Trip to Sera Monastery
Dearest Geshe Tenzin Zopa and Ven. Thubten Lhundrup,
Thank you very much for your warm hospitality during my recent visit to Sera monastery.
This was a meaningful trip and such a great joy to see our most precious Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche enthroned before an audience of more than 3,000 monks.
On behalf of Geshe Lama Konchog’s students, I would like to thank you both for organising such a successful event.
Phuntsok Rinpoche (oops, should be Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche as he would correct us whenever we called him), carried himself very well at the monastery. The moment he entered any gompa or khangtsen, he walked in as if he were no stranger. With his charismatic charm and behaviour, everyone was convinced that he was no ordinary child.
Much of his behaviour reminded me of Geshe Lama Konchog. His mischief at home and his seriousness in the gompa made me feel the presence of Geshela. His way of speaking English sounded exactly like Geshela.
One occasion when Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche danced a lama dance at home, his movement and rhythm reminded me of when Geshela visited at Ridout Road in Singapore. At that time, Geshela had danced in his room with the same movement and rhythm.
Like Geshe Lama Konchog before, Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche would behave very casually during informal moments but become serious whenever required. I am amazed that at the age of four, Lama knows when to get serious. During the enthronement at Lhopa Khangtsen, all the monks were impressed by his manner. His respect towards all the holy objects and his devotion towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama was unbelievable. Also during his visit to the Kopan monks, Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche’s behaviour was unusual – the moment he sat on the throne, he started scrutinizing each and every monk like a father looking at his children.
After witnessing all these events, my faith in Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche as the unmistaken incarnate of Geshela strengthened. My devotion on seeing him as our most Holy Guru Lama Konchog will never be shaken. I believe with the pure vision from both of you of Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche and with his innate intelligence and kindheartedness towards sentient beings, especially to every animal and insect which he would save whenever he saw them struggling in water, Lama will be an upholder of the entire Buddhadharma and bring extensive benefit to sentient beings like the second Lama Tsong Khapa.
Once again, thanks very much to you and your entourage for making all this possible.
Geshe Tenzin Zopa, I was also happy to witness your graduation as geshe. I am really happy that you were able to complete your studies. I believe if Geshe Lama Konchog were still alive he would be extremely happy. Anyway, he is back and I think that is why Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche was so happy, jumping all over you and naming you “God” after the ceremony.
With Metta, Cyndi Yee Singapore
