Drupon Khen Rinpoche in Africa | 主奔堪仁波切的非洲之行
Dear friends around the world,
I wish to share with you on the amazing Drupon Khen Rinpoche and his effort in spreading Lord Buddha’s teachings in Africa. Africa is the second largest continent after Asia, covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Mother Earth with a staggering population of 1.3 billion in 2019. With such a big population, many of them are still living in poverty and their living conditions are not the best. Furthermore, not many lamas go to Africa to spread Dharma.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s first visit to Africa was on August 2017 when he flew to South Africa and teach at Tara Rokpa Centre in Groot Marico and Samye Ling in Harare, Zimbabwe. The trip lasted for about 2 weeks and Rinpoche generously sponsored meals for 150 locals on his last day in Groot Marico, as a session to know them better. Drupon Rinpoche’s subsequent visit to the African soil was in 2018.
In 2019, he will be giving teachings in 5 Buddhist centers, a significant increase compared to the last 2 visits he made to Africa.
It touched me deeply to see Buddha Dharma arriving in Africa, may Buddha’s teaching flourish in this continent to benefit many more people. I myself have always wanted to go to Africa also in the past to bring Dharma but didn’t have the chance to. So I am happy to see this development. I have no connections to Drupon Khen Rinpoche nor have I ever met him. I obtained the pictures and information from the internet. I am simply sharing how happy I am to see a Buddhist teacher share the Dharma in Africa. It brought tears to my eyes. Most lamas never visit developing countries to share the Dharma but only to affluent countries, that is why this touches me deeply.
Below is a short article about Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s trips in Africa with pictures and videos. I pray that Drupon Khen Rinpoche will be able to make the Dharma grow in Africa. I pray Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, Tara and Guru Rinpoche will bless the works there and it will grow. May the beautiful people of Africa be blessed with meeting the Dharma.
Tsem Rinpoche
Biography of Drupon Khen Rinpoche
Drupon Khen Rinpoche is a lama from the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche was trained from an early age under the direction of highly accomplished masters of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. His list of lamas comprised of famous and unknown yogis of all lineages, especially from Kagyu and Nyingma. Rinpoche started to learn rituals and procedures for many Vajrayana practice when he was seven years old. At fourteen, Rinpoche went to Khenpo Palga and received novice ordination.
By the time he was seventeen, he already had a deep renunciation for the mundane everyday activities and decided to enter into a retreat. During this time, he received teachings from the retreat master, Drupon Rinpoche Karma Sherab, and from Lama Senge. Lama Senge often met with Rinpoche to answer his questions and offer him advice. Rinpoche was able to have full understanding on the topic of meditation and the mind, making Lama Senge his root guru.
Thrangu Sekhar Retreat, Bhaktapur, Nepal
After Drupon Rinpoche Karma Sherab and Lama Senge had passed into nirvana, Rinpoche went on to receive teachings from several high lamas such as the revered Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, Khenpo Munsel, Khenpo Pentse, Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche, and more. After receiving such wealth of teachings, Rinpoche, then left to reside at Thrangu Vajra Vidya Institute in Varanasi. At Thrangu Vajra Vidya, he gave teachings to the shedra students and was appointed as the retreat master for Thrangu Sekhar Retreat center near Bhaktapur, Nepal by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. He also taught at Thrangu Monastery Shedra (a Buddhist college) and Thrangu Tara Abbey (a nunnery).
Later, Rinpoche was invited to Kagyu Samye Ling monastery in the UK at Lama Katen’s suggestion. Akong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche requested Rinpoche to devise and teach a part-time shedra course at the monastery and to be the retreat master for the retreat centers on the Isle of Arran and Holy Isle. To date, Rinpoche continues to guide the retreats and give teachings in Samye Ling annually.
Sources:
- Kunga, “Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- Creedon, Dónal, “An Introduction to Rinpoche by Dónal Creedon”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/an-introduction-to-drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
Rinpoche’s Visit to Africa
Rinpoche’s first trip to Africa came about due to the sincere wishes and invitations of many who attend and practice at the centers there. Finally, on 30th August 2017, Drupon Khen Rinpoche arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa for the first time. It was a one-week meditation and teaching retreat at Tara Rokpa Centre in Groot Marico. On the morning of the last day, Rinpoche invited over 150 locals to lunch so he could get to know more of them.
After the meal, Rinpoche boarded a flight to Harare, Zimbabwe. Upon arrival, Rinpoche was received by members of the Samye Ling related centers in Harare and two renowned spirit mediums, Sekuru Motota and Sekuru Shumba, who are highly revered holy men in the local community. During Rinpoche’s visit, he was invited for lunch in Sekuru Shumba’s village where he witnessed the life of rural Africans.
On the 10th of December, 2018, Rinpoche landed on African soil again. This time, he went to Lubumbashi in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The primary purpose of the visit was to get the feel of the locals and their situation. During this visit, Rinpoche gave refuge and refuge vows to 215 people, it was an occasion full of joy and enthusiasm.
Four days after the event, Rinpoche travelled to Zimbabwe with Lama Katen where he visited the region and people of Chikukwa in a remote area right on the border of Mozambique. Here, Rinpoche engaged in a fascinating cultural dialogue with the region’s elders and spirit mediums. The dialogue lasted for two days before Rinpoche returned to Harare and taught for one and a half days in Samye Ling Harare.
Rinpoche has scheduled teachings from 25th October to 3rd November, 2019 in a total of 5 different Buddhist centers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Five Chosen for Trial from Africa
During the time of Dharma King Trisong Detsen, seven Tibetans were chosen to be the Seven Chosen for Trial to go forth as monastics to assess whether Tibetans were fit to uphold the precepts. Eventually, they went on to become translators whose work benefited many people by making the teachings available to them. Drupon Khen Rinpoche has chosen five African children to undergo his training and nurturing in the hope that they will become wonderful propagators of Buddhism in their homeland just like The Seven Chosen for Trial.
Drunpon Khen Rinpoche has said that these children will be a central part of his primary purpose for this current life. He hopes to be able to groom and nurture these children into brave, caring, and wise men and women who can spread the philosophy of peace and non-violence in their own country in the future.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche feels most Tibetan lamas have focused on developed and affluent countries, neglecting developing countries such as those in Africa, therefore, he wishes more Tibetan lamas will start to focus on spreading Dharma in the developing countries of Africa.
Pictures and Videos
Samye Ling Harare, Zimbabwe 2017
Sekuru Shumba’s Village
Samye Ling Harare, Zimbabwe 2018
Kagyu Samye Dzong, Lubumbashi, Congo 2018
Drupon Khen Rinpoche and Lama Katen, the deputy abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling, spent three days with the members of Samye Dzong Lubumbashi, where 215 people took refuge with Drupon Rinpoche, with many travelling from far and wide to see Rinpoche and seek his blessing and advice. Here are a few pictures and clips of film showing the Congolese offering a traditional welcome to Rinpoche, and a few other general pictures taken during the last few days.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche visits Lubumbashi, Congo
Traditional welcome
for Drupon Khen Rinpoche in Lubumbashi, Congo
African people chanting praises to 21 Taras in Tibetan language
Chikukwa, Zimbabwe 2018
Drupon Khen Rinpoche and Lama Katen spent three days in the village of Chikukwa in the Chumanimani region of Zimbabwe. Here they engaged in a cultural dialogue with the community elders, royal family and highly regarded spirit mediums. It was a joyous occasion filled with discussion, meditation, praying, singing and dancing.
亲爱的朋友们，
我想要和各位分享这位主奔堪仁波切在非洲弘扬佛陀教诲的事业。非洲是继亚洲之后的第二大洲，占据全球陆地总面积的五分之一；2019年的数据显示，非洲人口高达13亿人。非洲人口众多但是大部人的生活还是贫困、生活条件还是不理想。到目前为止，前往非洲弘法的上师也并不多。主奔堪仁波切身体力行不计艰辛到非洲弘法的举动令人鼓舞，我非常随喜。
看到佛法传入非洲，让我感动万分，我希望佛陀的教诲能够在这个区域茁壮成长，广传利益更多的人。我本身一直都很想把佛法带到非洲但是都没有这样的机会。看到佛教在非洲的发展，让我雀跃万分。我和主奔堪仁波切没有任何关系也不曾和他见过面。这些图片和资讯是我从网际网路上获得的。我只是很单纯的想要和大家分享看到一位佛法上师在非洲弘法的喜悦。这样的讯息让我热泪盈眶、感动非常。由于大多数的上师都到发达国家而不去发展中国家弘法，因此当我看到主奔堪仁波切在非洲的事业，我深深被感动。
下面是有关主奔堪仁波切在非洲弘法的点滴，包括了一些照片和视频。我祈望这位仁波切的事业能够成功且日益增长。我也向佛陀释迦牟尼、度母和莲花生大师祈愿让主奔堪仁波切的佛法事业能够得到加持日益增长。希望非洲美丽的人们能够因为和法佛接触而得到加持。
詹杜固仁波切
仁波切简介
主奔堪仁波切是一位藏传佛教噶玛噶举派的上师。他自小在精通大手印和大圆满的众大师座下学习，包括了各传承的著名大师和名不见经传的瑜伽士，其中又以噶举传承和宁玛传承的大师居多。仁波切七岁起就开始学习金刚乘里的许多仪式，14岁正式出家，受戒于堪布帕尔噶。
17岁时，仁波切对日常的世俗活动生起强烈的出离心，决定进入闭关。那时他从闭关大师竹奔仁波切噶玛希绕和喇嘛僧给那里接受教诲。喇嘛僧给常跟仁波切见面，亲自解答各种疑问并给予指导，让仁波切对禅修和心识有了全面的掌握，喇嘛僧给也因此成了仁波切的根本上师。
尼泊尔巴塔布尔创古瑟卡闭关中心
仁波切的上师们圆寂之后，仁波切先后又依止了法王晋美彭措、堪布门瑟、堪布潘策、阿宗竹巴仁波切等多位上师，听受诸多显教经论及密教续部窍诀等法教。在向这么多位上师学习之后，仁波切迁居到印度瓦拉纳西的创古智慧金刚大学给佛学院学生授课。接着，仁波切被堪千创古仁波切委任为尼泊尔巴塔布尔附近创古瑟卡闭关中心的闭关指导上师。除此之外，仁波切也在创古寺佛学院和创谷度母院教学。
随后仁波切又被邀请前往英国的噶举桑耶林任职导师一职，并且设计课程内容。同时也担任该地闭关中心的闭关指导上师。自此，仁波切每年都到桑耶林教课和引导闭关。
源自:
- Kunga, “Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- Creedon, Dónal, “An Introduction to Rinpoche by Dónal Creedon”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/an-introduction-to-drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
仁波切非洲之旅
桑耶林在非洲数间中心的弟子非常有诚意地邀请仁波切前往该处拜访。2017年8月30日，仁波切终于第一次飞往非洲，踏上南非的国土前往约翰内斯堡。仁波切在靠近约翰内斯堡的度母若巴中心引导为期七天的禅修和闭关课程。仁波切在闭关课程的最后一天设宴邀请150人进餐，以便更深入的了解当地风俗民情。
用餐之后，仁波切再次踏上旅途前往津巴布韦。在津巴布韦迎接仁波切的包括了津巴布韦桑耶林的成员、两名当地有名、备受尊敬的巫师。在这次的旅程中，仁波切探访了当地的村子，见证了当地人的生活。
仁波切在2018年12月10日再次前往非洲。这次旅程的首个目的地是刚果的卢本巴希，主要还是对当地人进行更深一步的认识，了解他们的情况。仁波切也为215人进行皈依仪式。
仁波切在刚果逗留了四天，之后便与喇嘛喀登前往津巴布韦。这次的津巴布韦之旅，仁波切造访了比邻莫桑比克的赤库瓦。在这两天的行程里，仁波切与当地的长老还有巫师进行了有趣的文化交流。在离开非洲之前，仁波切又在津巴布韦的桑耶寺授课。
仁波切将在2019年10月25日至11月3日前往南非、津巴布韦还有刚果的五间中心弘法。
非洲预试五人
“吐蕃三法王”之一的赤松德赞选了七位吐蕃贵族出家为僧称预试七人。他们开始将梵文佛经译为藏文利益了许多人，是为藏传佛教僧团之始。仁波切也仿效赤松德赞选了五位非洲男女童为预试五人，教导他们佛法和细心栽培，希望他们学习有成以后能有如预试七人回到他们的国土弘扬佛法、利益众生。
仁波切说这五个孩子会是他这一生最大的使命，他希望把这些孩子培养成勇敢、慈悲的智者好让他们在未来可以在他们的国土推广和平和无暴力的理念。
仁波切有感现在的西藏上师都专注在发达国家弘法，在非洲发展中国家弘法的上师并不多。因此他希望西藏上师能够开始转移重心，到非洲弘法。
图片与视频
2018 年摄于刚果卢本巴希的噶举桑耶宗
主奔堪仁波切以噶举桑耶林副住持喇嘛噶滇於今天（2018年12月14日）离开刚果民主共和国，启程前往津巴布韦。在过去的三天中，仁波切一行与当地的信众们共聚卢本巴希噶举桑耶宗。为了获得仁波切的加持与教导，信众中许多都是特地从各地远道而来。在此期间，共有215人自仁波切处领受了皈依戒。以下是一些包括刚果当地土著以传统仪式迎接仁波切的照片和视频。
主奔堪仁波切造访刚果卢本巴希
或在我们的伺服器观赏视频：
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DKRVideo5.mp4
主奔堪仁波切在刚果卢本巴希接受传统迎接仪式
或在我们的伺服器观赏视频：
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DKRVideo3.mp4
一众非洲当地人以藏语念诵21度母赞
或在我们的伺服器观赏视频：
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DKRVideo4.mp4
2018年津巴布韦，赤库瓦
在过去的三天中，主奔堪仁波切与喇嘛噶滇造访了津巴布韦楚玛尼玛尼区的赤库瓦部落，与当地的酋长家族、受人尊敬的降神师和地区的长者们一起进行了文化交流。在此期间，大家一起对谈、禅修、祈愿、欢歌载舞，共渡了欢乐的时光。
Sources:
- Kunga, “Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- Creedon, Dónal, “An Introduction to Rinpoche by Dónal Creedon”, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/an-introduction/an-introduction-to-drupon-khen-rinpoche-karma-lhabu/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- Kunga, “In Zimbabwe with Drupon Rinpoche”, 27 October 2017, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/2017/10/27/in-zimbabwe-with-drupon-rinpoche-by-kunga/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- “The Five Chosen for Trial from Africa”, 21st January 2918, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/2018/01/21/the-five-chosen-for-trial-from-africa-2/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- “Rinpoche’s Impressions of Africa”, 27 October 2017, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/2017/10/27/rinpoches-impressions-of-africa/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
- “Tour of East Asia and Southern Africa”, 22 December 2018, http://www.druponrinpoche.org/2018/12/22/drupon-khen-rinpoches-tour-of-east-asia-and-southern-africa/ (accessed: 23 May 2019)
For more interesting information:
- Buddhism in Congo, Africa
- When You Kill Ten Million Africans You Aren’t Called ‘Hitler’
- Dharma is For Everyone
- Dharma Bites
- The Mystical Land of Shambhala
- The White Old Man (Tsagan Evgen)
- Tibetans Welcome Mountain Spirits in Faith Ceremony
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Dharma is spreading and flourishing around the world, that’s wonderful. Especially to countries such as Africa, we have Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu to thanks. Africa is a massive continent with diverse religious traditions, it’s a up hill task teaching Buddhism . Buddhism is a quiet new religion in South Africa, most Lamas would prefer going to Asian or European countries to spread Dharma teachings.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu is a monastic teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. While in Tibet he received extensive training in Dharma and Meditation. He studied under many accomplished masters of mahamudra and dzogchen. All from Kagyu and Nyingma lineages whom are famous lamas and unknown yogis . He travelled all the way to Africa to spread Dharma and working tirelessly , going to remote parts of Africa . Truly compassionate of him.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
佛法之所以经历两千六百多年依然存在，且继续弘扬四方，靠的就是许许多多像主奔仁波切这样的僧人。他们无视本身的需要，远赴重洋，冒着各种危险，到文化和习俗都非常不一样的地方，一切从零做起，这样的精神令人肃然起敬。事实上，不仅是佛教，其他宗教也在做着同样的事情，传教者在把宗教带入某个区域的同时，也带来了其他的发展，比如教育、医疗和基础设施等。这才是信仰的精神，一切以利他为主。其实无论是什么宗教，只要做到这点，那都是值得尊敬的。
Thank you, Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this good news. Africa is the second largest continent in the world but Buddhism is not popular there. If Buddhism is able to take root in Africa, a lot people will be able to connect to Buddha Dharma and be benefitted from the supreme teachings of Lord Buddha.
Africans are generally spiritual people due to their culture and also living conditions which made them to rely on spirituality and outer divine beings to continue to have hope in their difficult life. Life in Africa is not a stroll in the park and often times, people have to rely on an outer source to have the strength to continue with their life.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche is a very compassionate lama as he is willing to travel to the foreign country to spread Buddha’s teaching despite of all the difficulties. From his trip in Africa, we can see that he is willing to work hard to maximise his time with the community and give as much teachings as possible. May Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s endeavours in Africa flourished and have maximum benefit on the people there.
Buddhism, as a major world religion, is practiced in many part of the world except few in Africa. Africans were aware of Buddhism yet today Africa is the least Buddhist of the inhabited continents. Drunpon Khen Rinpoche realized that while there were religious and cultural Tibetan Buddhist organizations all around the world. Inspired by the Buddhist teachings, he decided to dedicate himself fully to spiritual life against the odds in Africa. In the early years he has to face many challenges. His first visit to Africa was in 2017 followed by more subsequent visits to spread Buddhism. By 2019 he visited few center than sharing Dharma in Africa.
May Drunpon Khen Rinpoche continue to guide them and give Lord Buddha’s teachings to more people in Arica.
Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring sharing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this heartwarming news with us. Traditionally, Buddhism is not a very common faith in Africa. It started in Asia and had spread across Asia, and the Middle East in the early days. Later, Buddhism was brought to western countries. Africa is one continent that Dharma hardly reaches.
What Rinpoche said is very true. Most of the Buddhist teachers go to countries in Asia or developed countries to spread Dharma, not many go to Africa. Actually, African people also need Dharma badly. In general, Africa is still a very poor continent, there are many internal wars and fights, many people are starving due to famine. Material help can only solve their problems for the short term. However, with Dharma knowledge, it will help them to get through the difficult period and give them hopes.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche is very compassionate and he is sincere to help the Africans. He made trips to the villages so he could understand their culture and custom and it will help him to impart Dharma in them. Buddhism can be accepted easily by the locals because they are not asked to forego their traditions and custom, they can still maintain it and at the same time practice Dharma.
This is amazing, Rinpoche!
It’s extremely heart warming to see Dharma is spreading around the world & people are interested & have faith (Friends from Africa are chanting praises to 21 Taras:O).
It’s scary if the world has degenerate until there is no Dharma.
May more & more people who are with pure hearts can share the teachings of Buddha to many people.
Thank you very much for sharing, Rinpoche?
Mingwen
I wish His Eminence Drupon Khen Rinpoche success in nurturing and training the Five Chosen For Trial. It takes time for Dharma to take root in a new environment and it depends very much on training indigenous people who will in turn nurture and train others in the local community and from there the Dharma will spread. My best wishes to Rinpoche in all his endeavours.
佛教的特色之一就是它总能融入每一个地方的民俗文化中，从不显得特别高高在上，所以每一个国家、地方或某个族群所修持的佛教，或多或少都会有他们本身的特色。这点我大可从佛像的多元化特色中略见端倪。泰国佛像、缅甸佛像、中国佛像、西藏佛像等，都具有本身强烈的风格，有时候，甚至是同一个国家不同时期制造的佛像也都会显得不同。这充分显示了佛教注重精神而不拘泥于形式的特点。
佛教源自印度，印度佛教并没有献哈达的传统，这传统本属于西藏文化，但今天献哈达的传统却已经演变成凡是有藏传佛教的地方就会有这项传统。而今天，在这些非洲视频中，我们看到藏传佛教到了非洲，既保留了藏传佛教本身的特色，也纳入了非洲当地的特色，比如他们用来表示欢迎的叫喊声和舞蹈等，甚至他们的巫师也参与其中，形成了一道独特又美丽的风景。
很高兴看到佛法在非洲这片大地上萌芽发展，形成具有地方特色的佛教。期待在日后 的国际佛教大会上能看到非籍僧人的踪迹。