A Joint Statement Regarding the Reincarnation of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche

Source: KagyuOffice.org

The tradition of recognising the reincarnation of tulkus is a particular feature of Tibetan Buddhism generally accepted to have begun with the Gyalwang Karmapas. Starting from the First Shamarpa, Tokden Dragpa Senge, a direct disciple of the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, the lineage of the Shamarpas has one of the longest histories of all lines of Tibetan tulkus. Most of the Shamarpa incarnations have been included in the Golden Garland of the Karma Kamtsang. They have had a tremendous beneficial impact on Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu teachings. However, after the Tenth Shamarpa, Chodrup Gyatso, passed into parinirvana, the recognition and enthronement of the incarnations of the Shamar Rinpoche was prohibited for some 170 years. This was a great loss to the teachings and left an irreparable hole in our history.

With this in mind, the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa enthroned Shamar Mipham Chokyi Lodro, which was a great kindness. But his students’ merit was insufficient to prevent the Sixteenth Karmapa from passing into parinirvana at an early age. And before the ensuing disputes within the Kamtsang could be settled, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche also passed into parinirvana, which was a source of much grief.

Whether we look at this in terms of the influence of the successive Shamarpas or the fact that the Sixteenth Karmapa reinstated the recognition of the Shamarpas, we see that it is our responsibility to continue to recognise the reincarnations of Kunzig Shamarpa. For the recognition to be unmistaken and undisputed would have tremendous benefit for reuniting the Karma Kagyu. Thus, the two of us are shouldering this responsibility that has fallen on us both. Despite many difficulties, we have met several times and had deep conversations that have greatly increased our sincere intentions. To summarise the results of our discussions:

1. The recognition of Shamar Rinpoche’s reincarnation will be a joint effort by the two of us together. Neither of us will do it separately.

2. In order for Shamar Rinpoche’s Yangsi to be able to live up to his name, the two of us will take joint responsibility for his education, empowerments, transmissions, and pith instructions.

3. As the topic of Shamar Rinpoche’s reincarnation is a crucial point of concern within the Kamtsang, we will not accept interference from any uninvolved parties.

In conclusion, we in the Karma Kamtsang are the students of the same teacher, vajra brothers and sisters in a single dharma lineage. To foment disputes and create schisms amongst ourselves is nothing other than a disservice to our predecessors in the lineage and a method for us to destroy our own lineage. Thus, it would have a strong positive impact for every single follower of the Karma Kamtsang to recite, with deep regret for their past actions, the Vajrasattva mantra a minimum of one hundred thousand times and The Sutra in Three Sections one thousand times, as soon as possible. We should also have the firm resolve that from now on, the precious Practice Lineage should never split into two factions and that there never again be any disputes over the reincarnations of Kagyu masters, especially the Karmapa and his Heart Sons. It is extremely important that all of us in the Practice Lineage of the Karma Kamtsang should have samaya as inseparable as milk mixed with water, and that we come together as a single, cooperative whole. We ask that you all keep this in mind.

Thaye Dorje

2023 年 12 月 4 日

認證祖古轉世的傳統為藏傳佛教所特有，始於尊勝噶瑪巴乃公認之事。從第三世法王噶瑪巴讓炯多傑的親傳弟子—— 垛丹札巴僧格(第一世夏瑪巴)開始，夏瑪巴的轉世既成了藏地歷史最悠久的祖古之一。而其中大多數夏瑪巴均被納入噶瑪噶舉金鬘傳承之中，對整體佛教及噶瑪噶舉都做出了傑出的貢獻。然而，從第十世夏瑪巴卻朱嘉措圓寂後，超過一百七十年間，夏瑪巴的轉世都被禁止認證和坐床，這不僅是教法的損失，而且也在歷史上留下了無法彌補的空白。

有鑒於此，我等頂嚴 —— 尊勝第十六世法王噶瑪巴德重恩弘，認證了全知夏瑪巴米龐確吉羅卓，並為其舉行坐床。然而，由於眾弟子福薄以致第十六世法王入滅過早，且全知夏瑪仁波切亦在噶瑪噶舉內部紛擾尚未平息之前示現圓寂，著實令人遺憾。

無論是從歷代夏瑪巴之宏業，或是第十六世噶瑪巴恢復其認證等各方面，我們都可以看出：繼續認證夏瑪巴的轉世是我們的責任。若能實現正確無誤、沒有爭議的轉世認證，將會對噶瑪噶舉的團結大有助益。於是，此番重任便落在了我們兩人肩上。因此，儘管困難重重，我們仍進行了數次會面，竭誠相待，認真商議。在此就討論結果總結如下:

一、我們將共同認證夏瑪仁波切的轉世，不會各自單獨行事。

二、為了夏瑪仁波切的轉世能夠名副其實，我們兩人將共同負責包括其教育、灌頂、口傳及口訣等教授。

三、夏瑪仁波切的轉世乃噶瑪噶舉內部事宜，我們不會接受任何無關人士的干涉。

總之，我們同為噶瑪噶舉中人，本就師承一脈，互為金剛兄弟。若彼此之間相互爭鬥、製造分裂，不僅愧對歷代傳承祖師，也會親手將我們的教派毀於一旦。所以，每一位噶瑪噶舉中人都應深切懺悔往昔所行，盡快完成至少十萬遍「金剛薩埵百字明咒」及一千遍「三蘊經」的念誦，如此將會利益巨大。此外，我們要確保：從今往後不再令如此珍貴的傳承出現分裂；任何時候，在以噶瑪巴及其心子為主的轉世議題上，不再出現任何爭議和分歧。所有噶瑪噶舉實修傳承者的三昧耶應如水乳一般交融，團結和睦如一條潔白柔軟的哈達，此乃重中之重，請各位銘記於心。