This is the dream of a great man, a man I had the privilege and honor to call my teacher, a man who changed my life forever, opening my heart and my eyes to all that is possible, and altering the very history for the Dharma of this world.
His name was Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. This place was his dream, his legacy, his greatest wish for all of us. A place of learning, contemplation and exploration. A place where all the world could congregate and come together to achieve the highest levels of study, practice, community, hope and family. A place where East meets West, University and Shedra combining their best qualities so that all can benefit and share in the Dharma the world over. Now the institute is really nearing completion, so much more has been finished since last I was here, and it is truly breathtaking. Unlike anything in Nepal, or really anything I have ever seen anywhere. The massive beauty sitting at the base of the Queens forest, its warm brown stone and golden details, beautiful roofing and huge windows making it look more like a majestic palace than a school or monastery. The courtyard Mandala, the great pillars and grand Torrey gate gazing out over the valley of Kathmandu below. It is so beautiful, so serene, so hard to explain in words what I feel when I stand here staring up at all that Rinpoche has accomplished. Now in the upper north wing there is a special room, and in this room they have begun to prepare and build Rinpoche’s stupa, and for the first time I was able to see it with my own eyes and was graciously allowed to document it for you all. It is humbling to see. Hard to see in a way, for intense feelings of devotion and sadness come to the surface when I gaze upon what will be the final resting place for my teacher's earthly remains. Sadness can be good - today this sad heart of mine is full of joy, for this great monument to his life is such a wondrous way to celebrate a man such as he. The stupa is now in a state of preparation, rich copper in color, soon to be polished and gold-leafed, though I find it exquisite in this unfinished form. It is raw and powerful, such amazing details and life already exist in its textures and carvings. It is a beautiful testament to Rinpoche. Grandiose yet simple, profound but almost unmanageably powerful - this room already carries with it a great presence, just as he always did.
While Rinpoche has left this world just two years ago, his magnanimous spirit lives on in all our hearts, and his activity continues to turn and grow ever more. I think of him all the time, moments pass where I feel him beside me, and I know that he is still with us in his unique, gentle yet ferociously compassionate "Rinpoche" way. I feel he would be so happy to see how far this project has come, to see it nearing completion and beginning to be finally used and Dharmic activity to begin to take place under its roof. Monks from Kalimpong and Swayambhu are calling Shar Minub home, now quite a few new young monks have come these past months, mostly newly orphaned from the terrible earthquake and resulting loss of life that has stricken Nepal, now over 70 in total, and they are planning for hundreds more. This is just the beginning. The eventual plans for this place are staggering, like a great centerpiece for the entire Dharmic world to come and study, grow, learn, and take part in this world and learning from each other. International conferences and events, teachings and empowerments, East and West schools, Shedra life and lay studies living side by side, a massive library, dormitories and housing, it is such a grand wish one could almost believe it isn't possible if it wasn’t coming directly from Rinpoche’s outrageous mind. But this was his wish, his dream. His legacy lives on in these stones. As the sun’s golden glow was setting over the forested hills I walked to the courtyard, and in that single instant I realized how powerful and broad his wish really was. The great and simple truth: it is his great and final gift to all of us. Something that will never fade or diminish, but continue to grow and benefit all beings for many many years to come. Something that we can all share, no matter where we are from, what we believe, who or what we put on our shrine - this is a universal place of spiritual growth for everyone. Rinpoche’s dream has now become a reality, his final wish granted, his generosity to us unwavering and all encompassing. Thank you Rinpoche, what a final gift this is - it will take us lifetimes to truly comprehend what it was you have given us.
Sharminub Institute
