The Lobpon

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Lobpon (pronounced lobe paan) is the term or title for a teacher who has received the highest level of teachings. I have been growing fond of our Lobpon through his instruction to our class of 14. The content of our course material is irrelevant for this post because I want to simply share the Lobpon with you.

He is not a tall man and I am uncertain of his age. If I had to guess, I would place him in the mid-twenties. He is slender and small in frame as many Asian men are. He wears the red robes and saffron undershirt of every monk. His head is shaved and he is always well-groomed. He also wears rimless eye glasses that seemingly complete his appearance. We've been told by our translator that he doesn't spend much time with westerners and I'm inclined to believe that we are his first class of westerners. Now that we are in our second week of instruction, he's beginning to relax a bit, smile more, and share a little humor. Humor sometimes loses itself in translation, but the Lobpon's face says it all.

Each morning, he enters the class humbly. We all stand at his entrance showing respect with a slight nod or bow as he passes. At first, I wasn't sure why we did this each morning. I paid little mind and offered little attention as he passed by me on his way to the throne, the place of honor. But my heart grows each day for this man. Each day, I anticipate his arrival more and more and wish to pay him respect. My respect is for his humility and spiritual fervor. Before seating himself, he prostrates before an image of the Buddha, in this case, an ornately painted thangka. He gently steps up and into his throne careful of the state of his robes. Once seated, with his legs crossed and back straight, he situates his robes in the proper fashion. He is very particular. In the Buddhist tradition, even the robes of a monk are treated with respect. We sit after he sits.

Each class begins with a low guttural chant that is quite melodic. I generally follow along in my book of chants listening to his pronunciation of the Tibetan words. I wish I spoke Tibetan. The spiritual tone is high. The Lobpon follows the chant with a moment or two of mumbling prayer. I listen. My heart cries.

For the first few minutes of class, his tone is low. Once he dives into the material, however, he seems to awaken speaking louder, smiling, and occasionally joking. He teaches well though I cannot understand a word he says. He is good and graceful to the translator. The Lobpon seems to come alive the most during the question and answer sessions. He always has an answer accompanied by an analogy. Each question is taken with respect and answered in kind.

Yesterday, I started to feel a new emotion for the Lobpon. I couldn't classify it until this morning's class, though. It's compassion. I won't give justice to the description of my experience this morning, but I pray you'll see a glimpse of Christ's love. I was sitting on my cushions listening and taking notes. I generally sit directly in front of the Lobpon 2 to 3 rows back. He used a word in his lesson that I can only describe as a trigger. Shepherd. At the first mention of this word, I was suddenly overcome with the Spirit. I remembered the Crucifixion and lingered on the sacrifice of our Lord. He seemed to whisper to me: I died for this one also. Tears began to well as my heart yearned to reach this young man and share the love of God. I, then, felt desire as I've rarely felt it before. It was compulsive. I want to meet this man in heaven. Tears fell as I saw an image of he and I greeting each other in recognition, spirit bearing witness to spirit. Joy and thanks were shared between us. He was free. I don't know if this was a vision from God. In truth, it doesn't matter. What matters is God. The compassion I feel for the Lobpon is not from one human being for another. I believe it is from Christ.

This morning God reminded me that He is looking. He is watching. He is with me. And He desires to be with all of us. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10