And Interview with Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding

And Interview with Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding


- Your Eminence, this is the first time that you have bestowed the 21 Taras in Australia. What advice do you have to us as to how to incorporate Green Tara both as individual practitioners and at our Centres? 

- My observation is that as a group you have done pretty well, with regard to having this retreat centre and that you have even bigger projects for the future. You are already doing Green Tara Puja at the Centre every day and have made her the main deity of your group practices. Goddess Tara is a goddess of enlightened activities. The fact that you are doing this and that you keep doing this is very good and will be very helpful.

As individual practitioners, do the sadhana for Goddess Tara every day, if possible. If you are not able to do this, memorize the Praises to Tara in either tibetan or English and recite it at least three times for activities that you do: visualizing Goddess Tara in the space in front of you and yourself as an ordinary person. You can also recite these prayers when walking or driving. Reciting praises to Green Tara has enormous benefit.

- Your Eminence, who are your teachers? Did you have a guru teacher relationship with His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche?

- My teachers include my father: Ngakchang Ngawang Kunga Rinchen, Dampa Rinpoche Zhenphen Nyingpo, Khangsar Shabdrung Ngawang Lodro Nyinpo, Lama Ngaklo Rinpoche, His Holiness Sakya Trizin and His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. His eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche is one of the main teachers of His Holiness Sakya Trizin. I myself have received teachings from him and have great faith and deep respect for him. His Eminence has been so kind in his activities to the Sakya tradition. Ever since I received Hevajra Cause and Path empowerment from Chogye Rinpoche in 1988 in my home in Vancouver, I have been able to keep my daily Hevajra practice. So His Eminence's kindness to me is inexpressible. Also, because I have received the White Tara empowerment from His Eminence, I'm blessed with good health and able to serve the Dharma.

- All of our sister centres are under His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche's Holy Umbrella. What is your advice for us now that He has passed away?

- His Eminence has given teachings to all the students, so it is important that all of you practice the teachings that he has given. It is good to maintain the samayas and the vows as purely as one can.

Generally speaking, whether one's guru is alive or whether one's guru has changed realms so to speak, from the side of the guru there is no discrimination, the compassion of the guru is similar. The guru is a bodhisattva and the bodhisattva's love and compassion has no discrimination as to whether someone is close or far. From the side of the disciple, whatever teachings and empowerments that you have received from the guru, it is important that you maintain the practices as they will be of enormous benefit.

Regarding your reference about the sister centres - this is similar to having a sister as you have all received teachings from the guru. It is important that you keep a good relationship with the other Sakya centres as sisters also. Maintain pure samayas (pledges) and foster connectedness, friendship, affinity and love between you.

- Your Eminence, many women are inspired by you. You are a mother and a great practitioner. What advice do you have for us about balancing the roles that we have?

- When I look at myself I do not think of myself as if I have some sort of power or ability. Since I have been living in the West, I have maintained my practices as well as having to work. Where my practice is concerned, I have made samayas from my masters to do certain practices so I have made the concession that I have to sleep less. I get up early to do my practices and then I do my work. It is very important to be decisive; when you are, then things get easier. If one's mind is not decisive, then it becomes difficult. In the West as soon as people stand up they say they are tired and this makes it difficult. Whatever I have to do, whether it is working at home or looking after the kids or the cleaning and so on, I am decisive because that is what I have decided to do. This helps. 

(taken from the Clear Mind newsletter of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Australia 11/12 2007 #82) 
http://tibetanbuddhism.tribe.net/thread/957216de-0856-4296-bcfd-ee60450cd5ce