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12 Comments

  1. lucasj10
    May 13, 2012 @ 9:30 pm

    I still haven’t figured out how he cut your hair when you don’t have any…

  2. Andrea Myer
    May 13, 2012 @ 9:35 pm

    sounds pretty awesome and lucky that you were able to see him speak, namaste!

  3. woody0228
    May 13, 2012 @ 11:28 pm

    Must have been an ncredible experience. Why did he cut your hair?

    • Chris
      May 14, 2012 @ 9:34 am

      The hair cutting is symbolic of ‘leaving everything behind’ and committing toward the path of enlightenment. I believe that lay people typically don’t maintain a shorn scalp, so just a snip of hair is taken to symbolize the greater commitment of shaving the entire head. The clipping is taken from the top of the head because it’s the highest point of the body, and intended to mean that you are giving of your highest self.

      From what I understand, some Lamas forego the clipping ritual during vows since it’s not something that is maintained by a lay follower.

  4. Gail
    May 14, 2012 @ 7:07 am

    It was worth reading no matter how long it was! Actually I’m sorry it wasn’t longer…so interesting. It must have been quite an emotional service and well worth experiencing.

  5. Ross Hansen
    May 14, 2012 @ 9:10 am

    Reading all the way to the bottom was no problem as the narrative was quite compelling. I can feel the sense of anticipation in the room followed by the smiles when all had been blessed by His Excellency!

    Nicely written Chris!

  6. Mary McKinnon
    May 14, 2012 @ 5:44 pm

    Here is one comment on what Garchen Rinpoche does with the snipped hair:

    “Garchen Rinpoche said that the hair he cut from you will be placed in a bag with White Tara in it, and whichever holy places Rinpoche goes to, he will do circumambulation and prayers with that bag. When he met His Holiness the Dalai Lama the previous time, he also brought along the bag of hair to be blessed, so that all his disciples and students can receive the equal merits and blessings he receives from His Holiness.”

    Taken from here: http://lol8.blogspot.com/2011_10_16_archive.html

    I have had many teachings and vows with Garchen Rinpoche. His love is boundless, and he always makes you feel, if only briefly, that you too are capable of such boundless love. We bask in his love, and resolve to be like him, and so, we cry. This is devotion.

    • Chris
      May 14, 2012 @ 8:23 pm

      Mary, Thanks for sharing that website–I hadn’t seen it before. And, I appreciate you passing along the answer about the bag with the hair clippings. I’m greatly looking forward to continuing to learn and hope to again someday have the opportunity be in Garchen Rinpoche’s presence. If we are ever in the same place at the same time, please introduce yourself. Making connections is what it’s all about!

      • Mary McKinnon
        May 14, 2012 @ 9:04 pm

        You bet I will. I don’t get to teachings much any more, but occasionally I am able to get somewhere.

  7. justteejay
    May 15, 2012 @ 10:55 am

    Thanks. This was once again awesome to read about and makes me jealous that I can’t physically tag along after you two to all of these great places.

  8. peterandholly
    May 20, 2012 @ 2:44 pm

    To your overview >> As I understand the teachings of the Buddha, the key to limiting suffering is by overcoming, or avoiding, spiritually detrimental desires.

    Rev. Dr. Peter Burch, Christian pastor, Hope Chapel, Webster, NY

  9. Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam – Rush, NY » Exploring The Burned Over District
    September 2, 2013 @ 8:58 pm

    […] from the final piece of the abhisheka and felt a shakiness similar to when I took refuge vows with His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche–Luke and I had been in the presence of something wonderful and moving, and I had no idea […]