If one thinks of the lamas who were influential in bringing Dharma to the West in the 1970s, one of the first names to come to mind is that of Lama Thubten Yeshe.

Lama Yeshe (left) with his disciples Lama Zopa Rinpoche (right) and Zina Rachevsky (center). Lama Yeshe was instrumental in bringing Dharma to the West

Lama Yeshe, together with his heart son Lama Thubten Zopa and American disciple Zina Rachevsky, founded Kopan Monastery in Nepal, which has since become the nucleus of hundreds of centers worldwide under the banner ‘Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition‘ (FPMT).

This monumental feat of propagating the Buddha’s doctrine to many was accomplished by a pure and “simple” monk who held his vows strong, displayed tremendous devotion to his gurus, and practised Dorje Shugden till the very end of his life.

Biography

The town of Tölung Dechen, Tibet, welcomed this special boy in 1935. At a young age, Lama Thubten Yeshe was recognized by a Kagyu lama renowned for his psychic powers, Nenung Pawo Rinpoche, as the reincarnation of the Abbess of Chi-me Lung Gompa, where nuns lived in accordance with the pure Gelug tradition.

Lama Yeshe is remembered for his extraordinary abilities to elucidate the Buddha’s teachings

As a young boy, he would often spend time in the nunnery’s shrine room, attending ceremonies and religious functions there. He always harbored a strong, deep desire to lead a religious life, and would often beg to join a monastery whenever a member of the sangha came by to visit his family.

At the tender age of six, Lama Yeshe joined Sera Jey Monastic College in Lhasa. He received his novice monk vows at the age of eight from Venerable Purchog Jampa Rinpoche and 20 years later, was ordained as a gelong (fully ordained monk) by H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.

While at Sera Monastery, Lama Yeshe received the highest tantric initiations, teachings and discourses from esteemed Dorje Shugden lamas such as H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, and Geshe Rabten Rinpoche.

A loving photo of Geshe Rabten and Lama Yeshe

These included teachings on the Lam-Rim from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang who was the junior tutor to His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama, instructions on Prajnaparamita, Madhyamika, the Six Yogas of Naropa and Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life amongst others, and the higher tantric initiations of Heruka, Vajrabhairava and Guhyasamaja.

Other great teachers who were influential in Lama Yeshe’s spiritual development during these years were Geshe Ngawang Gedun, Geshe Thubten Wangchuk Rinpoche, and Geshe Lhundrub Sopa Rinpoche.

Lama Yeshe remained in Sera for 19 years, until the age of 25. In 1959, his time in the monastery came to an end when he was forced into exile in India. He continued his studies in the Tibetan settlement camp of Buxar in India, and his erudite and profound learning equipped him with a fully awakened and purified mind. He would later go on to bring great benefits to sentient beings through his propagation of the doctrine. It was also here in Buxar that Lama Yeshe would become the guru of Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

Geshe Rabten Rinpoche teaching at Lama Yeshe’s Tushita Retreat Centre in 1975. Translating was Gonsar Rinpoche

Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Yeshe had a very special guru-disciple relationship with Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, whom he had studied under while in Tibet as well as in Buxar. Renowned for his powers of logic and single minded concentration, Geshe Rabten Rinpoche played a huge role in Lama Yeshe’s spiritual development and education.

Lama Thubten Yeshe with heart disciple, Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Similarly, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche was a disciple of Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, and was entrusted to the care of Lama Yeshe when he was a young boy. As Lama Zopa received extensive instructions and teachings from Lama Yeshe, his disciples wished for this relationship to be formalized. They consulted H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche on this matter and it was done soon after. Lama Zopa would remain loyally by Lama Yeshe’s side until the end of his teacher’s life.

During their time together, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa propagated the lineage far and wide, first with the founding of Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1969. Kopan Monastery attracted many students from the West, and provided a place for them to practice the Dharma, meditate and eventually take on ordination vows. Over the years, Lama Yeshe’s organization eventually grew into a worldwide network of Buddhist centers under the banner of the FPMT.

Lama Yeshe often attributed his success to the blessings of his teachers and his Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, and was known to have strongly relied on Dorje Shugden for FPMT’s growth. For instance, according to Lama Zopa, Lama Yeshe would always begin each course at Kopan Monastery with a Dorje Shugden kangsol.

Lama Yeshe relied and practiced Dorje Shugden till the very end of his life. In this photo, he is seen engaging in a puja with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, with a Dorje Shugden thangka in the background

Passing and Reincarnation

Lama Yeshe gave his all to propagating the lineage and imparting knowledge to his students right up until his passing in 1984 at the age of 49. He is especially remembered for his remarkable achievements in single-handedly surpassing geographical boundaries and greatly contributing to the flourishing of Dharma in the West for more than a decade.

Not long after his passing, Ösel Hita Torres was born in Spain in 1985 to students of Lama Yeshe and was later recognized as his unmistaken incarnation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986. He was enthroned in March 1987 at Tushita Retreat Center in Dharamsala, India.

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the incomparable master Lama Yeshe, requesting his incarnation Lama Osel to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

More about Lama Yeshe

• Lama Yeshe’s Cremation
• The Broken Samayas of FPMT
• Where is Lama Yeshe?
• FPMT Lineage Masters are Dorje Shugden Believers
• FPMT, Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden
• A True Inspiration: Claudio Cipullo
• Fabrizio Pallotti
• Politically Correct at the Expense of the Lineage
• Lama Yeshe and Geshe Rabten
• The Questionable Policies of the FPMT
• Lama Zopa admitted to being recognized by Dorje Shugden
• Recognized by Dorje Shugden, but Speaks Against Dorje Shugden
• Kopan Monks Asking for Dorje Shugden Puja for Lama Zopa
• Dakini Healed Lama Zopa?
• Who made Lama Zopa a Rinpoche?

The current incarnation, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche

Of the countless attained lamas of the Gelug lineage, few have become household names in the way of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Undoubtedly one of the most famous lamas of his generation, the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is best known as the *junior tutor of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

However, to spiritual practitioners – Tibetan or otherwise – the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was widely respected and celebrated for his tireless turning of the Dharma wheel to keep the Gelug tradition alive. All Gelug lamas of the 21st century owe their learning, knowledge and scholarship to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s compassion. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was one of the great lamas present at His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s famous Lam Rim teachings. Having composed notes and memorised everything perfectly, Trijang Rinpoche brought this knowledge with him into exile where he proceeded to record all of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings into a book. Published under the title Liberation in the Palm of Your Hands, this book now forms the core text for monasteries and Dharma centres around the world, studied by both Shugden practitioners and non-Shugden practitioners alike.

His Holiness the previous 3rd Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche himself taught tirelessly. Understanding that by educating countless monks to become accomplished teachers themselves, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche ensured that the pure Gelug lineage and practices were preserved. In this way, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is often known as the “teacher of teachers”.

On 9th November 1981, the world lost a leading figure when His Holiness the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche entered into clear light. You can read more about his illustrious incarnation by clicking here.

His reincarnation, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, was born in perfect form on 15th October 1982 to a Tibetan family in Dalhousie, India. The search for the new incarnation was spread-headed by the main assistant of the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kungo Palden who consulted Dorje Shugden.

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (right) with one of his gurus Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche (left)

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s incarnation was recognised by Dorje Shugden as well as many other high Gelug lineage lamas, including the late Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and His Holiness the 98th Gaden Tripa Jampel Shenpen. On 23rd April 1985, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche as the reincarnation of his predecessor. Following his recognition, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche completed his primary studies under the compassionate tutelage of his gurus Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Due to increasingly violent persecution for his reliance on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche escaped India for Europe when he was 13 years old. Arriving in Switzerland, he lived there for a time under the guidance and protection of His Eminence Gonsar Rinpoche. In 2004, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche migrated to the United States, where he established Trijang Buddhist Institute in Northfield, Vermont.

Located on nearly 400 acres of pristine woodland, Trijang Buddhist Institute (TBI) is the North American seat of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche. It was established by a devoted student of His Eminence Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Rea Barkley. She had begun renovating pre-existing buildings with the intention of offering everything to her lama, who instead instructed her to offer it to Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.

The view from the gompa (prayer hall) at Trijang Buddhist Institute. Click on the image to enlarge.

On 18th September 2004, Trijang Buddhist Institute was officially dedicated to Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and on 23rd April 2009, His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal announced his support of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s position as the Spiritual Director of Trijang Buddhist Institute.

The previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche had an extremely close relationship with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and in this life, it is no different. As a result, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has had death threats directed at him and his people. His students have suffered attacks, and regularly receive verbal abuse.

Translation: 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

Instead of returning like for like, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche remains unwavering in his guru devotion and Dharma practice. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche advises his students to be respectful of the Dalai Lama, saying that he has received teachings from His Holiness and therefore respects him as one of his gurus. To this end, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has displayed in TBI’s gompa an image of the Dalai Lama, signed by the Dalai Lama himself.

This reincarnation is living proof that Dharma study and practice DO result in the attainments of great compassion and wisdom. After all, despite obstacles created by the ban, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche continues to manifest more and more the accomplishments, erudite scholarship, grace and leadership of his previous incarnations. At such a young age, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche already shows all the signs of a great Dharma leader, with the bravery to stand against the mighty forces which wish to silence him.

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche on a recent trip to Mongolia where he received a very warm welcome

Thus, unlike many others who have become involved in politics, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has maintained a dignified silence against the rhetoric of the ban. His main and only focus continues to be the Buddhadharma. This is surely the clearest sign that he is the unmistaken incarnation of his predecessors, here to continue and further their works and accomplishments to benefit sentient beings.

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the most erudite master, the incomparable His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

*junior is in reference only to the order of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s appointment as a tutor of the Dalai Lama, and does not imply any inferior status to Kyabje Ling Rinpoche

During Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s 32nd birthday celebrations at Trijang Buddhist Institute (Vermont, USA)

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

A Tribute to His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/great-masters/tributes/a-tribute-to-his-holiness-kyabje-trijang-rinpoche/)

Download: Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang’s Autobiography (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/downloads/texts/download-kyabje-trijang-dorjechangs-autobiography/)

The Third Trijang Rinpoche, Lobzang Yeshe Tendzin Gyatso (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/the-third-trijang-rinpoche-lobzang-yeshe-tendzin-gyatso/)

Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/advice-from-kyabje-trijang-dorje-chang/)

Trijang Rinpoche in Mongolia 2014 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-rinpoche-in-mongolia-2014/)

Trijang Rinpoche Visits Europe 2012 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-rinpoche-visits-europe-2012/)

Trijang Rinpoche Confers Initiation in Europe (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/trijang-rinpoche-confers-initiation-in-europe/)

Current Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Conducts Dorje Shugden puja (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/current-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-conducts-dorje-shugden-puja/)

Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in Mongolia (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/kyabje-trijang-choktrul-rinpoche-in-mongolia/)

H.H. Trijang Rinpoche Consecrates Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Mongolia (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/h-h-trijang-rinpoche-consecrates-amarbayasgalant-monastery-in-mongolia/)

Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche leads Vajra Yogini Fire Puja (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-leads-vajra-yogini-fire-puja/)

H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Accepts Tenshug from Shar Gaden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/h-h-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-accepts-tenshug-from-shar-gaden/)

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Carrying Buddha’s Relics (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/kyabje-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-carrying-buddhas-relics/)

Ganden Tripa Authorizes Dorje Shugden Practitioners to represent the Gelugpa tradition (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/ganden-tripa-authorizes-dorje-shugden-pratitioners-to-represent-the-gelugpa-tradition/)

H.H. Ganden Tripa’s Dedication to Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/hh-ganden-tripa-lungri-namgyels-dedication-to-kyabje-trijang-choktrul-rinpoche/)

Dalai Lama Used 2014 Lamrim Teachings To Undermine His Guru (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dalai-lama-used-2014-lamrim-teachings-to-undermine-his-guru/)

THE TRUTH behind who saved the Dalai Lama’s life (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/controversy/articles-controversy/the-truth-behind-who-saved-the-dalai-lamas-life/)

Radio Interview with Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/controversy/articles-controversy/radio-interview-with-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche/)

Shartse’s Abbot sees Trijang Rinpoche: The Conclusion (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/shartses-abbot-sees-trijang-rinpoche-the-conclusion/)

UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/update-abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)

Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)

Trijang Buddhist Institute (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/places/trijang-buddhist-institute-tbi/)

Trijang Buddhist Institute (external link) (http://www.tbiusa.org/)

His Eminence Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche

(Source: http://www.tbiusa.org/director)

Trijang Rinpoche is a reincarnation of the late Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, who was recognized as one of the foremost Tibetan Buddhist Masters of our time, taking birth at the turn of the 20th century and passing away in 1981. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was revered for his extraordinary method of teaching and his precious activities, particularly in the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. Up to the end of his life, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang continuously turned the Wheel of Dharma for the sake of all sentient beings. The flourishing of the Dharma in the West is strongly connected with him, because of his own teachings as well as the precious activities of his great disciples such as Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Venerable Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Venerable Lama Yeshe, and many others. Without him, the situation of Tibetan Buddhism and in particular the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa would be very different.

During Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s 32nd birthday celebrations at Trijang Buddhist Institute (Vermont, USA)

His Eminence Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is the eighteenth in a lineage of eminent Indian and Tibetan pandits and masters. The supreme reincarnation was discovered in a Tibetan family in Northern India and was officially recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on April 23, 1985. Rinpoche has completed his primary studies under his root guru H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche. Presently Rinpoche is doing further studies under the guidance of H.E. Dagpo Rinpoche, H.E. Yongyal Rinpoche and study helper Geshe Lobsang Phuntsok. As the Spiritual Director of the Trijang Buddhist Institute, he will guide the Institute’s activities and programs for the public, for ordained monks and nuns, and for future lay teachers whose Dharma training is anticipated in coming years.

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche arriving at the opening of Gaden Khachoe Shing Monastery (Indiana, USA)

May Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul live 1,000 years to turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings

Click on the image to enlarge.

Many great masters have kept their practice of Dorje Shugden strong. Here we see Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, meeting with Kensur Lati Rinpoche and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. The Tibetan leadership forced Kensur Lati Rinpoche and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen to give up the practice, but they went to meet Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche in 2000, a sign that they still had great faith in Dorje Shugden. Why else would they meet a Dorje Shugden lama? Despite the ban enforced by the Tibetan leadership, they held their own views strongly. Click on image to enlarge.

H.E. Gonsar Tulku Rinpoche

In the great assembly of Gelugpa Masters, His Eminence Gonsar Rinpoche stands out, not only as an erudite scholar in his own right, but also for his crucial role in the protection, tutoring and nurturing of two of the most important masters of the modern era who represent the pure lineage of Je Tsongkapa, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche and His Eminence Tenzin Rabgya Rinpoche.

Biography

His Eminence the Fifth Gonsar Rinpoche was born in Shigatse, Tibet in 1949 to an aristocratic family known to be descendants of the ancient Tibetan kings. Rinpoche’s father held the honorable position of Governor of the Tsang province in Western Tibet. When Rinpoche was three years old, he was recognized as the present incarnation in the exalted line of Gonsar Tulkus, and in fact confirmed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama himself.

The first Gonsar Rinpoche lived during the time of the 7th Dalai Lama and was famous for his particularly wise and comprehensive teachings of the complete path to enlightenment. The story of the first Gonsar Rinpoche is a famous one. It is said that during the time of the 7th Dalai Lama, a poor young man from Amdo sought to be accepted into the house of one of his countrymen in Sera monastery near Lhasa. However, due to his poor and shabby appearance, he was refused. Turning away from the house, he met an old woman in the grounds of the monastery who suggested to the young man that he might fare better if he tried another house named Chadrel. The old lady assured him that he would be accepted there.

The young man did as he was told, and after joining the monastery he showed great enthusiasm in his studies and very quickly displayed the extraordinary qualities of a great master. It is said that the old woman who had led the first Gonsar Rinpoche to his monastic college was an emanation of Palden Lhamo.

The young man spent a lot of time meditating in a cave in the mountains near Lhasa, the very site on which the Gonsar retreat monastery would eventually be built. When the people of Lhasa observed the new monastery, they began to refer to Rinpoche as ‘Gonsar’ which in Tibetan means ‘the lama of the new monastery‘.

In time, the first Gonsar Rinpoche became well-known as the great Master Ngawang Thöndrup and extensively served the teachings of the Buddha as the Abbot of Sera Je monastery and as one of the tutors of His Holiness the 8th Dalai Lama. This name has remained with the lineage of the Gonsar Rinpoches until today.

The line of Gonsar Rinpoches has produced many legendary figures. One of Gonsar Rinpoche’s past emanations was Yeshe Yang, a lay disciple of Padmasambhava, counted among his twenty-five main disciples. He is credited as having transcribed many of Padmasambhava’s treasures, and concealing many of them himself, thus earning his name Ba (sba, conceal) Yeshe Yang. He is said to have received the knowledge of the secret script directly from the dakinis, having traveled to their realm in a state of meditation. Yeshe Yang lived for a number of years at forested mountainsides with Sogpo Lhapel (sog po lha dpal), and is believed to have flown into the sky and disappeared.

The fourth Gonsar Rinpoche, the previous incarnation to the present one, also studied in Sera Monastery. After completing his Geshe studies and examinations in his early twenties, he travelled to Mongolia and became one of the greatest lamas amongst the later Buddhist masters of Mongolia. Teaching there for more than thirty years and frequently showing supernatural powers, he was greatly cherished by the population and almost all contemporary masters of Mongolia became his disciples. He returned to Tibet at the outbreak of the Bolshevik revolution and continued his vast activities there. The family of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama were amongst his distinguished disciples.

At the age of six, the present (5th) Gonsar Rinpoche commenced his traditional education in Sera Monastery under the guidance of the Venerable Geshe Rabten Rinpoche. Gonsar Rinpoche received many teachings and transmissions from a number of erudite and highly attained masters including H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche who was one of Rinpoche’s root gurus.

In 1959, Gonsar Rinpoche followed his teacher and many other Tibetans into exile in India, where he continued his education under the care of Geshe Rabten. In addition to completing his traditional studies, Rinpoche also learned English and Hindi, despite the hardships they had to endure for many years while living first at a refugee camp in Buxa, and later in Dharamsala.

In 1969, Gonsar Rinpoche began translating Geshe Rabten’s teachings into English. Due to many requests on the part of Geshe Rabten’s Western students, in 1974 Geshe Rabten and Gonsar Rinpoche went to Switzerland, where they founded The Center for Higher Tibetan Studies, Rabten Choeling.

When Geshe Rabten entered clear light in 1986, Gonsar Rinpoche assumed the responsibility of managing and guiding the students of Rabten Choeling as well as those of affiliated centers in Austria (Tashi Rabten), Germany and Italy, after having spent thirty three years as Geshe Rabten’s heart disciple. (It would also be Gonsar Rinpoche who would discover the reincarnation of his beloved guru three years later)

Around the same time, Rinpoche was appointed the Abbot of Zongkar Choede, a monastery in South India. Gonsar Rinpoche is also a co-founder of Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling Monastery in Indiana, USA which Rinpoche inaugurated on July 5th, 1998. At present, Gonsar Rinpoche is director of the center ‘Rabten Choeling’ in Mont-Pèlerin, as well as the centers in Austria and Germany.

Lama Yeshe, Gonsar Tulku Rinpoche, Lama Zopa and Geshe Rabten in Switzerland, 1975

All incarnations in the line of the Gonsar Tulkus are significant yogis of the Hayagriva Tantra and are well-known for their clear, precise and logical teachings. The first Gonsar Rinpoche was famous for his particularly vast and profound teachings on the complete path of mental development to full enlightenment. The present Gonsar Rinpoche is renowned as one of the very few contemporary masters capable of transmitting every aspect of the Buddha’s teachings as a clear and moving experience in Hindi, French, English, German and Tibetan to both Eastern and Western audiences.

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the most erudite master, His Eminence Gonsar Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.
 

More about H.E. Gonsar Tulku Rinpoche

• Rabten Choeling Switzerland
• Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche and Ven. Rabgyä Rinpoche in Lumbini
• How Five Powerful Lamas Are Changing the World

The role of great Dharma masters to protect and uphold the pure Dharma has been particularly significant through the turmoil of the past decades, where we witnessed the exile of Tibetan communities from their homeland as well as the internal disharmony surrounding Dorje Shugden’s practice. Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche is one such great master who has dedicated his entire existence to turning the Wheel of Dharma consistently and sincerely.

Biography

Venerable Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche was born in Eastern Tibet in 1948. H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang recognized the young boy as the 4th reincarnation of his lineage, leading to his enthronement at the age of 6 in Sera Monastic University.

Yongyal Rinpoche studied and mastered the five major topics of Buddhist philosophy for more than 20 years and subsequently was awarded the highly respected Geshe Lharampa degree, the equivalent of a doctorate degree of the highest honor, when he was 32 years old.

Yongyal Rinpoche then completed his tantric studies at the prestigious Gyüme Tantric University, and received key oral transmissions and initiations from some of the most illustrious lamas including Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

Staying true to Lama Tsongkapa’s unsurpassed lineage, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche is thus a living treasure vase of Dharma wisdom and the primary holder of the precious Ganden Oral Tradition. All things manifest for a reason and as history unfolds, we have witnessed how Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche played a vital role in protecting, upholding and spreading Buddha’s teachings over the past few tumultous decades, as chaos hit Tibetan Buddhist communities around the world with the events of 1959 and the implementation of the Dorje Shugden ban.

As Tibetan Buddhism struggled to regroup and rebuild after the fall of Tibet, Yongyal Rinpoche was a beacon of hope and strength in the monastic community, tirelessly teaching at Sera Monastery in India for 14 years. After accepting many requests from his home monastery, Yongyal Rinpoche went to Eastern Tibet in 1993 where he taught and gave initiations to countless spiritual aspirants for two years. Rinpoche has also given teachings tours in other parts of the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and America.

Thus it came as no surprise that Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche was elected as the first Abbot of Serpom Monastery in 2008, when the monks of Pomra Khangtsen separated from Sera Mey Monastery so that they could continue with their practice of Dorje Shugden in safety and peace, keeping pure samaya with their Gurus.

Under Yongyal Rinpoche’s leadership, Serpom Monastery has grown in leaps and bounds since its difficult beginnings, and have since established many key initiatives that contribute towards the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism. Amongst these are the Serpom Buddhist Education Development Department established in 2008, which is responsible for monastic education and examinations. The Serpom Health Point was also set up in the same year to provide free medical care for the monks who are often denied such services from the surrounding community. The Serpom Thoesam Norling School was established in 2009 to equip young monks with modern education such as Tibetan culture, Literature, English, Mathematics and Science, amongst others.

Over the years, Yongyal Rinpoche has quietly and steadily contributed towards the works and lives of many other great masters, for instance:

• In 2004, Yongyal Rinpoche officiated at the cremation ceremony of Sermey Khensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche. It was also Yongyal Rinpoche who inspected the Dung Srek Kang (burning house) and witnessed the sindura powder that formed.
• In 2008, Yongyal Rinpoche along with Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche officiated the hair-cutting and final enthronement ceremony of the young incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche
• In 2011, Yongyal Rinpoche was to give novice monk vows to the current incarnation of Zemey Rinpoche in Chengdu, China but respectfully requested Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal who was present to give the vows instead.
• In 2012, Yongyal Rinpoche conferred novice monk vows on the current incarnation of Domo Geshe Rinpoche in Shar Gaden Monastery, India.
• At the request of Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, Yongyal Rinpoche ordained the former Resident Director Rae Barkley (Ani Tsering Lhamo) of Trijang Buddhist Institute.

In 2010, Yongyal Rinpoche founded the Lamrim International Dharma Center in California. Rinpoche is currently based in the USA and is listed as a teacher for many established American Buddhist centers including Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling Buddhist Monastery in Indiana and Gadenpa Buddhist Center in New York. Yongyal Rinpoche is also the guru of many up-and-coming lamas such as Venerable Achok Rinpoche, who recently gave a series of teachings and oral transmission of Lama Tsongkapa and his two disciples at Serpom Monastery in conjunction with the month of Saga Dawa. Imparting the Dharma to future generations of Dharma teachers is the most fundamental and effective method to ensure that the Dharma remains whole and unbroken and Yongyal Rinpoche is doing exactly that.

Yongyal Rinpoche continues to uphold his practice of the precious Protector, Dorje Shugden despite the difficulties and dangers during the present time.

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the incomparable master, His Eminence Yongyal Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

More about Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

• His Eminence Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche of Sera Mey Monastery
• Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche’s First Visit to Shar Gaden
• Long Life to Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche & Domo Geshe Rinpoche
• H.H. Gaden Trisur & Yongyal Rinpoche visiting in Chengdu, China

Yongyal Rinpoche with Zemey Rinpoche, another great master who was dedicated to Dorje Shugden to the end of his lifetime

Yongyal Rinpoche at the enthronement ceremony of Geshe Domo Rinpoche

Yongyal Rinpoche with Zawa Rinpoche, to whom Rinpoche gave strong support for the growth of Dharma

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche with Achok Rinpoche and entourage

2nd from left: Zemey Rinpoche, center: Yongyal Rinpoche, 2nd from right: Geshe Wangchuk

Geshe Rabten Rinpoche was born in January 1920 in the district of Kham, Tibet. A true Dorje Shugden Lama showing every sign of being a highly accomplished master in both Sutra and Tantra, his root-master was none other than the great Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

An extract from Geshe Rabten’s Biography – “Life of a Tibetan Monk”

“From the time I was a small child, I met monks in their maroon robes returning from the great monastic universities near Lhasa. I admired them very much. I also occasionally visited the large monastery in our region; and when I watched the monks debating, I was again filled with admiration. When I was about fifteen years old I began to notice how simple, pure and efficient their lives were. I also saw how my own home life, in comparison, was so complicated and demanding of tasks that were never finished. In order to be counted as a qualified monk in the nearby Dhargye Monastery, one had to spend at least three to four years studying and training one’s mind in the Buddha Dharma in one of the three monastic universities near Lhasa. With the thought of becoming such a monk in Dhargye Monastery, I decided at the age of seventeen to go to one of these monastic universities, although at that time I had no desire to become greatly learned in the Dharma.”

When he was eighteen Geshe Rabten went on a three month journey from his birthplace in Kham in the Eastern province of Tibet to Lhasa in central Tibet where he became a monk in the monastic university of Sera. Very soon teachers and fellow students became aware of his magnificent character traits.

While studying and meditating he went through unbelievable hardship. Hence teachers and fellow students gave him the name ‘Milarepa’. Due to his clear and precise way of logical debate, people compared him to Dharmakirti, the great Buddhist logical thinker.

After having studied for about twenty years, he passed the Geshe exam in front of monks from the three great monasteries. He was given the title of the highest rank, ‘Geshe Lharampa’. This is the greatest honor, which is given by the examiners and by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He also spent many years in solitary retreat, and wrote the book “Song of the Profound View” about his meditation experiences.

In 1964 Geshe Rabten was chosen to be the philosophical assistant of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, whose task is to assist His Holiness when taking teachings from his two tutors as well as to engage in debate with His Holiness on philosophical subjects.

In 1969 the Dalai Lama sent the first Western students to Geshe Rabten and then later, due to the amount of Western students that had accumulated he asked Geshe to move to the Tibetan monastery in Rikon, Switzerland to become the Abbot of that monastery and propagate Dharma.

Geshe Rabten was the first Tibetan Buddhist master to introduce the complete Vinaya-tradition and the study of the five major topics of Buddhism to the West. Hence Geshe became the ‘path breaker’ of the complete and complex teachings of Buddhism in the West. Many masters, who are famous in the West today, were Geshe’s students, namely: Gonsar Rinpoche, Sherpa Rinpoche, Tomthog Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Geshe Penpa, Geshe Tenzin Gonpo, Geshe Thupten Ngawang, Geshe Thubten Trinley and many more.

Geshe Rinpoche was able to bring the essence of the thoughts of Buddha close to the listeners. No matter if the listener was from the West or the East, whoever followed his words felt all the unclearness disappear and in its place a clearness and calmness started to spread in one’s mind. His examples encouraged people to practise sincerely.

Geshe founded the center for higher Tibetan studies, Rabten Choeling at the lake of Geneva (originally Tharpa Choeling), the Tibetan center in Hamburg, Tashi Rabten at the Letzehof, Puntsog Rabten in Munich and Gephel Ling in Milan.

The Passing of Geshe Rabten Rinpoche

This manifestation of the Buddha has no equal. If you are really determined to tame your mind, he will even give you his heart.
Geshe Rabten on Gyalchen Dorje Shugden

The extraordinary signs that occurred when Geshe Rabten passed away in 1986 made his pupils realise that they were witnessing not only the passing of a great teacher but that of a truly enlightened master. During the months after his death, many students experienced an unusual closeness of Geshe during their meditations.

Rabten Rinpoche, the current incarnation of Geshe Rabten Rinpoche

Three years later, Gonsar Rinpoche, Geshe Rabten’s dearest and closest disciple discovered Geshe’s incarnation, and by a thorough series of consultations with various authorative sources including H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Tsering, the son of Mr. Tenzin Dargye and Mrs. Pasang Gyalmo, was confirmed as the true incarnation of Geshe Rabten Rinpoche out of 180 potential candidates.

Kelsang Tsering was given the name Ven. Tenzin Rabgyä Rinpoche and now lives at Rabten Choeling under the tutelage and care of H.E. Gonsar Rinpoche.

In spring of 1998 the ten year old Ven. Tenzin Rabten Rinpoche gave his first teaching in front of a group of two hundred people in the monastery Rabten Choeling at the lake of Geneva. Unexpectedly and unprepared, the young Rinpoche gave people advice on taking refuge. He spoke in the clear manner of Geshe Rabten’s own special way. The listeners were deeply moved and many of Geshe Rabten’s former students had tears in their eyes.

The current Rabten Rinpoche

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

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

• Lama Yeshe and Geshe Rabten
• Rabgyä Rinpoche Celebrates His 25th Birthday
• Tenzin Rabgye Rinpoche
• Rabten Choeling (Tibetan Temple in Switzerland)

The great 18th Denma Gongsa Rinpoche

In the midst of the Sino-Tibetan conflict and in the face of unsettling times, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s name became synonymous with strength and faith in one’s Guru, the Buddha Dharma and the infallible Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche chose to remain in Tibet during the years of tremendous unrest in order to preserve the Buddha’s teachings in the high plateaus as well as to be a pillar of strength for the vanquished people of Tibet.

Over the years, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche worked unceasingly and over time won the respect of both Tibetans and Chinese alike. Rinpoche was honored with many titles and positions for representing his people and community in the area of Kham in Tibet. Seeing the need to engage the Chinese authorities correctly, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche entered the political arena with hopes of extending his influence as protection for his people and using his position to look after them spiritually and secularly.

Rinpoche being received by a member of the Chinese army

The most notable position held by Rinpoche was as the representative of the people living in Qinghai province, which Rinpoche held for 4 consecutive terms. Rinpoche was also the representative of the Chinese Congress in the 8th term. Despite these additional responsibilities, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche did not compromise on his main undertaking of spreading the Dharma and at the first available opportunity, Rinpoche began the reconstruction of his monastery that had been destroyed in the conflict.

Throughout the years, it became clear that the great protector Dorje Shugden was always beside Denma Gonsa Rinpoche providing every means to help Rinpoche in all his endeavors. There were signs – for instance during the Qinghai earthquake, many buildings were damaged and yet standing intact amongst all the destruction was Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s monastery. Neither was Rinpoche’s house damaged, quite miraculously. No doubt, by Rinpoche’s faith and devotion to his Gurus and the Dharma, the Protector saw to every of Rinpoche’s needs and Rinpoche was able to secure the resources required to build his monastery. In his monastery now stands one of the world’s largest Lama Tsongkhapa statues which is 12 storeys high and next to the main temple stands an 18-foot Dorje Shugden statue which itself is a blessing for the people of the entire Kham area.

Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s influence spread across Tibet all the way to Beijing. Rinpoche’s fame helped him to spread the Gelug lineage far and wide and in conjunction, the lineage and practice of Dorje Shugden grew similarly under this extraordinary Lama. When the Dalai Lama imposed the ban on Dorje Shugden, it did not have any effect on Denma Gonsa Rinpoche. Alarmed, His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself personally made a telephone call to Denma Gonsa Rinpoche to ask Rinpoche to stop the practice of Dorje Shugden. However, Rinpoche refused to compromise on his integrity and the promises Rinpoche made to his Guru, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang.

Manifesting disappointment in the Dalai Lama for causing monks to break their vows and for the schism within the Sangha that the ban created, it was said that Denma Gonsa Rinpoche rebuked the Dalai Lama for what was clearly an error on the Dalai Lama’s part. Being a contemporary of the Dalai Lama and knowing full well that the basis of and reasons for the Shugden ban were false, Rinpoche felt it necessary to speak his mind. The Dalai Lama, realizing that Denma Gonsa Rinpoche could not be coerced into abandoning the practice, hung up the phone. Such was Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s devotion to his Gurus and conviction in the Dharma Protector that he would not be bullied into breaking his vows.

H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche

Biography:

Denma Choje Jampa Thubten Gelek Gyatso was born to a family of “Kannier” in Namkha Zong, Tibet in the year of the Iron Horse (1930). His father was a man by the name of Rinchen who was a farmer and mother’s name was Drolma.
At the age of 3, the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso recognized the boy as the incarnation of the 17th Denma Choje. Upon recognition, the 13th Dalai Lama gave the young incarnation the seal of office and also official documents supporting his recognition. Rinpoche was then ordained by Jepu Rierba who gave him the Dharma name of Jampa Thubten Gelek Gyatso.
Two years later, in the Kham region, he was enthroned in Kelsang Puntsok Ling, home to the line of Denma Choje incarnations. During the enthronement ceremony, thousands flocked the monastery to pay their respects and receive blessings from him.

When he reached the age of 8, Geshe Dammu taught Rinpoche how to read and write Tibetan. Nyima Mentsi taught Rinpoche the sciences and astrology. When he studied under these two masters, he memorized all the texts, which were used in their daily prayers in the monastery.

The year of the Earth Rabbit (1939) was a huge turning point in Rinpoche’s life where in one of the three great seats of Sera Dratsang, the great 98th Gaden Tripa advised Rinpoche to take Rizong Awang Resa as his teacher and to study the 5 Great Treatises under him.

At the age of 20, Rinpoche obtained his Geshe degree and was famous all over Tibet. He then admitted himself to Badeng Mey Drati Dratsang to further pursue his studies in Tantra. There he was able to practice in accordance to both Sutras and Tantras without obstruction. At this point, he studied under Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Dagri Dorje Chang. He received the Kangyur text transmission and numberless empowerments of various Dharma protectors. He became the lineage holder of various teachings which were essential within the Gelug school of Buddhism.

In the year of the Wooden Horse (1954) at the age of 25, he visited Beijing on the occasion of China’s national day where Rinpoche was received by Chairman Mao and Zhou En Lai with warm hospitality throughout his visit to the capital.

At the age of 28, for the first time in his life, he gave an oral transmission of the Kangyur text.

In the year of the Earth Horse (1958), because of political unrest, Rinpoche faced many obstacles and threats to his life and his endeavors in spreading the Dharma. But because of Rinpoche’s pure motivation, he overcame these obstacles. In the spirit of Bodhicitta, he took on the sufferings of others as if they were his own, and faced obstacles with an open mind.

Until the year of the Metal Bull (1961), he undertook the position as vice-representative of different areas within Tibet. After enduring 10 years of the Cultural Revolution, and with the new implementation of religious freedom from the central government, Rinpoche’s achievements captured the attention of many. As a member of the ethnic minority, he received warm hospitality from Deng Xiao Ping in an audience.

In the year of the Metal Monkey (1980), Rinpoche was chosen to be the the Yushu Tibetan community’s vice president, after which he was elected to be the representative of the people living in the Qinghai province for 4 consecutive terms. Rinpoche was the representative of the Chinese congress in the 8th term, Vice president of the Qinghai Buddhist Association, Vice president of the Yushu County Buddhist Association, Committee of China’s Department of Buddhist Studies, etc.

Kelsang Monastery, the home of all Denma Choejes (Dharma Kings)

After having devoted most part of his earlier life serving his community and the Buddha Dharma, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche started to focus on building a platform for the Buddha Dharma to take root in. Kelsang Monastery was very old and had been destroyed over the years both by the elements and humankind. In order to do repair the monastery, rebuild statues and reinstate Buddhist scriptures for the benefit of those who sought solace and religious services, Rinpoche together with his close students and assistants spent many years raising funds and oversaw the entire project until its completion in 2011. Under the leadership of Rinpoche, the entire assembly of Sangha in the monastery joined in rebuilding the monastery.

As of today, the main Gompa, Tsan Khang, Chapels, Scripture buildings and so on, are of the highest quality and display combinations of different influences of the Gelug tradition. One story to note is that there was a huge earthquake which hit the area where Kelsang Monastery is situated. Many buildings in that area crumbled but the entire Kelsang Monastery complex was left untouched by the mercy of the Buddhas. Many people knew it was the power of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden that protected the monastery. This is another testament that Dorje Shugden is very much a potent force for the Dharma and is definitely not a spirit. Spirits create danger and harm but enlightened beings protect institutions that preserve and spread the Dharma.

Beautiful 18-feet Dorje Shugden statue in Kelsang Monastery

Denma Gonsa Rinpoche in his career as a Dharma master has represented the 3 great seats (Gaden, Sera, Drepung), Reting Monastery, and various monasteries in Lhasa, Shigatse, Shan Nan, and other places in Tibet. The Kangyur is the basic text which Rinpoche used to transmit teachings. Kelsang Monastery has been a seat and a bastion of the Gelug tradition for many high Lamas including His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Choktrul Rinpoche, who himself received many important lineages and transmissions from Kyabje Denma Gonsa Rinpoche and other high Lamas of the monastery.

Kyabje Denma Gongsa Rinpoche’s holy stupa

Rinpoche entered into clear light in 2005 with many auspicious signs and good omens. Before Rinpoche passed away, Rinpoche gave specific instructions to his students on finding his next incarnation. He said that there would be many boys who would be presented as the next incarnation but to only enthrone the boy who could recite the root tantra of Guhyasamaja from memory. This itself is a significant indication of how high Rinpoche’s realizations were.
The Guhyasamaja tantra is one of the most important scriptures in Vajrayana Buddhism. In its fullest form, it consists of seventeen chapters, though a separate explanation is sometimes considered to be its eighteenth chapter. Je Tsongkhapa considered this work so important and used a tradition of the Guhyasamaja tantra as the basis for interpreting all other tantras. It is also said that if this all-important tantra is preserved, all other tantra traditions would similarly be preserved. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s next incarnation would be able to recite this tantra by heart. Such was the depth of Rinpoche’s attainments.

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a thousand butter lamps to the very holy master Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, requesting his incarnation to return swiftly and remain among us for thousands of years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

The 13th Kundeling Rinpoche Tagtsha Jetung Rinpoche

By: Harry Nephew

Since the Dorje Shugden controversy struck the Tibetan community, there has been no peace for those affected by the ban. The ban has had far reaching effects, not sparing high lamas who are Dorje Shugden worshippers nor even the recognition of lama incarnates. However, although there was considerable pressure from the Dalai Lama’s office, the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan community for Shugden lamas to cease the practice, a mark of a true incarnation of a highly attained lama is that he would remain firm in his oath to preserve the lineage practice in its purest form.

One clear example of such a lama is His Eminence Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche, an incumbent of Drepung Gomang monastery, who at the young age of 16 and by the force of his imprints made his way to Dharamsala. Through the divination of many high lamas including Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche, it was said that this particular boy would develop qualities that would be of great benefit to sentient beings. Speculation that this boy might be the incarnation of the late 12th Kundeling Rinpoche piqued considerable interest and discussion amongst the Gelugpas.

After some waiting, Rinpoche was recognized as the speech emanation of the late 12th Kundeling Rinpoche and was duly enthroned as the 13th Kundeling Rinpoche by H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche. The young Rinpoche then set off on a multitude of teaching expeditions to disseminate the Dharma far and wide. From Europe to Asia, Rinpoche’s charisma and strong command of the English language served him well and bridged barriers that previously separated people from the Buddha’s teachings.

Rinpoche’s gurus include some of the most influential teachers within the Gelugpa school, including His Holiness the 99th Gaden Tripa Yeshi Dondrup Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche and the great Geshe Lobsang Tendar. From these illustrious teachers, Kundeling Rinpoche inherited similar traits such as the refusal to betray the Protector that the highest of the Gelug lineage lamas had complete faith in.

Rinpoche’s influence is extremely strong in the local Indian community as he had made valuable and constructive connections with them, and to many, Rinpoche gave refuge under the Three Jewels, thus establishing a precious guru-disciple relationship. His position of respect within the Indian community has helped smooth over Tibetan-Indian relations on more than one occasion. One such instance was when Rinpoche resolved a dispute between some local Indians and representatives of the Dalai Lama during a Kalachakra teaching and by that, successfully removed the threat of the Dalai Lama losing some standing within the local community.

1997 was a significant year for Kundeling Rinpoche when he was awarded a Fellowship in Polipathy for Social Services and the propagation of the Buddhist Arts of Healing which was presented in Delhi. Rinpoche also received Doctorate in Philosophy, presented in Sri Lanka by the Open International University of Colombo. It was evident that Rinpoche’s works were receiving recognition from both the country and its people. Rinpoche’s altruistic and visionary intention of giving back to the country, which has been a gracious host of his own people in exile, made a positive impact and this has paved the way for Buddhism to spread.

For the Buddhadharma to endure the test of time in this world, Rinpoche has worked tirelessly to set up monastic institutions, reaching out to the people and offering them the precious Dharma. Though lean on sponsorship due to his dissenting stance against the Dalai Lama’s religious ban, Rinpoche has nevertheless sponsored initiations of the highest yoga Tantras so that the lineage may continue to thrive and be passed on to younger generations. For instance, it was through Rinpoche’s commitment to the spread of Dharma that Geshe Tendar Rinpoche was able to transmit many exoteric teachings on 13-deity Yamantaka, Heruka and Vajrayogini to the younger Sangha members.

Kundeling Rinpoche maintains a close connection with fellow compatriots of the Dorje Shugden lineage such as Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

Once the Dorje Shugden ban was brought into force, Kundeling Rinpoche became one of the forerunners to defend the holy Protector practice, voicing his resistance and articulating sound reasons why the ban was wrong both by common as well as spiritual definitions, and Rinpoche did much to bring attention and awareness of the ban to the media, local and abroad. He has arisen as a fearless figure within the Tibetan community – one of the few who would speak openly against the ban – and his efforts to highlight the religious suppression within the Tibetan Shugden community have been successful.

Unlike the ban which was illegal by the provisions both of the Tibetan and Indian Constitutions, Rinpoche sought legal redress and took the matter to the Indian courts. In addition, he compiled information and proof of the suppression against Shugden practitioners within the Tibetan community. Rinpoche’s fluency in English enabled him to speak openly and articulate the sufferings of Shugden monks and laypeople as the result of ban, to the media. All this hard work was not without cost and in fact, has placed Rinpoche’s life at risk from anti-Shugden hardliners. It is by Rinpoche’s readiness to defend what is right and put his life and standing within the Gelugpa hierarchy at risk that he has earned great respect from many quarters from within and without the Tibetan monastic community. Kundeling Rinpoche is listed as one of the top ten people wanted by the CTA.

In spite of earning the ire of the Dalai Lama’s office and anti-Shugden proponents, Rinpoche continues to stick by his Gurus and refuses to forsake the practice of Dorje Shugden. His being safe and having succesfully rebuilt his ladrang after the original Kundeling Ladrang was confiscated is living proof that with proper Guru devotion, one cannot be harmed by external forces. His unwavering faith and devotion to his Guru is what keeps Rinpoche going in the work he does for the Buddhadharma and community. It is, therefore, not surprising that Kundeling Rinpoche is living symbol of hope for a community of Buddhist practitioners persecuted as the result of the Dorje Shugden ban and they look to him as a beacon of light, showing the way for the ban to be dissolved.

There is no other Lama within the Tibetan community who has been so vocal about the ban and who makes so much effort to bring the attention of the masses to this injustice. All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a thousand butterlamps to the incomparable master, His Eminence Kundeling Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for countless years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting all sentient beings.

Further reading:

• An interview with Kundeling Rinpoche
• Dalai Lama Taken to Court for Religious Discrimination
• The Deity banned by the Dalai Lama
• Kundeling Rinpoche speaks about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama
• Kundeling Rinpoche answers

Biography

The 1st Kundeling Tagtsa Jetung Rinpoche was a great being who was considered to be an emanation of the master Baso Je Chokyi Gyaltsen. Baso Chokyi Gyaltsen was known to be one amongst the seven emanations of Manjushri prophesied to appear during Tsongkhapa’s lifetime, the second lineage holder of the ‘Ganden Ensapa Ear-whispered Lineage’ and owner of the ‘miraculously emanated scriptures’ of the Ganden Close Lineage.

This was the set of Teachings which was said to be the quintessence of the Sutras and the Tantras, transmitted to Tsongkhapa directly by Manjushri. It was in the form of a miraculous scripture, visible only to the one worthy of receiving it, and was passed first to Togden Jampel Gyatso, the holder of Tsongkhapa’s close lineage teachings, and eventually to Baso Je Chokyi Gyaltsen.

He became the fourth successor to the Golden Throne of Tsongkhapa, and reached Enlightenment during one lifetime. Baso Je Chokyi Gyaltsen’s reincarnations, however, continued to appear in Tibet in twelve successive lives. These successive reincarnations served as great masters of the Ganden Lineage, some as Kings or ruling Regents, while others were tutors to successive Dalai Lamas.

The 12th Kundeling Rinpoche

The 12th Kundeling Rinpoche, Lobsang Thupten Jigme Gyaltsen, was a very famous personality in Tibet, with an unusual, very lively character. He encouraged the monks of the Kundeling monastery in Lhasa (the main monastery was in the Pagshod area of Kham) to learn the Tibetan opera dances and songs, and was a Chod practitioner.

Late in his life, when he became ill, he traveled to India, first to Kalimpong and then to the city of Calcutta, which he used as a base for pilgrimages to Holy Places in India, and to receive treatment.

It is said that while crossing the Tibetan border via Sikkim through the Nathula Pass, looking back towards Tibet he remarked that he would never return there in that lifetime. He further added that, if reborn, he would like to take birth in India, the land of the Aryas.

In Calcutta he took up residence in a small hotel run by a Tibetan/Chinese couple. He gave his own photograph to the lady proprietor, predicting that they would meet again. By a strange series of circumstances, this lady, Drayang, was to become the foster mother of H.H the 13th Kundeling Rinpoche Lobsang Yeshi.

The 12th Kundeling Rinpoche passed away in Calcutta in the year 1957.

An Unusual Boy

On January 13th 1959, an unusual boy was born to a Tibetan couple living in Calcutta. He was called Norbu Tsering. His father, from Amdo, was named Jamyang Samten, and his mother, a native Sherpa, was called Ani Dolma. Both had also met briefly the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche.

During her pregnancy Ani Dolma dreamt of a pristine pond full of blossoming lotuses. Although seriously ill in the seventh month, she recovered completely during delivery, giving birth with little effort. Norbu Tsering came into this world in the early dawn, on the auspicious day of ‘Makar Sankranti’. This is a day when millions of people in India and Nepal bathe in the Holy Rivers to purify negativities. It was also the day of a lunar eclipse. Norbu’s parents, however, were very poor, so they decided to hand him over to foster parents.

Brought up by these foster parents, he was raised and sent to a Roman Catholic school. Already demonstrating unusual qualities in his childhood, Norbu generated a strong wish to renounce lay life and enter the spiritual path. He felt particularly attracted to Tibetan monks, wherever he came across them, and as a small child walked alone or with a little friend many miles to visit Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries.

At the age of 13, though not yet familiar with the Tibetan language, he wrote out the ‘Praises to the Twenty-one Taras’ and later drew pictures of Tara and Palden Lhamo (one of these is now in the possession of Khaga Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche).

On his own initiative, at the age of 16 he ran away from home to go to Dharamsala. The monks of the Gungru section of the Drepung Gomang Monastic University consulted the ‘Yudoma’ oracle about the reincarnation of the 12th Kundeling, and the Goddess, without giving an answer, made a mandala offering and respectful gestures towards Norbu. The monks later reported this to His Holiness Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, who through a divination prophesied that Norbu Tsering would be beneficial to the Ganden tradition.

His Holiness Dagom Rinpoche was asked to perform a divination, and he answered that the young man would be of great benefit to the Teachings. Ling Rinpoche, like the Goddess Yudoma, further stated that Norbu was special and that he should be left to develop his unique capacities on his own.

Under the guidance of the 99th Ganden Throne Holder Yeshi Dondup Rinpoche, Norbu received his novitiate vows into monkhood. He was given the name of Lobsang Yeshi Jampal Gyatso. The Ganden Tripa, who was then the Sharpa Choje (Lord of the East) said to Rinpoche that he would bring spiritual and temporal benefit to others. Lobsang Yeshi engaged in the study and debate curriculum and for 12 years received teachings and oral instructions from great masters such as Their Holinesses Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche and the venerable Geshe Lobsang Tendar.

For various reasons and circumstances, Lobsang Yeshi was not officially recognised as a reincarnation of Kundeling. He was, however, offered the title of ‘Datsang Tulku’ by the authorities of the Gomang College. Asked in 1997 about whether he would personally give the title of the 13th Kundeling Rinpoche to Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche, the oracle of the Protector Dorje Shugden, Vinaya Dhara Dharma Raja, replied with the following verse:

HRI
From within the embodiment of the sphere of all-pervasive Great Bliss (*1)
Appears the dance of the various forms of Nirmanakaya As body, speech and mind emanations (*2), like magical apparitions.
It is true that this manifestation (*3) is one of these, Since the emanations work for the Teachings and beings, as deeds are important.
So, even if I were to offer the name of the person mentioned, I don’t necessarily feel that benefit to the Teachings and beings will increase. (*4)
The respected Ralo and Galo (*5) had clearly perceived this and therefore did not consider the issue to be of any significance (*6)
For continuing to uphold ‘listening, contemplating and meditating’ as was their wish.
Today, I also, basing myself on their policy, abide by it,
Since benefit in the work for the Teachings and for beings would not necessarily increase.
Although not offering the name, however, through the six periods and even through moments,
As my responsibility for the service of ‘activities’, without wavering,
I offer the request that the ‘deeds’ for the Teachings and Beings continue.

Note:

(*1) Heruka
(*2) There can be separate (*3) emanations or one form containing two or all three emanations.
(*4) The reference is to Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche
(*5) Two renowned Tibetan lineage masters of the 12″‘ century
(*6) Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, emanations of Ralo and Galo, both recognized in Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche the emanation of the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche but did not think that the title should be offered at that time.

The great Dharmapala, in humility, merely stated the lack of ulterior benefit to the Teachings and beings if he were to personally offer the title of Kundeling as requested by others. By referring to the neutral stand of Kyabje Ling and Kyabje Zong Rinpoches and preferring to abide by it, the Dharmapala thus was subtly speaking about the controversy involved if he himself were to come onto the scene of recognition. The Dharmapala never the less referred clearly to the pure origin of Rinpoche, requesting him to continue benefiting the Teachings and beings.

There have been numerous cases of authentic incarnations never being recognized, while others have assumed titles different from those of their predecessors. His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, was a true emanation of the famous master Changkya Rolpai Dorje. However, someone else was officially given the title. Such controversies often result from the political and bureaucratic intrigues within Tibetan society. The recognition of a reincarnation is not the exclusive prerogative of a particular authority, person or oracle. Reincarnations come for sentient beings – they do not need a ‘green light’ or official stamp to go about their jobs. True reincarnations are recognized by their contribution towards Dharma and the benefit towards sentient beings.

Lobsang Yeshi continued his training and even served in administrative capacities in Gomang College. Despite his difficult conditions, during his stay in the monastery Rinpoche made many offerings to the College of Gomang, and in 1993, before leaving, he offered 1000 robes to Gomang and to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s household. He also sponsored many teachings and initiations in Drepung and particularly in Ganden.

At around 1982 an unfortunate incident took place, when the disciplinarian of the monastic college beat him up on false charges. Many monks were upset, and His Holiness Gangchen Rinpoche, who visited Kyabje Zong Rinpoche at that time, remembers that he was visibly upset and that he said to Gangchen Rinpoche that “the Kundeling Lama has been unjustly beaten for no fault of his own”.

Zong Rinpoche was engaged in the rites of the White Umbrella Goddess, one of his last acts two months before passing away. He abruptly stopped the ceremony and started speaking at length about the false and corrupt functioning and injustice of those in power. Recalling incidences of great Gelugpa Lamas like H.H. Reting Rinpoche and finally H.H. Pabongka Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche remarked “It seems that people are bent on even harming the very descendants of the lineage of Pabongka.”

Zong Rinpoche perceived this incidence as a portent of future harm coming to Pabongka’s lineage: such were the deep feelings that Zong Rinpoche had for Rinpoche. Because of this scandal, the Dalai Lama himself stopped the tradition of appointing the disciplinarians of various monastic colleges. The circumstances, however, turned to the benefit of Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche.

The Venerable Lama Zopa Rinpoche was convinced that Lama Lobsang Yeshi had practiced ‘exchanging self for others’. Seeing his spiritual qualities, he requested him to teach in Bodhgaya.

From 1984 onwards, Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche reached out to more and more Indian and Western people, teaching in the open-air near the great Stupa at Bodhgaya. There he gave Refuge to 100 Indians (it is one of his great wishes to make Dharma strong in the country of its origins).

After the Dalai Lama performed the Kalachakra Initiation in Bodhgaya in 1985, because of the mishandling by some of his close associates, the local Indians turned antagonistically against him and rallied together, shouting slogans. The Temple of Kalachakra was ransacked. On his own initiative, Rinpoche went to the Indians and succeeded in pacifying them and restoring their respectful behavior towards the Dalai Lama.

In Bombay and in Karnataka State he also gave Refuge to hundreds more Indians, and worked tirelessly to help the wishes of the Dalai Lama. In 1992, on an historic occasion, he arranged for Indians to meet the Dalai Lama on the outskirts of Mundgod, translating the Dalai Lama’s words into fluent Hindi.

Later in 1994 there was another incident of unrest in Mundgod. Local Indians had set out to ransack the settlement and beat up Tibetans. Had it not been for the intervention of Rinpoche, a riot would definitely have occurred. He supplicated Dorje Shugden on many occasions to help the work of others, such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and was instrumental in the founding of the Prajna Vihara School for Indians in Bodh Gaya. In a Naxalite area near Rajgir, he laid the first stone for the Ambedkar School and Library. Rinpoche also gave Tara initiation to Indians in 1993 in Bodhgaya.

He felt very strongly that Tibetans were too closed in their communities, and needed to repay the kindness of their host country, thereby creating more goodwill towards Tibetans. He tried to convince the Monastic authorities to take part in activities involving the lay communities near the monasteries, and persuaded the Supreme Abbot of Drepung, Khensur Tempa Tenzing Rinpoche, to give the blessing at a mass Hindu marriage ceremony on Ambedkar day in Mundgod, the nearest town to the great monastic seats of Drepung and Ganden.

H.H. Gangchen Rinpoche says: “To my knowledge, no single Lama has taken such direct initiatives towards the spiritual and material concerns of the Indians. He is the first Lama to give Refuge and Precepts and spiritual instructions in the Hindi language to Indians.”

In Drepung monastery, Rinpoche met an eccentric old Tibetan nun, thought by many people to be crazy, who often walked many miles in the settlement, visiting lamas and circumambulating the main prayer halls. She often visited Rinpoche in his Gomang house, making him tiny offerings from the bundles she carried on her back, and singing praises and sometimes even dancing. It was during this period that Rinpoche became attracted to the practices of Heruka and Vajrayogini. After the death of Zong Rinpoche she disappeared, to where no one knows.

In Bodhgaya, too, there was another strange lady, dressed in many draped cloths, who was always to be found near the main Stupa. Often her talk was incomprehensible, but when Rinpoche taught, she would instruct the students very severely to pay great attention to his words and to behave with much respect towards him. She referred to him clearly as an emanation of the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche and made many auspicious predictions for his future. Although sometimes behaving playfully with them, Rinpoche was drawn to these two ‘Dakinis’ and took their presence and their words seriously.

With his unique background and qualities of compassion, communication and openness (and of course his fluent grasp of the English language) it became clear that Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche had great capacity as a teacher. The supreme head of Gomang, Khensur Tenpa Tenzing, and the late Mongolian master Khensur Ngawang Nyima, requested him to visit the United States of America.

In 1991 he traveled throughout the northeastern states, benefiting many people there. In the same year he made his first visit to the European countries of Holland, Germany and Italy, where in the succeeding years he founded the Atisha Serlingpa Centre in Sicily and the Atisha Kirti Danza Group in Holland.

Wherever he went in these countries, Rinpoche immediately established contact with the people, showing a lively interest towards the culture and the traditions of the lands, and the particular problems of those who lived there. He encouraged interfaith dialogues, preaching on the Bible in a Catholic Church in Holland, and participating in open discussion with a Catholic priest in Sicily.

Apart from extensive Guru Yoga and Lam Rim teachings, Rinpoche taught healing practices for beings and the environment, gave blessings to animals and to the land, and gave long life and tantric practice empowerments. Many people followed the advice that Rinpoche gave them for their own lives and received benefits, and everywhere a particular energy surrounded his presence.

His method of teaching provoked and stimulated an immediate response in all those who followed his teachings. In Sicily, the auspicious signs of his blessings have characterized Rinpoche’s visits. At the news of his impending first visit, a huge and complete rainbow filled the cloudless sky. During the consecration of the place to Dharma, in broad daylight Rinpoche himself noticed a light ‘star’ high in the sky which passed directly over the Centre.

When a three months long drought threatened the crops, Rinpoche supplicated the Dharmapala Dorje Shugden to bring relief, and after only a few hours, in the middle of Guru Yoga teachings, thunder and lightning filled the air, and to the amazement of all the students, heavy rain fell.

On several occasions, fire, an annual summer hazard on the island, has threatened the beautiful land on which the Atisha Serlingpa Centre lies. But each time the efforts of the fire fighters seem to have been helped, and the fires miraculously turn in another direction. Water has increased from the natural springs on the land, and the harvest of olives is always bountiful, even when the whole area around produces little. Even the dogs seem to live more harmoniously together since they received the blessings of Rinpoche!

In order to further accomplish his objectives, Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche moved to the city of Bangalore in South India and with the untiring help of a Dutch nun, Ani Lobsang Phagma, founded The Atisha Charitable Trust in 1994. In Drepung monastery, the Oracle of the Dharmapala Dorje Shugden had foreseen a flourishing of the Teachings and wellbeing to sentient beings, coming from a move to Bangalore, and in time this benefit would come also to the Indians.

Inspired by the life of the 10th century Indian scholar and teacher, Atisha Dipamkara Shri Gyana, the Trust’s purpose is to carry out social and spiritual activities for the benefit of others. Under the ‘umbrella’ organization, various units have been formed, including in particular The Atisha Monastic Community, The Atisha Mahayana Buddhist Centres and The Atisha Schools Project.

In the small monastic community, monks are trained in the Mahayana Vajrayana philosophy as well as in modern technical skills, English Language and general knowledge and behavior. The objective is to actively integrate specially trained monks into the social mainstream where they can use their skills in social development works and projects to aid the poor and underprivileged.

The Atisha Schools Project has founded two kindergarten schools, one primary school and a ladies’ Tailoring School and Workshop, all in Indian villages near the large Tibetan settlements in Karnataka. The Trust also tries to find sponsors for the educational and health necessities of poor Indian and Tibetan children and for needy and elderly monks.

Every year, at its headquarters in Bangalore, the Trust organizes a month-long residential course in Mahayana Vajrayana practice, attended by students of Rinpoche from all over the world, and a Thangka master comes each year also to teach the techniques of this important Tibetan Buddhist art form. While emphasizing the importance of precision and detail in the practice and ritual of Vajrayana, Rinpoche also encourages his monastic and lay students to study Indian culture and art forms, and their relationship to early Buddhist Tantras.

And not forgetting the younger generation of monks in the great monastic seats, Rinpoche sponsored commentaries there, by Ven. Geshe Lobsang Tendar Rinpoche on Thirteen Deity Yamantaka, Heruka Body Mandala (the first time in 33 years) and Vajrayogini (using three famous commentary texts whose lineage had almost died out). It was the first (and last) opportunity most of the monks would have to follow the inspiration of these rare teachings.

Meanwhile, another candidate was recognized by the Dalai Lama and enthroned on January 13th 1995 (Rinpoche’s birthday!) in Drepung Monastery. In what H.H. Gangchen Rinpoche refers to as “truly the sign of humility and selflessness, qualities of a Holy Being”, Lobsang Yeshi Rinpoche went straight to pay his respects to the young incarnation. But many still considered him to be a true emanation of the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche.

The Yogi Geshe Nyima, consulted on more than one occasion by students, declared Rinpoche to be the emanation not only of the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche, but also of Kyabje Khangsar Dorje Chang (an erudite and saintly scholar, who had in his turn been a candidate for the title of 12th Kundeling). It was not, however, until Lobsang Yeshe Rinpoche felt convinced that the title could be of some purpose and benefit, that he accepted to use it. In December 1997, on the advice of H.H.Serkong Tritul Rinpoche, H.H. Gangchen Rinpoche and others, he accepted the title.

H.H. Gangchen Rinpoche, in his recognition letter, says: “As confirmed by the Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden himself, I wish to proclaim and state that Lama Lobsang Yeshi is the ‘Speech Manifestation’ of the 12th Kundeling Rinpoche, Lobsang Thupten Jigme Gyaltsen. I therefore proclaim him to be His Holiness the 13th Kundeling Tagtsha Jetung Thongshan Ho Thuktu, Lobsang Yeshi Jampel Gyatso, from today…….. It will be interesting to reveal further that the Holy Lama was born on 13th January, brought up in an area called Calcutta 13, in a house also numbered 13. The Kundeling recognised by the Dalai Lama was also enthroned on January 13th. The Lama Lobsang Yeshi is also now himself the 13th Kundeling. These facts are incredibly interesting. (Editor’s note: the number 13 is generally considered to be an auspicious number within the divination text of Palden Lhamo and there are many stories referring to the special protection by Palden Lhamo towards various Kundeling Rinpoches.) I am therefore praying sincerely for his long life and his success in all his holy activities. I further hope that he will fulfil the spiritual and temporal needs of all beings, especially in connection with India. In doing this, I believe that I have fulfilled an important task today towards the Dharma”.

In 1997, for the first time, H.H. Kundeling Rinpoche was invited to teach in the Far East. He visited Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore and again returned in 1998, giving numerous teachings and empowerments to ever-increasing groups of students.

In Singapore, Kundeling Rinpoche gave the first ever empowerments of Yamantaka and Vajrayogini tantras. More and more students attended, struck by his very open and provocative style. No other Lama they had seen had been so direct in his approach. In the difficult times in Indonesia, through Rinpoche’s advice to rely on the Dharmapala Dorje Shugden, one young Chinese businessman sailed through the monetary and social upheavals, not only paying off his debts and coming out unscathed from the attacks on his fellow countrymen, but actually making successful progress.

In 1997, Kundeling Rinpoche received two important honorary awards, that of a Fellowship in Polipathy for Social Services and the propagation of the Buddhist Arts of Healing, presented in Delhi, and a Doctorate in Philosophy, presented in Sri Lanka by the Open International University of Colombo.

Rinpoche’s first visits to the Far East were a direct result of the difficulties he faced after the ban by the Dalai Lama on the practice of the Protector Dorje Shugden, issued in 1996. Faithful to his own Gurus’ instructions and determined to do what he could to protect the lineage of Tsongkhapa’s Teachings, Rinpoche was in the forefront in the peaceful resistance to what was shown to be a completely unwarranted attack on a pure religious practice.

Thrown into intense confusion by the consequences of the ban and suffering all kinds of oppressive actions by the more fanatical elements in Tibetan society, both monks and lay people from all over the world turned to Kundeling Rinpoche for advice, hope and sustenance. Untiringly, facing all manner of threats, abuse and libel with a cheerful face, he worked day and night to help all those in difficulty, giving them courage to fight for their religious and human rights. On several occasions he had to flee for his life, and many times was given police protection, but, like the peacock living on poison, he seemed to thrive on the difficulties, and selflessly dedicated himself once again to others.

Every year, H.H. 13th Kundeling Rinpoche’s engagements increase, but he unhesitatingly turns his attention wherever he can be of benefit to sentient beings. His teachings are thorough, rigorous, provocative and interspersed with details, experiences and stories to inspire the listeners to actively practice Dharma. But it is more than anything the personal example of his humility, cheerfulness and equanimity, his tireless dedication to the needs of others, which inspire the devotion of his students. May he live long and continue his holy deeds in all the ten directions.

The young incarnation of H.E. Zemey Rinpoche, with H.E. Yongyal Rinpoche

In the history of the Gelugpa lineage, no one doubts that Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is one of the most attained and knowledgeable masters and yet Trijang Rinpoche himself stated that there is another who was his equal in all aspects of attainments. That person is none other than one of Trijang Rinpoche’s own student, the erudite Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche.

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

Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche – a biography
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/kyabje-zemey-rinpoche/

Zemey Rinpoche’s incarnation receives DS initiation
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/zemey-rinpoches-incarnation-receives-ds-initiation-2/

Zemey Rinpoche’s ladrang and stupa
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/zemey-rinpoches-stupa-and-ladrang/

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the incomparable master, His Eminence Zemey Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

The Incomparable Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche

There is hardly anyone within the Tibetan Buddhist world who is not familiar with H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (1900–1981) – not only one of the most erudite scholars of the century but also the junior tutor and spiritual guide to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. So accomplished was Trijang Rinpoche that his name is synonymous with the highest attainments in Vajrayana Buddhism and indeed, few masters can compare to him.

Yet Trijang Rinpoche himself has highlighted one particular lama who he considered as equal to him in knowledge and attainments, and who held all the same lineages, transmissions and practices as Trijang Rinpoche. That person is none other than one of Trijang Rinpoche’s two closest heart disciples, H.E. Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche (the other being the illustrious H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche). Given how highly revered and attained Trijang Rinpoche is, this endorsement of Zemey Rinpoche carries especially tremendous weight.

Zemey Rinpoche is the incarnation of a very renowned and high-ranking line of tulkus from Yangding, Kham in Tibet. His accomplishments drew the devotion of many disciples throughout Ganden Monastery and also the attention from the top echelons of the spiritual and political hierarchy of Tibet, including H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. Zemey Rinpoche was one out of hundreds of tulkus and thousands of monks selected to accompany the Dalai Lama on his visit to China in the 1950s to meet with Mao Zedong and Zhou En Lai.

This visit to China by the Dalai Lama was an extremely important one. It was conducted at a perilous time when China’s subtle but definite incursion into Tibet meant that the Dalai Lama needed the highest caliber and most trusted of Tibetans to assist and provide advice to him. The other illustrious figures within the Dalai Lama’s entourage during this trip were his two tutors, Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche, the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama’s mother. From this time onwards and throughout the 1950s, Zemey Rinpoche developed an increasingly close relationship with the Dalai Lama.

H.H. Ganden Trisur Rinpoche, Zemey Rinpoche and Geshe Tendar

The Dalai Lama’s trust in Zemey Rinpoche was again evidenced when he was asked to be a part of the group that accompanied the Dalai Lama in His Holiness’s escape from Tibet. Once out of danger, Zemey Rinpoche was quick to preserve the Ganden lineage and was a key figure in the re-establishment of the great institution of Ganden Shartse Monastery in South India. Zemey Rinpoche was also personally involved in the setting up of the teaching syllabus of the Buddhist monastic university and wrote extensively on various subject matters.

Being a highly respected lineage holder of the Gelugpas, Zemey Rinpoche was also a highly accomplished practitioner of Dorje Shugden. In fact, it was Zemey Rinpoche who wrote the now infamous Yellow Book, a manuscript of teachings from Trijang Rinpoche that tells of how Dorje Shugden preserves the purity of the Dharma according to the Gelug tradition. This book was in fact a compilation of notes that Zemey Rinpoche had made whilst receiving teachings from Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang.

The young incarnation of
Zemey Rinpoche

Taken out of context, the Yellow Book came to be seen as highly controversial and was viewed by some as promoting sectarianism within Tibetan Buddhism. Others, however, see the book as being complicit with the Dalai Lama’s secret and ultimate purpose of spreading Dorje Shugden’s practice to a world that badly needs it now. By creating a great controversy, Zemey Rinpoche (and the Dalai Lama) effectively brought Dorje Shugden to a much wider, bigger audience throughout the world. He is, after all, the most talked about Buddhist deity today.

However, because Zemey Rinpoche provoked the ire of the Dalai Lama with the Yellow Book, he was quickly accused of being sectarian and was soon ousted from the Dalai Lama’s close circle. Zemey Rinpoche was no longer allowed to participate in any of the Dalai Lama’s teachings and activities. Nevertheless, Zemey Rinpoche displayed his inherent nature as a true Dharma master by always being present at the periphery (not being allowed to pass through the Dalai Lama’s guards) whenever the Dalai Lama was in the monastery giving teachings. As many hours as the Dalai Lama was present, Zemey Rinpoche would perform prostrations outside the building to ask the Dalai Lama for forgiveness. Such was the humility and high realizations of Zemey Rinpoche, one of the greatest Gelugpa lamas to have lived.

The entourage that accompanied the Dalai Lama to Beijing. Zemey Rinpoche is standing in the third row from the front, in red

Though the last years of his life were spent ostracized by the Tibetan community and in isolated retreat, Zemey Rinpoche’s impact on the Ganden tradition cannot be forgotten. Many of the greatest, influential practitioners of the world today were his students, including high lamas like H.E. Dagom Rinpoche and even the Dalai Lama’s translator, Thubten Jinpa.

Continuing his legacy in the world today, Zemey Rinpoche has returned among us. His unmistaken incarnation has been recognised by high lamas across Tibet, Nepal and India. We wish that Zemey Rinpoche will always remain with us, live for thousands of years across countless lifetimes and never stop turning the wheel of Dharma.

Known the world over for his incredible work on peace and healing, H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche is also very famous for his stalwart, unwavering practice and promotion of Dorje Shugden’s precious practice. Unfortunately, he has been on the receiving end of much opposition and animosity in recent decades from people who are against the practice of Dorje Shugden. However, this has not stopped him in the slightest from continuing to make Dharma flourish in the world. In fact, the Lama Gangchen Peace Times organization and his student following only continues to increase globally, while Gangchen Rinpoche himself is strongly recognized by international bodies such as the United Nations and prominent figures around the world.

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

Lama Gangchen Rinpoche NgalSo Self Healing Chanting
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/lama-gangchen-rinpoche-ngalso-self-healing-chanting/

His Eminence Gangchen Tulku Rinpoche visiting his Monastery and other sites in Tibet
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/documentaries/his-eminence-gangchen-tulku-rinpoche-visiting-his-monastery-and-other-sites-in-tibet/

His Eminence Gangchen Rinpoche
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/his-eminence-gangchen-rinpoche/

Lama Gangchen Rinpoche – World Peace
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/lama-gangchen-rinpoche-world-peace/

Lama Gangchen Rinpoche Chenrezig Self Healing Chanting
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/lama-gangchen-rinpoche-chenrezig-self-healing-chanting/

Albagnano Healing Meditation Center (Gangchen Rinpoche’s center in Italy)
http://www.lgpt.net/lama_albagnano.htm

Lama Gangchen Peace Times
http://www.lgpt.net/

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the incomparable master, His Eminence Gangchen Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

Biography

H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche comes from a long incarnation lineage of highly accomplished practitioners, originating from the Mahasiddha Darikapa, one of the 84 famous Mahasiddhas. In Gangchen Rinpoche’s previous lives he was also the abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and for many incarnations, has had a tremendously close, affectionate and deep relationship with the line of Panchen Lamas, which continues to this day. In fact, Gangchen Rinpoche’s personal monastery in Tibet today is in Shigatse, very near the Panchen Lama’s own Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

When Gangchen Rinpoche visited his personal monastery and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet, tens of thousands of people came to receive blessings from him. It took three full days for Gangchen Rinpoche just to place his hands on the heads of every single blessing seeker.

Gangchen Rinpoche is well known for being a master of the Kalachakra tantra and for his closeness to the mystical land of Shambhala. Gangchen Rinpoche has taken rebirth, and resided and presided in Shambhala many times. In this current incarnation too, Gangchen Rinpoche is able to travel to Shambhala with his mind as easily as it is for us to book a ticket to any destination in the world. Gangchen Rinpoche is also famous for being very close to various enlightened female energies called dakinis who often speak to him, sing tantric songs of emptiness to him and also offer certain teachings.

Not only is Gangchen Rinpoche a master of the Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, Heruka and Vajrayogini tantras, but he has also fully accomplished the Medicine Buddha practice so that he has become one with the Medicine Buddha. Gangchen Rinpoche creates blessing pills and blessed water that are world-famous for healing the most stubborn of problems, afflictions and diseases. Many people who have had cancer have been healed by Gangchen Rinpoche, combining his blessed methods with the use of traditional western medicine. In the Tibetan tradition, it is believed that to see, feel and visualize Gangchen Rinpoche or to be in his presence is equal to being in the presence of Medicine Buddha himself. Gangchen Rinpoche is recognized the world over for his incredible healing abilities and, from time to time, for the show of open, Mahasiddha, miraculous powers.

Gangchen Rinpoche has a huge and lovely residence in Nepal, which was built upon a land that was dry and without any water source. Upon arriving on the site, Gangchen Rinpoche urinated on a spot upon this land and within a few days, from that very source, spring water sprung forth. To this day, many are still enjoying clean, clear, unlimited water from the place that Gangchen Rinpoche had blessed.

Wherever he travels, people often see rainbows or double rainbows appearing over his residence – a very auspicious sign to announce the arrival of a great being and to show that the nature and land gods are very pleased that he is there.

In fact, Gangchen Rinpoche is very much known for his extensive work to heal the environment and bring positivity to the planet, encompassing all beings and nature. He has travelled all over the world crossing Asia, Indonesia, Eastern and Western Europe, South America and North America, planting peaceful naga wealth-increasing vases in the land, in the forests, under the ground and in the oceans. These are to appease a set of beings called nagas who could create potentially catastrophic dangers throughout our planet. On his own volition, Gangchen Rinpoche created these naga vases and planted them all around the world to appease these beings in order to bring about world peace. In one year, on his mission of peace, he travelled to 22 countries to do this.

The warmth, the kindness and the many years that H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche has contributed to the growth of Buddhadharma all over the world is attested by his hundreds of students who have been touched by his compassion and deep sense of responsibility to the environment and its denizens.

Today, Gangchen Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of the international Lama Gangchen Peace Times organization which does wonderful work to promote peace through diverse means around the world, affecting millions of beings everywhere.

A young Gangchen Rinpoche (right) with his Guru H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

Gangchen Rinpoche with the incarnation of his teacher, Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, who he also enjoys a very close relationship with in this lifetime

Gangchen Rinpoche with his closest disciple, Lama Michel, also recognized as a reincarnated lama from a very young age

Gangchen Rinpoche recites prayers everywhere he goes, especially for the peace of the environment

Gangchen Rinpoche is famous for his powerful pilgrimages and prayers at Borobudur, Indonesia. He is said to have built this sacred site in one of his previous lives

Lama Gangchen Rinpoche has been highly respected within the United Nations and enjoyed close relations with former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Gangchen Rinpoche is a great proponent of inter-faith harmony. Here he is with the late Pope John Paul II

Gangchen Rinpoche is often invited to special events by many Buddhist practitioners of other traditions

Promoting inter-tradition and inter-cultural harmony between Buddhists

Joining in the religious ceremonies and gatherings of other religions, to promote world peace and understanding

Gangchen Rinpoche also enjoys a close relationship with Chinese leaders and has been very successful in bringing Dharma back to the people of Tibet and China

Gangchen Rinpoche is loved the world over for his gentle, jovial nature

Having enjoyed a close relationship with the Panchen Lamas for many incarnations, Gangchen Rinpoche was also known for his strong friendship with the previous 10th Panchen Lama

Doing prayers and rites to bless the environment

We all know about many illustrious and high lamas who fled Tibet during the Cultural Revolution and continued to uphold the teachings while living in foreign lands. Little is heard of lamas who have survived the Cultural Revolution and on top of that studied, practiced and are spreading the sacred Dharma to thousands within the holy Land of Snows (Tibet). One such lama is Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche who is instrumental in bringing the nectar of Dharma to the people of his homeland. His courage and tireless efforts in serving the Buddha Dharma overcame all obstacles which has made him one of the most influential lamas of today!

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

Zemey Rinpoche’s Incarnation Receives DS initiation
dorjeshugden.com/?p=23555

Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche
dorjeshugden.com/?p=376

All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the great Lama Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.

Biography

Following the great master Je Tsongkhapa, Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche came from humble beginnings and faced countless hardships during the Cultural Revolution before he could fully dedicate his time and life towards the study and propagation of Dharma.

At the end of the Cultural Revolution, Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche took up the position as a teacher in a primary school in the Bangdak region of Tibet. Secretly he took his vows from the great Yogi Jampa Genga (向巴更嘎大瑜伽师). It was under this illustrious master that he received many teachings of both Sutra and Tantra.

At that time there was the Khenpo (abbot) of Yuan Ke Su Monastery(原克苏寺) in Markam, Chamdo who is the disciple of Rinchen Gonpo Rinpoche. This old Khenpo had a book of tantra entitled “The Oral transmission of Great Bliss” which he risked his life to keep and protect during the Cultural Revolution. Books and Sadhanas were a rarity at that time, Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche requested the old Khenpo for a Sadhana which he could practice with. Khenpo Rinchen told Ngodup Rinpoche that he would transmit a set of teachings to him with the condition that he perpetuate the lineage by spreading it far and wide. Ngodup Rinpoche received this set of teachings with the promise to spread them far and wide.

Ngodup Rinpoche achieved renunciation through working for the welfare of those suffering from the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution and practiced diligently according to his guru’s instructions. Not long after, the abbot of the monastery Rinchen Genga Rinpoche passed into clear light. Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche then went to the great monastery of Sera to continue his studies under the tutelage of his master, Rinchen Gonpo Rinpoche.

One night, Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche had a dream. His teacher Rinchen Gonpo asked if he could memorize the entire Lamrim teachings. Ngodup Rinpoche answered in affirmation. The next day when he requested the oral transmission on the Lamrim Chenmo, his teacher told him that if Ngodup Rinpoche could transmit the entire Lamrim Chenmo for 3 to 5 times in his life, his teacher will pass on the lineage. Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche answered that he will transmit the teachings if he understood the meaning. On the day of transmission of the Lamrim, his teacher advised him that he would need to familiarize himself with the Vipassana teachings by Arya Nagarjuna from the Lamrim texts before he could transmit the teachings. Bearing this instruction in mind, Jampa Ngodup always starts his Lamrim discourse with the Vipassana teachings of Nagarjuna.

When he expounded the teachings on the Lamrim Chungba, his teacher instructed Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche to extract the teachings by Chandrakirti and take them to heart. This would ensure that the essence of the teachings would be transmitted. Ngodup Rinpoche took this to heart and before every discourse, Rinpoche and his teacher would discuss in detail the finer points of the teachings. This ensured that the Lamrim teachings and the “Oral transmission of Great Bliss” were simultaneously transmitted. When the discourses on the Lamrim were completed, his teacher Rinchen Gonpo told Ngodup Rinpoche: “You have fulfilled your promise of expounding the Lamrim but all that I have taught you, has it become deep like the imprints on a carved rock or the imprints in sand?” Jampa Ngodup replied immediately: “Deep as the imprints on a carved rock.”

With the blessings of the Guru and the Three Jewels coupled with Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche’s wish to benefit others, the “Oral Transmission of Great Bliss” has been made the main text of learning in the Norbuling Buddhist institute.

On many occasions, Lama Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche has since been giving teachings on the Lamrim to huge crowds on the high plateaus of Tibet. He is one of the many living masters who are fearlessly spreading the teachings of Dorje Shugden and giving initiations to thousands of both the ordained and laity.

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In the face of the ban on Dorje Shugden’s practice, which had affected many Buddhist practitioners in exiled Tibetan communities and around the world, Lama Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche continues to spread the practice of Dorje Shugden far and wide within the Land of Snows and was recently the first Tibetan lama sent by the government of China to teach abroad.

We at DorjeShugden.com celebrate Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche for all his compassionate works of raining down Dharma teachings to the masses in the Land of Snows. May Rinpoche be constantly in good health to be able to continue his works of spreading the holy Dharma. Through his guidance and efforts to propagate the Dharma, may more enlightened masters arise within and without Tibet in order to bring benefit to more people.

Lama Jampa Ngodup Rinpoche giving blessings after the initiation ceremony