The Life Story of the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche: Part IV

After his long retreat, he wanted to meet his master Gomchen Trinle Chophel again but unfortunately he had already passed away. Later on, he met another Yogi named Sertha Rinpoche and received many Nyingma practices from him. He spent a period of time meditating at Dolpo, in a cave called Trekyam Phuk, where his master Gomchen Trinle Chophel had also meditated in before. He then started to realize the ultimate essence of the Dzogchen (Great perfection) and Chagchen (Mahamudra) practice and finally recognized mind nature completely.

He mentioned to his close disciple that when realization took place, the grasping of the dualistic conceptual mind becomes totally dismantled. The dualistic conceptual mind melts into the state of total freedom like the way ice completely melts into water.

Since then, Shangpa Rinpoche started to move around in order to benefit people in as many places as possible. He did not establish his own residence in any place during his life time but always moved from place to place to fulfill the needs of others. He started to become known to people in many areas and they received teachings and initiations from him.

He started to rebuild old temples in Dolpo and Tichu Rong and also gave teachings and empowerments to the people there tirelessly. Whatever offerings he received, he used for the restoration of temples or for providing food for the poor. He did not try to save anything for his own use. Shangpa Rinpoche’s nature was so compassionate that whenever the poor people came to see him, he simply gave whatever he had.

One disciple told me that one day, it was snowing outside and it was the coldest month in that year. A poor man who visited Shangpa Rinpoche did not have much clothing on and was shivering due to the cold. Shangpa Rinpoche blessed him and they had a conversation. Shangpa Rinpoche then asked him if he was feeling cold. The poor man answered, “Yes”. Immediately, Shangpa Rinpoche took off his upper jacket which was made of wool and offered it to the man, together with some coins for purchasing food. Shangpa Rinpoche then continued to meet other visitors although he was not wearing warm clothes. Although he felt cold himself, he was very happy that he had relieved someone from feeling cold.

His attendants sometimes tried to save the money that people offered to him for future use. Shangpa Rinpoche however tried to hide the money offered to him and give the money to the poor. There are so many people I have met who told me how often he gave them money and food without the knowledge of his attendants.

There was one incident when I was 27 years old. One day, an old man came to pay respect to me and I asked him if he was still drinking Chang or if he had already stopped. Suddenly he became very nervous and did not answer me. He was almost in tears and probably couldn't speak because of this.

Later, he told another Lama that the past Shangpa Rinpoche was very good to him. Every time he met the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche, he would definitely get a few coins for Chang (Tibetan Barley wine). He thought that I knew him from my past life and therefore asked him that question as the past Shangpa Rinpoche knew he likes Chang.

Tomorrow I will write more about how he benefitted disciples, rebuilt temples in Dolpo and Tibet and also how he met my parents.