Rinchen Terzod: A Typical Day

Introduction

The day begins by standing in line for the Rinchen Terzod. Though not like waiting outside the theatre to see Star Wars in the 70s, the line can still be impressive :-) On the rainy days, we wait inside (in the practice room); on most sunny days, we wait outside. Typically, folks start lining up a little after noon; by 12:30pm most people have arrived.

When we hear Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche ring the bell around a quarter to 1pm, that indicates that the self-empowerment is complete and he's ready for us to enter.

As we file into the main shrine room, large practice room, or the side room (for the Chinese translation), we get cleansing saffron water from a bumpa, a prayer booklet, and rice (for mandala offerings throughout the day). Video and audio feeds are available in the Chinese room and practice room. Audio is also available in the preparation room (where they make tormas, etc.) and the kitchen.

As we do our prostrations and take our seats, others are passing out eye bands and flower petals for use during the various empowerments. Yangthang Rinpoche continues doing prayers and making offerings while folks are getting seated. Even before everyone has settled he usually starts in with the first empowerment.

First Session

There are two English translators (who take turns) and one Chinese translator. Each is equipped with a microphone and sometimes they have to talk over Yangthang Rinpoche. As Yangthang Rinpoche starts, the translators begin as well. Usually this involves background information (as written in the Rinchen Terzod) on the specific terma we are about to receive.

Some empowerments have preliminary empowerments which involve throwing tooth sticks, receiving protection cords, kusha grass, and sometimes dutsi, and of course, making offerings. Step-by-step instructions are given (and translated) throughout many of the empowerments and sometimes actual practice instructions are given as well.

Anywhere between 3pm and 4pm (and sometimes later), we get a 3-minute break. During this time, Gyatrul Rinpoche will sometimes approach the throne and chat with Yangthang Rinpoche or even some of the attendees. Yangthang Rinpoche will usually give an extra minute or two, but then starts up promptly. Sometimes fewer than half the people are back in their seats when he does so. However, as soon as everyone hears him start, they come rushing back :-)

Second Session

The second session is usually longer than the first. We're scheduled to stop at 6pm, but this almost never happens. We recently went as long as 8pm. The content of the second session is the same: lots more empowerments, offerings, and sometimes brief instructions.

In both sessions, some people take notes, refer to the Rinchen Terzod index; others meditate, practice devotion, or do quiet mantras in the translation gaps. Having the opportunity to practice while such a great master is present is an incomprehensibly amazing gift. Everyone seems to take advantage of this. Rinpoche has looked kindly upon this and has generously given pointing out instructions to assist everyone present.

For each empowerment, the four most ranking lamas present (not including Gyatrul Rinpoche) get up repeatedly and bow before Yangthang Rinpoche to receive blessings (e.g.., during the Vase, Secret, Wisdom, Word, Torma, Implements, Vajra Master, etc., empowerments). These will be anything from a bumpa, skull cup, wrapped texts, dorje and bell, stacks of deity cards, tormas, to tsok items and a vast array of other sacred objects.

For the most part, the other attendees remain seated during each session. However, some empowerments have specific instructions on movement, mudras, physical postures, etc., and Yangthang Rinpoche will instruct us to follow these.

Closing

As soon as Yangthang Rinpoche decides that he has given the last empowerment for the day, he asks us to dedicate the merit, and we do a very nice dedication practice (in Tibetan).

Every once in a while, he will give an impromptu teaching as well. He has taught on the nature of mind, bodhicitta, the four immeasurables, and amazing summaries of the entire path. In each case he has been beautifully clear, astoundingly concise, and has shown how to integrate every aspect of the practice into each topic.

While we're dedicating the merit, the chopons gather all the empowerment substances used throughout the day, and the rinpoches, lamas, monks, and nuns (and other helpers) will line up, each holding one item (or a tray of items). Then, Yangthang Rinpoche starts us of with a long Guru Rinpoche mantra (which we all repeat continuously) while each attendee receives a blessing from Yangthang Rinpoche and a blessing from each of the substances from the empowerments.

Once everyone has received the blessings, we return to our seats and do a few more closing prayers. After the last one, Yangthang Rinpoche rises and is assisted down the stairs from the throne, up to his room. Gyatrul Rinpoche will sometimes come forward at this point and give brief teaching instructions, pointing-out instructions, tease his students, or perform additional blessings.

Cleanup

As Gyatrul Rinpoche finishes this (or if it seems that he won't do it), cleaning on the shrine room begins promptly and with much vigor. There is so much clean up to be done in all rooms (shrine, practice, Chinese, bathrooms, torma room, kitchen) that almost everyone can help, if they desire (and most do). Often there are some people finishing up 2 and 3 hours after the teachings have ended.

It's a long day for everyone, and folks are usually exhausted at the end of the empowerments, much less after cleaning up. Regardless, by the next morning, everyone is eager for the whole process to begin again, craving such incredible teachings and a wonderful opportunity for blessings, the practice of dharma, and the refinement of that practice.