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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 21

Medicine to

benefit the World

By Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche

You come from an illustrious family where was always there for anybody who was interested in
your grandfather, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, is Dharma. No matter, whether one was rich or poor, a
acknowledged as one of the enlightened masters in high Lama or an ordinary person, he was there to help
the modern age. Very briefly, can you share with us in anything about Dharma. This is what I remember the
the most important teaching that you learnt from most about him.
him for our benefit?
With many Tibetans now born outside Tibet,

Being with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is in itself a teaching. how do you continue to secure the transmission
of traditional Buddhist teachings and Tibetan
He did not become Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche because Buddhist culture to the Tibetan diaspora
he was given a high title or he was recognized as a community, especially the young ones who have
high Lama. It was not like that. His interest was in the little knowledge of what Buddhist Tibet was like
practice of the Buddha Dharma. He had good family when it was the center of pristine Buddha Dharma?
support in this. They had wanted him to carry on the
family legacy but later realizing that all he wanted was It may be Tibetan culture or Tibetan tradition, but it is
to practice the Dharma, they supported him. essentially, Buddhist tradition.

Many masters recognized Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as a I think the Tibetan tradition or Buddhist tradition is not
reincarnation of their masters. Therefore, he had many only for Tibetans or the Himalayan people but for this
good teachers who were very happy and willing to offer whole universe. It happened that Tibet managed to keep
him any teachings he wanted. He met as many as 50 the authentic tradition for a while in Tibet, but now,
different masters from different Vajrayana schools of due to circumstances, it has come out of Tibet and it is
Buddhism. Because he was recognized as (reincarnation spreading all around the world.
of) many Lamas, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was not just
one Lama but many Lamas into one. I feel the culture or tradition might change a bit, but, the
essence of teaching remains the same. It is a universal
On top of that, he was diligent in his efforts in practicing kind of treasure.
Buddha Dharma, like for example, spending about 20
years in isolated retreat. You are in Malaysia to give teachings and conduct
the Medicine Buddha Empowerment. Can you

All put together, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche became what tell us more about this ritual and the benefit of
he was. participating in it?

Therefore, one could learn a lot just being with him. The I have traveled to many different parts of the world and
one main thing I always try to remember and follow observed that Asians naturally have strong devotion and
is his humbleness. No matter how well known in the faith in the Dharma. Unlike in the West, the Dharma is
world he was then, no matter how many great masters not viewed in Asia as a new tradition or foreign to its
became his student, he always remained humble. He cultures.