'Guru Rinpoche is like second Buddha'

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, April 4 (Nepal Oregon News): "Guru Rinpoche is regarded as 'Second Buddha'. Guru Rinpoche possesses miraculous powers including the ability to subdue Rakshasas (demons) and evil spirits. Guru Rinpoche's birth was foretold by Tathagata Buddha and he is also known as Padmasambhava."

Co-founder of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya said this during a zoom teaching on Guru Rinpoche organized by Hong Kong Sangha on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

Prajwal's talk presented a detailed and comprehensive portrayal of Guru Rinpoche's role and contributions in Buddhism. "Guru Rinpoche was more than Bodhisattva, he is like a Buddha," said Prajwal.

A number of Thangkas and  religious paintings portray Guru Rinpoche with Apsaras at each side, Prajwal said at the zoom program.

Guru Rinpoche had several Apsaras as consorts. One of them is from Nepal - Shakyadevi - whom Guru Rinpoche met at Swayambhunath and together they deeply and profoundly practiced secret mantras, Prajwal added.

Precious teachings of Guru Rinpoche came from Oddiyana, the land of Dakinis, Prajwal went on saying.

The talk by Prajwal Vajracharya dealt with subtle details about Guru Rinpoche. Laying emphasis on the importance of Tantric Buddhism, Vajracharya also added:"Guru Rinpoche is wrathful and smiling. Wrathful like Vajrapani." 

Speaking about Guru Rinpoche's travels to Nepal, Prajwal said:"Guru Rinpoche visited several places in Nepal. He had meditated in the caves of Pharping, Nepal and was empowered by Vajrayogini."

During his travels to Nepal Mandala, Guru Rinpoche was in Patan and the place where he stayed was Yempi Mahavihara in Lalitpur.  84 Mahasiddhas from India had come to meet him at that place, Prajwal told the zoom participants.

A huge 64 feet tall golden statue of Guru Rinpoche was erected just to the right of Lord Buddha's statue in the Amidev Buddha Park in Kathmandu in 2003, Prajwal informed the zoom participants.

Pundit Prajwal Vajracharya's teaching on Guru Rinpoche also zeroed in on  Padmasambhava charya dance.

Prajwal danced the Padmasambhava nritya while Joshua Proto, a Sangha member sang the Charya giti in the zoom.

Prajwal demonstrated the movements of legs, gestures of hands and fingers and expressions of face and eyes during the Padmasambhava nritya. "His two eyes are always wide open straight forward - always awakening the people," Prajwal said.

At the end of the zoom teaching, Pundit Vajracharya replied to several questions of the participants. The zoom talk on Guru Rinpoche was participated by 35 people from various states of the USA, Hong Kong, Germany and Canada.