The Story Behind the Great Accomplishment: The Chenrezig Drubchen by Lama Padma

    Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche’s final visit to North America in 2001 was marked in Seattle WA by an eight day retreat focusing on the mandala of the Great Compassionate One, known in Tibetan as Chenrezig and in Sanskrit as Avalokita, or Avalokiteshvara.  

    Although there are countless approaches to this most popular form of compassionate enlightenment both from the sutras and tantras, Rinpoche’s transmission was the Dharma-Treasure (terma) of Songtsan Gampo, the first Dharma-King of Tibet and well known as a true emanation of Avalokiteshvara. It was hidden away by Guru Rinpoche until, in the 18th century, it was publicly revealed by Ösel Nyingpo, a Dharma-Treasure discoverer (terton) in Rinpoche’s own family lineage.  Since then it has been held as an extraordinary legacy of Tromgé Gonpa, where that very Terton has continued to reincarnate for the benefit of the lineage and beings, right up to the present time.

    As Rinpoche brought down the blessings of that great Avalokiteshvara mandala, known as the Gathering of Enlightened Intent, the blissful power of his compassion thoroughly permeated the atmosphere. Afterwards, Rinpoche said, “These days there are so many practices of the Great Compassionate One in the world, but now the time is ripe for this particular practice to have the greatest benefit.” It was also on that occasion that Rinpoche composed the short daily practice in response to repeated requests.

    Since then it has been the mission of Chagdud Gonpa Amrita, Rinpoche’s center in Seattle, to perform the Great Accomplishment (drubchen) of Chenrezig each year, as well as the fasting rituals (nyung-nay) of this same cycle, throughout the year.

    The assurance that the blessings of Rinpoche’s transmission of this practice lineage was properly received was confirmed in 2004 at Tromgé Gonpa when several of Rinpoche’s western disciples received the full empowerments of this cycle from the Terton himself and, with the Tromgé lamas, performed the full practice together. The Terton expressed his joy that this lineage, which had been in danger of being interrupted, was now translated into English and becoming more widely practiced.

Who is Chenrezig?

    We can speak of two aspects of Chenrezig, ultimate wisdom and relative manifestation.

    The wisdom aspect is the true nature of reality itself. The relative aspect is wisdom’s manifestation as the compassionate form that guides living beings to enlightenment and as the sound of the six-syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUNG.

    Someone with a spirit of loving kindness for all, who grows to be in complete harmony with these manifest aspects of form and sound, can come to recognize the nature of mind as ultimate wisdom, buddhahood.

    Meditating on or just thinking of Chenrezig’s form refines away the effects of selfishness, confusion and negativity, forging a link to natural purity. By maintaining that, a realization dawns that the brilliantly clear and empty form of Chenrezig, together with all its inexhaustible qualities, is not other than one’s own true nature. As the brilliance of that realization intensifies, the compassionate activities of Chenrezig completely pervade all realms of existence bringing immeasurable benefit to all beings.

    Reciting the six-syllable mantra of Chenrezig, OM MANI PADME HUNG, ensures the accomplishment of the six transcendent practices of generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyful perseverance, meditation, and sublime knowing. OM MANI PADME HUNG refines away the six afflictive emotions and reveals the six facets of timeless awareness. OM MANI PADME HUNG closes the door to rebirth in the six realms of samsara. The effects of reciting OM MANI PADME HUNG are known to be truly astonishing. Without any elaboration, just recite OM MANI PADME HUNG!

"Lamas and students coming together and practicing in this concentrated way lends power to each individual's practice; we derive far more benefit than we would by practicing on our own. So it's important that we understand the uniqueness of this opportunity."
--Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche

H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930 - 2002)