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By collecting an enormous number of teachings and advocating ecumenism, the Rimé helped preserve these elements of a range of Tibetan lineages. One particularly fascinating story involves the 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje, and an accomplished yogi in Nangchen, East Tibet. The Karmapas are known for their ability to see the past, present, and future and the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, was literally called Knower (“Khyenpa”) of the three times (“Du-sum”). As the situation in Tibet deteriorated, many masters consulted the 16th Karmapa who directed them on how and when to flee Tibet. His advice was sought out because the mountain passes were quite dangerous and there was a strong risk of being caught by the Chinese army. Many people perished or were arrested. When my teacher fled Tibet at the age of 15, he was the only one to survive out of a group of 40.

The 16th Karmapa, however, directed one yogi to stay. This yogi had received the empowerments and reading transmissions of the Rimé treasury of texts. Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s, he remained hidden in caves high up in the hills in retreat. In the 1980’s, things relaxed politically after the death of Mao and the yogi re-emerged. He was able to transmit many of the teachings, transmissions, and empowerments of a variety of lineages ensuring their survival.

Rimé ecumenism also helped shape ecumenism in the Tibetan diaspora. Many of the heirs of the Rimé, such as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche, were instrumental in training the next generation of young reincarnate teachers in Nepal and India. These teachers went on to teach widely in Europe and the Americas. Likewise, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche worked with His Holiness, the 14th Dalai lama in exile. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche gave the Dalai Lama transmissions while Dudjom Rinpoche at the request of His Holiness wrote a history of Tibetan Buddhism and assumed leadership of the Nyingma school.