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Prophecy of the Signs

The next year, 1996, at the end of April, Tenzin Dorjee received a letter from the late Ven. Drupon Dechen Rinpoche (see photo left). In it, he encouraged Tenzin Dorjee to visit Tsurphu monastery, indicating that there might be good news waiting for him. Therefore, on May 25th, Tenzin Dorjee once more journeyed to Tibet with Sonam Chopel.

Tenzin Dorjee and Sonam Chopel met the Karmapa at Tsurphu monastery at about 11:30 a.m. on May 27, 1996. It was the last day of the Tse-Chu pujas, and the giant Gho-Ku-Chen-Mo thangka was being displayed. There were many people at the monastery that day, and the Karmapa was about to grant them the Amitayus long life empowerment. He said to Tenzin Dorjee, "Now I will let you know the good news, but come to me this afternoon."

At about 2:30 p.m., His Holiness the Karmapa personally handed his letter of prophecy of the rebirth of the Third Jamgon Rinpoche directly to Tenzin Dorjee. Tenzin Dorjee recalled that, "At that very moment, a single thunder clap roared in the skies. Sonam Chopel and I were together with His Holiness. When we left the room, heading to see the late Drupon Dechen Rinpoche, I noticed a very light rainfall with sunshine which we Tibetans call metok charpa (rain of flowers). In our tradition, it is believed to be an auspicious sign."

Tenzin Dorjee and Sonam Chopel opened the letter describing the signs of Jamgon Rinpoche's rebirth in the presence of the late Drupon Dechen Rinpoche. They read it together. Recalling that moment, Tenzin Dorjee said that he shall never forget the kind and sincere words of encouragement and advice expressed by the late Drupon Dechen Rinpoche.

"This is not only your burden. I am certain that I speak on behalf of all Karma Kagyu. We share with you this burden of finding the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. Firstly, the Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoches have been holders of this lineage, and so a pure reincarnation is very important. Secondly, the Third Jamgon Kongtrul had done so much for the Karma Kagyu lineage generally, and for his Guru, the Sixteenth Karmapa, in his lifetime and after. We will help with whatever is necessary."
The late Ven. Drupon Dechen Rinpoche

His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje's Letter Describing the Signs of Jamgon Rinpoche's Birth