Certificate

Click to enlarge

Translation of the Certificate

With my body, speech and mind I pay respect to the precious order of scholars, the noble, dedicated, learned ones in the opulent lineage of the three trainings and the seven jewels, to the chief deities of meditation (yi-dam) and the oath-bound dharma-protectors who facilitate the practice of meditators in accord with dharma, and to the glorious Buddha Maitreya, i.e. the Precious Guru (Padmasambhava). And seated before the sublime Sha-pay Ge-lek (zhabs-pad dge-legs) of the conquering throne, emitting thousands of rays of light, I, Go-tö (sgo stod) Tulku Ngawang, with fingers joyfully clasped with undivided faith and head bowed sincerely beseech them.

The root and foundation of all those who have appeared for the welfare and benefit of beings, the incomparable sugar palm tree, is in general the precious teachings that have come down to us. Specifically, there are the precious teachings, like liquid gold, that unify sutra and tantra, comprising scripture, reasoning and examination, well composed and edited by brave Tsong-kha-pa Lo-sang-drag-pa (blo-bzang grags-pa) of the east, the Dharma-king of the three realms, and his three disciples. Those teachings have spread through all places, times and circumstances, and they will expand and continue for a long time.

The topknot among holders of those teachings, the Dharma-lord who guides gods and men to sublimity, the all-knowing and all seeing, the reverend good and wise intellect with Manjusri's power of speech, the ocean who upholds the teachings (bstan-'dzin rgya-mtsho, the 14th Dalai Lama), initiator of the three worlds, the peerless in glory, and the lord of the eastern paradise Sukhavati, the Pan-chen, all-knowing and all-seeing, the good, precious (rin-po-che) in the highest rebirth, and Dharma-lord Manjusri, the Buddha's representative, the precious Galden Monastery throne-holder (dga'-ldan khri rin-po-che), and the two-fold Dharma-lord of the east and the northeast, the universal master of the hundred families, the lord of the wheel (Cakra-samvara), upholder of the Buddha's bodies, the lord of refuge Ling-trul (gling sprul) Rin-po-che, the rebirth of the great Vajradhara, best of the good, and the greatly exalted embodiment of the kindness of the Buddhas of the three times, the lord of refuge Trichang (khri-byang) Rinpoche, also the rebirth of Vajradhara, the highest rebirth, best of the good, and the glorious Buddha Maitreya (byams-pa), also known as the previous guru (Padmasambhava, gu-ru rin-po-che), and all the holy persons who hold the authentic teachings connection to the middle way Dharma, wherever they abide, untouched by the slightest imperfection to the three secret aspects of their bodies, unwavering, the sages (rishis) who through countless lives are firm in the essence and wishing great blessings, filling all regions of the world with their messages, and the teacher of how to be absorbed into the realm of Dharma, the ultimate intention, the excellent Buddha Maitreya, born physically into the world and demonstrates how to [support? verb obscured by Buddha Centre stamp], to foster and to protect the Buddha's teaching, both general and specific, with great waves of transcendent kindness in this land of snow mountains (Tibet).

Relying on that and with right respect for that, Rinpoche and Drag-kar Tulku (brag-dkar sprul-sku), and Dzam-ling ('dzam-gling) Rinpoche, and Tulku Tashi (sprul-sku bkra-shis), all together have pure belief and recognition that Rinpoche is the [true? word obscured] birth of Maitreya.

Buddha Maitreya has fulfilled the profound and excellent considerations. Furthermore, his rebirth has come quickly, free from delusion, as Dharma-lord for use who follow the teachings. Acting in accord with his predecessor's life story, we may enjoy as before the nectar of his speech, and the three great sites that are bases for tens of thousands of scholars and yogis, and the pure rules of conduct for monastic communities of all schools, headed by the Upper and Lower Tantric Colleges.

In addition, relying upon the inspiration of those wholesome refuges, in the right circumstances of time and place all contamination in all the regions of the world, including sickness, pollution and contention and strife will entirely disappear. All the world will enjoy the wealth of dharma forevermore. The sovereign patron of the teachings, the ruling Tushita Palace (dga'-ldan pho-brang), the power of the four branches of government, will grow and flourish. The independence of out land of pure dharma and pure government, like a region of Sala medicinal herbs, will quickly come to fruition. Those who are inside, and those who are outside [Tibet] will rejoice together, be reunited and empowered.

Sentient beings of the world who have died and left this world, who look to us with the expectation of blessings, who have passed from life wihout the immediate expectation of a good rebirth, will be cleansed and purified of their accumulated misdeeds. And after gradually progressing on the basis of your best-vehicle four turnings of the wheel, they will quickly attain the rank of Vajradhara integration.

Closely related groups, such as the currently living patron (? a reference to China? word obscured by "Lithang" stamp), in the undesireable situation of injuriousness, will be totally pacified. Their deeds, coming into accord with the spotless Dharma, will be without hindrance and will accomplish all that could be desired.

Supplement by Tashi Rinpoche, treasurer:

Special: Whatever offerings we have we offer to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with the Samantabhadra offering. Among the various chief offerings, we offer the A-shay silk scarf, an ocean of presents gathered from the best lands, and present them to each member of the monastic community by hand.

To illustrate the general offerings: the white khata, or greeting scarf, as basis for refuge, and likewise the refuge-roll manuscript rolled up in a spotless A-shay khata, requesting refuge with a show of energy, faith and respect. And on top of that, whatever be the objects of one's request, we pray that they be attained, whether they be finding refuge, or non-loss. Wisdom, understanding, wisdom! Thus do we pray for you.

(Verso)

Before the opulent lineage of the three trainings and the seven jewels, the precious order of noble ones who are learned in the rules of refuge, and before the sublime Sha-pay Ge-lek (zhabs-pad dge-legs) of the conquering throne, togethor with the deities of meditation (yi-dam) and the oath-bound dharma-protectors who facilitate the practice of meditators in accord with dharma, his exalted throne emitting thousands of rays of light.

I do you service with the gates of my body, speech, and mind. I prostrate with hands clasped to the higher source of refuge, offering material goods along with the general offerings.

Translation by Mark Tatz