Chö Practice:
In order to
strengthen and stabilize Buddhism within Nepal, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Chokling
Rinpoche and Phakchok Rinpoche have decided to host Lamas from all over Nepal
for one week at our monastery every year. The first such event took place last
year in 2013. At this auspicious occasion Chokling Rinpooche was transmitting
the complete empowerments and transmissions of the terma teachings of Jatsön
Nyingpo, while Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and Phakchok Rinpoche were giving
teachings.
On the 11th
of February 2014 after the Lamas had gathered once again to receive teachings
and empowerments for one week, the event concluded with a big whole day Chö
Feast.
Chö,
literally cutting through, is one of the Eight Practice Lineages of Tibetan
Buddhism. It was founded by the yogini Machik Labdrön (1055-1149/53), who was a
disciple of the Indian master Padampa Sangye.
It is a
practice that is said to put the Prajnaparamita teachings on transcendent
wisdom into practice. While upholding the view and understanding of emptiness,
the practitioner visualizes that he offers his body to various guests,
including evil forces and spirits. The purpose of which is to destroy or cut
attachment and especially one’s own ego-clinging that bind one to samsara. The
practice is chanted in a very melodious tone accompanied by the sounds of drums
and bells.
Later, in
order to stabilize and keep Machig Labdröns Chö tradition authentic and pure
the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339) compiled the various Chö practices
and songs existing at that time into what is called Rinchen Trengwa, Jewel
Garland of Chö Feasts, which was further edited by Karma Chagme (1613-78). It
is the main practice of Chö for both the Kagyü and Nyingma tradition and all
other Chö practices, that were later revealed as termas rely on the Rinchen
Trengwa as an extensive tsok ritual.
Since both
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoches father Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his mother Sangyum
Kunzang Dechen were holders of Chö practice, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche himself also
holds the Chö practice quite dear. Thus Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche concluded this
years Lama gathering with a Chö Tsok practice and empowerment. Whereas the
Nepali Lamas had received so far teachings and empowerments in private, Chökyi
Nyima Rinpoche opened the Chö practice for the public and invited all the
students to join.
The Chö
practice was beautifully lead by Rinpoche himself and all the monks of his
monastery. In the afternoon, Rinpoche bestowed the empowerment on all the
people who had gathered.
A short
video of Rinpoche and his monks performing the Chö Feast in the can be watched
here:
Inspired by
the gathering in Feburary, Rinpoche also wanted to teach Chö to his western students.
On Rinpoche’s request, Lama Tsultrim Zangpo taught the ritual and practice of
Chö every evening for one week to a group of about 20 western students.
As a start,
currently the students are learning a brief Chö practice from the Chokling
Tersar cycle of teachings. In the future Rinpoche wants to ensure that his
students also become learned and study the various other Chö traditions and
especially the long and main practice of Rinchen Trengwa. Rinpoche also
expressed his eager wish to hold special Chö seminars and retreats for his
students.
~Stefan from Germany
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