The Gyalwang Drukpa

I was keen on learning further the commentaries of the philosophy of the Buddhist tradition as well as others. Thanks to our karma, we had a great abbot known as Noryang from Zigar Monastery in eastern Tibet, who had infinite knowledge of everything that is possible to understand in this universe. He was indeed a great dictionary of the entire universe. If you knew the way to ask a question, he always had the right answer, not only on religious and spiritual things but also on global knowledge, such as politics, economics, science and sport, if asked. Unlike most of us, he had no pride in himself whatsoever. He was always a great example for humankind. His unique presentation and humility combined with all the knowledge was really magnificent.

I requested him through my parents to be my tutor but he did not desire the name of "tutor" or positions of any sort, yet he accepted the request to teach me whatever would be appropriate, and only if I so wanted. Therefore, I had the golden opportunity to study all the external and inner as well as the secret knowledge of the philosophy of the universe with him for about eight years. Even though, regretfully enough, due to my own ignorance and wildness, as well as the usual laziness of teenage years, I did not get to utilize the golden opportunity as fully I could have, though indeed I feel very fortunate to have had that glimpse of karma in his presence just before he expired at the age of 73. After his parinirvana, I realized that I had much more to learn and, in fact, I sort of achieved a kind of realization that the learning process in this world should never be ending until the great enlightenment.

Prior to my nine golden years, I had humbly approached His Holiness Dalai Lama several times and discussed with him the issue of my further education. After a long discussion about who should be the one to continue such a great transmission of the entire universal truth with full humility and no contamination of ego, and especially without the sectarian prejudices amongst the different schools, His Holiness very kindly appointed one great Nyingma master known as Ontrul Rinpoche. He said that there were no masters like him in any orders or schools of the entire Tibetan Buddhist tradition, that is, he was one who had the entire knowledge of the universal philosophy and had no sectarian concept. However, it was evident that he was not so easy to get though to, because no schools, colleges or individuals until today succeeded to have him as a teacher. His Holiness told me I would have to be the most fortunate in order for him to accept my request. We decided to appeal to this master and His Holiness said that he would also be giving support to the idea that he be my teacher. Furthermore, I came to know that this master originally came from the same school and same monastery as my father. With a note from my father, I sent a letter of request to him with a great hope and fear. After a month or so of waiting anxiously for his reply, an extremely long and happy letter with very good news came from this master, saying that he was waiting for a predicted or prophesied student identified by his own Guru back in 1930. His Guru had said to him that towards the end of his life he would have the occasion to benefit an incarnated being and that he should not let this opportunity escape him when it happens. My sought- after teacher thought that this was the time for him to come and help me in order to fulfill the prophecy of his own Guru. Reading that letter was the most enjoyable moment I had ever experienced in my life.