dorjeshugden.com
About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: thaimonk on June 25, 2010, 10:39:08 PM
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Tsem Rinpoche indeed has a very unusual life story, it is very inspiring. His life story further convinced me why he is truly a RINPOCHE.
I follow Tsem Rinpoche's blog closely and have compiled here in chronological order his life story, from Rinpoche's own words. However for more exhaustive life story of Tsem Rinpoche please refer to his website mentioned at the bottom.
Tsem Rinpoche meeting his first Guru Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin at 7 years old:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/when-i-was-7-years-old-i-was-taken-to-new-jersey-usa-that-was-in-1972--in-1971-the-great-sera-mey-kensur-rinpoche-lobsang.html
Tsem Rinpoche childhood in New Jersey:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/why-i-conceived-of-kechara-soup-kitchen-or-ksk.html
Tsem Rinpoche ran away to Los Angeles and then joined Thubten Dhargye Ling:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/tsem-tulku-in-american-tantric-dress.html
Young Tsem Rinpoche in Hollywood!
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/this-is-me-in-hollywood-in-the-80s.html
Tsem Rinpoche promised Root Guru Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang to go to Gaden Monastery to be a monk:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/this-photo-was-taken-at-tdl-centre-in-los-angeles-in-1989-i-had-promised-to-take-ordination-and-go-to-gaden-monastery-hh-zo.html
Tsem Rinpoche remembers his Root Guru Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/04/a-poem-to-my-teacher.html
Tsem Rinpoche endured hardship for Dharma in Gaden Monastery:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/the-cowshed.html
Tsem Rinpoche's successful Dharma center today, Kechara, with its amazing 12 departments:
http://www.kechara.com
In fact, you can read about the detailed biography of Tsem Rinpoche on his website, from birth to childhood to teenager to Gaden monk to Rinpoche in Malaysia, amazing stories
http://tsemtulku.com/biography/auspicious-birth/
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Very nice post...interesting to read through. So modern, unconventional yet very hardcore dharma. Great Gelug teacher of our times.
TK
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Thank you, thaimonk, for taking the trouble to present Tsem Rinpoche's life story in a chronological manner. I find it very easy to follow and am learning a lot about this great Gelug teacher. Very inspiring indeed.
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What an incredible kid he was, this Tsem Rinpoche. Look at his life, so difficult. Beaten and abused, he didn't hold a grudge against his step mother, and look at his last photo with her, giving her roses!
Such suffering ... he lost his parents ... he was mistreated ... even his beloved dog he lost, hit by a car.
Now he is growing, growing as a great Master. Look the respect and love he has for his Gurus.
It's impossible not to love him.
I pray for his long life.
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Tsem Rinpoche's life is a great teaching by itself... He opens up his whole life from birth, an abandoned prince to being a runaway abused teenager! Just like what A Friend said, Tsem Rinpoche did not hold any grudges. He continues teaching us how Dharma shines and brought him through every difficulties..He is an exceptional teacher from and off the throne! ...a mahasiddha of the 21st century. I pray for your long life!
DSFriend
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Thank you thaimonk for taking the time to post up the link for us. Indeed Tsem Rinpoche has a inspiring life story. The Blog is so modern, not only dharma articles, post like Elizabeth Taylor is included. Exciting.
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What an incredible kid he was, this Tsem Rinpoche. Look at his life, so difficult. Beaten and abused, he didn't hold a grudge against his step mother, and look at his last photo with her, giving her roses!
Such suffering ... he lost his parents ... he was mistreated ... even his beloved dog he lost, hit by a car.
Now he is growing, growing as a great Master. Look the respect and love he has for his Gurus.
It's impossible not to love him.
I pray for his long life.
What a beautiful comment on Tsem Rinpoche by A Friend. Reading this has touched my heart deeply. Dear A Friend, thank you so much for what you for your summary of what you read. Absolutely true, and yet poetic.
TK
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What a beautiful account (and wonderful writers and people he has to convey this story so beautifully). More than ever, this confirms what I thought for a long time already:
A few years ago, when e-sangha was at its height, I remember there being endless discussion about whether Tsem Tulku Rinpoche practised DS or not. There were people who so aggressively against him and spoke very, very badly against him because they thought he practised; others, very kindly and courageously stood up and spoke positively for him. I didn't get involved with those discussions, being quite new to the scene at the time and because I didn't know much about the DS issues then.
I did however, go to check out his websites and read a little about the work he was doing. I remember thinking then (as I have done for other great lamas such as Gangchen Rinpoche, Dagom Rinpoche etc), that if they were doing such incredible work that reached out to so many, then there really cannot be anything wrong in what they are doing, whatever this protector issue was about (since I didn't know much at the time).
My Lama has advised us over and over - it doesn't matter if you "like" or "dislike" what the Lama does personally but look at how his actions are touching people or helping people. Do his teachings help to transform the lives of others? reduce their suffering? bring them relief and peace? This is what matters. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is definitely doing this, as can be seen in this biography alone. I thank you thaimonk for sharing this account. It is always heartening to read about the inspiring work and lives of these lamas and what they are doing for the world - this, to me, is the heart of all that DS, Tsongkhapa and the Lamrim brings us to.
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Wow what a forward thinking, modern, YOUNG lama. I can see that he will be very beneficial in the very near future, what with difference in age with HHDL.
So exciting times we live in, talk about going from 1 great Lama to the next to continue spreading the Dharma into the world. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche even has soo many videos on youtube too
http://www.youtube.com/tsemtulku
You can see it in the faces of the students, the Dharma is going in.
I rejoice in Tsem Tulku Rinpoche's works.
His actions shuts me up, can't say a bad word against Rinpoche!
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Tsem Rinpoche is truely an 'alternative' lama, breaking away from the conventional ways of teachings! Reading Tsem Rinpoche's biography had me realised how great a bodhisattva can be. Being a Tulku, one is able to control their death and birth, yet Tsem Rinpoche chose to be born under such circumstances and experience the 'hard way' of life. :o
By going through these, Tsem Rinpoche is able to understand and attracts students from all walks of lives. No wonder Tsem Rinpoche's organisation has grown so much and benefiting so many people due to Rinpoche's motivation and strong & pure guru samaya. I really rejoice for Tsem Rinpoche's students for being able to practice dharma with Rinpoche's close guidance.
I pray and wish that Tsem Rinpoche will always be in good and stable health and continuously to turn the wheel of dharma to benefit many! Om Mani Padme Hum
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A few years ago, when e-sangha was at its height, I remember there being endless discussion about whether Tsem Tulku Rinpoche practised DS or not. There were people who so aggressively against him and spoke very, very badly against him because they thought he practised; others, very kindly and courageously stood up and spoke positively for him. I didn't get involved with those discussions, being quite new to the scene at the time and because I didn't know much about the DS issues then.
I did however, go to check out his websites and read a little about the work he was doing. I remember thinking then (as I have done for other great lamas such as Gangchen Rinpoche, Dagom Rinpoche etc), that if they were doing such incredible work that reached out to so many, then there really cannot be anything wrong in what they are doing, whatever this protector issue was about (since I didn't know much at the time).
It seems to be the people who do the least, who make the most noise. Just look at Phayul today...
Perhaps it's a cover for what they did not achieve themselves.
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I did however, go to check out his websites and read a little about the work he was doing. I remember thinking then (as I have done for other great lamas such as Gangchen Rinpoche, Dagom Rinpoche etc), that if they were doing such incredible work that reached out to so many, then there really cannot be anything wrong in what they are doing, whatever this protector issue was about (since I didn't know much at the time).
My Lama has advised us over and over - it doesn't matter if you "like" or "dislike" what the Lama does personally but look at how his actions are touching people or helping people. Do his teachings help to transform the lives of others? reduce their suffering? bring them relief and peace? This is what matters. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is definitely doing this, as can be seen in this biography alone. I thank you thaimonk for sharing this account. It is always heartening to read about the inspiring work and lives of these lamas and what they are doing for the world - this, to me, is the heart of all that DS, Tsongkhapa and the Lamrim brings us to.
Dear Honeydakini
I'd like to highlight your attitude to check out the person/lama for yourself is very good. Many people do not research for themselves and believes every gossips that comes their way. Worse still is when people spread the gossips around.
By doing so, we are the ones on the losing end...as the negative talks will create obstacles in the minds of people to receive the dharma. what's the point of engaging in negative talks.....!
DSFriend
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Worse still is when people spread the gossips around.
By doing so, we are the ones on the losing end...as the negative talks will create obstacles in the minds of people to receive the dharma. what's the point of engaging in negative talks.....!
DSFriend
That's a very strong and important point you've brought up there. While we think that we're doing the world a great favour by pointing out the "wrongs" of the Gurus and trying to be matrys by "warning" others of the potential dangers of their gurus, we are actually doing more harm than good by negative talk. I think many people who badmouth other lamas forget that, at the end of the day, that Lama is someone's teacher, who they have taken refuge in!
How are we messing with their spiritual path, practice and refuge when we stir doubt in their minds? It is so dangerous, for us and for them. If they happen to be quite new to Dharma or not very stable in their practice; or they don't really know what they should be looking for, then we have just planted the seeds for them to have wrong view of the path, and perhaps even to lose faith and leave. How scary to think that that karma comes back to us, and we have destroyed someone's potential for practice and enlightenment.
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"The Sangha provides examples of successful practitioners, warriors in the battlefield of samsara who defeat all the enemies—samsara and the afflicting emotions—who protect all sentient beings and lead them toward enlightenment." -- Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, translator's introduction, p. 20)emptymountain
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Hmm...sounds very interesting. I must go check out this unusual Lama who all of you are talking about. I like what DS Friend said about spreading gossips.
It's terrible when some people deliberately poison others' minds and turned them away from practising Dharma. We can never knwo an individual's fullest potential. Anyone with the right nurturing from the right Guru could potentially blossom into a great inspiring Dharma Teacher or Practitioner.
Those "gossipy" people would have destroyed not only a potential Buddha-to-be, but the many people who might have benefited from this person's transformation.
Who knows what Buddha is hiding deep within each individual - everyone deserves the chance to meet their right Guru. That is so important.
I'll go check out this Tsem Tulku now.
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Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is truly inspirational and from his current blog posts He has accomplished so much these last 5 years or so. Read the latest revelations of His industrious Dharma life and teachings.
His teachings are real and iconic, no difficult meanings but down to earth as we are here (on earth) to be able to practise Buddhism in our daily lives.
May he live long, be healthy and the beacon to the Dharma to spread in 10 directions.
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Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has never spoken against HH Dalai Lama, because HH Dalai Lama is one of His many teachers. Personally, I don't quite like certain groups calling HH Dalai Lama all the insulting names. I felt this Dorje Shugden ban issue must be resolved in a way which will bring as much as win-win as possible. If many of the HH Dalai Lama followers lost faith in HH Dalai Lama because of this issue, then it is not serving Buddhism well in any way.
I wish Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, as well as other Dorje Shugden lamas can be strong and continue to spread the teaching of Dorje Shugden.
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Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has never spoken against HH Dalai Lama, because HH Dalai Lama is one of His many teachers. Personally, I don't quite like certain groups calling HH Dalai Lama all the insulting names. I felt this Dorje Shugden ban issue must be resolved in a way which will bring as much as win-win as possible. If many of the HH Dalai Lama followers lost faith in HH Dalai Lama because of this issue, then it is not serving Buddhism well in any way.
I wish Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, as well as other Dorje Shugden lamas can be strong and continue to spread the teaching of Dorje Shugden.
It is very rare amongst the Dorje Shugden controversy to find a Lama of high caliber who while practicing Dorje Shugden still respect His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is despite the ban by the Dalai Lama has cause tremendous amount of sufferings, schism and disharmony in the Tibetan and Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsem Rinpoche said He adopts a middle way approach of practicing what His Guru, Zong Rinpoche has given Him while resecting the Dalai Lama who is one of His 13 Gurus. To me this is really what the Dharma teaches us. That is to find solutions of conflicts in the Dharma i.e. applying the Dharma in samsara's many faults. And Tsem Rinpoche really make sense.
I hope this provide relief to both anti and pro Shugden camps and like what Tsem Rinpoche requested, that dialog between both camps can happen quickly to resolve the issue.
I rejoice that a Great Lama like His Eminence can out of the closet and take the lead in the resolution of the conflict.
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Thanks for the sharing and links, indeed, H.E Tsem Rinpoche is truly a Bodhisattva.
H.E's blog have over 1 millions of viewer ! This is a top blog posts for a Buddhist , i think
The best part, in My Side of Story on Dorje Shugden, we could see how much damage the ban can cause. From Student teacher relationship to the lineage. It does not bring any good to anyone with this ban. For Dalai Lama side, it is very damaging on H.H's reputation especially H.H is a noble price winner. For Dorje Shugden practitioner, it is very depressed and sad to see the struggle, the bullied and apartheid happened.
Hopes this ban could lift fast to avoid further damage
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Tsem Rinpoche adopts a middle way approach to the ban and asks for dialogue with the Dalai Lama to resolve the conflict. I think this is a good method without hurting anyone and is in accord to what the Dalai Lama is advocating around the globe. The ban certainly has to end now. The reputation of Buddhism as a peaceful religion must be preserved and the oppressed Shugden community must once again unite with the Dalai Lama.
Here is the link to all Tsem Rinpoche's pleas and appeals to the Dalai Lama:
http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/my-pleas-to-his-holiness-dalai-lama.html (http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/my-pleas-to-his-holiness-dalai-lama.html)
http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/appeal-to-h-h-the-dalai-lama.html (http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/appeal-to-h-h-the-dalai-lama.html)
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Thank you, thaimonk for sharing the links and information with us.
As i now have a deeper understanding of Tsem Rinpoche's life story, i cannot help but think to myself how fortunate i am to have such a caring guru so close to me. Out of all of the places Tsem Rinpoche could have gone, he has chosen a place close to me. And out of all of the people that he has established connections to, he is established connections with my family. For this i am truly grateful. Tsem Rinpoche is not like other teachers. His teaching are taught in a way that us 'modern' people can understand. It is hard to find a teacher like this that could really benefit the people of today. I will forever be grateful.