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 795th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the Taipei International Convention Center on June 14, 2012 (This is the exact anniversary date of Lord Jigten Sumgon according to the Tibetan Calendar), 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 be particularly powerful through 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 him via a friend and took refuge under His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang the same year. With the funding and support of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the first Drikung Kagyu Center in Taiwan – the Drikung Kagyu Mahayana & Tantra Vihara – was established in 1989, 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 costs and 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 its name. His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang certified in person that “the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center” represents the Drikung Kagyu Order in its propagation and promotion of 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.

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 and performed the Guru Yoga at the Taipei Arena on June 6, 2010. 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 implored and was granted the authorization 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 3200 attendees. At the Puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also performed the Guru Yoga and the Dharma method of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. In the Dharma video that was specially recorded for the Puja, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche as having made great contribution to the continuation of the Drikung Kagyu lineage through his acts, and stated 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.

Profound causal conditions have been established between the Drikung Kagyu Order and Taiwan since 1988. To carry on the Dharma lineage of the Drikung Kagyu Order, promote the orthodox Dharma and bring benefits to sentient beings with affinity, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche once again implored and was granted the authorization by Three-Grace Root Guru, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, and will preside over the Grand Memorial Puja Commemorating the 795th Anniversary of Lord Jigten Sumgon of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism at the Taipei International Convention Center on June 14, 2012, with an anticipated attendance of more than 3,200 people. The Glorious Jewel Buddhism Culture Exchange Association of the Republic of China will be hosting the Grand Puja, and as usual, no fees will be charged for ticketing, lamp-lighting, mandala offerings, or other activities held 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 Most Venerable Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche; no funds will be raised from outside; nor will any donations be accepted.

The organization of the Grand Memorial Puja in honor of Lord Jigten Sumgon in Taiwan for three years in a row from 2010 to 2012 represents important and far-reaching significance in continuing the heritage and promotion of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, and brings incredible blessings to the attendees of the Puja as well as peace in Taiwan and the world.

Updated on May 17, 2012