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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sangha of Ganden Chang Chub Choling

Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin

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

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

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

Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

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

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

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

Gen Lobsang Tashi

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

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

Carrying on the Lineage

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

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

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

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

Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Gaden Chang Chub Choling

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

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

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

Zawa Tulku Rinpoche can be seen participating in the festivities of the Canadian branch of the North American Gelug Buddhist. Association.

The Torgya ritual is a Dorje Shugden puja usually performed just before the coming of the Tibetan New Year. Its function is not just limited to preventing negative energies and driving off energies of such a nature. The purpose of this puja also encompasses bringing about auspiciousness, prosperity, prevention of disasters and even to a certain extent, stopping the outbreak of conflicts in the form of war.

Attended by all the eminent and key lamas, including the tulkus and Geshes (or PhD holders), the crème of the crop of Shar Ganden monastery is assembled for this special puja. In addition to the monastic community, the event is attended by Tibetans from the surrounding area, as well as Indians and visitors from Mongolia, Singapore and the region.

While some lay people view the ritual merely as a festival, it is actually very potent due to the gathering of the best spiritual minds who are involved and the purity of the motivations behind the puja. World peace has a real opportunity to grow in people’s hearts and minds, especially when many spiritual beings with such pure motivations engage in the Torgya.

Torgya offerings and tormas

Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche, as seen here in this video, is a constant and powerful supporter of Shar Ganden Monastery. He is based in Canada and travels to North America often, providing inspiration and support for spiritual practitioners in that region. Through his support, the Ganden lineage is preserved while he and other lamas based in the Americas carry on turning the wheel of Dharma.

The Abbot of Shar Ganden with Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

Another central figure in this video is the current abbot of Shar Ganden, Geshe Lharampa Lobsang Pendey, who holds tremendous responsibility in ensuring the proper administration of the monastery, the growth of Dharma activities, and the continued propagation of Lama Tsongkapa’s tradition.

Gaden Relief’s Mongolia Project helped in the reconstruction of the Delgeruun Choira* Monastery in the “Gobi” or desert province of Dundgovi in southern Mongolia.

Delgeruun Choira is the traditional seat of Zava Damdin Rinpoche, a lineage of lamas whose stature was almost as great as the Bodg Khans of Mongolia. The previous incarnation was a famed scholar, yogi, healer and mahasiddha who wrote 16 volumes on commentaries to Buddhist Sutras and Tantras and many ritual texts also.

Before the Stalinist Red Terror gripped Mongolia in an iron fist, there were 900 monks studying with this Rinpoche at Delgeruun. The monastery was a famous place of logic, debate and meditation. It was a veritable spiritual heart of this desert province; the center of village life for a population whose faith and devotion more than made up for its simplicity and challenging desert life-style.

The Gobi’s landscape of unique ecosystems and local shamanic power places frames the site of Delgeruun and still awes today’s visitors. Under Communist rule, the monastery was completely destroyed in 1939.

Gaden Relief’s spiritual director, Zasep Rinpoche, and the current Zava Damdin Rinpoche made the long journey to Delgeruun Choira in the summer of 2004. These two lamas share a special, close connection – both have an interest in making the Buddhadharma flourish in Mongolia and both would like to see the restoration of this famed, albeit modest, monastery in the Gobi province.

The purpose of the visit was to see the beginning phases of reconstruction. The local villagers and nomadic people are very excited about the prospect of once more having their sacred place of prayer and pilgrimage.

Zasep Rinpoche met locals who remember, at the height of the Stalinist purges, Communist forces sweeping into the Gobi and looting the temple’s precious artifacts and destroying the complex. Delgeruun’s hundreds of monks were rounded up, arrested and “disappeared” – never to be seen alive again.

The night after this tragedy, locals risked everything to creep back to the ruins to salvage what they could for posterity. They were able to collect a small amount of temple items and personal effects of the previous Zava Damdin Rinpoche, who had died a few years earlier. These they carefully preserved in large cooking pots that they buried in the sand of a nearby cave.

When the newly recognized and enthroned Zava Damdin Rinpoche made his first visit to Delgeruun Choira monastery a few years ago, weeping villagers and nomads joyously presented him with these priceless antiques as a welcoming gift – their precious lama had finally returned home!

With these kinds of stories flowing from local people’s lips, it’s easy to see why the lamas want to restore Delgeruun to its former glory as an active center of Buddhist wisdom, arts, counseling and healing in this region.

Some of the foundational construction has recently been accomplished. At present, the interior of the building is painted and re-furbished. Zava Damdin Rinpoche ordered, from Beijing, some beautiful traditional Manchu tiles that now proudly make up the roof.

It is Zava Rinpoche’s dream to make Delgeruun a modern facility with sanitary conveniences for both the monastic community as well as the sojourning visitors. There are plans for proper plumbing and electricity, showers, toilets, solar panels and a collection of gers or yurts serving for quarters.

Gaden Relief’s Mongolia Project is looking to raise approximately $10,000-12,000 U.S. to cover these costs by the summer of 2005 so the construction can continue in the good weather before its evitable halt during the Gobi’s notorious winter. Further details and information regarding the funding needs as well as the progress on the temple will be updated on our website as it becomes available.

Please give – this project is one that will not only add to the flowering of Buddhism in Mongolia but it will also be a gift to the local Gobi community giving them back that spiritual dimension to their community that they’ve missed for so long.

For an update on the reconstruction work at Delgeruun Choira, please visit our Rebuilding Delgeruun Choira Temple page.

The summer of 2004 marked the completion of Mongolia Project’s Amarbayasgalant Well Project. This project was both swift and inspiring. Zasep Rinpoche found that the health of the sangha (community of monks) there improved almost immediately with its installation and that the monks are planning further infrastructure work around it, such as the construction of a heated hut to keep the pipes warm as well as showers and a new kitchen. See the report and pictures of Amarbayasgalant’s well.

For more information about Gaden Relief’s Mongolia Project, please visit our Mongolia Project page or contact project coordinator Matthew Richards.

*Previously transliterated as “Delgertsog Choir”. The current spelling is derived directly from the Mongolian literation.

Related reading:

• Amarbayasgalant Monastery – One of the monasteries in Mongolia whereby Dorje Shugden is propitiated.
• Zasep Rinpoche – A highly realized master whose teachers were the peerless Kyabjye Trijang Dorje Chang and Zong Rinpoche.
• Lobsang Tamdin – Mongolian adept who is as eminent as the Bogd Khans.

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

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

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

From Zawa Tulku Rinpoche (on Facebook):

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

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

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

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

This interview of Ven. Geshe Jampa Losel was posted on Shar Gaden’s Facebook.

Geshe Jampa Losel was present at the launching of North American Gelug Buddhist Association (NAGBA) in 2011 together with Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche. His picture can be found here.

NAGBA was specifically founded to preserve the Gelug teachings with Dorje Shugden as their principal Dharma Protector. In North America, their rights to the freedom of practice are protected and cannot be disturbed by anyone. Democratic governments would never impose a ban on any religion/practice/worship. For more about NAGBA click here.

Shugden Strikes Back!

Welcome to Serpom Monastery!

There are some moments in history that the world looks back on with a sense of awe, and Serpom Monastery’s grand opening is set to become one of them.

This auspicious occasion was more than any other monastery opening. It was an inspirational reminder that despite the dark and difficult times for Shugden practitioners, there are still people with deep faith who will follow in Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen’s footsteps to open new monasteries and propagate Tsongkhapa’s tradition.

Based in South India, Serpom Monastery is the home and school for 600 devoted students of the unbroken Gaden lineage. With its strict academic and spiritual curriculum, this monastic community has produced hundreds of elite scholars over the years.

Thus clutching our precious invitations to the opening, it was with a great deal of excitement and anxiety that a group of us packed and left for India on 15 December 2011, just a few days away from the upcoming Lama Tsongkhapa Day celebration.

Landing in Bangalore on a cool winter’s morning, we were greeted with the smell of Indian spices and masala tea, and a convoy of cars to take us and other pilgrims to Bylakuppe.

It was a journey of spectacular countryside views and green fields of hardworking farmers toiling for their livelihoods. It was difficult to imagine that this starkly beautiful place is the epicenter of a ban that has caused millions to suffer and has torn apart the Buddhist community.

After six hours of coffee, bumpy roads and irrepressible picture-taking, our group finally caught a glimpse of one of the world’s most controversial (and influential!) monasteries.

Located on a hill, Serpom’s traditional monastic features made us gasp in awe, as prayer flags fluttered in the wind and the Dharma wheel perched atop the monastery caught the sun. A cool breeze blew through as the smell of sang offerings reached our noses. We cast our eyes over the hundreds of monks and lay practitioners that had gathered in two rows to welcome guests. It was a reassuring sight to see that we are not alone in our practice of Dorje Shugden…

The sound of long horns travelled into the clear blue sky, chased by the sound of clarinets and cymbals played by monks in the most respectful manner. A golden parasol had been prepared to welcome the abbot of Serpom Monastery, His Eminence Yongyal Rinpoche. A man radiating compassion and pure guru devotion, Yongyal Rinpoche was recognized by HH Trijang Dorjechang as the fourth of his line of incarnations.

In this incarnation, Yongyal Rinpoche has been an inspiration to Dorje Shugden practitioners everywhere, as a monk who persevered in his faith and practice, and has held on to his vows despite the ban.

It must have brought tears of joy to Yongyal Rinpoche’s eyes to lay eyes on Serpom and watch the years of hard work and struggle culminate in the establishment of a monastic institution. In fact, Serpom Monastery is more than just any other monastery – because it arose at a time when the sangha community have become segregated, Serpom Monastery is proof that unity and harmony are key to reviving the Buddhadharma in this Kaliyuga age.

His Eminence then graced and blessed the main prayer hall (gompa) for the very first time, alongside thousands of monks he led into the gompa. For those of us who were visiting a Tibetan monastery for the first time, the experience could not have been more authentic – no expense had been spared on the gompa, with a stunning altar as the focal point.

The altar was made all the grander with large statues of the founder of our lineage Lama Tsongkhapa in the middle, Buddha Shakyamuni on the left and Medicine Buddha on the right.

The monks lined up and made offerings to the images, as Yongyal Rinpoche entered a small room which we guessed to be a chapel for our precious protector Dorje Shugden. It was an exciting moment – who would have thought that in the midst of the ban, Dorje Shugden’s practice continues to grow.

It was only much later that the gompa was opened to the junior monks, guests and lay practitioners. Finally we had a good view of the gompa! We had only just arrived at Serpom and already we were in complete awe at how grand the event was. We could only imagine what the main opening ceremony in two days’ time would be like…

In fact the whole opening ceremony was planned over five days, from 18th December until 22nd December 2011 with commentaries and teachings, debate sessions, food, prayers and speeches from dignitaries to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

The most highly anticipated event however, was the planned trance-taking session when the King himself would enter the Oracle, and come to bless the monastery that would preserve and spread his practice. Never in our lives had we had the chance to meet the King himself, so it was definitely high on our to-do list in this spiritual journey!

The days flew by and before we knew it, it was 18th December 2011. At exactly 6am, with our eyes filled with sleep but our bodies trembling with anticipation, we joined thousands of other devotees to witness Buddhist history being made.

Thousands of monks young and old congregated for the main opening ceremony; squeezed in to the gompa were high lamas, tulkus, Geshes, abbots and lamas from different monasteries and countries. Joining them were guests and sponsors from Taiwan, China, Tibet, America, France, Switzerland, Australia and Italy, all gathered for one reason – to spread the dharma.

Of course His Eminence Khen Rinpoche was also there, to cut the ribbon and lead the monks into the prayer hall for a puja that would bless the gompa. As the puja started, you cannot imagine how excited we were to witness the very first spiritual activity being conducted in the monastery. But that was not to be the end of our day because in just two hours’ time, we were about to meeting the great King Dorje Shugden himself.

8am came swiftly and the gompa was still filled with monks. It was the crème de la crème of the Tibetan Buddhist world, with the presence of many high lamas in the audience. Present there were:

• Yongyal Rinpoche
• Zawa Rinpoche
• Shar Gaden’s Khen Rinpoche (the present abbot)
• Achok Rinpoche
• Khuten-la from Gaden
• Rabten Choeling
• Representatives from Dromo Geshe Ladrang
• Representatives from Gangchen Ladrang
• Representatives from Trijang Ladrang
• Representatives from Geshe Thubten Trinley Rinpoche
• Representatives from Chatri Rinpoche
• Representatives from Phegyeling

And then it was time for the world renowned Chojela to take trance! For the first time, we saw the beautiful setting of the Oracle throne and outfits, and the different hats for the deities; for the first time, we saw that in these modern times, the monastic institutions have not lost an inch of the traditional practices and authentic lineage that has been passed down for thousands of years.

Heralded by the sonorous chants of monks reciting auspicious prayers, Chojela entered the room in his golden brocade robes. Thousands of attendees rose to make three prostrations to pay their respects for they were about to meet the King, who would enter an Oracle personally trained by His Holiness Dromo Geshe Rinpoche and His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang. The room quickly filled with the smell of sang offerings as attendants moved forwards to assist Chojela in putting on the remainder of his outfit.

It did not take long – the outfit went on, the chanting continued, a jerk, and the King had arrived in the Oracle. Holding his sword to perform a Vajra dance, Dorje Shugden then took his seat on the throne as all the high lamas, monks and guests lined up to pay their respects and receive a blessing. Leading them was Yongal Rinpoche, who stepped forwards first to make body, speech and mind offerings to Dorje Shugden himself.

Being forever compassionate, the King stayed for quite some time to bless everyone who were there to meet him. It was such a huge honor to meet him – here in front of us was the statue come to life, in all of his Enlightened glory. Trembling with compassionate energy, we had no doubt that Dorje Shugden was here to fulfill his promise to protect the Dharma in an uncommon way.

As the main protector of the monastery, Serpom will be preserving the unbroken lineage that is being passed down to thousands every year. It was clear that the King was pleased to know this – throughout the trance, the King (via the Oracle) kept hitting his breastplate as if to say, “I am with you. I will fulfill your needs.”

Then 15 minutes later, it was all over. Dorje Shugden left, and the monk attendants surrounding the Oracle moved to change the Oracle’s hat, in anticipation of the arrival of the next wrathful Protector.

With a shrill cry, it was clear to all when Lord Setrap had arrived. With a stamp of his spear to announce his arrival, Setrap did a Vajra dance before settling to bless the monks…if you can call it settling!

Bursting with wrathful energy, Setrap jerked as he blessed the monks but five minutes later, the energy was too overwhelming for the Oracle’s body that compassionately, Setrap left.

Again, the monk attendants moved to change hats and before we knew it, Protector #3 had arrived. Wearing a red tasseled hat, Chingkar Jowo, Serpom’s female Protector, was gentle and peaceful, and able to stay to bless the crowd one by one. It was something our group had never seen before, a female Protector so we felt very blessed to connect with her for the first time.

When the monk attendants moved forwards for the final time, our group were almost bereft with excitement because we all knew who was coming next…Kache Marpo! He entered the Oracle, remaining in the Oracle’s body almost imperceptibly as he walked over to Yongyal Rinpoche to pay his respects, before sitting on the throne to bless the crowd and give a Dharma talk.

Even though it was in Tibetan, and none of us could understand a word, just to be in the presence of such holy beings was a true blessing. It was in itself unusual, to say the least, to receive a Dharma teaching from Kache Marpo – none of us had ever received a teaching from a Buddha himself, much less Hayagriva!

Finally Kache Marpo left, and the electrifying energy that ran through the hall was gone. The whole trance had only lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, but it was the best hour and a half of our lives. Thousands of people had had the opportunity to meet four Protectors, including the King himself. It truly was a blessed session, every single minute of it.

Later in the afternoon, there was an official speech giving ceremony by Lharampa Jampa Khetsun, monastic spiritual advisor followed by His Eminence Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche. His Excellency S.A. Ramdas then spoke about integrating Dharma in our lives, regardless of whatever religion we are, to help us to have a more meaningful existence.

He also said that Buddhism has existed in India since Buddha’s time, and we must continue the legacy as Buddha’s wish was to benefit all sentient beings regardless of what religion or sect they came from. It was a comfort for Dorje Shugden devotees to hear this voice of support from an Indian government official, as we continue to suffer because of the practice and sect we come from.

Honorable Karnataka Minister, Shri K. Venkatesh (Member of Legislative Assembly for the Periyapatna Constituency) also gave an inspirational speech followed by the Venerable Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery. Their speeches were succeeded by an award presentation, where the Serpom Peace Awards were presented to Mr Venkatesh MLA.

As we left Serpom in the strong heat of the Indian afternoon, we could not help but wonder – why is such an Enlightened, elite Buddha banned? How can Setrap, who is accepted by the mainstream monasteries like Gaden, enter the same person as Dorje Shugden, if Dorje Shugden is a spirit?

More thoughts flew threw our minds. We had met so many compassionate, gentle lamas throughout our stay here…could it be possible that such high lamas and elite masters propitiated a spirit? Why would so many high lamas, many of whom were previously promoted by the Tibetan government, fly from all around the world to attend this monastic opening? Why would a spirit help so many people over the years, and not ask for anything in return?

We could not help but chuckle at these thoughts as we travelled down the bumpy Indian roads on our way home. May Dorje Shugden’s practice grow, we were so blessed to be there.

(Read another account of the Serpom Grand Opening here: dorjeshugden.com/?p=10965)

Watch the video of Serpom Monastery’s opening ceremony

Photos of the Event

Monks on the road to welcome their abbot, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

Young monks and Tibetans lining up on the road to Serpom’s entrance

Banner at the entrance

The entrance arch

Main building of Serpom Monastery

Leading Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche to the prayer hall

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche with Achok Rinpoche and entourage

Monks in the monastery compound with sang burning

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche addressing the monks

Winter debate on the eve of Serpom’s Inauguration Ceremony

A new generation of scholars at the inter-monastery debate

Monks waiting for Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche to do the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Arrival of Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

Main entrance to the Prayer Hall with 5-colour khatas

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche and monks entering the Prayer Hall

Sangha of Serpom ready for puja

Tibetan guests entering the Prayer Hall

Making khata offerings during the opening

View of Serpom Monastery

Serpom Monastery main building (side view)

Image of Dorje Shugden in the Prayer Hall, next to the main entrance

The seat of the oracle

Headgear for the various protectors

Escorting the oracle into the Prayer Hall

Monks playing the long horn, ready to invoke the Dharmapala

Arrival of Indian officials and guests at the Prayer Hall

The abbot and the Indian VIPs

Inauguration speech by His Excellency Shri S. A. Ramdas, Honorable Karnataka Minister and Mysore District Minister

Presentation of Serpom Peace Awards to His Excellency Shri S.A. Ramdas and Shri K. Venkatesh, Member of the Legislature Assembly. The abbot and the Indian VIPs

This is a selection of videos of the North American Gelug Buddhist Association (NAGBA) with Zawa Tulku Rinpoche present.

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

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

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

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

The Current Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The inauguration of Moncton Buddhist Centre by Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche was also attended by Mr Jampal Yeshe – President of the Dorje Shugden Society, and Dr Lucie Blouin who assisted with medical issues faced by monks in Shar Gaden and Serpom Monastery in India. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche is enrolled at Shar Gaden and regularly visits the monastery.

To read more about Zawa Tulku Rinpoche check out this link
dorjeshugden.com/?p=1721

Comments by TK on Zawa Tulku Rinpoche

March 1, 2010 at 11:16 am

The current Zawa Tulku could not stay in Gaden Shartse Monastery anymore as he refused to swear against the practice of Dorje Shugden. So he has enrolled in Shar Gaden Monastery but is residing in the United States now.

I pray Zawa Rinpoche lives long and brings immense benefit to many as did his previous incarnation.

TK