LIFE-SKETCH

LAMA SHREE NARAYAN SINGH was born into an aristocratic family in central Bihar soon after Indian independence. At an early age he was sent to St. Paul's School, Darjeeling, a British-style Anglican Public School, a leader in the field of education. It was there that he spent eleven of his most formative years, obtaining both his Indian and Higher School Certificates from the University of Cambridge. After a short two-year attendance at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, W. B., he found himself in the U. K. autumn, 1970. He worked there a year prior to joining M. 1. T. in the U. S.A. the following fall.

Introduced to Buddhism in the UK, he took to it immediately, under the guidance of the then Chao Khun Sobhana Dhammasuddhi, now the Ven. V. R. Dhiravamsa currently married and resides in the U. S.A.. Subsequently, after a semester at MIT, when he first met Ven. Zurmang Trungpa (strictly Dhrungpa) Rinpochhe, in Barnet, Vt., he knew he had found his vocation. It took him another two months at MIT to confirm this, and March, 1972 found him back at Tail of the Tiger, now Karme Choeling, an aspirant, seeking Nirvana, deeply influenced by the counter culture.

A year later he returned to India at the instance of his two mothers who had visited him in the States early 1973. Soon, however, he fled home, returning coincidentally to the very same hills where he'd spent his childhood. He settled down in Sonada under the tutelage of Kyabje Kalu Rinpochhe who soon ordained him a novice. During the periods Rinpochhe travelled abroad, the translator found himself spending extended periods at various Nyingma and Kagyu monasteries in sub-continental India. In this way, by the blessings of his Gurus, he has succeeded in transcending the bounds of sectarianism, sadly a deeply entrenched feature of the Buddha's Dispensation.

The karma of his previous lives thus activated, he has been exceptionally fortunate to receive the principal empowerments and vocal transmissions of all the various traditions of Himalayan Buddhism. His Masters include H.H. the late XVIth. Gyalwang Karmapa, H.H. the late Kyabje Dudjom Rinpochhe, H.H. the late Kyabje Dhiigo Khyentse Rinpochhe, Ven. Trulku Orgyan Rinpochhe, and the later Ven. Golog Trulku Rinpochhe, amongst others. Although a formal recognition has not been extended to him, he has been acknowledged by H. H. the late XVIth. Gyalwa Karmapa as an incarnation and by H.H. the late Kyabje Dhilgo Khyentse Rinpochhe as one amongst others, of Jamyang Khyentse'i Wangpo.

He was ordained a full monk by H. H. the late Gyalwang Karmapa at Bauddhanatha, Kathmandu, March, 1976. Almost three years later he returned his vows at the suggestion of H.H. Kyabje Dudjom Rinpochhe. He continues as, an 'upasaka', a householder. His marriage to Louise P. Stupar from the USA gave them a son, Matthew Gregory, who currently lives with his mother in Phoenix, AZ.

The translator is, now married to an Indian lady from the Punjab and lives at his family residence. They have a son Kashyap Sagar. Currentiv he is the Managing Trustee of his family estate and also of the Dr. Ambedkar Bodhi Kunja Foundation, Delhi and Munger. Under its aegis a stupa has already been erected at his residence in Munger. A 5' high statue of Guru Padmasambhava is also nearing completion. A poor girl afflicted with polio is also being treated free of cost using herbal medicines. She is showing distinct signs of improvement. More children could be treated depending on the funding available.

A Vajra Guru Festival was organised by this writer and his family for three consecutive years every winter under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in which ten Lamas were invited from Gangtok, Sikkim. Co-sponsored by Sri N. Dorjee, Secy. of the Sikkim Buddhist Duchen Organisation , Gangtok, the intent behind this festival is to provide visiting pilgrims with a format in which to Perfect the Two Accummulations. Known in Tibetan as a Siddhi Nyen drub, this was started in 1993 under the inspiration and guidance of the late Ven. Golog Rinpochhe who had urged this writer to continue holding this each year. One winter, a qualified Khaenpo gave instructions in the Bodhicharyavatara - The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. This festival has since not been held at Bodh Gaya due to the demise of Ven. Golog Rinpochhe which left behind a vacuum until now unfilled. Moreover, with the large number of activities taking place at Bodh Gaya every year, it has been felt expedient to shift the venue to Munger for further festivals.

His wife, Mrs. Harbeet Singh, has now opened a nursery-primary school. The Magic Years, as it is called, seeks to bring fresh air and innovative education into the town.

Further Dharma works for the benefit of all Buddhists as also social work for the residents of Munger are planned here, including the establishment of a Dharma community.

Full Moon Jan. 31, 1999

The publication of this book has been made possible

bvythe generous grant of the

late Sri Raghubar Narayan Singh

who made provisions for this in his will.