unmistaken and that Lama Katen has been chosen for his qualities, then he is fully supportive of Akong Rinpoche’s vision and his wish.
Drupon Rinpoche then urged Lama Yeshe Rinpoche to increase his efforts to be of benefit to the Buddhadharma, the Lineage and especially to Samye Ling.
Offering a katak to Lama Katen, Drupon Rinpoche expressed the wish that Lama Katen may go on to be of great benefit to the Practice Lineage. He shared his hope that Lama Katen will not “change his costume” and, as a reminder of this, he offered him his Dharma robe; then, as a reminder that he must not forget to practise, he gave him his mala.
Drupon Rinpoche’s final gift was to play a recording of a verse composed and spoken by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Drupon Rinpoche explained that Lama Katen is from Thrangu Monastery and Thrangu Rinpoche is his Abbot. So Drupon Rinpoche had requested Thrangu Rinpoche to compose a long life prayer for Lama Katen. Drupon Rinpoche then presented Lama Katen with a copy of the prayer in Thrangu Rinpoche’s own hand writing, along with a white scarf and some money which Rinpoche wished to offer him.
To see other photos of the ceremony please click here to have a look at the Flickr album.