Kopan Monastery in 1971. Front row (left to right): Zina Rachevsky, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Thubten Tashi, Age Delbanco (Babaji), Lama Yeshe and Losang Nyima. Claudio Cipullo is circled in red

Claudio Cipullo today

By: Michaela Smith

Every now and then, we come across personalities that touch and inspire us Dorje Shugden practitioners. In the middle of hypocrisy and suffocating pressures to be politically correct, to ostracise our Guru and fellow Dharma practitioners who practice the Lord Protector Dorje Shugden, one person stands out.

Claudio Cipullo was a student of Lama Yeshe. He attended the first meditation course in Kopan Monastery back in year 1971. As stated in the Big Love – The Life and Teachings of Lama Yeshe site (https://biglovelamayeshe.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/the-first-meditation-course-at-kopan/):

Claudio had been down in Bodhgaya when he found himself staring fixedly at a photo of Lama Yeshe. “I decided he was calling me! That course was like an explanation of my whole life,” said Claudio.

Claudio then received Dorje Shugden’s initiation from Lama Yeshe’s root guru, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, together with Lama Zopa.

I myself took the initiation of Shugden from His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche. There were four of us. Lama Yeshe, Claudio Cipullo, Piero Cerri and myself. However, this initiation can be given to only three people at a time; there cannot be four. Kyabje Rinpoche had set up the altar and made all the preparations perfectly—of course, everything he did was always perfect—and was there, waiting for us. After the four of us sat down, he said, “You cannot be four; only three. Whoever has bodhicitta, who has let go of the I and cherishes others, should leave.” Lama shot up immediately. I just sat there like a donkey, as if I were made of stone. So then the three of us, Claudio, Piero and I, took the initiation.
- Lama Zopa (http://www.lamayeshe.com/index.php?sect=article&id=335&chid=1398)

Since Lama Yeshe and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche passed away, circumstances have changed. Dorje Shugden practitioners are facing multiple and magnified challenges to conform with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s advice to not practice this lord protectors. This advice is enforced by the CTA and their affiliates. Many monasteries and dharma centers around the world including FPMT have ceased their Shugden practice.

Left to right: Lama Michel, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Lama Gangchen Rinpoche. Claudio Cipullo has remained loyal to his lamas and lineage, and currently teaches in Albagnano Healing Meditation Center in Italy

However, Mr. Claudio Cipullo has chosen to be true to his Gurus (i.e. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe) and his practice of Dorje Shugden in the face of these challenges. Currently, Mr. Claudio Cipullo teaches NgalSo Self Healing and Tchu Len “taking the essence” at Albagnano Healing Meditation Center in Italy (http://ahmc.ngalso.net/masters_and_teachers/claudio-cipullo-2/?lang=en). Albagno Healing Meditation Center was founded by Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, one of the prominent Shugden lamas in the world today.

We fold our hands with respect to Mr. Claudio Cipullo for his courage and being true to his Guru’ teachings.