Photo of khutsab by Pawo Choyning Dorji
This kutshab (physical representation) of Guru Rinpoche was discovered by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and is his central terma (treasure teaching). Although it is simple in appearance, this statue is one of the great treasures of the Khyentse lineage.
When Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) was in lifelong retreat in Dzongsar Monastery, he had repeated visions of a treasure teaching, but he couldn’t break his retreat to retrieve it. He had a second set of visions of a great terton (treasure revealer) coming to Dzongsar and told his attendants to expect this master imminently. He waited by the window overlooking the courtyard (which still exists today), but no one came. After waiting many long days, he summoned the monks and asked if anyone had arrived. They told him that the only visitor in all this time was a homely yak herder. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo requested them to bring this herder to him immediately. With great joy, he instantly recognized that this was the person he had been waiting for.
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo told the yak herder that he had a favor to ask: There was an item he needed to retrieve but because he was in lifelong retreat he needed someone to go in his stead. He gave explicit instructions about where to go, what kind of horse to take, where to spend the night along the way, and even what to eat. The yak herder headed out, crossing mountains and valleys and spending many nights under the stars. Finally, from the top of a tall mountain, he saw in the far distance a Guru Rinpoche statue the size of a mountain. As he approached, the statue became smaller and smaller. When he reached out to touch it, it became so small that it fit in the palm of his hand.
The yak herder brought the kutshab back to Dzongsar and gave it to Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, who was so thrilled that he made a great throne and crowned the herder as Chogyur Lingpa. From the dakini script at the bottom of the kutshab came many volumes of teachings such as Sampa Lhundrup, Fulfiller of All Aspirations, and many other Guru Rinpoche practices of the Khyentse lineage.
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo wrote a history of the creation and significance of this kutshab that explains how it came to be. Toward the end of Guru Rinpoche’s time in Tibet, Mutri Tsenpo, the son of King Trison Deutsen, was king. Because Guru Rinpoche had achieved vajra body at Maratika, he had outlived many of his disciples, including King Trison Deutsen himself. He told Mutri Tsenpo that it was time for him to leave Tibet to tame the rakshasas. With a heavy heart the king accompanied Guru Rinpoche for some distance to bid him farewell. As they parted, he began to cry like a child. Guru Rinpoche consoled him, saying
When you meditate, that meditative state is my mind,
When you read the scriptures that is my speech.
Then he scooped up some earth in his fist and said
With this you have my body
So you have my body speech and mind forever and we are never apart.
Mutri Tsenpo immediately realized the significance of this spontaneous statue and hid it for safekeeping. The bond between Guru Rinpoche and Mutri Tsenpo lasted through lifetimes until they met again in the bodies of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and the yak herder who became Chogyur Lingpa.
This most important terma of the Khyentse Lineage is kept in the Khyentse labrang in Bir. It is taken out every time Rinpoche gives an important empowerment. Many were blessed by it at the Dam Nyak Dzo empowerments and the recent wangs in Takila and the drupchen in Bumthang. It is said that once someone is blessed by this statue he or she is guaranteed enlightenment within 7 lifetimes.
Every 12 years, in the year of the monkey, the custodian of the kutshab is entitled to make more kutshabs. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, the current holder, made such statues three times this year, taking great care with every aspect of the ceremony, from the preparation of the mud to setting the atmosphere to the actual creation. Here is an image of that special last night in Takila, after the successful completion of more than a thousand empowerments.
Takila 2016
Wow thank u for sharing
Thank you ,my tears too. In the spirit of the Lotus Born Padma Sambhava Most Precious Guru, and Lord Buddha, Root Master of all who are born here , May we work to.liberate all living beings to the liberative power of Dharma , which is unlimited Goodness. May all living beings
Realize Awakening and become inseperable from the Endless Pure Lands. Sarva Mangalam.
Thank you ❤️
So beautiful. Thank you Rinpoche. ⛩
Wow, that is just amazing!
How amazing and wonderful to read this inspiring story! Thank you so much
Very fortunate to have received many empowerments, transmissions, and kaathrid, from DJKR. Even if I don’t have the deligence to practice much, I am at peace that one time somewhere, I shall be liberated just be having this mere association with my Guru. Long Live Rinpochhe.
What an amazing and beautifully haunting story! Thank you.
My deepest thnaks. I have not words. All my love. Sigrid
Thank you so much for recounting the story of how this precious kutsab came to be and where it is held now.
Feel blessed by this … with deepest love and respect ✊
Much better to face holy mind, mind without overlay, naked clear fresh timeless mind. I prostrate to the holy mind and vow to face it.
Thank you Rinpoche for keeping the world in your prayers & for this Kutshab
I feel fortunate at least that I see you in my dream sometimes but each time i see it is very special for me.
life is illusion, life is a dream, empty of all nature I often hear you say n read from your books helped me A lot to deal with difficult situations.
Keep in touch in my dream
[email protected]
Thank you for this story
I treasure it.
Lillian Concordia
I have no words to express my joy … Gratitude _(())_
Thanks for sharing
Reading the story brings tears. What a overwhelming …chap sum choe. Lama Khan.
Thank you so much for sharing
Gracias! Devotion and power n the image
Ah! Thank you so much
Rejoicing! Infinite gratitude for sharing. We can feel the power, love and compassion, and even rays of light coming from it. OM AH HUNG BENDZA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG
Sooo beautiful! Blessings
The image radiat’s it’s power & love so precious thank you Rinpoche for all your care
Thank you . to be humbled and open to this gift – to this devotion – to this transmission is a blessing filled with joy. travel safe through these times of waking up
Totally amazing and so alive!
Thank U so much.
Dear Rinpoche,
I’m Most grateful that you’re sharing this incredible precious image with us together with your beneficial Prayers & Blessings!
With humble gratitude,
Heiko
Gracias, muchas gracias. (Thank you very much.)
España (Spain)
Thank you so much Rinpoche for sharing this great gift with us…… this powerful and wonderful image ….. and thank you for sharing the story…SAMPA LHUNDRUBMA is my favourite prayer.
With gratitude for your prayers and blessings,
PETRA
Dear Rinpoche – Thank you ❤️ May every being be liberated by your blessings. May you live long, inseparable from us.
Thank you so much Rinpoche. Such a powerful teaching
Deepest gratitude to you, Rinpoche. May all living beings be liberated by your blessings.
May all be blessed by “The Immeasurable Kutshab”._(())_
Thank you very much for sharing!