Immediately following the programs at Drikung Kagyu Rinchenling Monastery in Nepal, His Holiness Drikung Chetsang and Venerable Nubpa Rinpoche, accompanied by a small entourage went on a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka. For long time His Holiness was seeking to pay a visit to the sacred sites in Sri Lanka, especially to the holy mountain Sri Pada. The Lankavatara Sutra was taught by the Buddha while residing on top of the Sri Pada ‘which shone like a jewel lotus, immaculate and shining in splendor’. Thus Sri Pada is held to be the place of origination of the Indian and Tibetan tradition of Mahamudra, and of the later Buddhist traditions of Ch’an in China and Zen in Japan respectively.

Some years ago Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche found part of an ancient Tibetan translation of Bodhidharma (5th century) and his main disciple’s teachings among the Dunhuang manuscripts. It is only a fragment, but the complete text is preserved in the Taisho Tripitaka, the definitive edition of the Chinese Buddhist canon and its Japanese commentaries. Hence His Holiness could complete the translation into Tibetan of this important text that links the Tibetan Buddhist tradition with Ch’an and Zen Buddhism. Some difficult sections and words still remain to be translated. His Holiness wanted to visit the holy place, before completing the final translation.

On December 5, they reached the foothill town and had a first view of the holy mountain, partly covered by the clouds, and looking as if the mountaintop would be flying in the sky. On the following day, at one o’clock in the morning they started the journey to climb the mountain. The sky was clear, filled with twinkling stars and a beautiful half moon disc. Seven thousands steps have to be climbed to reach all the way to the peak of the Sri Pada, which is sacred not only to the Buddhists, but also to the Hindu and to a lesser degree to Muslims and Christians. One hour before reaching the top, the path becomes extremely steep, with a handrail to ease the way for the visitors on their climb up and down.

Usually it takes five hours for climbing up and three hours for coming down. His Holiness and Nubpa Rinpoche wanted to see the sun rise, so they ascended slowly. Once they had reached the top of the Sri Pada, His Holiness and Nubpa Rinpoche along with their entourage started to perform the puja of Amitayus (Tib. tshe dpag med) and a feast offering in front of the Buddha’s foot print. Following the puja the monks from the temple offered breakfast to His Holiness and his companions, and His Holiness made a money offering to each monk of the Temple. After the breakfast they slowly returned down and reached their hotel at around 11:30 am.

The next day, December 7, His Holiness and his entourage went to pay a visit to the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the beautiful city of Kandy. Kandy is situated in the middle of Sri Lanka at an attitude of 500 meters sea level, with very pleasant weather condition.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is located in the royal palace complex and houses the famous relic of the tooth of the Buddha. During the course of history the tooth relic has been kept in various temples on the island until King Vimaladharmasuriya I, who ruled the country from 1590 to 1604, brought the relic to Kandy. But the temple he built for it is now gone. The tooth relic of the Buddha found its present home in the new temple built by King Vira Parakrama Narendra Sinha (1707-1739 C.E.). Every four years the relic is displayed to all visitors for worshiping.

The relic itself is encased in seven gilded shrines presented by several rulers over the centuries. In the innermost casket the relic is placed inside a beautiful golden stupa covered with elaborate ornaments and jewels. The outer shrine room is locked with three different locks, each key kept by another monastery head monk. Drikung Kyabgön Rinpoche, Nubpa Rinpoche and the entourage could visit the front of the shrine to make offerings and receive the blessing.

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