A NOBLE GUIDE The teacher within the Buddhist path assumes the role of a gentle sage, embodying wisdom and knowledge. With the guidance of a capable master, devoted disciples unfold their inherent potential. Under the compassionate care of a qualified spiritual mentor, the path to liberation becomes illuminated, and hindrances are overcome. In this regard, the Buddha proclaimed that the teacher represents the entirety of the holy life.
While many individuals study the words of the Buddha and his disciples, only a few manage to cultivate unwavering confidence in the teachings through thorough personal inquiry. Scarcer still are those whose understanding of the Dharma is both profound in its essence and extensive in its mastery of various teachings. Like stars that shine amidst daylight, those who diligently practice the liberating path and attain genuine realization are truly rare. Khenchen Appey Rinpoche was undoubtedly one such exceptional being, revered as one of the most erudite and accomplished masters of recent times.
Although Rinpoche’s travels were infrequent, and he did not teach extensively in Europe, America, or Australia, his influence on the current Sakya school masters and the preservation of the teachings cannot be overstated. Firstly, Khenchen Appey Rinpoche served as the personal tutor to Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, the 41st throne holder of the Sakya tradition. Gongma Trichen Rinpoche is credited with successfully upholding and nurturing the Sakya tradition in exile, and he holds Rinpoche in high regard as one of his most significant teachers. Secondly, Rinpoche established two vital centers of learning: the Sakya College in Mussoorie, India, and the International Buddhist Academy in Nepal. Through these institutions, he laid the foundations for safeguarding the rigorous scholastic training of the Sakya school in exile. Rinpoche’s efforts provided the world with two invaluable vessels for the enduring transmission of Buddha’s wisdom teachings. Additionally, Rinpoche personally taught classes at Sakya College for thirteen years, from 1972 to 1985, and played a crucial role in the education of the initial generation of monastic scholars and lamas in exile. Lastly, Rinpoche initiated the preservation of rare manuscripts by sending his disciple Khenpo Jamyang Kunga to Tibet and China, with a mission to locate and protect important authors and texts that were inaccessible in exile.
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