Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche Speaks About the Earthquake
We have been blessed to have the wise perspective of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche who interrupted his recent teaching to discuss the destruction at Thrangu Monastery in Yushu, Tibet, due to the devastating earthquake. He talked about how in his lifetime Thrangu Monastery has been destroyed twice, except for the main shrine: the first time during the revolution, and this time much worse. He then told a story of how Thrangu monastery had been devastated 245 years ago by a major earthquake, and at that time also, only the main shrine was not destroyed.
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s story of events centuries ago offers us a tremendous lesson in impermanence and the power of a true bodhisattva. Here is the story he told:
The Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche was away at Tsurphu Monastery, and left two of the principal Tulkus of Thrangu Monastery, Traleg Rinpoche and Tulku Lodro Nyima, to receive grain from the harvest to supply the monastery for the upcoming winter. Although this time it was Traleg Rinpoche’s turn to go, he decided instead to send Tulku Lodro Nyima. Then a few days later in a casual conversation, Traleg Rinpoche asked his attendant: “Which is better, one person dying, or 100 people?” The attendant said, “Only one person is better than one hundred people, of course.”
Tulku Lodro Nyima and his party arrived at a hilltop on the other side of a valley, overlooking the monastery when the earthquake struck. At the request of Traleg Rinpoche, a special puja was being held in the main shrine building, and all of the lamas participating survived. But Traleg Rinpoche was in his quarters, and did not survive.
Because of the destruction, monks went to Tsurphu to ask His Holiness, the 13th Karmapa, if they should move Thrangu monastery to a safer area. His Holiness said no, that the lineage had been maintained at that spot for a long time, and the main temple was still standing. Because of this, His Holiness named the monastery “Victorious from the Obstacles of the Four Elements.” He further stated there would be great Dharma coming from Thrangu Monastery, and not to move it.
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche then compared the earthquake so long ago to this one, noting that again, the main shrine survived although there is some damage. He then touched all our hearts when he said that he would really like it if Thrangu Monastery could be rebuilt in the next few years, so that he can see it in this lifetime.
Because of the destruction, monks went to Tsurphu to ask His Holiness, the 13th Karmapa, if they should move Thrangu monastery to a safer area. His Holiness said no, that the lineage had been maintained at that spot for a long time, and the main temple was still standing. Because of this, His Holiness named the monastery “Victorious from the Obstacles of the Four Elements.” He further stated there would be great Dharma coming from Thrangu Monastery, and not to move it.
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche then compared the earthquake so long ago to this one, noting that again, the main shrine survived although there is some damage. He then touched all our hearts when he said that he would really like it if Thrangu Monastery could be rebuilt in the next few years, so that he can see it in this lifetime.
* This is a copy of an article from kagyu.org.
