Biography and Birthday: His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Celebrating Decades of Teachings
Today, September 7, is the birthday of one of the eminent teachers in Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness, Sakya Trizin. It’s always bittersweet when a great being reaches the age of seventy—we can be thankful for decades of teachings and care, but at the same time apprehensive about the future and, with attachment, desperately wish for many decades more.
Festivities are planned around the world in honor of this Bodhisattva: Tsog offerings, banquets, fireworks, songs and dances. In August, he celebrated his birthday early in his U.S. seat in New York.
The Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is one of the four great religious traditions in Tibet. While it is not my main tradition, I’ve attended events and teachings.
A few years ago I had the honor to meet and receive teachings from His Holiness Sakya Trizin, during a Vajrakilaya initiation in Toronto, Canada. It was an event permanently etched into my memory, a cherished moment. At the time it was a little stressful, due to the vast popularity of this great man. I bought advance tickets, and even though I was early, I only managed to get tickets on the lower floor of Riwoche temple, where the event was held. https://www.riwoche.com
When I arrived, I understood the overwhelming popularity of His Holiness. There wasn’t a parking spot to be had within a half hour walk of the temple. By the time we got there, the lineup was fully one street block long. Even thought I thought we was two hours early, I now worried if we’d even get in. A quick inquiry of the patient people in line indicated that yes, they were advance ticket holders.
Respectfully—nearly an hour of shuffling in line later—we all crowded in, although we were in the lower level. As “latecomers” we were relegated to watching by “live feed” on a giant screen (with a full room of devotees). It was a powerful experience, even by big screen. I didn’t need to be in the main temple area to feel his searing presence, and to feel the warmth from his glowing smile. When the event ended, I was literally the last in line to meet His Holiness, winding step-by-step up the stairs. Even with such overwhelming numbers, His Holiness spent time with each attendee and offered blessings.
Biography of His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin
His Holiness was born September 7, 1945 with the Sanskrit name of Ayu Vajra, a lineage holder of the family Khon that dates back to 1073 A.D. According to tradition he received his actual name, Ngawang Kunga Thengchen Palbar Trinley Samphel Wangyi Gyalpo, with he received his first initiation. Many auspicious signs accompanied his birth.
He lost both his parents when he was young and was raised by his maternal aunt. He had two main tutors in his youth, who prepared him for his duties as head of the Sakya lineage. Amazingly, at the age of five his root teacher bestowed profound teachings, and at seven he passed an oral exam on the Hevajra root tantra. His first major retreat was at the age of eight.
His Holiness underwent extensive preparation for enthronement, including the lengthy Vajakilaya ritual. In 1959, the year the Chinese invaded Tibet, he was enthroned the 41st Sakya Trizin of the great Sakya lineage. As with other great teachers, including the Dalai Lama, he left Tibet, exiled from his homeland. His first act was to help Tibetans adjust to their new life in exile, and to ensure preservation of the authentic teachings. He established the Sakya Guru monastery in Darjeeling.
In 1962, only seventeen years of age, His Holiness gave his first Hevajra initation. In 1963, he established the main seat of the Sakya Order in Rajpur. Over the next few years, His Holiness began teaching tours of America, Asia and Europe.
To carry on the great lineage he married Dagmo Tashi Lhakee in 1974, and they celebrated the birth of their eldest son Ratna Vajra the next year. In 1979, his younger son Gyana Vajra was born.
His Holiness in known for his extensive world tours, not only to Sakya centres, but—as was the case when I attended an initiation—often invited to Buddhist centres of other traditions. His tireless journey has introduced Tibetan and Tantric Buddhism to many followers around the world. He also established the Sakya College in Rajpur and Sakya Institute in Puruwala.
Sakya Lineage
The Sakya Lineage is one of the four great traditions of Tibet, founded in the 11th century. At one time, during the 13th and 14th centuries, the Sakya lineage was, literally, the political power, ruling over Tibet. The great ancestor of the Sakya Trizin was Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034-1102), the founder of the Sakyas. There were five great founders or patriarchs of the Sakya Tradition as well: Sachen Künga Nyingpo (1092-1158), Loppön Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182), Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen (1147-1216), Sakya Pandita (1182-1251), and Drogön Chogyal Phagpa (1235-1280).
In 1240, the granson of Genghis Khan, Prince Godan, invited Kunga Gyaltsen (1181-1251), the Sakya Pandita, to instruct him in Buddhism. It is these teachings that largely persuaded Prince Godan from drowning Chinese prisoners, as was their custom. The Sakya Pandita told Prince Godan it was against the teachings of the Buddha. The tradition of association with the Mongolians continued in 1253 with Kublai Khan, and in return the Khan continued support of the Sakya lineage’s political leadership of Tibet. Shortly after the passing of the Kublai Khan, the Sakya lamas removed themselves from politics, and focused solely on the teachings, having helped spread the Buddha’s word to Mongolia and tempering the violence of the conquering Khan.
Today, the Sakya lineage is treasured by followers around the world, with many noble projects under the direct guidance of His Holiness, including a Hospital, academies, religious centers, colleges, monasteries and a nunnery.
A schedule of events of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin can be found here>>
Long Life Prayer for His Holiness Sakya Trizin
From the Sakya Rinchen Choling Nunnery site>>
PRAYER FOR THE LONG LIFE OF HIS HOLINESS THE SAKYA TRIZIN, NGAWANG KUNGA THEGCHEN PALBAR TRINLAY SAMPHEL WANGGI GYALPO
By Ngawang Lodrup
Chi Med Mi Shik Sung Wa’i Kur Khang Nang
Chi Med Tshay Jin Lha Mo Chen Dun Ma
Chi Med Tshay La Wang Wa’i Tshok Nam Kyi
Chi Med Tshay Yi Ngo Drup Tshal Tu Sol
Rik Sum Ped Ma’i Thuk Kyed Lha Lam Nay
Khyen Tsay Nu Thu’i Rang Zuk Nyin Mor Ched
Sa Ten Lung Tok Ped Tshal Gay Dzed Nay
Dul Cha Ling Zhi’i Gon Tu Tak Ten Sol
Nga Wang Gyu Trul Lha Rik Khon Gyi Dung
Dro Kun Ga Dzed Thek Chen Do Ngak Lam
Phen De’i Pal Tu Bar Wee Trin Lay Chen
Sam Phel Wang Gi Gyal Po Shab Ten Sol
Nam Tak Trim Den Ser Gyi Sa Zhi La
Tho Sam Gom Pa’i Rin Chen Dul Mang Tsek
Ched Tsod Tsom Tang Jay Ten Pang Rim Gay
Kyab Chok Ri Wang Lhun Por Ten Zhuk So
Gyal Wa Nyi Pa Jay Tsun Gong Ma Ngay
Gyal Ten Chik Du Nyen Gyud Tshed Ma Zhi
Gyal Wa’i Lam Zang Zab Mo Lob Shed Nam
Gyal Wa Ji Zhin Ton Dzed Zhab Ten Sol
Phun Tshok Gyal Sid Dun Gyi Ta Shi Pal
Pal Den Sa Kya’i Cho Sid Pal Bar Nay
Nay Chog Dzam Ling Jay Pa’i Gyen Tu Chon
Chon Zhin Sang Sum Dor Jay Tar Ten Sol
Lu Med La Ma Chok Sum Thuk Jay Tang
Yi Dam Ten Sung Gya Tsho’i Thu Tob Tang
Cho Nyid Zab Mo Gyur Med Den Pa’i Thu
Ji Tar Sol Wa’i Dod Ton Drub Gyur Chik
PRAYER FOR THE LONG LIFE OF HIS HOLINESS THE SAKYA TRIZIN, NGAWANG KUNGA THEGCHEN PALBAR TRINLAY SAMPHEL WANGGI GYALPO
In immortal life’s protective wheel,
Seven-eyed One granting deathlessness,
Great assemblage granting deathlessness,
Grant attainment of immortal life!
Path divine of Padmasambhava,
Wisdom, love and power’s radiant form,
Sakya’s blooms of insights and of words,
Master of the four worlds, long remain!
Ngawang Kunga, line of Khon, divine,
Granting benefits and joy to all,
Owner of the great and secret path,
Wish-fulfilling great King, please live long!
Meditating, thinking, listening,
Placed upon a moral golden base,
Teach, debate, compose, the Dharma’s words,
Royal sublime refuge, firm remain!
Second Buddha, Teacher of Lamdre,
Teachings of the five Sakya Founders,
Valid path of Buddha taught through speech,
You who teach like Buddha, please live long!
Having come, you who beautify this world,
Holding Sakya’s power temporal,
Radiating Sakya’s Dharma works,
Vajra like three secrets, long remain!
Triple Gem and Teacher, kind and true,
Yidam and protector, full of might,
Profound and unchanging sublime Truth,
By these powers, our hopes (will) be fulfilled!
(translated by Lama Jay Goldberg and Stephen Ang)
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Lee Kane
Author | Buddha Weekly
Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.