From November 13 to 28, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche conferred the Grand Empowerments of the Kagyu Ngag Dzö at Rinchenling Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Kagyu Ngag Dzö (bka' brgyud sngags mdzod, “Treasury of Kagyu Tantras”) is an extensive collection of precious initiations and teachings of the Marpa Kagyupa tradition, composed by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye (1813-1899).

This was the fifth time that His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön bestowed the empowerments of the Kagyu Ngag Dzö, the first time in Nepal. Not only many Rinpoches and Tulkus, monks and nuns attended, but also a large number of foreigners from America, Japan, Taiwan, Chile, Germany, Malaysia, and Singapore.

His Holiness had first received this precious cycle of teachings from the previous Drikung Regent Tritsab Gyabra Konchog Tenzin Thupten Wangpo (1924-1979). Thupten Wangpo had received the teachings from the previous Kyabgön Chetsang Thubten Shiwe Lodrö (1886-1943), Shiwe Lodrö had received them from Khenchen Tashi Özer (1836-1910) of Palpung Monastery near Chamdo in Kham, Eastern Tibet.

The Kagyu Ngag Dzö consists of eight volumes. Because of the extensive teachings, His Eminence Chökyi Niyma Rinpoche was requested to give the Oral Transmission of the Treasury of Kagyu Tantras in the morning, whereas His Holiness Kyabgön Chetsang bestowed the empowerments in the afternoon. His Eminence Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche had received the teachings of the Kagyu Ngag Dzö from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) in 1976 in Sikkim, India, and later once again in Kathmandu, Nepal. His Eminence added he had received the complete empowerments, transmissions and teachings during his time spent with the Karmapa Rigpe Dorje as an attendant. The Karmapa had received the Kagyu Ngag Dzö from the 11th Tai Situpa, Palpung Situ Pema Wangchug Gyalpo (1886-1952), and Situ Pema Gyalpo had received the complete teachings from Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye.

In the morning of the first day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of first part of the first volume, and in the afternoon, His Holiness conferred the preparatory initiation of the White Tara (Tib. Dolkar, sgrol dkar), the initiation of Guhyasamaja (Tib. Sangpa Düpa, gsang ba 'dus pa), and the middle preparatory initiation of the Wrathful Vajrapani (Tib. Chagna Dorje Tumpo, phyag na rdo rje gtum po).

On the Second day, His Eminence resumed the oral transmission of the second part of the first volume, and in the afternoon His Holiness gave the preparatory initiation of grand Hevajra (Tib. Kye Dorje, kye rdo rje) and initiation of three special deities for Marpa (Vajrasattva, Tib. Dorje Sempa, rdo rje sems dpa'; Vijaya, Tib. Nampar Gyalma, rnam par rgyal ma; Green Tara, Tib. Doljang, sgrol ljang). Before the empowerment, the sponsor of the Kagyu Ngag Dzö, the president and the members of the Kedah Drikung Dharma Center, Malaysia, made a Mandala Offering to His Holiness.

On the third day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the second volume. In the afternoon, His Holiness bestowed the empowerments of Hevajra and Shri Dhumavati (Tib. Düsolma, bdud gsol ma).

On the fourth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of the second volume. In the afternoon, His Holiness bestowed the supreme initiation of Nairatmya (Tib. Dagmema, bdag med ma, Marpa's wife) and the initiation of the secret Sadhana of Dhumavati.

On the fifth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the third volume, the preparatory initiation of the Peaceful Chakrasamvara (Tib. Khorlo Demchog, 'khor lo bde mchog) and the empowerment of Hevajra embodiment of all deities.

On the sixth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of the third volume; and His Holiness gave the preparatory initiation of Buddhakapala (Tib. Sangye Thöpa, sangs rgyas thod pa) and actual initiation of peaceful Chakrasamvara.

On the seventh day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the fourth volume; His Holiness gave the actual initiation of Buddhakapala and four stages initiation.

On the eighth day, His Eminence gave the preparatory initiation of Guhyasamaja, sixfold illusory initiation of Chakrasamvara and Wrathful Vajrapani initiation; and His Holiness granted the empowerment of the five red deities Yamantaka (Tib. Shinje She, gshin rje gshed) and the preparatory initiation and actual initiation of Guhyasamaja.

On the ninth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of the fourth volume; and His Holiness gave the actual grand initiation of five red deities Yamantaka and essence of Manjushri (Tib. Jampalyang, 'jam dpal dbyangs).

On the tenth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the fifth volume; and His Holiness bestowed the empowerment of the thirteen powerful wisdom goddesses, the initiation of the four armed Mahakala (Tib. Gonpo Chagzhipa, mgon pa phyag bzhi pa), and of Dhumavati.

On the eleventh day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the sixth volume; and in the afternoon the oral transmission of the second part of the fifth volume.On the twelfth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of sixth volume; and His Holiness gave the Yamantaka initiation of nine deities, Torma empowerment of Gar Lho tradition and initiation of Mahakala.

On the thirteenth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the seventh volume; His Holiness gave the preparatory initiation of thousands arms and thousands eyes Avaloketisvara (Tib. Chenrezig, spyan ras gzigs).

On the fourteenth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of seventh volume; and His Holiness granted the empowerments of Vajrapani, Tseringma (tshe ring ma), and the wisdom awareness, vision of body, speech and mind.

On the fifteenth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the first part of the eighth volume; and His Holiness bestowed the actual initiation of thousand arms and thousand eyes Avaloketisvara.

On the sixteenth day, His Holiness bestowed the Drikung Phowa Chenmo (The Great Drikung Transference of Consciousness) and the empowerment of Amitayus (Tib. Tsepame, tshe dpag med) in the tradition of Drubpe Gyalmo (grub pa'i rgyal mo, “Queen of the Siddhas”). All the Buddhist followers from the Kathmandu area gathered for this rare event. The Monastery was filled with thousands of people.

On the seventeenth day, His Eminence gave the oral transmission of the second part of the eighth volume.

On the eighteenth day, grand Mandala Offerings were being made for His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön as token of thanks for kindly granting empowerments and teachings for one month. All the Rinpoches and the monks of Rinchenling Monastery, the Rinpoches and monks from Nayapati made a Mandala Offering, all the Khenpos and monks from Jangchubling Monastery, Dehradun, India, the members of the Society of Lapchi and Limi, and some foreigners also made Mandala Offerings. Right after the Mandala Offerings the Long Life Prayers were conducted and the very successful event came to his completion.

Report by Kinley Gyaltsen
Private Office of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang

Pictures courtesy of Ani Chimi