Nyingma Monlan Committee Decision’s on the Future Head of the Lineage
February 5th, 2020 | Published in NEWS
This is the translation of an announcement from the Nyingma Monlam Committee:
At the annual Nyingma Prayer Festival Nyingma Monlam held at the sacred site of Bodhgaya, India, on the 8th day of 12thmonth of the lunar calendar, a meeting of the Nyingma Monlam Organization Committee and other important persons connected to the Nyingma Lineage was held to discuss the appointment of a new head of the Nyingma Tradition. Previously, from the appointment of Kyabje Dudom Rinpoche up through to Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the position of Head of the Nyingma Tradition was held by a distinguished line of high lamas who brought great benefit to the general and specific welfare of sentient beings and the teachings of Buddha.
Subsequently, in 2018, at the twenty-ninth Nyingma Monlam, it was decided that the title of head of the Nyingma tradition should be shared between the six-major Nyingma Monasteries in this order: Kathok, Dzogchen, Shechen, Mindroling, Dorje Drak, and Palyul; with a senior Lama from each monastery holding the position for three years.
At that time, a request was made of Kyabje KathokGetse Rinpoche to assume the role of head of the Nyingma Tradition, which he graciously accepted. However, due to the nature of the times and dwindling fortune and merit of beings, Kyabje Rinpoche passed away without completing his tenure. The title then passed to Kyabje Dzogchen Rinpoche who declined to accept it.
This year, 2020, at the thirty-first Nyingma Monlam, repeated requests were made of Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche to accept the position of Head of the Nyingma Tradition.
KyabjeShechen Rabjam Rinpoche replied that, in his opinion, there is a danger that with the insistence of a continually appointing a ‘head of the tradition’ there comes a danger that it may bring more harm than benefit to the Nyingma lineage. KyabjeRinpoche went on to suggest there isn’t a need to appoint a Head of Tradition, but rather, seeing as the Nyingma Monlam involves all Nyingmapa organizations, and as the appointed heads of the Nyingma Monlam Committee are already engaged in virtuous activities for the benefit of beings and the teaching of the Buddha, it would be adventitious if they would also assume the duties previously undertaken by the Lineage Head.
The Committee has decided to implement the suggestions of KyabjeShechen Rabjam Rinpoche, and from now on the organization committee of the Nyingma Monlam, in addition to its work and commitment to the welfare of beings and the teaching of Buddha, will take the responsibility to continually select and request high lamas and responsible individuals from the various Nyingma Institutions to lead the Monlam Committee and act in accordance with the above.
