It's been years since I heard about
Borobudur, but didn't expect of seeing it one day. Fortunately, with kind
sponsorship extended by Mahaguru Kyabje Drubwang Gangchen Dorjechang, I finally
arrived at the holy place - Borobudur. When I landed at the airport, light
raining was falling down; locals were friendly and polite. This utterly
dispelled my jaundice perception produced by a conventional view of different
religions.
Built in 9th century, Borobudur is
in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The Vajrayana Buddhist monument consists
of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated
with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The main dome, located at the
top, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated Stupa.
Since 1989 Kyabje Rinpoche made pilgrimages
to Borobudur, always with group of disciples. Last year he was accompanied by
over two hundreds devotees, including venerable Tulkus and Geshes from India,
Nepal and Tibet. And we had, this year, around 150 devotees or pilgrims.
Kyabje Rinpoche has explained us Borobudur in
the form of Mandalas of Guyasamagya, Chakrasambhava, Yamentaka and Kalachakra. Also,
Rinpoche has written a book about Borobudur (it is known as Palden Drepung in
Tibetan). With his altruistic motivation, Kyabje Rinpoche has assigned Lama
Carolina to conduct a systematic research on Borobudur in bid to decipher what
it is exactly. And we hope the research would, sooner or later, enlighten us
more. Without Tantric background, it is indeed difficult to unlock the mystic.
Our daily program started at 5 am (it was 4 am
last year). We all gathered and offered prostration facing toward the Borobudur
Stupa. Kyabje Rinpoche then gave each of us incense and flower, and we stood on
line until each got its share. We then followed Kyabje Rinpoche, reciting
prayers and with brief stop at each of the four directions. On the way Kyabje
Rinpoche feed elephants; they were cheerful and energetic upon hearing the
noise of our coming. When I was staring at the feeding to elephants, Kyabje
Rinpoche put one radish in my hand, and told me to feed it to practice
generosity. According to Buddhist scripture, we should give anything with our
own hand, instead of others to do on your behalf. Albeit old, Atisha offered
seven bowls of water every morning.
On the way Kyabje Rinpoche never forgets to
give something to the workers, be it a sweeper, or gate keeper. He just put his
hand in pocket and gives whatever it comes out. Often someone get either more
or less. Surprisingly he has time for each of us despite his hectic schedule.
Borobudur Stupa has eight corridors, and each
of the corridors has statues of five Buddha families. At each corridor we
paused briefly, and recited Mantra of the five Buddha families alternatively,
along with Ngalso Tantric self healing practice of Borobudur Stupa-Mandala. Consisted
of both Sutra and Tantra, Ngalso Tradition is a comprehensive, simple, and
pragmatic tradition founded by Kyabje Rinpoche, which is indeed suitable for
modern people and modern world. When we
reached the top or dome, the recitation and teachings and empowerment were
concluded, and it is then time for dedication prayer. In spite of the morning scorching
weather, all devotees diligently engaged in the recitation and practices that
is highly admirable and encouraging.
On the anniversary of Fukushima tsunami, all
of us joined hands together around Stupa, sharing solidarity and prayers to the
victims of Tsunami. It was usually around 10 am when we climbed down for
breakfast.
The grand consecration puja was performed,
which took three days. On the last day we did pacifying and increasing fire
pujas presided by Kyabje Rinpoche and Lama Michel. Later the consecrated water was
sprinkled over the ground.
Guru devotion is the first step of the
practice but most arduous one; it is vital and intrinsic part of Buddhist
practice, since Guru is the one who lead us to the paths of liberation and
enlightenment. We receive Buddha's blessing through Guru who is their
representative. More he lives, more we receive teaching and blessing. We
therefore offer long life puja to Guru. On other hand, the prayer for Guru's
long life is the prayer for our own long life. There is a quotation that if
Guru leads, he can lead you wherever you wish. The blessing of Guru felicitates
us to cultivate spiritual realization. On the occasion Geshe Janchub center and
we offered long life puja to Kyabje Rinpoche.
In the evening Kyabje Rinpoche gave
Bodhichitta vow. A rainbow appeared over the Stupa.
Our next pilgrimage is Mendud, the residency
of Lama Serlingpa, and where Atisha have, after six months journey across
ocean, came to receive teachings of Bodhichitta from Lama Serlingpa. The
chariots were booked for traveling, with aim to help local business through
which people run their families. There were 53 chariots. It was 4 kilometers
distance. First we paid visit to the Maitreya temple of which appears looks
like Mandala. In it has Maitreya flanked by Avalokitesvara and Manjushri. It is
said that the temple remains intact despite sporadic earthquake. Candles were
lighted around the temple. The entrance has the temple where Lama Serlingpa
lived. The great Atisha came there to receive Bodhichitta teachings from him.
There stood a Kadam Stupa. Inside the temple has Sakyamuni statue where we
recited the eulogy prayer of Atisha.
On my last day we had an interfaith forum;
the group consisted of people from different religious background. Kyabje Rinpoche presided over the forum. All
the participants were requested to introduce and share their thoughts. Many of
Rinpoche's disciples described their first meeting with Kyabje Rinpoche, his
inspiration, spiritual and noble legacies and so on. To promote harmony between
different religions, he meets various religious leaders, share wonderful ideas,
and organizes and sponsors interfaith forum across the world.
Despite his age he took the pain to walk
around the Stupa, reciting prayers and giving discourses; it is of course to
persuade his disciples to accumulate merit and purifying negativities (AMPN),
to remove stumbling block to spiritual realization and enlightenment. AMPN is
the intrinsic part of our practice. Lama Tsongkhapa engaged in AMPN by offering
Mandala and prostration, and thereby realized the ultimate intention of Buddha,
that is, the view of Madhiyamika Prasangyika. And it goes without saying that
he diligently makes efforts to plant seed of Nirvana in the minds of disciples.
In order for public to receive blessing and accumulate
merit, Kyabje Rinpoche has built a Borobudur at Lama Gangchen Healing Center in
Italy, of which statues were brought from Indonesia. The newly built Borobudur,
which is dedicated to world peace and better world, is about to be inaugurated
after years of its construction. Moreover, I believe it is fortunate for all of
us to involve by the way of donation and volunteer in the good causes initiated
by Kyabje Rinpoche.
The mountain of certificates and awards
reveals that he is universally recognized spiritual master, Lama Healer, and Champion
of Peace. Travelled through the world he has laid spiritual and noble legacies
regardless of its dimension. His mere presence in the West reminds people of
Buddhism. During the course of the pilgrimage the tireless spiritual efforts made
by Kyabje Rinpoche brought out tears in my eyes. After all, his spiritual activities
gives impetuses to us develop temerity and enthusiasm to practice Dharma
sincerely. And for everyone around him, he radiates compassion and kindness.
My pilgrimage to Borobudur including the
blessing received from Lama and Stupa is the greatest gift in my life. At last
Cozy Back deserved appreciation for her goodwill and warm-hearted arrangement
for us, and of course for having advised me not to worry much, which was kept
in my resolution list.
The Stupa itself proves that you should, as
an adherent of Vajrayana and Mahayana, visit Borobudur at least once in a life.
And the pilgrimage with Kyabje Rinpoche creates spiritual, joy and peace.
April 18, 2012
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