This Solar Citadel leaves a profound impression on all visitors to Cusco, and those who have wriyen about this construcFon have used hundreds of adjecFves to describe it. Pi Rambla exposes an important controversy about the antiquity of Saqsaywaman, its megalithic constructions and its underground labyrinths
by Anselm Pi Rambla
In the year 1980, I was at the Sonada Monastery in Darjeeling, India, as a guest of the spiritual leader Kalou Kempo Rimpoche, a master of the Kagyupa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the few who possessed knowledge of the Kalachakra teachings, known as the `Wisdom of Fire´, the greatest and most secret teaching of Tibetan mysticism. The Kagyupa lineage is one of the four main lineages of Tibetan Buddhism that encompasses the comprehensive knowledge of the ancient teachings (Nyingma) that reached Tibet in past times. These teachings were given by the historical Buddha Sakyamuni, and the lamas have preserved them to this day through direct transmission from master to disciple. In 1957, due to political unrest following the Chinese invasion, Rimpoche departed for Bhutan. In 1966, he relocated to Sonada in India (West Bengal), where he founded his own monastery and retreat center, serving as the main seat of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition. During my stay at the monastery, I had the opportunity to participate in rituals and receive teachings restricted to the Tibetan tradition. One of the things that impressed me the most and left a profound impression from all those teachings and studies was the information Rimpoche conveyed to me about the existence of a sacred place, a sort of underground paradise inhabited by highly evolved beings possessing great knowledge, referred to in their traditions as «Chang Shambhala» - a hidden realm inaccessible to our humanity, sealed within the depths of Tibetan history. When asking for more information about the existence of this secret realm, Rimpoche responded to me verbatim: "In reality, there are two 'Shambhalas': one 'Terrestrial,' located in a remote region of Central Asia and described in our most secret and sacred texts; and another 'Celestial,' situated in a place completely separate from our world and inaccessible, located far away from Tibet, beyond the Great Ocean.” The secret information that Kalou Kempo Rimpoche transmitted to me coincides exactly with what a high lama transmitted to Nicholas Roerich during his expedition through Central Asia. An impressive account that Roerich left us and that, due to its importance, I will now relate to you.
Important conversation between a Tibetan Lama and Roerich
At the beginning of our century, Nicholas Roerich, one of the greatest explorers of the Asian continent, during his expedition through Central Asia, was able to confirm the reality of the existence of Shambhala among the Mongolian and Tibetan lamas. Roerich provides us with his account collected by a Tibetan monk during one of his expeditions:
LAMA, speak to me about Shambhala!
"But you Westerners know nothing about Shambhala, you do not wish to know anything. Probably you ask out of mere curiosity, and you pronounce this sacred word in vain."
NICHOLAS ROERICH
"Could this be true, when some of you Westerners profane our temples? They smoke within our sacred sanctuaries; they never understand, nor desire to, venerate our faith and our teachings. They ridicule and mock symbols whose meaning they do not delve into. If we were to visit your temples, our conduct would be completely different, for your great Bodhisattva Issa (Jesus) is a very high one. And none of us would defame the teaching of mercy and justice." Lama, only the very ignorant and foolish would ridicule your teaching. All teachings of justice are as in a sacred place, and one who is in his right mind will not violate sacred places. Lama, why do you think the fundamental teaching of Buddha is unknown in the West? Why do you believe that in the West we know nothing of Shambhala?. Lama, on my table you can see the Kalachakra, the teaching brought by the great Atticha from India. I know that if a high spirit, already prepared, hears a voice proclaiming KALAGIYA, it is the call of Shambhala. We know that Tashi Lama visited Shambhala. We know the book of the High Priest T'aishan, 'The Red Path to Shambhala'. We even know the Mongolian song about Shambhala. Who knows, perhaps we know many new things for you. We know that very recently, a young Mongolian lama has published a new book about Shambhala. The Lama studied us with his penetrating gaze. Then he said: "The fabulous Shambhala is far away, beyond the ocean. It is the mighty celestial domain. It has nothing to do with our land. How and why you earthly people have an interest in it? Only in some place in the distant North can you perceive the radiant rays of Shambhala." Lama, we know the greatness of Shambhala. We know the indescribable reality of this realm. But we also know the reality of earthly Shambhala. We know how some high lamas went to Shambhala, how along their way they saw the usual physical phenomena. We know the story of the Buryat Lama, of how he was accompanied through a very narrow secret passage. We know how another visitor saw a caravan of mountaineers, with salt from the lakes, right on the border of Shambhala. Moreover, we ourselves have seen a white border post, one of the three entrances to Shambhala. Therefore, do not only speak to me of the celestial Shambhala, but also of the earthly one, for you know, as well as I do, that the earthly Shambhala is connected with the celestial one, with the celestial. And in this connection, the two worlds are unified. "Truly, the hour has come for the Teaching of the Blessed One to travel from North to South. The word of Truth that began its great path from Bodhgaya, returns again to the same places. We must simply accept, as it is, the fact that the true teaching leaves Tibet, and appears again in the South. And in all nations, the alliances of Buddha shall be revealed. Truly great things are coming. Even coming from you from the West, you bring news of Shambhala. We must certainly accept it thus. Probably, the lightning from the tower of Rigden-Jyepo has reached all nations." "Like a diamond, the light shines vividly in the Tower of Shambhala. There is tireless Rigden-Jyepo always watching over the cause of humanity. His eyes never close. And in his magic mirror, he sees all the events on earth. And the power of his thoughts penetrates into distant lands. Distances do not exist for him; he can instantly bring aid to those who deserve it. His powerful light can destroy all darkness. His immeasurable riches are ready to help all those in need, who offer themselves to serve the cause of justice. He can even change the karma of human beings." Lama, it seems to me that you are speaking of Maitreya, is that not so?. "We must not declare this mystery! There are many things that should not be revealed. Much is what should not be crystallized in sounds. In sounds, we reveal our thoughts. In sound we project our thought into space, and great harm can follow. For all things disclosed before the appointed date produce unspeakable harm. Even the greatest catastrophes can be provoked by such attitudes of light minds. If Rigden-Jyepo and the Blessed Maitreya, are one and the same person to you, let it be so. I have not declared it! Countless are the inhabitants of Shambhala. Numerous are the splendid new forces and achievements that are being prepared there for humanity." Lama, Vedanta tells us that very soon, new energies will be given to humanity. Is this true? "Innumerable are the great things predestined and prepared. Through the Sacred Scriptures, we know of the Teaching of the Blessed One, about the inhabitants of distant stars. From the same source we have heard of the flight of the steel bird, about iron snakes that devour space with fire and smoke. Tathagata, the Blessed One, predicted all for the future. He knew how Rigden-Jyepo's assistants would reincarnate in due time; how the sacred fleet would purify Lhasa of all its vile enemies; and how the kingdom of justice would be established."
Lama, if the great warriors are incarnated, will not the activities of Shambhala take place here on our earth? "Everywhere, here and in heaven. All forces of good will come together to destroy darkness. Everyone who helps in this great task will be rewarded a hundredfold and upon this true earth, in this incarnation. All sinners against Shambhala will perish in this incarnation, for they have exhausted mercy." Lama, you know the truth. Then tell me why there are so many unworthy priests. "Certainly this is no justification, but if the Teaching must travel South, then, it is not surprising that many erudite lamas have left Tibet. Do people in the West know that Panchen-Rimpoché (the Tashi Lama) is connected with Shambhala?." Lama, we certainly know that Panchen-Rimpoché is held in very high esteem everywhere. In different countries we have heard how highly, not only Buddhists, but people from many nations, speak of His Holiness. It is even said that in his private chambers, long before his departure, the details of his upcoming travels were outlined in frescoes. We know that Panchen-Rimpoché follows the customs of all the great lamas. We have been told how during his flight, he and his followers escaped many great dangers.
NICHOLAS ROERICH with NEHRU
NOTE FROM PI RAMBLA: when the lama speaks to Roerich about the Celestial Shambhala located beyond the ocean, in this case he refers to the Pacific Ocean, in a land very far from Tibet. In the Tibetan tradition, researchers have always confused this Celestial Shambhala as being located outside our planet Earth and this is not the true interpretation of the secret Tibetan traditions.