His Holiness the 101st Ganden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal showed great courage when he left Gaden Monastery in January 2010 to join the monks of Shar Gaden. As the former head of the Gelugpa lineage, and one who is considered an emanation of Tsongkhapa on earth, His Holiness’ decision sent shockwaves through the Tibetan Buddhist world.

The Gaden Tripas are the actual supreme authorities over the Gelug School of Buddhism for the last six hundred years. Their authority is supreme. The Gaden Tripas are erudite Scholars and the most advanced senior masters within this school of Buddhism. Their practice, teachings, lineage and authenticity is beyond questioning.

It was considered an extremely skilful move on the part of His Holiness Gaden Tripa – he left Ganden after completing his term as the Ganden Tripa (seven years), thereby demonstrating it is possible for many lamas to still be practising Dorje Shugden secretly today. He held his duties perfectly and there was no room for criticism during his tenure as supreme Gaden Tripa.

Yet besides being one of the greatest living lamas today, he is also a powerful practitioner of Dorje Shugden. He relies on Dorje Shugden as his principal Dharma protector as he has for most of his life. He shows us the practice of Shugden by the highest lamas only serves to proof further Shugden’s own enlightened nature. For those who continue to force the ban, His Holiness Gaden Tripa was also proof that their ban has not been effective as they have led everyone to believe.

We at DorjeShugden.com wish to thank His Holiness Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal for his inspiring example as one of the greatest living lamas who is complete in study, practice and results in standing up for one’s convictions, and the importance of upholding the practice of our gurus no matter the obstacles. May many more masters of his calibre continue to arise. We invite you to read about the life of this great master of our time.

This tribute is in continuation of our section here to celebrate great masters who practiced Shugden past and present. We invite to please read a short biography on the incredible and inspiring life of this Dharma King His Holiness Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.

For more information about this great master, check out these links:

H.H. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche defects to the Dorje Shugden camp
dorjeshugden.com/?p=2991

Biographies: Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche
dorjeshugden.com/?p=6832

Interview with His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal
dorjeshugden.com/?p=12258

The Immaculate Line of Gaden Tripas, going all the way back to Lama Tsongkhapa himself
dorjeshugden.com/?p=2716

(Note: When the tenure of Gaden Tripa is completed they are addressed as Gaden Trisur Rinpoche or His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.)

All of us at dorjeshugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the incomparable master His Holiness the 101st Ganden Tripa, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

Biography

His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Ganden Tripa, was born in 1927 in the Dawa region of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 8 years old, His Holiness joined the local monastery in Yangding and was consequentialy ordained as a monk.

Later His Holiness entered Gaden Shartse Norling College. While a student there Rinpoche studied Pramana Vidya (Logic), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), under the guidance of various highly attained Masters, and also received many precious teachings and empowerments of the pure Ganden lineage.

During the Chinese revolution in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India. Arriving at ‘Ba Se’ along the border of India and Bhutan, he continued his studies and completed the Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), Abhidharma (Treasury of Knowledge), and Vinaya (Spiritual Rules and Moral Law). Apart from the normal course of studies, Rinpoche often went for meditation retreats. In 1969, Rinpoche revised through the five major treaties of Buddhist philosophy and participated in the final exam at a renowned local Tibetan University, graduating in the 1st position of honor.

In 1970, a major debate exam which lasted over a period of 20 days was held. Candidates included over 30 outstanding scholars from the 3 great monasteries and other universities. Rinpoche still managed to emerge on top and the title of Geshe Lharampa was officially conferred upon him. Consequently, Rinpoche joined the Gyuto Tantric University and focused on intensive study of the Tantras.

In 1983 and 1992, the Dalai Lama appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of Gyuto Tantric University and abbot of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery respectively. During the years of Rinpoche’s abbotship, apart from supervising the administration and discipline of the Sangha, he also conducted various pujas and teachings personally. Rinpoche’s contribution towards the monastery is widely recognised, and deeply respected by all. In 1986, these remarkable qualities inspired the Dalai Lama to choose him as the representative of Buddhism in Ecumenical Encounters of Assisi interfaith meetings convened on the initiative of Pope John Paul II in Italy.

In 1995, Rinpoche was bestowed the honorary rank of Shartse Choje (2nd rank among dignitaries of the Gelug tradition). After 6 years in that position, on January 20, 2003, the Dalai Lama, during his Kalachakra Empowerment in Bodhgaya, announced the appointment of Venerable Lungrik Namgyal as the 101 Gaden Tripa – the supreme head of the Gelug tradition, and literally, the Holder of the Throne of Tushita.

Rinpoche is one of the most qualified Buddhist teachers alive today – being highly trained in both fields of Sutra and Tantra. Rinpoche has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma, and has been tirelessly visiting many parts of the world to spread the Teachings. Countries which Rinpoche has visited include – France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, and Singapore. His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche currently lives in Paris, where he transmits precious Buddhist teachings of his lineage in Thar Due Ling Dharma center in Chelles, France which he founded in 1980.

A regular sight at His Holiness’ teachings, which see packed auditoriums and halls waiting to receive his blessings and wisdom. This photograph was taken in Taiwan, where 30,000 to 40,000 people attend His Holiness’ teachings.

His Holiness Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal visiting Singapore in 2006

Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche taking the throne for the first time as Gaden Tripa in Gaden Lachi

More holy pictures:

Source: http://www.trisurlungriknamgyal.com/pictures/

His Holiness Kyabje Ling Choktrul Rinpoche offering a khata to His Holiness Ganden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche in Ganden Lachi shortly after the Venerable Lungrik Namgyal was bestowed the title of Ganden Tripa

His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe offering a khata to His Holiness Ganden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche during a ceremony shortly after taking the throne as Gaden Tripa (2003).

His Holiness Ganden Trisur Rinpoche Lungrik Namgyal, His Eminence Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, His Eminence Geshe Tendar Rinpoche.

His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche shortly after becoming the Ganden Tripa of the Gelug lineage.

Procession of abbots from all of the major Gelug monasteries following the enthronement of Ganden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche.

His Holiness Lungrik Namgyal entering Gaden Lachi for the first time as Gaden Tripa.

His Holiness Kyabje Ling Choktrul Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, His Holiness Sharpa Choeje; with the abbots of Sera Mey, Sera Jey, Rato, Tashi Lhunpo, conducting a long-life puja in honor of His Holiness Ganden Tripa Rinpoche.

His Holiness the Ganden Tripa being escorted into the hall to a long-life puja being conducted in his honour.

His Holiness the Ganden Tripa being escorted into the hall to a long-life puja being conducted in his honour.

Awaiting the start of the long-life puja ceremony.

Abbot and disciplinarian of Gaden Shartse making offerings to His Holiness Ganden Tripa Rinpoche.

From left to right: His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, the then-abbot of Gaden Geshe Mara, His Eminence Khensur Konchok Tsering, and His Holiness Zong Choktrul Rinpoche offering a long-life puja to His Holiness Ganden Tripa Rinpoche.

His Holiness Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche in America during his tenure as abbot of Gyuto Monastic University.

His Holiness Ganden Tripa Rinpoche attending a Dharma event in Singapore.

Teachings in Singapore.

The Gelug Lineage

The Gelug lineage was the last tradition to be formed within Tibetan Buddhism. It emerged as the pre-eminent Buddhist school in Tibet since the end of the 16th century. Lama Je Tsongkhapa is the founder of the Gelug tradition.

Lama Je Tsongkhapa was born in Tibet during a degenerating age in Buddhism (end of 14th and beginning of the 15th century) – discipline of the monks was weak and there was a general misunderstanding of the Dharma. Lama Tsongkhapa took on a revolutionary role and restored the Dharma to its original purity, with specific emphasis on monastic discipline whereupon he corrected prevalent monks’ behavior of pursuing power and riches.

Lama Tsongkhapa brought about an impactful reformation in Buddhism at that time. He promoted strict monastic discipline as the ideal basis for religious education and practice, and established monastic universities which offered strong education and spiritual training to monks. His reformation was very meaningful and was very quickly and widely accepted by people at all levels. Of the major monasteries in Tibet, Ganden Monastery (further divided into the two colleges of Ganden Shartse and Jangtse, and recently Shar Ganden) was founded by Lama Tsongkhapa himself in 1409.

The Gelug tradition advocates a solid grounding of academic study and celibate monastic discipline. Lama Tsongkhapa established sound scholarship as a prerequisite for constructive meditation; hence, the teachings of both Sutra and Tantra are subject to rigorous analysis through the medium of dialectical debate. At that time, the Gelug lineage was spreading far and wide, reaching not only Tibetan communities but also to neighboring regions, and has been flourishing ever since.

The Ganden Tripa is the Throne Holder to the seat of Lama Je Tsongkhapa and is the Spiritual Head of the Gelug order. The role of the Ganden Tripa is to continue the propigation of the pure teachings of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni, as well as promoting Tibetan Buddhism- especially the lineage of Lama Je Tsongkhapa, all over the world.

To read more about the immaculate line of Gaden Tripas, going all the way back to Lama Tsongkhapa himself, click here: dorjeshugden.com/?p=2716

NOTE: All of the information above has been extracted from His Holiness the Ganden Trisur’s website http://www.trisurlungriknamgyal.com/. We have made this information available on dorjeshugden.com so that more people may make a connection with this incomparable master of Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition.

Videos of the Ganden Tripa

Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang performs a fire puja in front of the Ganden Shartse old assembly hall. Geshe Tendar Rinpoche is also in this picture.

Tendar Rinpoche was widely known for having transcendental wisdom in Tantric fields and had conferred the Dorje Shugden Life entrustment many times at various places. At the moment his reincarnation is studying in Shar Gaden.

Biography of Kyabjye Zong Rinpoche

dorjeshugden.com/articles/KyabjeZongDorjeChang.pdf

Biography of Geshe Tendar

dorjeshugden.com/?p=2106

Source :
Shar Gaden Facebook

Segregation Wall

The new wall at Ganden Shartse monastery in Southern India was built in March of this year.

(Editor’s note: The wall segregates Ganden Shartse Monastery from Shar Ganden Monastery, which was founded by monastics who do not want to renounce the Dorje Shugden practice.

Read more about Shar Ganden Monastery.

Watch the video about this particular wall here.

It has no gate, no entryway along its entire length. It is designed only to separate, to divide monk from monk; it even blocks access to the old road. It stands 9 feet tall and is made of concrete bricks. Visually, it is attractive in the same architectural style as the monastery. However, it’s appearance is deceptive and hides a sinister purpose. Each brick is an eerie symbol of inequality and hatred, instilled on the basis of just a religious belief. The wall lies on the brown dusty earth — the very earth on which we all stand equal as human beings, each with the basic right to hold the faith of our choosing. It rises, row by row, into our common sky — the vast common canopy into which all can gaze, uplifting the mind beyond the mundane to the infinite and even the holy.

At first the wall was planned to be just 5 feet tall like all the other walls on the property. But some monks complained. They argued that the Dorje Shugden practitioners could still be seen from the windows of the higher floors of adjacent buildings. They should not be seen, any of them. They didn’t even want the wind of Dorje Shugden practitioners to blow around them. So the wall became higher, reaching nine feet—an edifice to religious apartheid. The wall serves as an ugly reminder to practitioners of Dorje Shugden that they are separate, ostracized and objects of the animosity of those who were once their family and friends. Each day, in the seething heat, Dorje Shugden practitioners have to walk the new twenty-minute journey around the wall to the segregated prayer halls while enduring the humiliation of those wishing them to abandon their devotion to their lineage and their Gurus.

A Geshe who had been living in the monastery for many years, wanted me to know about this wall. He carefully explained its meaning in a serious tone that was tinged with sadness. I felt a sick feeling inside when I heard of the stories of discrimination and religious injustice. Although I was appalled but it confirmed news of the growing and relentless religious discrimination against sincere Dorje Shugden Buddhists.

This wall is just one physical example amidst the growing trend of religious intolerance that occurs on a daily basis against Dorje Shugden practitioners within the Tibetan community and now worldwide. As recently as last week, signs were posted in Tibetan communities in Mundgod, India by Save Tibet Group — “We appeal you to cut any ties of buying and selling foods in restaurants and shops with whoever has connection to this Dorje Shugden organization.” The aversion and hostility continues.

The office of the Dalai Lama is enforcing the systematic persecution and segregation of Dorje Shugden followers, and some parties are even encouraging people to see them as the sole object of blame, as scapegoats, for all difficulties within Tibetan society. His government officials, sycophantic Geshes hungry for his favor and leaders fearful of arousing his disapproval and reprisal are implementing his policy with ruthless zeal. All of them think that the Dalai Lama must be obeyed. There is no freedom of speech and no freedom of press within the Tibetan community.

I have been told that in the East, many see that there is something wrong with the Dalai Lama and his policies. While in the West, he is revered and awarded endlessly. At the Harvard Divinity School, the Dalai Lama said once, that it was time for all of us to give up thinking our beliefs are superior to those of others. He said recently (in the Economist) ‘Freedom, fairness, openness and equality… are among the highest human values, a measure to which all nations should be held to account.’

Yet amongst the Tibetans he says: ‘There will be no change in my stand. I will never revoke the ban. You are right. It will be like the Cultural Revolution. If those who do not accept the ban do not listen to my words, the situation will grow worse for them. You sit and watch. It will grow only worse for them.’ Dalai Lama (July 13, 1999), to monks in India who questioned the ban. And ‘The Dorje Shugden Society plays games with me wherever I go… they think I will back off. That I will never do. If not in this life, a successor will be appointed to sustain this ban’. Dalai Lama, Drepung Monastery (January 14th 1999).

By sharing blatant facts and truths, listening to testimonies, and bearing witness on behalf of all Shugden practitioners around the world, the policies of the Dalai Lama’s government must soon inevitably come toppling down. And with it, the grotesque wall at Ganden monastery.

Source: http://www.westernshugdensociety.org/guest-blogs/segregation-at-ganden-monastery/

This video shows clear evidence of Dalai Lama issuing/enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden.

He encourages the Monasteries to expel monks who refuse to give up this practice.

It is undemocratic for any leader to ban any form of worship in this day and age.

Not only is Dalai Lama encouraging the ban, but he praises the Monasteries for doing expelling those monks who refuse to listen. This statement from Dalai Lama has hurt the sentiments of thousands of people.

This ban has created great rifts within the Monasteries that never existed before. Dalai Lama is being ordered into New Delhi High Court in regards to this ban. The writ that has been submitted to the court was not rejected. The case is now pending and under observation.

Many have left the monasteries and formed their own all over the world. Two newly formed Monasteries who hold on steadfast to the practice of Dorje Shugden are Shar Gaden Monastery in Mundgod and Serpom Norling Monastery in Bylakuppe.

For photos and videos on these monasteries, go to www.dorjeshugden.com