Kungzig Shamar Rinpoche came to Manchester, UK (in the aptly name Renaissance (“re-birth”) hotel) – and taught us The Seven Points of Mind Training, just a fortnight ago.
During the session, Sharmapa treated those present to a demonstration of meditating on the empty nature of mind, and invited us to watch his face as he did so. What a wonderful treat that was! Full and yet empty, wholly present, unwavering, beaming. We were blessed and thankful to have this opportunity to receive his teaching.
Every empowerment from Shamarpa was So Special , So Amazing and So Powerful… Esp. Diamond Mind in Kassel, Germany was out of this world , Mahakala in Spain really Extraordinary for me among others. Thank You so Much Rinpoche
I don’t know if we have room anymore for beings as unconditionally committed to pure Dharma as Shamarpa. Attached to views, we fail to see conditionless compassion as siddhi when it is Supreme. We may even fail to see it as compassion at all if not in accord with our so-called ‘spiritual’ purpose. Shamar Rinpoche granted everyone – including those who doubted, deceived, opposed, or destroyed him – the inconceivably conditionless compassion of a Buddha to help us identify and eliminate discriminating mind, and progress. The only thing Rinpoche asked for was to see mind very clearly for what it is instead of solidifying discrimination or twisting Dharma for our own small purpose. If we made genuine effort and were willing to admit our state of mind (secretly was always fine), then unconditional acceptance and strength poured effortlessly into our hearts. Rinpoche persistently demonstrated that conditionless compassion arises from great effort and great honesty. By what means do we think siddhis arise? [insert Rinpoche’s laughter here!]
I know that my own impure state of mind regarding Rinpoche’s activities, even the Lineage itself, was a contributing cause of his early departure. But the Shamarpas’ compassion is precisely that which embraces doubters, deceivers, enemies, and murderers. How can we not rejoice at this? I hope we will, and then rest our discriminating minds long enough to recognize the conditionless compassionate quality of Amitabha Buddha and request unceasing emanations of Shamarpa for our own welfare and the welfare of others. I hope we take responsibility ourselves and become the cause of such an emanation instead of waiting for our Teachers, or some politician, to absolve us and recognize or reject a 15th Shamarpa. Surely we are capable of owning completely both our aspirations andour minds.
If, for whatever reason, we won’t do this for ourselves, what reason can we possibly have to deny this benefit to others? To say that some are enemies, have no merit, or to give this reason or that, or to request an emanation of a certain persuasion or style conducive to this or that view or desire is just to condition our compassion. Then what ‘brand’ of practitioner are we – the ‘Union of Luminosity and Emptiness Minus-x’? Rinpoche would expect more effort, more honesty than this. I request only that Shamarpa return, and that I may never be separated from pure devotion to my Teachers, without which all meditation turns to filth.
In gratitude for Rinpoche’s activities, Teachings, and inconceivably conditionless compassionate acceptance, and with complete regret for my impure State, I praise the 14th Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro. AH! Please return this instant for everyone’s Victory!
Our Shamarpa is like a warrior except he is fighting for everyone else other than himself .His bruises and wounds are many . His bruises come from the countless blessings and empowerments which he unconditionally did for us and all sentient beings . His wounds come from his taking a strong and unyielding position in the protection of the auspicious heritage of karma kagyu . Life would have been different if he had resorted to picking cherries in the high mountains and practicing dharma all by himself in a tranquil surrounding . However , that would not be Shamarpa . Nor would it be the aspiration of Shamarpa .
Chris Kok, Lawyer, Hong Kong
Thank you Shamar Rinpoche
The red hat lama
with the Western connections
gave us the tools
to work towards perfection.
With wisdom and humor
you showed us the way.
To remove the two veils
each and every day.
With clarity
and in royal style
your example was with us
for a little while.
Karma comes
and disappear.
From moment to moment
the now and here.
Your activity was deep and vast
knower of the future, present and past.
At the right time from a far
you gave us the Gyalwa Karmapa.
With deep gratitute
Karma Guen, June 11, 2014
Jette Lauritsen
I met HH Shamarpa face – to – face two years ago in Valencia, Spain. What surprised me was the “wise simplicity” of his words and his warmly as powerful presence. I’ won´t forget his extremely valuable teachings and pleasant smile…..come back soon, Master.
Some years ago Rimpoché showed me his closed hand and said : “this is a gift for you…”.
In the same time I was surprised happy and honored that he could offer me a gift…
Probably he saw all of my thoughts because with a large smile, he opened his hand which was empty and added : “this is a piece of emptiness !!!”
As anyone who has been touched by Shamar Rinpoche’s activity can attest, he was an unparalleled being and a profound teacher, one of the rare ones capable of manifesting the optimal conditions for his students to see themselves in an honest, unfiltered way.
Shamar Rinpoche worked in many ways: often traveling the world by himself, floating under the radar; other times bringing storms (literally & metaphorically) in his wake. His methods varied depending on context, often leaving his students momentarily off-balance, but always on stronger footing. Yet his message never wavered: we all are capable of experiencing the true nature of our minds, in any place, in any time– be it in a mountain hermitage or an urban cocktail lounge. I will miss his wisdom, directness and compassion in keeping me honest and on course. As a teacher, he has left us with everything we need to achieve awakening. Now it is up to us to put it to practice.
I met Shamarpa twice in Karma Kagyud center in Malaysia. the last time i the great opportunity to meet Shamarpa was in 2012 when the HH paid his visit in our center in Kuala Lumpur.
In Kuala Lumpur, we started the Amitabha prayers since June 11th and will continue for 49 days.
I am indeed very sad with his passing, my heartfelt condolences to the lost of a Great teacher/Guru/Mentor.
:(( “Bye Bye” with Amitabha’s smile :))
was the lastest word you’ve pronounced in Karmapa’s Institute one month ago after Mahakala’s prayers.
<3 May you always guide us on the right way of love & wisdom <3
