Timeless Rapture: Inspired Verse from the Shangpa Masters

278 Timeless Rapture
some lineages that seem to collectively mourn their long-lost glorious past.
Another feature common to the Shangpa masters was their substantial
offerings made to receive instruction. It was not enough for each master
to have been foretold by the protectors or dakinis as the awaited lineage
holder, he still was expected to make offerings for the empowerments and
teachings he received. This was certainly true for Kyungpo Naljor, who
offered much gold for the instruction he received, and despite the renunciant
character of the lineage and the masters, each notes his diligence in
making offerings. Three times, Chökyi Sengé offered all his possessions to
Mokchok-pa, despite the strong protests and pointed lack of cooperation
from the officials at his late uncle’s monastery. (I remember Kalu Rinpoché
also saying that he had offered all he owned to his teacher, Norbu Döndrub,
three times.)
Jamgon Kongtrul’s supplication to Chökyi Sengé contains references
(in the second and third verses) to his past lives and to his attainment of
full enlightenment after this life (at the end of the prayer). This master
related some of his past lives and foretold his own and his close disciples’
final attainment. Again, this display of clairvoyance was not uncommon
in Shangpa masters, although they customarily restricted the information
to their closest and most trusted disciples until after their death.
The Melody of Faith:
A Supplication to the Great Öntön Kyergang-pa
by Jamgon Kongtrul
Billowing clouds of your love gather in luminous space.
Your compassion continually rains on the fields of your disciples,