Under the direction of Three-Grace Root Guru, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche will preside over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 796th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the National Taiwan University Sports Center on June 3, 2013, to continue the heritage of orthodox Dharma and promote the Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order, as well as pray for peace for Taiwan and the world.

Tibetan Buddhism attaches special importance to the “heritage.” Since its establishment by Lord Jigten Sumgon over 830 years ago, the Drikung Kagyu Order has continued through even the most difficult times, with throne holders leading the Order, upholding the Dharma teachings, and carrying on its lineage without interruption. Since there has never been any dispute about the lineage, the heritage of the Drikung Kagyu Order has been very pure and clean, which enables it to possess particularly powerful blessings.

The foundation of the Dharma activities of the Drikung Kagyu Order and the founding of the Buddhist centers in Taiwan originated in 1988 when His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang came to Taiwan for the first time and had very profound affinity with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Toward the end of 1988, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang was promoting Buddhism in Taiwan for the first time. At the time, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had not met with His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, but made offerings to His Holiness via a friend and took refuge under His Holiness the same year. In 1989, with the funding and support of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the first Drikung Kagyu Center in Taiwan – the Drikung Kagyu Mahayana & Tantra Vihara – was established, with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as its Chairman of the Dharma Protection Committee. 1993 saw the founding of Neihu Center of the Drikung Kagyu Order, with all its monthly expenses funded by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for an extended period of time.

In order to carry on the Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in 1997 and serves as its abbot and guru. “Glorious Jewel” is the Dharma title of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order, and His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang bestowed “the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center” as the name for the center. His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang personally certified that “the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center” represents the Drikung Kagyu Order to propagate the orthodox Dharma.

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche stated: In order to learn Buddhism and be liberated from life and death or reach an attainment, one must be taught and guided by a meritorious guru. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducts all Dharma practices in accordance with His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s teachings. Had there not been for His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in this life, there would not have been any enlightenment. So the guru is the benefactor of grace. The Grand Memorial Puja will be held in commemoration of Lord Jigten Sumgon to honor the Drikung Kagyu lineage. It will also serve as an opportunity to make offerings, show respect and express gratitude to the guru.

On June 6, 2010, upon the reverent request of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang presided over the auspicious Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 793rd Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the Taipei Arena to promote the Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order and pray for peace for Taiwan and the world. His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang appointed his disciple Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to lead all members of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in co-sponsoring this auspicious puja, which was attended by more than 14,000 people.

In order to continue with the tradition of the puja and carry on the pure Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was authorized by Three-Grace Root Guru, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and presided over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 794th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the Taipei International Convention Center on June 25, 2011, with more than 3200 attendees. In 2012, under the direction of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche continued to preside over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 795th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Two years in a row, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche carried on the Dharma tradition started by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in the 793rd Anniversary by performing the auspicious Guru Yoga, Lamp Offering Ritual and the Dharma method of Avalokiteshvara. In the Dharma video that was specially recorded for the puja presided over by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang taught that disciples should have faith and reverence for their guru, and that disciples may make it up to their guru by mending their samaya violations through attending this commemorative puja and also praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as having made great contribution to the lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order through his practical acts. This clearly showed the close relationship of lineage between His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and his mandala root disciple Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.

Profound causal conditions have been established between the Drikung Kagyu Order and Taiwan since 1988. Under the direction of Three-Grace Root Guru, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche will preside over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 796th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the National Taiwan University Sports Center on June 3, 2013, to carry on the Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order, promote the orthodox Dharma and bring benefits to sentient beings with affinity, expecting to be attended by 5,000 people. It holds a very profound significance in the lineage as this is the exact anniversary date of Lord Jigten Sumgon entering Nirvana according to the Tibetan calendar.

The Glorious Jewel Buddhist Culture Exchange Association of the Republic of China will be hosting the Grand Puja, and as usual, no fees will be charged for ticketing and mandala offerings during the puja. Nor will any commercial activities such as charity sales be allowed in order to maintain the purity and peacefulness of the Dharma. All required costs will be covered and shared by members of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Culture Exchange Association of the Republic of China under the direction and supervision of His Eminence Vajra Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche; no funds will be raised from outside; nor will any donations be accepted.

The events of the Grand Memorial Puja in honor of Lord Jigten Sumgon in Taiwan for four years in a row from 2010 to 2013 represent important and far-reaching significance in continuing the heritage and promotion of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, and bring incredible blessings to the attendees of the pujas as well as peace in Taiwan and the world.

Updated on May 7, 2013