While the Prayer4Peace.net project itself in non-denominational in nature, our own tradition is that of the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. We are honored to present below some wisdom teachings from these lineages that arose in response to the suffering and confusion of September 11th and its aftermath.

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, NYC, 1995. Photo by Lynne Conrad Marvet.

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche is known for his prodigious scholarship and vast compassion. Also known for his accomplishment, he is often compared to the great yogi Milarepa, whom he resembles in both substance and style. Rinpoche has no fixed abode, few possessions, and he has practiced for years in solitude, sometimes sealed in darkness. Like Milarepa, he is known for his spontaneous songs of realization (Skt. dohas,) that offer insight into genuine reality. Such dohas may emerge to answer a question, clarify a difficult point, or to expand or comment on one of Milarepa's own songs.

After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, many students requested some words of advice from Khenpo Rinpoche about what has happened. In response, Rinpoche directed the transcription of the following teaching about developing unbearable compassion in the face of extraordinary suffering.

Read Khenpo Rinpoche's Teaching

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a holder of the Geshe Rabjam degree, the highest level of scholarship within all four school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Abbot of Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, the main seat of the Kagyu Lineage in exile, Rinpoche also serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey, in Nova Scotia, Canada, in addition to overseeing Thrangu Tashi Choling monastic college and Namo Buddha Retreat Center in Nepal; the three-year retreats at Samye Ling, Scotland and Gampo Abbey, Nova Scotia; and the newly-built Vajravidya Institute in Sarnath, India.

An accomplished meditation master and holder of the zhentong philosophical lineage handed down by Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, Rinpoche has been responsible for the education of the highest tulkus of the Kagyu lineage. He is presently serving as personal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Urgyen Trinle Dorje, at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Thrangu Rinpoche has traveled extensively on many occasions, giving teachings throughout Asia, Europe and North America. Upon hearing of the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, Rinpoche composed the doha "A Wish for Negativity to Subside."

Read Thrangu Rinpoche's Doha

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is the founder and Spiritual Director of Nalandabodhi. Acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars and educators of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, since 1990 he has annually criss-crossed the globe teaching and supervising the activities of study and meditation centers, and has worked actively to develop and adapt traditional Tibetan education curriculums for Western audiences. He also advocates for the use of modern communication technologies, such as the Internet, in the education of the sangha and for providing support to the Kagyu community world-wide.

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche lived in New York City a number of years ago while studying English and comparative religions at Columbia University. On September 12th, 2001, he sent the following letter to his friends and students.

Read Ponlop Rinpoche's letter

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche atop the World Trade Center, NYC, 1995. Photo by Lynne Conrad Marvet.

Prayer4Peace.net is coordinated by Nalandabodhi International
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