Non-Sectarianism

At Sakya Choekhor Lhunpo, we emphasise non-sectarianism. In Tibetan Buddhism this idea has been best expressed by the lamas of nineteenth century Eastern Tibet who developed the ris-med or non-sectarian movement. The founders of this movement were such luminaries as Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) and Jamgon Kongtrul (1820-1892). Khyentse Wangpo's principal school was Sakya, Kongtrul's was Nyingma-Kagyu.

As Ringu Tulku has said, "Ris-med is not a way to unite all different schools and lineages by emphasising their similarities. It is basically an appreciation of their differences and acknowledging the importance of having varieties for the benefit of practitioners of different needs. Therefore, the Ris-med teachers always took greatest care that the teachings and practices of different schools and lineages and their unique styles do not get mixed up with one another. To keep each teaching lineage with its original style and methods retains the power of its lineage experience. Kongtrul and Khyentse made great efforts to retain the original flavour of each teaching while making them available to many."

It is exciting to find lamas in Australia from Eastern Tibet, such as our own Lama Loppon Ngawang Damchoe, and Traleg Rinpoche of KEBI, whose heritage includes the traditions established by Kongtrul and Khyentse.