Dilgo Khyentse

“…Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and his wife remained passionately in love throughout their lives. Theirs is a story of human awakening coupled with mutual love. It is a very moving story for many of us in the West, who in our deep appreciation for romantic love, naturally tend to prefer the married life over that of the monk or nun.

Rinpoche spent years in retreat. His wife records that all night long Rinpoche would remain seated in meditation. "Rinpoche would never lie down at night, he slept sitting up straight in his wooden meditation box." He would begin his meditation session each evening after supper and continue uninterrupted until near noon the next day. Then, after eating and resting for about an hour, he would right away begin another session of practice, and not see anyone until evening. This was his strict retreat schedule, which he maintained year after year, even in the midst of married life. Dilgo Khyentse's wife also tells us that he was an avid reader during these early years. His retreat hut was so small that books would have to be piled up on the porch. Rinpoche feasted on these ancient texts for many years, while also putting into practice the sacred teachings contained in their pages.

When the Communist Chinese invaded Tibet, which they did in the late 1950s, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was one of those lamas who had to flee with his noble family into exile, over the border into neighbouring Bhutan. From Bhutan he managed to get to Sikkhim, but along the route lost all of his possessions, including all his precious books. For many years, in consequence, Dilgo Khyentse lived in extreme poverty and misery as a refugee in Kalimpong. This situation did not get better until he made a spiritual pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment. After that pilgrimage life for him and his family seemed to noticeably improve.

During this period of abject poverty, very much alone and cut off from his homeland, Dilgo Khyentse was forced to face all the weaknesses of human nature. He never lost faith. Through every struggle, every loss, he continued to battle with himself in search of the Truth. With every ounce of energy in him, he waged unceasing war against the defilements, against his own negative emotions, in an effort to acquire that highest of all conditions: a truly pure heart.

Dilgo Khyentse Rirnpoche became the respected Spiritual Master for the royal family of Bhutan. What is more, as his fame as a living saint grew amongst the Tibetan community in exile, even His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, began to look to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche for instruction and guidance. With time Rinpoche became one of the Dalai Lama's teachers, and a friend. Thus gradually a great monastery and training center grew up around him in Nepal. Now, after his death (in 1991), this monastery remains an eternal monument to his greatness.

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was eventually viewed by the Tibetan people, and by his many disciples, including the Dalai Lama, as a true living Buddha, a fully awakened human being. He was given the highest respect and even awed worship by the Tibetan people in his own lifetime; a veneration that continues now that his reincarnation has been found. He has been without question the greatest living Tibetan exemplar of the Way of Enlightenment in our generation.

Seeing Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in meditation, on his meditation seat, was an amazing experience. He had what seemed a huge, massive body, almost naked—like a big bear—and seemed to radiate a most tangible warmth and love imaginable. His smile, and the look in his soft brown eyes, was such as to melt the coldest of hearts. He was goodness incarnate…”

~ © Copyright Dharma Fellowship, 2005-2015