Shantideva's Message
Shantideva Rinpoche, who was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Shantideva, gave a wonderful teaching and transmission on June 25, 2017 at Ananda. He is funny and sharp witted, speaks excellent English, and delighted everyone. He spoke about the challenges and privilege of having been privately tutored by Choden Rinpoche nearly every day of his childhood. They were recognized as having a father-son like connection.
He spoke about the importance of being committed to cultivating our good qualities, over the course of years and decades. He spoke about how it is the duty of the student to create the causes and conditions to find an unmistaken reincarnation of their Guru, specifically that the students of Choden Rinpoche must recite Chanting the Names of Manjushri as requested by the Dalai Lama.
And Rinpoche spoke perhaps most eloquently about Geshe Gyalten Kungka. Rinpoche gave heartfelt praise and thanks to Geshe Gyalten for having devoted his life to Choden Rinpoche. Shantideva explained at length how Choden Rinpoche had received countless invitations from all over the world, but for years he refused to leave Sera Jey Monastery. Geshe Gyalten was the only person for whom Choden Rinpoche would agree to travel – if Geshela himself made the request.
It is, therefore, only through the kindness of Geshe Gyalten, that any of us who met Choden Rinpoche outside India, were able to receive such a profound blessing in this life. Every teaching, transmission, initiation, and ordination, which Choden Rinpoche bestowed here in California, and elsewhere around the world, only came about, because of the kindness of Geshe Gyalten. That was Shantideva’s closing message to us. And, yes, he promised to come back again to Ananda someday.
cs
Shantideva Rinpoche, who was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Shantideva, gave a wonderful teaching and transmission on June 25, 2017 at Ananda. He is funny and sharp witted, speaks excellent English, and delighted everyone. He spoke about the challenges and privilege of having been privately tutored by Choden Rinpoche nearly every day of his childhood. They were recognized as having a father-son like connection.
He spoke about the importance of being committed to cultivating our good qualities, over the course of years and decades. He spoke about how it is the duty of the student to create the causes and conditions to find an unmistaken reincarnation of their Guru, specifically that the students of Choden Rinpoche must recite Chanting the Names of Manjushri as requested by the Dalai Lama.
And Rinpoche spoke perhaps most eloquently about Geshe Gyalten Kungka. Rinpoche gave heartfelt praise and thanks to Geshe Gyalten for having devoted his life to Choden Rinpoche. Shantideva explained at length how Choden Rinpoche had received countless invitations from all over the world, but for years he refused to leave Sera Jey Monastery. Geshe Gyalten was the only person for whom Choden Rinpoche would agree to travel – if Geshela himself made the request.
It is, therefore, only through the kindness of Geshe Gyalten, that any of us who met Choden Rinpoche outside India, were able to receive such a profound blessing in this life. Every teaching, transmission, initiation, and ordination, which Choden Rinpoche bestowed here in California, and elsewhere around the world, only came about, because of the kindness of Geshe Gyalten. That was Shantideva’s closing message to us. And, yes, he promised to come back again to Ananda someday.
cs
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