Pewar Rinpoche
Pewar Rinpoche (wyl. dpe war rin po che) - one of the most revered lamas in Tibet today, he was a student of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, from whom he received many teachings and transmissions. He lives in Derge.
Regarded as an emanation of Virupa, one of the 84 Mahasiddhas of India, Pewar Rinpoche was a favoured companion of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the late head of Nyingma school. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche has also received teachings from him. Pewar Rinpoche has made remarkable contributions to the revival of Buddhism in the Kham region of Tibet. Aside from being the abbot of Pewar Monastery in Tibet, he has also guided the work of the “Commission for the New Tibetan Tripitika”.
Pewar Rinpoche is active in the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist Art and texts. He helped to preserve the Derge Parkhang during the chaotic times of the Chinese invasion. In 1959 the Chinese Government launched many campaigns and forced lay people and monks to participate in the destruction of many monasteries, but the great Derge Gönchen Monastery with its famous printing press was protected by order of the central government.
Pewar Monastery houses one of the finest sets of Buddhist murals in western Sichuan. Its paintings, which are more than 270 years old and cover more than 370 square meters, survived the destruction of the Cultural Revolution.
Prayer for the Long Life of Pewar Rinpoche
LU MÉ RINCHEN SUM GYI CHINLAP KYI
CHIMÉ ÖSAL NYUKMÉ TERDZÖ CHÉ
TING DZIN DORJÉI TAP KYI JÉPÉ GÖN
KU TSÉ YÜN TEN SHYÉ DÖN LHUNDRUP SHOK
Through the blessings of the three unfailing precious Jewels,
May the life of this great Lord, who, through vajra-like samadhi,
Opened the great treasury of the natural state, the clear light beyond death,
Remain forever stable, and may all his wishes be spontaneously fulfilled!
According to the wishes of the supreme lord of refuge, Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, this heartfelt prayer was made on the excellent occasion of Saga Dawa by the one who holds the name of the incarnation of Rigdzin Chenpo. May it be a cause for this master’s life to remain secure, within the nature of the seven vajra qualities, and for his vast waves of enlightened activity to spread throughout the world.