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Khenpo Sherab Ozer Update

The following letter was received from Tracy Howard:

August 2009
Xining, China

Dear Friends of Khenpo Sherab Ozer,

It has been nearly two years since my last Khenpo update and, since joining him again at the nunnery earlier this summer, I have been wishing to share so many details of his present situation with you all. I currently find myself in the provincial capital of Xining, having parted ways with Khenpo who left for his home town to visit his elderly mother and then back to the nunneries of Kham. We will meet again in a short time.

It is rare for Khenpo to be away from the nunneries in summer like this; his intense schedule does not usually allow for it. During teaching periods, the nuns take one rest day every two weeks. Khenpo uses these days to visit the retreat center to give necessary teachings and empowerments. Thus, he never has a day off. But he works like this with great joy because the nuns match his work ethic and their progress is unmistakable. They study with an unrivaled diligence; I have witnessed Khenpo say on several occasions that he has never seen such dedication from monks or other nuns anywhere in the world.

Khenpo speaks of his nuns like this with the pride of a father - to lamas, monks, and lay people, to whomever will listen - he loves to show them off. Recently, when Khenpo was visiting one monastery in the area, some of his nuns came to visit. Khenpo had them come to the front and perform for the entire assembly of monks. A group of four young nuns came up, two sat down, two stood. The two standing began to rapidly ask question after question about the 37 Bodhisattva Practices which the seated two answered in unison. After about fifteen minutes straight of question-answer like this, Khenpo stopped them and asked them to skip to the end for sake of time. The assembly of monks and I were all duly impressed and watched in silence as the nuns made there way through the entire text, picking it apart in detail through questions and answers. Later Khenpo asked me, "So, how impressive are my nuns?" with a giant grin on his face. Quite impressive, for sure, dear Khenpo.

And further impressive in that, while these four young nuns were in the youngest class, just beginning to study the curriculum, the older classes are already at the point where the fruit of their diligence is beginning to ripen as knowledge which is of benefit to the greater community. Khenpo is not simply working towards giving them an education; he is working towards educating them to be of benefit and to accomplish great things. The rate of his progress arouses my respect. Next year, already, Khenpo has arranged for over seventy nuns to participate in the annual Drikung Kagyu conference held at Drubgyu Monastery on the anniversary of Jigten Sumgon's passing. Until the present, this event has been held exclusively by monks. Furthermore, in three or four years many of the nuns will have completed the curriculum and Khenpo told me that he expects ten nuns to be fully qualified to receive the title of Ani-Khenpo.

With such rapid results it is no big surprise that Khenpo, himself, is gaining a reputation in the larger community of Eastern Tibet. He receives more invitations than he can possibly accept due to growing repute of his work at the Drikung nunneries. Recently, between teachings, Khenpo visited a valley which is home to many of the nuns from Samten Choling. He was received by the local lamas with great procession and respect. Later, in front of many nuns and local people, they spoke of how grateful they are for Khenpo's work, of how kind he is for endeavoring in such work. Khenpo was not allowed to leave before accepting offerings of yaks, horses, a giant tent, and monetary offerings. This was quite moving to observe. On another occasion Khenpo related to me that one monastery had told him it would be very difficult for them to find such a teacher to educate their own monks, as fully qualified teachers are hard to come by and, if you happen to find one, they require a salary. Khenpo always says that it is because of the kindness of his American students that he is able to strive for the nuns, requiring nothing but willing students. And his students are willing and ardent.

Not only do their studies impress me, but also their overall sincerity and genuineness in all aspects of life, whether work or play. I was greeted by so many familiar smiling faces when I arrived at the nunnery this year. The smiles continued as the teachings ended and they held two full days of games and performances, during which they dressed up as men, Tibetan heros, animals, etc. and laughed and laughed. They play with the same zeal with which they study. As Khenpo watched from a seat above, they played tug-of-war, various races, sang songs, and in general had a good time.

When the fun and games are over and work begins their tirelessness continues. The night before Khenpo was to leave Samten Choling torrential rains and thunder befell the mountain and created a flash flood; rivers of rushing water washed out seven homes as well as good chunks of the road leading to the nunnery. For these nuns, who live under the most basic of conditions, the storm was no less than a disaster. Yet the next morning, at the first light, they were out in the mud with their shovels and hands in their flip-flopped feet, beginning the overwhelming task of clean-up and repairs. They worked until the light disappeared, hauling load after load of debris, splitting fallen boulders until they were in small pieces which could be carried on their backs to the washed-out road. I walked down the road with Khenpo, surveying the damage. He stayed with groups of nuns all day, lending moral support for their toils as they built up the road - a project I would have predicted required professionals. These women work without complaint, whether in their studies or in taking care of their nunnery. I am impressed and moved again and again. Seeing it first hand makes it easy to understand Khenpo's joy in the product of his labors.

And, indeed, he works with a wish to benefit them in every way. He keeps them company when they have difficult work to complete; he encourages them in their studies; he works to build their self confidence and sense of accomplishment; he even introduces these women, many of whom have never left their own village and the nunnery, to the world, taking one or two with him when he must travel to the big city of Xining. He constantly thoughtfully considers how best to help them in every aspect of life so that they may, in turn, be of benefit to their community and the larger world.

I am attaching a letter from Khenpo, himself, that he dictated to me shortly before we parted ways. He had not intended to request help, always grateful for everything you give him already, but the storm that hit the nunnery prompted him to send this letter, the nuns looking to him for help and having no where else to turn.

His impressive activities have moved me to write to those of you back home I know love Khenpo and will appreciate hearing of his endeavors on the other side of the world. Rest assured that Khenpo is well and in good spirits. He speaks often of the quality of his American students and of their kindness and of a time when he will be able to return to you all, bringing some of his nuns to teach alongside him. My own feeling is that this day will come sooner rather than later, propelled by the prayers of Khenpo and yourselves. As always, please forward this to all who may be interested to hear of Khenpo's activities as I do not have a comprehensive contact list.

With best wishes and tashi delek from the Land of the Snows,

Tracy

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Raffle Results
Congratulations to Brigitte Moyer, winner of the Chenrezig Thangka, drawn on September 20th. Keep an eye open for the next raffle which will take place during the Medicine Buddha teachings.

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Community Bulletin Board
Remember the "Members Forum" on the White Lotus website? One of our newer members, Bonnie MacGregor, would like to see it start up again as a resource for getting those Dharma questions answered. She writes . . .

"Ask Frank?" You choose the topics!

Welcome to our new "Ask Frank?" forum. Each week Frank will answer a question from those submitted to the forum. Have you been thinking of a topic but not sure how to start a dialogue? Then this is the place to ask a question. Did one of Frank's Sunday talks make you think of another question you forgot to ask? Well drop a note here. Have you been reading and not sure you understand an idea presented to you? Then this is the place to ask.

Everyone is invited to join in. Non-members can access general announcements and some discussions. Members can access all the announcements and discussions. Go to www.whitelotusdharma.org and click on Members Forum - button on the left of the home page.

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H.E. Penor Rinpoche, 1932-2009
Dharamsala, March 27 - The head of the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism, His Eminence Penor Rinpoche, breathed his last today around 8.20 PM (Indian Standard time) at his residence at Namdrol ling monastery in Bylakuppee, his aides told phayul, and not at hospital as reported earlier.

Rinpoche was admitted to Columbia Asia Hospital, Bangalore on March 24 following a chronic illness. On March 27, 2009, many high lamas of the Nyingma tradition as well as various other dignitaries received blessings from him at the intensive care unit of the hospital, a press statement issued by his monastery said.

The khenpos, tulkus and faculty members sought audience with Rinpoche and prayed before him. After the prayer, without any sign of pain he smiled and passed away into parinirvana state for the benefit of sentient beings. Presently, he is in thugdam (meditative state), and the parinirvana prayers are being performed by his followers worldwide, his aides said.

Voice of Tibet radio reported that a long life offering (tenshug) was held at Namdrol ling monastery in the wee hours of March 27 in the presence of Ven. Tsering Phuntsok, the minister for religion of the exile Tibetan government; members of parliament from Nyingma school, representatives of the department of home in south India, among others.

Rinpoche left the hospital at 3.30 PM for his monastic seat Namdroling in Bylakuppee after his condition deteriorated, according to his aides.

Penor Rinpoche held the position of the head of Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Kyabje Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was born in 1932 in Powo region of Kham, Eastern Tibet. He was the 11th in the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=24307&t=0

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Special Request From Khenpo Sherab Ozer
Dear Friends and Students,

First I would like to wish you all a sincere Tashi Delek. It has been a long time since I was able to be in touch. For the past year and a half I have been living primarily at Samten Choling Nunnery in Eastern Tibet, overseeing the education of the resident nuns in Tibetan language and Buddhist scripture. Until I took on their cause, the opportunities for nuns to study were few and far between. Since beginning their studies, they have been movingly sincere and incredibly diligent and I am truly pleased with their progress and optimistic about their futures. In fact, earlier this autumn we held a great accumulation retreat for six days, for which we invited lamas from the five major traditions. At this time several of the nuns gave Dharma teachings to the entire assembly without even relying on texts.

This winter, during the coldest months, about 230 of the nuns will stay in retreat accumulating Amitabha mantra. Each nun will recite around three million mantra in this two month period. In addition, over 200 lay people from the surrounding communities will participate in this accumulation, reciting four to five hundred thousand mantra each. I am now requesting that my students, my Dharma brothers and sisters, friends, acquaintances, and anyone who comes across this plea, join in this great accumulation by reciting OM A MI DE WA HRI to whatever extent one is able.

While my endeavors in Eastern Tibet have been going well, I am constantly reminded of the suffering of beings in this world. With this thought I am organizing this great accumulation of mantra. This year especially, it seems, beings of our world have been devastated time and again by the elements and by other beings. From earthquakes to hurricanes to snowstorms, countless humans and animals have lost their lives. These beings now find themselves wandering in the bardo state between death and rebirth and, as they have accumulated very little virtue, their state is quite unfortunate. For the benefit of these beings in their helpless state, let us come together to recite OM A MI DE WA HRI. This is a special opportunity to accumulate a great amount of merit together. If all goes well we will be able to accumulate an incredible total of mantra by adding together individual totals.

As a culminating event for this great accumuluation I am planning to hold a full day of great dedication on June 9th, 2009, the festival of Saka Dawa, or the commemoration of the Buddha's enlightenment and parinirvana, a time during which the power of one's merit is multiplied. For this event I will invite high lamas to Samten Choling Nunnery to join us and increase the power of our prayers. We will dedicate the virtue accumulatd by participants from all around the world in this accumulation for the benefit of beings. All participants will thus equally share in the merit of the total, no matter the size of the individual contribution. In this way our virtue will not have been for naught but will be like adding drops of water to the vast ocean where it will not waste away but be protected from destruction and will be of great benefit. Therefore I entreat you all to engage in virtue and recite Amitabha's mantra! In addition I am including a prayer to Amitabha which should likewise be recited as much as possible.

Please send your mantra total, large or small, with your name by March 1st, 2009 so that we can compile a list of all participants and the total accumulation before I return to the nunnery and leave the realm of communication. They can be sent by email to khenpo@drikungkagyutucson.org. Because this is three months before the actual day of dedication you may include an estimated total of what you will be able to do by June 9th, if you wish. However, due to the lack of telephones and internet at the nunnery, I most likely won't be able to receive any totals after March 1st.

Finally, I ask centers to announce, post, and send this request to their members, to other centers, to all they can in all corners of the world. The more people involved, the more successful we will be in our endeavor!

I pray that you are all well and that your practice is successful. I look forward with great joy to the time we will meet again. Until then, let us recite mantra and continue to practice together!

With Sincere Best Wishes and Much Love,
Khenpo Sherab Ozer

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Special White Tara Practice on December 22nd
In response to a request from Garchen Rinpoche and in preparation for his coming visit to While Lotus Society our regular weekly White Tara Longevity Practice will be held twice on Monday December 22 - once at 7:30 am until 8:30 am and again from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Dharma Center.

For those of you who are unable to join us you can recite the mantra from wherever you are.

Please click here for details.

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H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche to Represent H.H. Dalai Lama at International Conference
The International Inter-Religious Conference Faith in Human Rights, to be held on December 10 in The Hague, Netherlands, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and gather together the supreme authorities of the different world religions to sign a Statement Faith in Human Rights. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama, will not be able to follow his invitation and be present at the conference, he appointed His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche as his official representative. H.H. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche will attend the conference as envoy of the Dalai Lama and sign the Statement. Please check back at www.drikung-kagyu.org for a detailed report on His Holiness attendance of the conference which will be published some time after the event.

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Web Site Updates
Please check out the new link Our Teachers at the top of any page. Also, please note that annual membership can now be done online! Visit the membership page to see how.

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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Abo Lama who is now an American citizen! He attended a swearing-in ceremony in Phoenix, AZ, on September 17 - along with 1,400 other people. Lama Abo, one of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's attendants, is very happy with his new status. And so are we!

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For The Benefit of All Beings
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is the senior most tulku in the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He has been to Rochester, NY, repeatedly over the last 10 years to share his message of loving kindness and compassion, the "hallmark" of Mahayana Buddhism. A biographical film is now being made about this remarkable teacher and you can see the trailer on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUqhifbD3o Enjoy!

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Nun's Text Project
A big thank you to all who contributed to the Nun's Text Project! In late December, Khenpo Sherab Ozer emailed a request for help to purchase texts for the nuns he is teaching in Tibet. With no income of his own he had spent what little money he had to supply them with copies of the texts. Within two weeks, his students here in Rochester gathered over $3,000 to help purchase texts and other supplies needed in the nunneries.

Khenpo was in Xining recently and we spoke by telephone - just before he went back to one of the nunneries where he will be for the next four or five months. He expressed his profound gratitude to our sangha for this help. He was very happy. He wishes everyone Tashi Delek! (best wishes & good luck).

An excerpt from his letter of December 20, 2007:

. . . . As a Khenpo, a lama, my aim is to teach the nuns. The nunneries, however, have a hard time. Many people come and ask me what I am doing, tell me that nuns can't study, won't be able to learn, that there is no tradition of giving nuns this kind of an education. They tell me I am crazy for trying to do so and request me to come to their monasteries, instead. However, I do not listen but stay motivated. In my heart my main work is to help these nuns. I have made a vow that until I die I will watch after them. I am not in this for my own gain and, personally, I need very little.

My plan is to teach the thirteen major philosophical texts - the traditional curriculum in monasteries - to the nuns over a period of eight years. While I was in Chengdu this past week I looked at prices for buying these texts. To buy the texts in pecha form, one complete set will cost 100 Yuan; to buy in book form of good quality will cost 220 Yuan. As there are approximately 500 nuns whom I teach, the total cost will be either 50,000 Yuan ($6,771 US) or 110,000 Yuan ($14,898 US), depending on what I can buy. If I can supply the nuns with these texts and teach on them it will make me very happy.

At times, I find people to help me here. For example, one friend of mine printed texts for me once at half price. But this kind of help here is rare. Garchen Rinpoche and Gar Mingyur Rinpoche have given me some help for the nuns but no other Drikung monasteries or lamas have done so. I am, therefore, writing today to ask you for your help in covering the printing expenses for these books . . . .

Anyone wishing to contribute to this ongoing need may send donations to White Lotus Society or Drikung Namgyal Ling, Khenpo's organization - a 501(c)3 - in Tucson, AZ.

Drikung Namgyal Ling
PO Box 44176
Tucson, AZ 85733

Thank you!

The White Lotus Society
11 South Goodman Street
Rochester,  NY 14607
Tel. 585-442-5853   
Email: info@whitelotusdharma.org