Nyingmapa lamas, marked by complete simplicity and freedom.... If I were going to settle down with a Tibetan guru, I think Chatral would be the one I'd choose...."7 Mr. Harold Talbott, who was present at their meeting, recalls Merton remarking to him after their meeting : "That is the greatest man I ever met. He is my teacher."

Photo 1.31 Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche with Yeshe Thaye and Pema Lhadren at Pharping in 1997.

Two days later (February 13, 1989), Guru Lau also paid a visit to Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche in Pharping. I was helping to translate from Chinese into English, while Ven. Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche was helping to translate from English into Tibetan, and vice-versa. Guru Lau, this time, brought along some Chinese New Year presents to Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche, and they again chatted a lot during our stay for an hour or so. Before leaving Pharping, Guru Lau remarked that we would be leaving for Hong Kong very soon, and he sincerely wished Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche all the best, and hoped that they would be able to see each other again in the future. But unfortunately, this was to be the last time that they would see each other.
After a lapse of eight years, inspired by Guru Lau, my wife and I went to Pharping to visit Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche and Kyabje Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche in the autumn of 1997. Though Guru Lau twice instructed me to uphold his lineages, because of "collective karma" and unfavourable circumstances, I was unable to maintain his foundation. While relating these messages to Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche, he carefully considered the situation and other circumstances. Then he kindly promised to lend me his support in order to carry out the last wish of Guru Lau. He even praised me, while following the footsteps of Guru Lau, for shying away from Dharma politics and just silently helping with the Dharma without expecting anything in return, as well as for not breaking my samaya because of not commiting the Third Root Downfall. "Indeed", he said, "this is the correct way to do!"

Photo 1.32 Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche III with Yeshe Thaye and Pema Lhadren at Pharping in 1997.

Because of my sincere request, Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche has promised to write a Prayer for the swift rebirth of Guru Lau. Moreover, Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche is most compassionate and kind in accepting me and my wife as his humble servants and disciples. He bestowed upon us oral transmissions (lung) and teachings (tri) so that we can uphold the Victory Banner of Guru Lau for the spread of the Dharma. Rinpoche supported the project and mentioned that, in the future, when our new Dharma centre has its own premises, he will bestow upon us all the necessary Tibetan scriptures, Buddhist statues, Dharma objects, and so on. Immediately, Rinpoche personally designed the logo for the new Dharma centre, and then later asked a thanka painter to paint it for us.
We were most fortunate to have received important teachings of the Dudjom Tersar lineage, and Dzogchen teachings of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition, from Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche. Rinpoche further mentioned to us that Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche II had appointed him as the Vajra Regent for the Dudjom Tersar lineage, and that, as far as he knows, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche II had only written two letters of authorization in his past life, one to his Chinese spiritual representative Sonam Chokyi Gyaltsan for the Kama Lineage (Long Tradition of the "|hi-khro" according to Na Rak Dong Truk), and the other to Rinpoche himself for the Terma Lineage (Short Tradition of Dudjom Lingpa's Treasures and other teachings). Before our leaving for Hong Kong, Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche bestowed upon us two Tibetan scriptures of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition, a thanka of the Buddha of Long Life, and some blessed sacred objects. Furthermore, he bestowed upon us a beautifully-made gold-plated ..CONTINUE ..