Ganden Chang Chub Choling started from humble beginnings in the early 1970’s through the efforts of a great attained master and stalwart Dorje Shugden practitioner, Geshe Khenrab Gajam of Ganden Jangtse Monastery. During this era, an influx of Tibetan refugees had migrated to Canada. Thus, the Canadian government extended an invitation to Geshe Khenrab Gajam to establish a dharma center to fulfill the spiritual needs of their new citizens.

When Geshe Khenrab Gajam arrived in Montreal, he lived in a small apartment in Longueuil where the local Tibetan community soon made a close connection with him. Not long after his arrival, a small group of English and French students also started to gather for Dharma classes in Geshe Khenrab’s apartment.

Eventually, Geshe Khenrab converted his apartment into a Dharma centre known as the Atisha Dharma Centre. Although it was small, they were often visited by many great lamas, amongst them Venerable Pema Gyaltsen, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, Venerable Kalu Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.

Geshe Khenrab Gajam (right) and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche (left)

In 1980, just before the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Atisha Dharma Centre moved to a larger building in Longueuil and was renamed the Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Ganden Chang Chub Choling. The more spacious premises allowed the Dharma community to flourish, and many more newcomers began to participate in the temple’s activities.

Chang Chub Choling remained in this location for six years until they relocated yet again to an even bigger place on De l’Eglise Ave. in Côte St. Paul at the advice of H.H. the 98th Gaden Tripa, Jamphel Shenpen, who had visited the temple several times over the course of a few years. The new center had its official opening in May 1986, with a traditional ceremony performed by the monks of Gyuto Tantric College.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama visited Ganden Chang Chub Choling in 1980

Chang Chub Choling continued to enjoy visits from great Lamas such as Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, and the students received many teachings and initiations from these enlightened masters under the auspices of Geshe Khenrab Gajam. After Geshela entered clear light on 4 October 1993, his students continued their practices and sought advice from both Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche on the search for the reincarnation of their beloved teacher.

Through the kindness of Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche, the temple came under the guidance of Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin, an exceptional Geshe and Dorje Shugden practitioner, also from Ganden Jangtse Monastery. Geshe-la arrived with Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche in the fall of 2001, and remained in Chang Chub Choling for 4 months during which he gave many teachings. Thereafter, Geshe Tsultrim was called away to Austria to be the tutor of H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.

Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin (right) with his close student Zawa Tulku Rinpoche (left)

Since then, Zawa Tulku Rinpoche and Gen Lobsang Tashi, both close disciples of Geshe Tsultrim, have established a permanent monastic presence in Chang Chub Choling to guide the spiritual community of Montreal. Together, they work hand in hand to actualize the vision of Geshe Khenrab Gajam.

The Sangha of Ganden Chang Chub Choling

Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin

Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin is the Spiritual Director of Gaden Chang Chub Choling temple in Montreal since 2001. Born in Kham, Tibet, he became a monk at the age of twelve at Ganden Jangtse Monastery and was awarded the highest degree of Geshe Lharampa after completing the study of all divisions of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy.

Geshe-la also received an Acharya (Masters) degree at the Varanasi Sanskrit University in India and completed his tantric education at the Gyumed Tantric College.

Today, Geshe-la teaches at many Buddhist temples and monasteries in India, Tibet, Europe and North America. He has been responsible for the education of many monks, guiding them from a young age to maturity, and in particular, he is the chosen teacher of the young Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.

Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

Born in India in 1978, Zawa Tulku Lobsang Dorje Chokyi Gyaltsen Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of the great Zawa Geshe Rinpoche. He was enthroned and ordained at Ganden Shartse monastery in 1982, where he studied Buddhist philosophy for the next 16 years.

Upon completing his education, Rinpoche then embarked upon an international tour, teaching at numerous Dharma centers around the world. Rinpoche is also a master of the ritual arts, particularly in healing and purification rituals, and the construction of sand mandalas.

When Zawa Rinpoche’s Guru, Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin, was called away to Austria to assist Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche in his studies, Zawa Rinpoche was given the responsibility to carry on the work of his teacher. Renowned for his kindness and pure morality, Zawa Rinpoche is now the Abbot of Ganden Chang Chub Choling Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Montreal.

Gen Lobsang Tashi

Gen Lobsang Tashi was ordained at the age of 8 in Ganden Jangtse Monastery and is in the process of completing his traditional monastic education.

Gen-la is the assistant of Zawa Tulku Rinpoche and is also the resident Tibetan translator and language teacher in Ganden Chang Chub Choling.

Carrying on the Lineage

It is widely known that Geshe Khenrab Gajam was an eminent Dorje Shugden practitioner who upheld his commitments and practices until he entered clear light in 1993. Determined to preserve the holy lineage of their Guru, the members of Chang Chug Choling have continued their protector practices after the passing of their teacher.

Through Chang Chub Choling’s Spiritual Director, Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin, and his unique position as H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s tutor, the members of the temple are also closely connected to many great Dorje Shugden masters.

Today, under the guidance of Zawa Tulku Rinpoche, who is an active and vocal supporter of the Dorje Shugden movement, Ganden Chang Chub Choling offers a variety of Buddhist services for the public, among them Dorje Shugden prayer services .

We at DorjeShugden.com are proud of our Dharma brothers and sisters in Montreal for staying strong and unified during these difficult times, and for their unwavering devotion to Geshe Khenrab Gajam.

Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Gaden Chang Chub Choling

1870, De l’Eglise Ave.
Montreal H4E 1G8
Quebec, Canada

Tel.: +1-514-765-3515
Info: +1-514-219-4506
Fax : +1-514-765-9102

Email: tbt@khenrab.org
Website:http://www.khenrab.org

The great mahasiddha Serkong Dorje Chang, whose ordination name was Ngawang Tsultrim Donden, is also considered to be the reincarnation of Marpa Lotsawa. He quickly rose to become one of the most renowned and sought-after Buddhist teachers of his time.

Serkong Dorje Chang began his studies when he was 10 years old, studying under the 81st Ganden Throne Holder, Ngawang Norbu. He then joined the renowned Gaden Jangtse Monastery, studying under many great masters during his time there. At the mere age of 24, he procured the highly respected Geshe Lharampa degree; in most cases, this degree requires more than 30 years of study before one even qualifies for the exams.

Already an unusually intelligent scholar, he was also advised by both his teacher and the 13th Dalai Lama to take on a consort, which he did much later. Though he initially received criticism for this, he followed the instructions of his teachers fully, proving later how attained he really was. He then went on to do retreats in secluded places and showed great attainments towards the end of his retreats.

It was not surprising that he became the teacher of the Bhutanese king, who invited him to Bhutan after hearing of his feats. In Bhutan, he received a cycle of teachings and initiations on longevity and other teaching cycles from a vision of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan.

Besides giving extensive teachings on the monastic subjects, Serkong Dorje Chang was also well known for writing extensive commentaries on the tantric deity Chakrasamvara and also an extensive confession and propitiation prayer known as a kangsol for the protector Dorje Shugden. In the kangsol, Serkong Dorje Chang identifies Dorje Shugden as the principal protector of Lama Tsongkhapa, as well as the special protector of Gaden’s ear whispered lineage, the heart of the Gelug tradition.

This prayer continues to be widely used throughout monastic institutions today. Through the kangsol, the influence of Sera on Serkong Dorje Chang can also be clearly seen as he refers Dorje Shugden as being one and the same as Vajrapani, resonating completely with the views of the earlier masters that originated from Sera Monastery.

Serkong Dorje Chang is also famous for being one of the lineage holders for the Gelug chapter of the Kalachakra teachings. It was of no surprise that the Great 13th Dalai Lama soon awarded him the epithet of “Dorje Chang” for his spiritual achievements, elevating him to a level comparable to the Buddha Vajradhara.

To this day, Serkong Dorje Chang is also greatly remember and respected for combining the prominent writings on Dorje Shugden rituals by earlier masters Morchen Dorje Chang and Drubwang Drukpa Kunley into a single ritual text. Notably, within it, Serkong Dorje Chang makes direct references to Dorje Shugden’s previous incarnation as Duldzin Dragpa Gyeltsen and Shugden’s true enlightened nature.

It also makes clear references to Dorje Shugden as a special protector of Gelugpas, particularly of the healing lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa, Togden Jampel Gyatso, Duldzin Dragpa Gyeltsen, Ensapa and Panchen Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen. This unique text also contains a verse on offerings that has been spoken by Dorje Shugden himself.

Sang Offering Text

‘Jam mgon rgyal ba’i bstan srung Rdo-rje Shugs-ldan rtsal chen po’i bsangs mchod [dge legs mchog stsol] bzhugs so, composed by Gaden Serkong Dorje Chang

Hum, visualizing myself as the yidam, from the heart,
Light emanates clearing all faults from incense,
Scent having the five desirable qualities complete in perfection,
Granting uncontaminated bliss fills the extent of awareness.

Om Ah Hum (repeat as many times to bless)

Hum, Root and lineages gurus, Three Jewels,
Dakas, Dakinis and Dharma Protectors,
Especially Dorje Shugden and retinue,
By boundless magical power come here.

Also, birth, warrior and patron deities
Local deities, spirits and guardians with the eight classes,
Assembly of guests worthy of offering please come here.
Each happily dwelling on their seats
For the sake of fulfilling the yogi’s entrusted activities
Outer, inner clouds of offerings, commitment substances and presents,
Accept these and accomplish the entrusted activities.

Kye!
Agar, sandalwood, six medicinal ingredients and plants,
By the smoke cloud from the burning wisdom fire
Completely filling the sky
Purifies the root and lineage lamas, yidams and Three Jewels.
Purifies the dakas, dakinis and dharma protectors.

Purifies especially the Chief Dharma Protector of Conqueror Manjunatha
Dorje Shugden and four cardinal emanations.
Purifies birth, war and five patron gods.
Purifies local deities, spirits, guardians and the eight classes.

By the power of offering incense to worthy guests
May all obscurations of quarrel and samaya be purified.
May lifespan, merit and power all increase.
Pacify all diseases to humans and animals, famine, war and dispute.

May the crops be good and the rain be timely.
Conquer classes of demons of the dark side, increase the positive,
And having befriended spontaneously and effortlessly
Attain all goals just as wished.

Ki ki so so, Lha gyel lo!

Hum! Being pleased and satisfied, guests return to their abodes
Returning again upon request for activities.
By this virtue may I myself and all mother beings
Have perpetual auspiciousness of happiness and benefit.