The Return of Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche
We are delighted to report that at 3:45pm, Saturday, November 21, 2009, Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche arrived at Kathmandu’s Tribuvan Airport aboard an Indian Airlines flight direct from Delhi. Accompanied by his parents, Neten Chokling Rinpoche and Khandro Tendzin Chöyang Gyari, Yangsi Rinpoche was escorted to Nepal by Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Namdol Gyatso Lama and two attendants. So much joy and excitement was in the air! The afternoon was very reminiscent of Yangsi Rinpoche’s arrival at Tribuvan Airport in November 2008 when he landed in Nepal for the first time for the special occasion of his formal enthronement at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery.
At the airport, more than 30 lamas, nuns and laypeople made up the joyful welcoming party — including Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche and Phakchok Rinpoche, with their respective wives and families, as well as Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s wife and his mother were also present, as was Tenpa Yarphel and Tenpa’s son, Tashi. Ani Maya, head nun at Nagi Gompa and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s close personal attendant for several decades, was also present to welcome Yangsi Rinpoche.
Just as he had done at the airport one year ago, Yangsi Rinpoche serenely and graciously accepted a kata (white scarf) from each person who had come to greet him. Smiling, he touched his forehead to theirs. Seeing this special child, a Nepali passerby in the crowd immediately stopped and bowed before him; Yangsi quickly responded by warmly touching his forehead to this fellow’s forehead, too.
Moments later, the high Lamas and entire entourage sped off to Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling where Yangsi Rinpoche was met by a large gathering of monks, nuns and laypeople in the monastery’s courtyard. Although he must have been tired from his travels, with a smile Yangsi patiently accepted katas from each of more than 300 monks and nuns as well as from local Nepalis, Tibetans and Westerners. Clouds of incense drifted through the air while horns trumpeted from the rooftops to mark the arrival of an important high Lama.
After a short visit to the main temple to make prostrations to the golden Buddha, Yangsi Rinpoche and all the close-knit family of high Lamas retired to Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s cozy private chambers to rest, enjoy tea, cups of festive sweet rice and exchange light conversation.
A few minutes later, Nyöshul Khen Yangsi Rinpoche appeared in the room to greet Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche. He was accompanied by the Bhutanese wife of the late Nyöshul Khen Rinpoche. Both children are about the same size and appear to be close in age. They seemed to instantly take much delight in each other’s company. In the past, Nyöshul Khen Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche — both renowned Dzogchen masters — had been extremely close friends, with very deep admiration and reverence for each other.
How wonderful it was to witness such a gathering of enlightened beings together in one room. The light from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s shrine and chandeliers seemed to shine more warmly and brightly that ever before! Meanwhile, in the courtyard downstairs, the monastery offered the same sweet tea and festive rice dish to whoever had come to offer a kota.
Everyone agreed it was a most exciting day, and a cause for much rejoicing and celebration!
Please click the links on top of this page to see the Photo gallery and view a short Video.