• About H.E. Luding Khenchen Rinpoche

During the late 14th Gyalsay Rinpoche’s time, he invited Luding Khenchen Rinpoche to Australia for the first time. Due to the karma of sentient beings in Australia this was not successful. Later on, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe requested him for the second time to visit Australia but he was unable to come at that time. Then for the third time His Eminence was invited to Australia by H.E. Aenpo Rinpoche and we were all very fortunate that he was then able to visit Australia.

His Eminence turned the Wheel of Dharma all around Australia, and Sakya Tharpa Ling was very fortunate to be able to host a visit to our centre.

We were very fortunate that he could visit Sakya Tharpa Ling for eight days. On 7 July he came to the centre and it was very auspicious that after a long dry spell in Sydney, just before His Eminence arrived, a gentle rain descended. When he arrived at 7pm a warm traditional style welcome was offered by many Sangha members and friends who held beautiful khatas, incense and flowers as they lined the path to the centre on both sides. His Eminence was welcomed onto a traditional carpet on which the eight auspicious symbols were depicted, while in the sky Sakya flags flew and fairy lights glittered.

His Eminence was then given a traditional welcome to the temple with the playing of trumpets, and escorted to the main Throne. An auspicious puja was conducted and auspicious rice and tea were offered to His Eminence and the Sangha. Following that H.E. Dungyud Rinpoche and the community offered a Mandala Offering and then president Jack Heath gave a welcoming speech. His Eminence replied that he was very happy to be at Sakya Tharpa Ling.

In the following days we had a Shrine Blessing with many members participating, a White Tara Uncommon Six Dome Empowerment which had the Shrine room filled comfortably to capacity with over 100 people attending and then teachings, and a Ngondro transmission and talk for Shedra students which was very relaxed and had a family feeling to it, with lots of laughter and good stories being told.

We were very fortunate to be able to celebrate the Vajrayogini Sadhana Tsog with His Eminence and senior students in attendance. It is one of the greatest, most auspicious opportunities to practise this Sadhana and Tsog with such a great master as His Eminence. The centre was very happy to host a Fund Raising dinner so that the proceeds could be offered to His Eminence’s Tantric College in India.

Last was the Green Tara Initiation followed by an elaborate Mandala Offering being made to His Eminence by resident teacher Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe.The various Co-ordinators then presented gifts to His Eminence, the entourage and ordained sangha concluding the visit joyfully in the main Shrine room.

The next day His Eminence was to rest at the centre, but he still worked hard to consecrate the centre’s new Sakya Pandita statue. Then the next day after lunch he departed from Sakya Tharpa Ling.

So in this way the centre has been very fortunate to have such great teachers stay in it. In 2003 His Holiness Sakya Trizin, in 2004 His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, and in 2005 His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche.

The centre thanks all the hard workers: co-ordinators, committee, benefactors, sponsors, volunteers and also all the participants. And in particular His Eminence and the entourage for giving us this great opportunity to spend time with the Dharma. Finally we pray for His Eminence’s good health, that he may live long to turn the Wheel of Dharma and pray that he will return to Australia and continue to teach here.