News of His Holiness, Tsechen Kunchab Ling‏

Prayer flags at Tsechen Kunchab Ling Temple, July, 2012

His Holiness Bestows Lam Dre Teaching His Holiness Sakya Trizin has just completing bestowing the precious Lamdre teaching in Taiwan, accompanied by His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and Her Eminence Gyalyum Chenmo. The students included over 500 people, including many who came from mainland China. This is the 19th time that His Holiness has bestowed the Lamdre teaching. Meanwhile, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche is giving Dharma teachings throughout Europe.

Tsechen Kunchab Ling News Update Through the kindness of many sponsors and friends, Tsechen Kunchab Ling is now installing the heating and air conditioning, ceiling, and lights in the new temple building. Special thank you to all of this year's prayer flag pole and prayer flag sponsors! Please see the full image of the 360 degree photo above to see how beautiful your prayer flags look! This phase of construction will be complete by August, so please come to enjoy meditating there! Fundraising for the next phase has already begun, which will focus on the restrooms and event hall on the lower floor.

Celebration of His Holiness Sakya Trizin's Birthday - Sunday, Sept. 2 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Don't miss this joyful annual festival when His Holiness' Tibetan, Western, and Chinese students gather to honor His Holiness Sakya Trizin with prayers for his long life. Meditate in the beautiful temple and relax on the spacious grounds rippling with prayer flags. Enjoy a video about His Holiness holy activities, as well as delicious international food, and prayer flag raising. Come when you can, stay as long as you like. Bring your family and friends. No charge, donations accepted.

Lam Dre Refresher Course - August 26 - September 1 Tsechen Kunchab Ling will hold a week-long Lam Dre Refresher Course from August 26 to September 1. Those who have received the entire Lam Dre at any time from His Holiness Sakya Trizin, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, or His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche, are welcome to attend. The refresher course will focus on the main points of both the Triple Vision and Triple Tantra, as well as on key practice points for the long "middle length" sadhana. Venerable Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen and Venerable Lama Dorje Gyaltsen will bestow the teachings. Please see here for more information.

VIRA VAJRADHARMA

This painting is iconographically unique because it is the only known composition depicting Vira Vajradharma as a central figure and the only painting known that depicts the two figures of Vajradhara and Vajradharma paired together in a single composition. Vajradharma originates with the Chakrasamvara cycle of Anuttaryoga Tantras and is another form of the Tantric Buddhist primordial Buddha. Vajradharma is red in colour and has two different iconographic forms. The first form, shown in this painting is considered common, Vira Vajradharma, and the second form is regarded as more profound, or uncommon. The second form does not use the initial term 'vira' meaning 'hero' (referring to the appearance of Vira Vajradharma with hand drum and skullcup) and simply goes by the name Vajradharma. The profound form of the primordial Buddha Vajradharma has the same identical appearance as Vajradhara except Vajradharma is red in colour rather than blue. (The primordial Buddha Vajradharma should not be confused with the red form of Avalokiteshvara also with the name Vajradharma [see image])

Unique Iconographic Features:

1. Vira Vajradharma (red) as a central figure.

2. The group of three Vajrayogini figures: Naro, Indra & Maitri.

3. The group of three power deities: Kurukulla, Takkiraja & Ganapati.

4. The inscriptions written on the cloth hangings in front of the two thrones - specifically the Kalachakra monogram.

5. The two Pamting brothers seated on the same lotus.

MENSAGEM DE S. S. SAKYA TRIZIN