Following In The Footsteps Of Our Precious Teacher
By Jigme Tromge Rinpoche

I have seen many students demonstrate their faith and devotion to Chagdud Rinpoche, which has touched me, and brought me great joy. As we all know, Rinpoche is a highly realised being, and his teachings are like nectar. Remembering how Rinpoche showed us the force of impermanence, and how death can also come to us at any moment, those who have received teachings directly from him must apply them as he instructed. We should rejoice in having met such rare and precious teachings, and fully integrate them into our lives and intentions, maintaining their purity so that they never become polluted by worldly actions and attitudes.

Some people who did not meet Rinpoche personally still have been able to receive certain teachings from his qualified lamas. Then it is as if they knew Rinpoche directly, because these lamas hold the teachings of Chagdud Rinpoche in their heart. We may not realise all the ways in which his blessings can manifest: only later might we see the fruits of the hundreds of teachings and empowerments Rinpoche gave over the years.

Although we received these teachings, in many cases the seeds planted will not have fully ripened yet. In order for them to do so, and for the practices to be helpful as Rinpoche intended, it is crucial for people to go into retreat as often as possible, even for short periods of time, and to ceaselessly practice guru yoga.

It is my sincere hope that our Chagdud Gonpa sanghas everywhere in the world will stay united, and never forget their commitment to benefit countless beings. Also, we should take care not to fall into a tribal kind of approach, thinking 'Oh, I'm from Ati Ling' or 'I'm from the main centre such-and-such'. This is not dharma -- we are all Rinpoche's sangha, so we should all think 'I am Chagdud Gonpa sangha'.

The lamas can help to instil a sense of oneness within the sangha and centres, which will be much more beneficial in the long run. If we go down an individualistic path, the flow of blessings Rinpoche created will run dry. We have much more strength when we understand ourselves to be Rinpoche's sangha, and can draw on that strength in our work. While Khadro Ling is certainly the mother centre in South America and Rigdzin Ling the mother centre in North America , the sanghas there should treat sangha from elsewhere, and in fact any newcomers, with equal love, care and respect. Senior students in these centres are the ones that others look to for support - the gompas provide refuge; a refuge that we can all safely turn to. If those sangha become obnoxious, unfriendly, unhelpful, then where is our refuge?

For as long as the lamas and sangha of Chagdud Gonpa support and respect each other, and remain united in upholding our enlightened master's teachings and intentions, Rinpoche's activity will continue to flourish. As vajra brothers and sisters, each lama appointed by Rinpoche should maintain their samaya, keep Rinpoche's teachings in their heart, blend them with their mind, and dedicate their life to benefiting beings in the way Rinpoche did. Just as the deities manifest different qualities, so the lamas appointed will have different activities according to their own karma, understanding and abilities.

They will work for their centres and sangha in different ways, all equally beneficial, to meet the huge variety of needs of countless beings. And then, when lamas give teachings with perfect motivation, the words and meaning can become a teaching for the lamas themselves, by helping them to re-establish their positive intention, and by bringing deeper understanding and joy to their path, facilitating their retreats. In this way, the seeds Rinpoche planted in his lama's hearts and minds will blossom into the beautiful flowers he envisaged.

I feel that Chagdud Rinpoche's students' practice and understanding is most inspiring, and even somewhat unique in the West. Looking at our sanghas in both North and South America, what they do and what they represent as practitioners is very impressive and touching, for example in terms of their training in Vajrayana ritual. As a humble student and son of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, this gives me great hope and confidence for the future.