An astounding 400,000 people attended the Monlam Festival in Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s Sampheling Monastery in Chatreng, Tibet from 5-12 March, 2014. The Gelugpa Monlam Chenmo (or Great Prayer Festival), one of the most significant religious events in Buddhist Tibet, was established by Lama Tsongkapa in 1409. Without doubt, the overwhelming response in Sampheling Monastery on this occasion is testament to Chatreng’s intense guru devotion and faith in their pure lineage and great protector Dorje Shugden.

Today, Sampheling Monastery is the pride and crown jewel of the people of Chatreng. Currently, the monastery has hundreds of monks and thousands of lay devotees, who are responsible for the rebuilding of the great monastery. In grandeur, Lama Tsongkhapa’s statue stands three stories high inside the monastery and the main gate, with its unique design, was lovingly hand crafted by the devotees.

400,000 people attended the Monlam Chenmo celebrations in Sampheling Monastery, Chatreng

The rich history of Chatreng is unquestionably interwoven with the great H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, whom Chatrengpas venerate as “their” lama. One of the greatest masters of recent times, Kyabe Trijang Dorje Chang is the teacher, direct or indirect, of practically all Gelugpa lamas teaching Dharma today, including H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. In fact, most of the Dalai Lama’s teachings, commentaries and practices he is transmitting today arise from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was also the holder of the Ganden Oral tradition, passed to him in its entirety by his root guru, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, and a staunch proponent of Dorje Shugden’s practice.

The people of Chatreng will always be remembered for their pivotal role in helping the 14th Dalai Lama escape the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. It was none other than Dorje Shugden, via the Panglung Oracle, who selected a group of brave warriors from Chatreng to escort the Dalai Lama out of Tibet and into India. Why? Because Chatreng’s people are known for their bravery, loyalty and unquestioning devotion to Dorje Shugden. This group of warriors, known as the Chushi Gangdruk, were the Dalai Lama’s personal bodyguards in his flight to safety and although many unfortunately perished in this historical heroic act, their sacrifice has allowed Tibetan Buddhism to flourish across the world.

In short, the people of Chatreng have unshakable faith in their guru, their pure lineage and their protector. No wonder that despite the best efforts of the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration, Chatrengpas remain steadfast to H.H. Trijang Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden, and will never change their views for the sake of convenience or political correctness.

More photos from the Monlam Chenmo celebrations in Sampheling Monastery

As we all know, Tibet is well known throughout the world for its deep spiritual tradition, its beautiful religion of Buddhism and the many thousands of great lamas who have arisen from the Himalayas.

One such lama who is now famous throughout the world is H.H. Trijang Rinpoche. Almost every teacher in the Gelugpa lineage today consider Trijang Rinpoche to be one of their lineage Gurus; almost every major practice being preserved today is due to the kindness of Trijang Rinpoche, who carefully and courageously carried everything out to the world when he left Tibet in the 1950s. Most of the teachings that the Dalai Lama shares with millions of people in his talks today would have arisen from Trijang Rinpoche, who was his tutor.

However, despite the tremendous contribution that Lamas like Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche have made to the growth of Dharma in the world, the Dalai Lama now claims that they were “wrong” in their practice of the Buddhist Protector Dorje Shugden. This Protector is now banned and anyone who continues to do the practice is cut off from the Tibetan communities and not permitted to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings. How can this be? How is it possible that every single practice that Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche passed on is flawless and perfect… except for their Protector practice? This is most illogical.

DorjeShugden.com had the opportunity to visit some lamas and practitioners in Chatreng, the region of Tibet where Trijang Rinpoche had come from. Here, the practice of Dorje Shugden remains very strong and alive. The practitioners there maintain incredible faith and devotion to their lama – Trijang Rinpoche – and have very strong belief in the purity of their lineage. Whatever is being said about the Protector being a spirit and about the practice being impure does not weaken their belief in Trijang Rinpoche nor the Protector in any way. The political issues surrounding this Protector have not swayed their faith at all.

By their faith and devotion alone, they are now building very strong Dharma communities in Chatreng, where the practice of Dorje Shugden is central and upheld by everyone in the region, both lay and ordained.

These lamas also have very valuable, first-hand accounts of the central, important role that Dorje Shugden held to lead the Dalai Lama safely out of Tibet and into India during the Cultural Revolution. Further, they describe how much advice Trijang Rinpoche had given to the Dalai Lama for his escape, as instructed by Dorje Shugden directly. Even the very monks who escorted the Dalai Lama to safety were handpicked from Chatreng by Trijang Rinpoche himself. The fact that the Dalai Lama is still among us, safe and bringing Dharma to millions is due to the kindness of Dorje Shugden and his protection for the Dalai Lama.

Enclosed with this letter is a DVD we have specially prepared for you, with personal interviews and sharings from these devoted Dorje Shugden lamas and practitioners. We urge you to please take note of how strong the practice is in this region of Chatreng, where the people still hold a very deep devotion to Trijang Rinpoche, even if he does not live there. With this devotion and love for the lineage, they are continuing to make the teaching grow, build huge monasteries and nurture new generations of practitioners.

Included in the DVD is also a very powerful explanation of Dorje Shugden’s practice by the incomparable H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, as requested by his student and respected master Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. Many of the Gelug lamas in the world today were disciples of Zong Rinpoche; and so many of the practices being upheld today come directly from this teacher. We take refuge in Zong Rinpoche who is, without any doubt, a fully awakened master with the highest attainments.

We should all have full faith in his teachings, without question. If you just listen to the teachings in this video, you will see how clearly Zong Rinpoche explains the power of the Protector Dorje Shugden and clarifies many doubts that people often have about the practice. His teaching is very logical, clear and flawless; it is impossible that such a high Lama would make any mistake about the true enlightened nature of Dorje Shugden.

In summary, from these videos we see clearly how many of these high Buddhist lamas in the world are still so deeply revered around the world. They brought the Dharma to the world. Now the Dharma is a legacy which continues to live on through their teachings. We can also see how strongly the practice of Dorje Shugden is preserved and continues to grow. It is a practice which has a very strong history through lamas like Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche. And now, it is a practice which will also have a strong and unshakeable future as it enters a new age of further growth and expansion.

We rejoice to see the positive benefit and influence that Dorje Shugden is bringing to thousands everywhere. We hope that by these many efforts around the world, the ban on Dorje Shugden will be lifted and practitioners will quickly enjoy the true freedom of religious practice. This enlightened Protector, emanation of the Buddha Manjushri, will never stop bringing benefit and protector to others. Despite any ban, he will never be silenced.

With hope and prayers,
DorjeShugden.com
DorjeShugden.net
XiongDeng.com

Summaries of the Four Videos

Video A: Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery

Interview with a very senior Scholar and meditation master of Chatreng Monastery Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery. He speaks passionately about following the instructions of one’s root lama, in this case Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and his views about Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. He also said it is important to have a genuine guru who can explain the Dharma and guide us on the spiritual path. He only believes in his root Guru and the Protector no matter what others say.

He also elaborated about how the Dalai Lama was escorted out of Tibet by Chatreng lamas and people through the instruction of Trijang Rinpoche who was advised by Dorje Shudgen during that critical period. Also how some the Chatreng monks gave their lives in a fight with the Chinese protecting the Dalai Lama. Trijang Rinpoche handpicked monks from Chatreng Monastery to escort Dalai Lama out of Tibet at the time.

Video B: Abbot Emeritus Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Tharlam of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery

Sampheling Monastery is a very important place for the people of Chatreng

An interview with Abbot Emeritus Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Tharlam of Chatreng Sampheling Monastery. A moving account of how he consulted Dorje Shugden about his Geshe Degree and listened to Dorje Shugden’s advice throughout his life.

Everything went well as he followed the Dorje Shugden’s advice all the way. He also related how the monks and lay practitioners were helped by Dorje Shugden constantly.

Video C: Ajeka of Sampheling Monastery

Ajeka

An interview with Ajeka of Sampheling Monastery. He spoke about making much efforts in the past 20 years building the Sampheling monastery and that the people of Chatreng are working hard to protect their Guru Trijang Dorje Chang and also preserve the Dorje Shugden tradition.

He also commented he saw that when High Gelug lamas give Dorje Shugden initiation, 80,000 people came for the Dorje Shugden initiation. Ajeka worked for 20 years heading the project of building Sampheling Monastery or aka Chatreng Monastery in Chatreng, Tibet. This is the home monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

Video D: A teaching by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

Part 1:
Part 2:

Dalai Lama and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen

Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen of Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California requesting Dorje Shugden initiation from His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Listen to the actual voices of these masters.

After the request His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives advice on Dorje Shugden with English translation. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen ran a successful dharma centre in Los Angeles for over 25 years.

A beautiful old photo of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, the famous American singer John Denver and HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Zong Rinpoche had a tremendous influence on both Tibetans and also on many Buddhist practitioners in the West.

Dear Wisdom Being, 
Thank you for this wonderful video of Sampheling monastery. It is so beautiful to imagine Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche has once walked through these walkways to give teachings and advice to the predecessors of these monks.

Have you guys read the autobiography of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche? When Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche first came here in his previous life, he was not at all welcome.

But through his hard work, sincerity, great compassion and wisdom in teaching the monks, everybody turned around and began to respect and love Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche a lot. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche completely revitalized the monastery and he is remembered today for the great High Lama that he was. It was because of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche that the monastery is a stalwart upholder of Dorje Shugden’s lineage.

From Zawa Tulku Rinpoche (on Facebook):

I have nothing particular to say, all Chatring-Pa (the people who live in this region) whether you are in India, Europe, and America etc, I have one very important request to you, you all must sincerely follow and respect to our precious His Holiness Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche. He is the one living Buddha in our time.

We must not have wrong views, and do not follow the wrong path. The way to our enlightenment is to follow the Buddhas, and our lineage holder is from Tsongkhapa to the present Masters, and our protector is Dharmapala Dorjee Shugden.

In the Chatring region from beginning till now, we are following and practicing those high beings. This is the gift to you from your elder generation. Wherever you are living and staying, you should always obey the laws and regulations of the country of one’s residence.

My last wishes are that you have a very long life and may the activities of His Holiness Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche flourish. Wherever you are, you must stand united for this issue. Lastly, Tashi Deleg to all.

Trijang Rinpoche’s personal Monastery in Chatreng District in Kham, Tibet. Hundreds of monks and thousands of lay people are very devoted to Trijang Rinpoche and the practice of Dorje Shugden. Everything is alive and well there.

Sampheling Monastery at Chatreng is the home monastery of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. It has been rebuilt and active now for the people of the region who has tremendous faith in Trijang Rinpoche.

50 monks stay here (the long flat single storey building), the tall building at the back is Tsongkhapa hall

Entrance to Main Gompa

Entrance to Trijang Rinpoche’s room

Main Gompa

Top of Gompa, Trijang Rinpoche’s bedroom and for receiving guests.

Main Gate to Gompa 2

Main gate to Gompa 1. All hand-crafted by Chatreng’s people

Main Gompa

Main Gompa. Right side of this building is Tsongkhapa hall

Side entrance of Gompa

Amitabha Hall

Brief Introduction to Chatreng’s Monks

• Name of Abbot: Geshe Tanpa – 75 years old from Varanasi, India. He has been the Abbot for the last six years (two terms consecutively)
• Chatreng is the hometown of both Trijiang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche
• Three years ago, Gangchen Rinpoche sponsored 50 monks
• The monastery doesn’t have any sponsors. All monks are supported by their families.

Number of Monks

1. 50 monks studying debate as part of the Geshe program. These monks stay in the monastery full time.
2. 20 monks who are full time umzes. These monks stay in the monastery full time
3. 4 monks who do pujas full time in the Dorje Shugden chapel. These monks stay in the monastery full time
4. 4 monks who do pujas full time to other protectors. These monks stay in the monastery full time
5. 590 monks who stay at home due to lack of resources and food
6. 3 full time teachers
7. TOTAL monks: 671

Sponsorship Programe (in RMB = Chinese Renminbi)

1. To sponsor 50 monks 1 month food = 50 monks x RMB 18 x 30days = RMB27,000.
2. If sponsor food for 1 year = RMB27,000 x 9 months only =  RMB243,000 (the balance of 3 months is school holiday, the monks don’t stay at monastery)
3. To sponsor the robes for 1 year = 50 monks x RMB 600 = RMB30,000

More details:-

1. Currently there are 50 monks who are learning debate
2. To sponsor a monk’s daily food, the cost per monk is RMB 18 (for 3 meals)
3. Each year, two sets of monk’s robes are needed. Each set costs RMB 300.  2 sets = 2 x RMB 300 = RMB 600
4. Total monks in monastery is 668 people. This comprises 50 monks (living full time in the monastery) + 618 monks (living in the monastery approximately 7 days a month)
5. To sponsor the monks’s food during puja, the cost per monk is RMB15 (for the full day)
6. There are three Geshes teaching inside the Monastery. Each teacher receives RMB500 monthly salary from the monastery
7. The Monastery also gives RMB150 monthly allowance to each of the teacher for them to buy daily necessities

Some of the monastery’s buildings are still under construction, the monks need to work in day time, do puja, and build the monastery, it has been very difficult for them.

The information above comes from Ajeka:

• Ajeka is 60+ years old, a very sincere old layman. He has been serving the monastery for a very long time without receiving any sponsorship or salary.
• Ajeka was a former County Head, also the Minister of Transport in Chatreng. Ajeka manages up to 3000 people a day, assigning tasks related to rebuilding the monastery. All the monks respect Ajeka very much, and will listen and take instructions from him.
• Ajeka made a camp and lived there so that he could monitor the progress of the construction
• At the time of writing, two buildings have been completed and they are building the third. (Gompa, Tsongkhapa Hall and Amithaba Hall). Each building can fit more than 2000 people.
• The upper floor of the Gompa houses almost 100 monks.

In this video, Zawa Tulku Rinpoche is performing Chod Tsok.

The Chod offers us a method to forcefully cut off the source of our most undesirable negativities—self-cherishing and ego-grasping. In this book the translators have rendered into English both the Chod texts and its commentary given by His Holiness, the late Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was the foremost master of the Ganden oral tradition following the passing of the two gurus of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the early 1980′s.
~ Gehlek Rimpoche

The above is extracted from: ‘CHOD IN THE GANDEN TRADITION: The Oral Instructions of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’

The Current Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

His reincarnation was discovered in India, born of his Mother, Lhamo and his Father, Ngawang. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche instructed his Father to send his young son to Ganden Shartse and he gave him the name, Tsering Dorje.

Then as a gesul (ordained monk), he received his ordination from the illustrious teacher, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche and was given the name Jangchub Ngawang by Venerable Lati Rinpoche. From that time in 1982, being recognized by various Yogis and high Lamas as the incarnation of the previous Geshe Zawa Rinpoche, he started intensely his monastic studies.

In 1997 during an elaborate and large ceremony at Ganden Shartse Monastery, he was enthroned and the title bestowed upon him was Zawa Tulku Lobsang Dorje Chokye Gyaltsen Rinpoche. He had achieved the highest levels of oral philosophical debate during his final examinations.

Then, in 2001, because of frequent requests from the people of Chating and the monks from Chating monastery, he visited his old homeland in Tibet. There again an enthronement ceremony was performed by his devoted community of monks and laypeople.

This was a happy and melancholy visit for Rinpoche because of his past history and the current conditions in Tibet which had changed so much for his old community of friends and students.

Returning to the world outside of Tibet and at the request of many Dharma centers he has traveled extensively giving teachings, empowerments and constructing sacred sand mandalas.

Following the directions and advice of his teacher, Geshe Tsultrim , he is now residing in Chang Chub Choling, Temple Bouddhiste Tibetain in Montreal, along with his assistant, Gen Lobsang Tashi.

As Resident Teacher he has taken in hand responsibility for Temple affairs and he has given advice to its members. Further due to his presence and active participation many dharma activities are now being offered: teachings, initiations, ceremonies and the publication of Buddhist practice texts (sadhanas) which are available for all.

To read more about Zawa Tulku Rinpoche check out this link here.
Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

And before leaving for America he gave a very interesting interview with the Tibetan Radio in which he also makes clear his position in relation to DS:

“I could not decide against him [the Dalai Lama] but nor could I stop propitiating Shugden with whom my relationship dates back to previous incarnations. I find myself in an immensely difficult situation. The followers of the Protector would not have listened to me…and no one seems to care about the difficulties I am facing…

I also don’t want the people of Chatreng, who have great expectations of me, to be disheartened. But if I continue to propitiate the Protector publicly, I would be compelled to become a sort of head of his worshippers, and this would be an offence to the Dalai Lama from whom I received my Bhikshu ordination, and has always treated me with extraordinary benevolence.

I cannot even hope to keep a low profile as they [the Shugdenpas*] would not let me.

I have reason to believe that my return to India may possibly result in internal chaos, attempts on lives and other immoral activities bringing disgrace to His Holiness…

I cannot sleep and I have had health problems. I am worried about thinking what will happen next. It is quite terrifying to think that I might be a cause of disgrace instead of serving the Tibetan people and His Holiness…

Some have told me, ‘If you abandon the Protector [Shugden], there is no knowing what will happen. We will not consider you a lama [as guru]. The people of Chatreng are strange, very wild and unruly. We do not know what they may do.’

It is very clear my life might be in danger. So I have decided to leave my Labrang and disrobe, so that none of the Shugden worshippers can ask me to be their leader. I hope that this way I can respect the wishes of the Dalai Lama and still revere the protector, practicing in private and far from everyone. I intend to follow a middle way, neither for nor against Shugden. I appeal to both parties not to contact me.

In my own Labrang I have recently witnessed a kind of factionalism and I have discovered that one person in particular was planning an evil conspiracy. This plan was to murder my assistant, Tharchin, and to implicate His Holiness’s government in exile with this odious crime. The conspirator aimed to become chakzoe [manager] of my estate. Tharchin has been very kind to me, more so than my own parents, and has taken care of me since I was three years old. As well as managing the affairs of my Labrang.

With my own ears I heard this person discussing on the telephone a plan to assassinate Tharchin. It is really a matter of great sadness and surprise, especially since the person involved in this ploy has been very close to me as well. If he succeeds in his plan, it would be a cause of great trouble for the Labrang, as well as a cause of disgrace to the Tibetan government and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

These are not lies, but true facts which I want everyone to know. That is why I made this statement.”

Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche concluded his message urging Shugden followers to stop seeking him, “I do not wish to be in touch with you.”

*Shugdenpas are people who are devotees of Shugden.

Signed dedication by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

Translation of dedication on photo:

This object of veneration is offered to Trijang Buddhist Institute with the prayer that the Buddha’s teaching flourish, that all sentient beings may obtain the treasure of the Dharma, and that they may live in happiness and virtue.

Signed,

Dalai Lama, Buddhist Monk

May 9, 2007