Childhood

His Holiness received his first major Annutara Yoga Tantra empowerment in 1948 at the age of three. His first empowerment was an empowerment of the Khön tradition, which was bestowed upon him elaborately and with great care by his Noble Father, Vajradhara Ngawang Kunga Rinchen according to the Khön tradition. He remembers this well and believes that through the blessing of that empowerment, he has not encountered any major obstacles to any of his activities. He also received many other empowerments at that time.

In 1949 Apam Terton's son visited His Holiness. His Holiness' Noble Father, Vajradhara Ngawang Kunga Rinchen, was concerned that Apam Terton's son might request the return of his father's reincarnation. However the son said, 'The great Terton purposely took birth in the Sakya Khön family to uphold the Sakya doctrine. I have no intention of requesting his return.'

In 1950, at the end of the first lunar month, his older sister Ayang contracted a fever and passed away. His Holiness was most upset. Before he recovered from the demise of his beloved sister, his Noble Father also became ill and due to his disciples' lack of merits, entered into parinirvana on the eighth day of the second lunar month. This was a sad time for the children of the family. His Holiness and his sister felt great sorrow. Their aunt, who herself had suffered many grievous losses, took on the responsibility of caring for him and for his sister. She supervised the overall operation of the Sakyapa Tradition and also administered Dolma Phodrang. She played a pivotal role in preserving and disseminating the tradition during this period. Under the guidance of Khenchen Jampal Sangpo, she ensured the errorless performance of all the Vajrayana rituals. She also took charge of the offerings and sponsorships for the funeral ceremony, including the cremation and the preservation of the relics of His Holiness' Noble Father.

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