The Concise Account of Ngagyur Zabsang Choekhorling
Lord of Infinite Mandalas, Protector of the Circle,
You appear in infinite forms through your limitless compassion.
Oh! Great Master, who is skilled in teaching us the wonderful path of wellbeing,
To you, the Guru with unrivalled kindness, I pay homage!
Welcoming the Root Guru cordially by proffering invocation praises, I shall now relate The Concise Account of the renowned Nyidrak Monastery or Ngagyur Zabsang Choekhorling in India which is adorned with final composition. In the universe, single source for every wellbeing without having dual doors for happiness, the tranquility is prevailed as a consequence of the precious doctrine called scriptural and transmission of insights, which the doctrine of Tathagata; the Unrivalled and All-wish-fulfiller. The righteous path is obstructed by the cause of non-virtuous actions and conditions of murky vices becoming without even a nominal functions. But in the Epilogue of Maloka Practice, the Great Fifth said:
The Lake where peace showering jewels of Tibet is extracted-
Padmasambhava’s teaching; by some mighty censure,
With stormy slander, will destroy it into biased lake.
Till now; humble like me lack potency,
Yet, this is not an end of era,
As Vidyadhara Padma has his vajra word,
To protect the beings of Tibet,
That is genuine and source of comfort.
Thus, to expel the dark force infused by gnome spirit,
The sun of golden era,
And to guide the profound treasure teachings,
The Dharma Sun always shines in the sky of Tibet.
As indicated by the statement, by the divine grace of unsurpassed protector of Tibetans, the victorious Lord Tsokye Dorje and HH the Dalai Lama had propagated the Buddha-dharma like the rays of sun in India and Tibet, especially in the Himalayan countries. Principally, a tenet of the Ancient School is sustained by eminent scholars and practiced by entire members of the Ancient School. Garwang Drodul Lingpa, our fortunate Guru is one amongst Treasure Revealers known as the Eight Lingpa. He was predictably prophesied in the Annals of Guru Padmasambhava, Treasure-object called Nam-chama, Mysticism of Secret Percept and Puri-ma with the locus meaning stating:
To human, clothe will come in pair of long and short,
Even Buddha dharma will remain in pair by flourishing and diminishing,
Increase and decrease in imprint of virtue will be visible,
The treasure in Singmo Dzong of Kham,
Will not remain, as revealing symbols will be visible from that,
The famous Khampa Nyima Drakpa will emerge.
In accordance with the prophecy of the doctrine of Great Awareness Holder, Drodul Lingpa or Surya Kirti, who is also adorned by celestial signs and marks, was unfolded spaciously in the Snow Land during the era of Treasure Revealer Drodul Garwang Lingpa. Surpassing scholars of doctrine sustainer are still there up-to-this modern age focusing on exposition, debate and composition whereby Buddha-dharma is glistening like the sun. But the doctrinal lineage of Surya Kirti has deteriorated in India, to the extent that even its doctrinal name is not heard of.
However, by vigor of seasonal maturation in prior fidelity and an altruistic armored thought as action. Conditionally, a compassionate command to guide Nyidrak Yangsi Rinpoche from spiritual teacher HH the 14th Dalai Lama and HH Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche to guide Yangsi Rinpoche, Shartul Damchoe Rinpoche aimed to guide Yangsi Rinpoche. By the maturation of above conditions, hence, Shartul Rinpoche anticipated without being obscured by eight worldly concerns to guide Yangsi Rinpoche. Moreover, to support the statement of Acharya Vasubhandu in Abhidharma avowing:
The sublime Dharma that was taught in of two types;
Namely, that of scripture and that of realization.
Although you may grasp and discuss it,
It is only to be practiced.
Also to upgrade impaired treasure teachings of Vidyadhara Nyima Drakpa by seizing, preserving and flourishing, by propitiating a deity, meditation and actions and by exposition, debate and composition, thereby enriching the doctrine broadly.
In order to grasp the Buddha-dharma, there is a need of Abbot and Sangha. To inhabit them, possession of monastery is the fundamental element and it is unfeasible without owning such basic infrastructures. Therefore, Shatrul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche had bought a land in Chauntra, in the State of Himachal Pradesh in northern India to establish the current monastery. Meanwhile he enrolled the 7th Nyidrak Trulku in Ngagyur Nyingma Palyul Choekhorling Institute in Bir to study. He also brought the original manuscript of treasure teachings of Nyidrak from Tibet which was handwritten by Nyidrak Tulku himself. Later, disbursing by himself, Shartul Rinpoche initiated to computerize the texts. Editing of the texts were organized by Ngari Khenchen Tsewang Ridgzin and few monks of Mindroling Monastery for hundred times, finalizing a faultless correction. So, Shartul Rinpoche is extraordinarily grateful to the doctrine of Nyidrak with countless benefits.
By the sponsorship and financial aid from the students of Shartul Rinpoche across the world, a construction of the monastery was successfully accomplished which is adorned by auspicious signs within a short period of time without any obstacles.
Nevertheless, the history of the monastery is associated with the Five Excellences which will be explained below respectively. Under the fervent devotion and humble solicitations made by Shartul Rinpoche for many years, HH Dhodrub Rinpoche administered and transmitted the entire treasure teachings of Nyidrak manifesting in the form of Vajra Acharya to the 7th Terton Nyidrak Rinpoche accompanied by Shartul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche, Dzogchen Shenphen Thaye Rinpoche, Rigo Trulku Rinpoche, Dzogchen Khenpo Thubten Yangsi Rinpoche, other prominent scholars of Nyingma School and thousands of followers. All the expenses during the entire empowerment sessions were arranged solely by Shartul Rinpoche. These are the Excellent Spiritual Teacher and the Excellent Dharma.
As per the vision of Shartul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche and monastic governing system, teachers are welcoming from Namdroling for the purpose of monastic school. Shartul Rinpoche has established a monastic school grading from class I to X. Students are taught reading and writing of the Tibetan language along with Tibetan grammar and poetry. Likewise, Khenpo Thubten Jampal imparts skills on ritual mudras of Nyidrak lineage, masked dances, creation of sand mandalas, and creation of sacrificial objects made from barley and butter which is used for offerings. Modern science is also taught by teachers from modern schools. After graduating from the monastic school, the students have to get admission in the monastic institute. There is a retreat center for practitioners to meditate on the rare treasure doctrine of Nyidrak tradition. Therefore, the composition of Sangha is the Excellent Retinue.
I shall now state the precise location Ngagyur Zabsang Monastery which was founded by Ja Tonpa Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche. The monastery is situated in a place called Chauntra in the State of Himachal Pradesh, India. The place is encircled by an assortment of trees which is a delight to set eyes on. One experiences bliss and clarity when one meditates inside the monastery within a short period of time. Even Siddhas of yore had visited and blessed the place. The place resembles a celestial realm and queenly abode. Even the thoughts of ordinary people became vividly intellectual when they enter the premises of the monastery. Definitely there is no uncertainty for the fortunate ones for transforming their mind to splendid mental agility.
The monastery is not far from the holy place called Tso Padma; the Lotus Lake where Guru Rinpoche magically transformed a heap of burning fire into a lake when he was about to be burnt alive by the King of Zahor. Tso Padma is also the place where Guru Rinpoche transformed the King Indrabodhi of Zahor and his retinues to the realm of liberation by preaching the ritualistic observance of the great perfection. A particular deity with his followers is depicted in the Annals of Guru Rinpoche. It further states:
Then, the King invited him to the palace,
Established learning and meditation centre; the essence of ocean like Dharma,
After teaching and living for two hundred years,
The entire country of Orgyen was introduced to Dharma.
And it also states:
King Indrabodhi and companion of Queens,
With a retinue of five hundred subjects,
Attained supreme awareness-holder of Mahamudra.
As expressed in the above statement, the holy place was also the palace of King Indrabodhi of Zahor where his Queen along with a retinue of five hundred subjects had obtained the attainment of Mahamudra. Today the place is popularly known as Mandi. Moreover, the monastery is located near the central place amongst twenty-four providences called Jalandhara which is called Kangra in the provincial dialect. The monastery is not far from the meditation cave of Yogi Tilopa where he relied on fishing as a livelihood. These are the Excellent Abode.
The construction of the monastery was started on 28th September 2009 which was on 15th day of 8th Tibetan month coinciding with Buddha Era 2553, Tibetan Royal Year 2136, 17th Rabjung. The monastery was consecrated by HH the Dalai Lama on 28th April 2014 corresponding to Buddha Era 2558, Tibetan Royal Year 2141, 17th Rabjung on the auspicious day of 3rd Tibetan month in the Wood-Horse Year. Many other renowned masters also visited the monastery and the Mahayana doctrines are being taught continuously. These are the Excellent Period.
An intellectually beautified and heartwarming temple has an extensive range composed of 26 pillars with length of hundred meters and sixty cubic widths. The temple is three-storied and the top two floors are roofed. Pleasing artworks of the outer and inner temple are sculptured in relief shapes which are created by highly skilled planners and creative artists from five countries like Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Taiwan. Their artworks resemble like the magical creations by the King of Art called Artisan Vishva Karma.
A spacious ceiling of the top floor is adorned by arty treasure doctrines of Vidyadhara Surya Kirti and a confronted inspiring artwork of Guhyasamaja Mandala. The wall of second shrine is beautified by paintings of refuge tree and their respective retinues of ‘The Prayer that Spontaneously Fulfils All Wishes’ and ‘The Prayer for Clearing Obstacles from the Path’. The ceiling of lower shrine is ornamented by painting of dragons and mythical birds. The shrine also has three main ritual objects of worship namely; a golden illuminated Statue of Buddha in the centre, encircled by the Statues of Twelve Deeds of Buddha. There is Maha-Guru Padmasambhava to the left, which is surrounded by his Eight Manifestations and a golden plated Statue of four-armed Avalokiteshvara associated with the eight close disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni to the right-hand side. There is artwork of Dzogchen Padma Rigzin to the righthand side and Treasure Revealer Nyidrak to the left-hand side of those ritual objects of worship in the shrine. The wall of the lower shrine is decorated by artwork of Seventeen Indian scholars and the Great Chariot of Ancient Tibetan School called Longchen Rabjam. There are paintings of the Nyidrak Lineage on the wall towards the left-hand side of the same shrine and Guru Rinpoche with his Twenty Five Disciples to the right-hand side.
The top floor consists of three rooms for HH the Dalai Lama and the second floor has seven official rooms. There are three rooms for the Abbot of the Monastery on top of main door of the temple. There is artwork of the Four Great Kings on the wall of the main entrance where two of them are staring outward which signifies protecting against outer obstacles from intruding inside the temple. The other two are staring inward which signifies protecting of inner attainments from losing out. On the right and left hand side of the wall of the main door, there are paintings of the six longevity and the four allegorical corporations as per geological formations which is seen in Buddhist cosmology.
Classrooms and monastic residential rooms are built in front of the main temple. There is also a three-storied building to the east of the main temple and four-storied building on the ladder of frontage monastic room. Both the sides of each storey have four apartments attached by courtyard and enclosed by metallic fence. There is another four-storied building on the ladder of frontage monastic rooms and courtyards of all monastic rooms are enclosed.
The monastic kitchen resembles one that like five-star hotel with well-equipped modern infrastructures and facilities. Thus, these are achieved only by the three secrets imbibing faith of Shartul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche who is our prominent philanthropist and unrivaled Protector. Therefore, from the core of our heart, we remain ever obliged to him.
----
This account of Ngagyur Zabsang Choekhorling Monastery; the seat of study and practice which was established by Gya Tonpa Shartul or popularly known as Shartul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche was written by myself, Gya Tonpa Khenpo Ogyen Tenzin Sherab on 25th July 2013 which is on 6th Month of Water-Snake Year of 17th Rabjung as per the Tibetan Calendar to the best of my ability. Subsequently, a mere Acharya name holder who is guided from beginning to end and lived under Shartul Rinpoche for twenty years, I, wanderer Tashi Delek had enunciated and edited the history of the Monastery in New York, mesmerized by the noble actions of Shartul Damchoe Gyatso Rinpoche. In case of any errors, be patient and if it possesses any merits, I dedicate and pray to flourish the doctrine of Surya Kirti in all directions.
Follow Zabsang Choekhor Ling on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zabsangchoekhorling