Tsem Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry | 詹杜固仁波切的土尔扈特血统
（译文请往下阅读）
Who are the Kalmyks?
Prior to the 15th Century and a long time ago, there were many west Mongolian tribes who referred to themselves by their respective tribal names. Spread throughout this region are countless archeological sites with petroglyphs, cave paintings, standing stone monuments and ancient forts that date back as far as 10,000 years.
By the 15th Century, four major West Mongolian tribes had formed an alliance, adopting “Dörben Oirat” as their collective name. However, this alliance subsequently dissolved and the West Mongolian tribes were simply called “Oirat“.
In the early 17th Century, a second Oirat state emerged, called the Dzungar Khanate. Khanate is a political entity ruled by a Khan or Khagan.
While the Dzungars (initially Choros, Dörbet and Khoit tribes) were establishing their empire in western Inner Asia, the Khoshuts were establishing the Khoshut Khanate in Tibet, protecting the Gelugpa sect from its enemies, and the Torghuts formed the Kalmyk Khanate in the lower Volga region, north of the Caspian Sea. (See map)
Map demarking Kalmyk Khanate in the 17th Century
The Khoshuts of the Dzungar Khanate remained influential until the Qing annihilated them in 1755.
Ayuka Khan (1669 – 1724)
Born Torghut Prince Iska Minh, Tsem Rinpoche’s maternal ancestry can be traced back to Ayuka Khan who was a Kalmyk Mongol leader whose rule brought the Kalmyk Khanate to its zenith in terms of military, economic, and political might.
According to Elza-Bair Mataskovna Gouchinova in her book “The Kalmyks”, Ayuka Khan’s childhood was spent with his maternal grandfather, Erdin Khun-taiji (Supreme Chief), whose guidance stimulated Ayuka’s aspiration to leadership over the steppe peoples.
Ayuka Khan had Russia as an ally and protected the latter’s southern borders on behalf of Russia, engaging in numerous military expeditions against the tribes of Central Asia, the North Caucasus and Crimea. This included the suppression of the Astrakhan (1705-1706) and Bulavin (1707–1709) uprisings, as well as in the Great Northern War (1700-1721) and the Russo-Persian War (1722-1723).
To honour his service in the Russo-Persian War, Ayuka Khan received a golden sword and a belt covered with precious stones from Peter the Great.
This alliance was significant as Peter the Great was the cultural revolutionist or progressive who replaced the traditionalist and medieval socio-political systems with modern, scientific and westernised systems based on “The Enlightenment”. This included principles centred on reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, and this base came to advance ideals like liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state.
During this era, Ayuka Khan also kept close contacts with his Oirat kinsmen in Dzungaria, as well as His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama in Tibet.
The Kalmyks are the only inhabitants of Europe whose national religion is Buddhism. They embraced Buddhism in the early part of the 17th Century and belong to the Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa tradition.
A 1776 drawing of the interior of a Torghut mobile monastery
In 1690, the 5th Dalai Lama bestowed Kalmyk Taisha Ayuka Khan’s title with a seal. In actuality, it was the 5th Dalai Lama’s Regent Desi Sangye Gyatso who carried this out since the 5th Dalai Lama passed away in 1682 but his Regent kept this a secret for 15 years before sending a delegation to the Kangxi Emperor of Qing China in 1697 to announce that the 5th Dalai Lama had died and the 6th had been discovered.
After Ayuka Khan’s rule, internal feuds weakened the Kalmyks and Russian interference increased. In 1771, the Russian Tsarina Catherine II abolished Kalmyk self-government and integrated the Khanate into the Russian Empire.
Most of the Torghut Kalmyks moved back to Dzungaria in 1775, and are now known as the Torghut of Xinjiang in China who number more than 150,000. There are also more than 10,000 living in Khovd Province, Mongolia and over 180,000 Kalmyks living in Russia.
Torghut Khans of the Kalmyk Khanate
- Kho Orluk (d. 1644)
- Shukhur Daichin (1644–1661)
- Puntsuk (1661–1669)
- Ayuka Khan (1669–1724)
- Tseren Donduk Khan (1724–1735)
- Donduk Ombo Khan (1735–1741)
- Donduk Dashi Khan (1741–1761)
- Ubashi Khan (1762–1771)
Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_Mongol_rulers
Badma Ubushi Noyon (Ubashi Khan) (1744 – 1774)
“Noyon” – The Qing Dynasty, which ruled Mongolia from 1694 to 1911, entrusted rule in Mongolia to the descendants of Genghis Khan, who were also called Noyon.
An oil painting of Ubashi Khan
Ubashi Khan was the great-grandson of Ayuka Khan and the last Khan of the Kalmyk Khanate. In January 1771, he led the return migration of the majority of the Kalmyk people from the Kalmyk steppe to Dzungaria, their ancestral homeland, then under the control of the Qing Dynasty.
Since the Kalmyks were Tibetan Buddhists of the Gelugpa tradition, when Ubashi Khan decided to return his people to Dzungaria, His Holiness the 8th Dalai Lama was contacted to request his blessings and to set the date of departure.
After consulting the astrological chart, the 8th Dalai Lama set the return date but at the moment of departure, the weakening of the ice on the Volga River allowed only those Kalmyks who roamed on the left or eastern bank to leave. Those on the right bank were forced to stay behind.
Approximately 200,000 Kalmyks began the journey from their pastures on the left bank of the Volga River to Dzungaria. Approximately five-sixths of the Torghuts followed Ubashi Khan. Most of the Khoshuts, Choros and Khoits also accompanied the Torghuts on their journey to Dzungaria. The Dörbet tribe, by contrast, elected not to go at all.
The total size of the departing group has been variously estimated between 150,000 and 400,000 people, with perhaps as many as six million animals (cattle, sheep, horses, camels and dogs). Beset by raids, thirst and starvation, approximately 85,000 survivors made it to Dzungaria, where they settled near the Ejin River with the permission of the Qing Manchu Emperor Qianlong. The Kalmyks who resettled in Qing territory (Dzungaria) became known as Torghuts.
After failing to stop the flight, Catherine the Great abolished the Kalmyk Khanate and the title of Khan, making Ubashi Khan the last to hold this title.
Bayir Wang, Palta Wang and Migyur Wang
“Wang” (王), is a title for a descendant of Qasar or any of Genghis Khan’s brothers who had his own fief.
Palta Wang (1882 – 1920)
Prince Palta (Palta Wang)
Tsem Rinpoche’s great-grandfather Prince Palta or Palta Wang was a senior prince of the Torghuts and the administrative ruler of Xinjiang Province.
In 1906, the Chinese Qing dynasty transferred western Mongolia’s Altai Uriyangkhai, New Torghut, and Khoshut banners from the jurisdiction of Khovd Province to the new Altai district, with Chenghua as its capital (now Altay in Xinjiang).
In 1913, the new Altai district was divided between newly independent Mongolia and the Chinese province of Xinjiang. Torgut Prince Palta became the administrative ruler of Xinjiang Province during the early 20th Century.
At the same time in 1917, Prince Palta’s father Prince Bayar (Bayir) or Bayir Wang moved to Peking to take up the post of senator of the Chinese Republic.
As a young man, Palta Wang is described to have astonished Chinese scholars by his profound knowledge of Chinese history and literature. He was also well versed in English and Japanese.
The famous Finnish orientalist G. Ramsted was reportedly greatly impressed by the young Palta Wang when during a visit to the estate of his father, Bayir Wang, they talked about such diverse subjects as Buddhist philosophy, and the mutual influence of western and oriental culture in the future.
Palta Wang believed that a person’s greatest riches were his intellect, erudition and knowledge, and wanted his four children to receive both an oriental and a western education, thus including elements of a Eurasian nature.
Palta Wang was also a statesman with a thorough grasp of military science which he had studied in Tokyo in the years 1906–1908.
Mingyur Wang (unknown – 1975)
Prince Mindzhur-Dordzhi (Mingyur Wang)
In 1915 at his request, Tsar Nicholas II granted Palta Wang’s eldest son, Prince Mindzhur-Dordzhi (Mingyur Wang), admission to the Russian officers’ school for the nobility in St. Petersburg. When this son returned to Peking three years later, he was initially considered by some as a Russophile, but after his father’s death inherited his titles and dedicated himself to the task of increasing the well-being of his people.
In 1932, Tsem Rinpoche’s grandfather Mingyur Wang traveled with a large entourage from Mongolia to Tibet. They brought with them tributes of gold as they were going to pay homage to His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. In return, the 13th Dalai Lama presented them with the Panchen Lama’s hat. It has a label of authentication which bears the innermost seal of the “Panchen Rinpoche of Tashilhunpo”.
In a sighted auction, two pieces of paper showed a passport that granted free passage to Prince Mingyur for his visit to Tibet. This included information about and approval for his entourage of up to 25 people, the duration of their travels, how many animals (eight camels and 64 horses), and even the military checkpoints they stopped at during their journey.
In 1949, after the Guomintang was defeated, Mingyur Wang fled with his family to Tibet, then arduously to India where they faced death during their journey. From India, he emigrated to Taiwan.
Mingyur Wang briefly served as a member of parliament in Taiwan and passed away in 1975.
卡尔梅克族是什么人？
在15世纪或更早之前，许多蒙古以西的部落都以各自的部落名称命名。这一整个地域有着数不清的考古遗址，在那里，人们发现有着一万年历史的岩画、石洞壁画、顽石及远古的堡垒。
到了15世纪，蒙古以西的四大部落组成一个联盟，并以“杜尔本·卫拉特”为共同的名称。然而，此联盟后来瓦解，这些蒙古西部的部落便简称为“卫拉特”。
17世纪初，准噶尔汗国崛起成了卫拉特的第二国。汗国是由“汗”或“可汗”（大汗）统治的国家。
正当准噶尔部（起初包括绰罗斯氏、杜尔伯特部、辉特部）在中亚建立自己帝国的同时，和硕特部则在青藏高原建立和硕特汗国，护卫藏传佛教中的格鲁派免受敌人侵害；而土尔扈特部就在里海以北、伏尔加河下游的地区建立卡尔梅克汗国。（查看地图）
呈橘色的地域为17世纪的卡尔梅克汗国（Kalmyk Khanate）
准噶尔汗国的和硕特部一直都颇具影响力，直至清朝于1755年灭之。
阿玉奇汗（1669在位– 1724年）
出生为伊斯喀明王子，詹杜固仁波切生母那一方的血统可追溯至将卡尔梅克汗国的军事、经济及政治带上巅峰的蒙古卡尔梅克族领袖——阿玉奇汗。
据Elza-Bair Mataskovna Gouchinova在其书《The Kalmyks》中提及，阿玉奇汗早年养育于其外祖父巴图尔珲台吉处。这样的经历成了阿玉奇汗日后统领其草原子民的启蒙。
阿玉奇汗因与沙俄结盟并替沙俄保卫其南部边境而参与过不少战事，如跟中亚部族、北高加索及克里米亚的战事。其中也就包括了镇压阿斯特拉罕起义（1705-1706年）与布拉温起义（1707-1709年），以及大北方战争（1700-1721年）和俄罗斯波斯战争（1722-1723年）。
为向阿玉奇汗在俄罗斯波斯战争的支援表示谢意，彼得大帝赠阿玉奇汗一把金剑及镶有宝石的剑带。
这个结盟可说是意义深远，因为彼得大帝在在位期间推动文化革命，以“启蒙运动”为依据，去传统主义及中世纪社会政治制度，进而提倡现代化、科学化的西化制度。在这种改革中，人们强调权威及正当性的成立主要必须建立在论据之上。后来这个原则孕育出好比自由、开化、宽容、博爱及宪政的开明思想，更促使了政教合一的终结。
在这个时代，阿玉奇汗也与他位于北疆的卫拉特亲人们保持紧密的关系，身处青藏高原的五世达赖也不例外。
居住在欧洲的人口当中唯独卡尔梅克人的民族信仰为佛教。他们早在17世纪初期就信奉佛教——藏传佛教的格鲁教派。
1776年，土尔扈特族流动佛寺内景的作画。
1690年，五世达赖赐“卡尔梅克台萨阿玉奇汗”的封号及盖章。. 实际上，并非五世达赖赐予该封号，而是其摄政德司桑格嘉措借五世达赖名义这么做，因为五世达赖已在1682年圆寂，唯其摄政为此事保密长达15年。摄政后来于1697年才派人觐见清朝皇帝康熙，宣告五世达赖已圆寂及六世达赖已寻获的消息。
在阿玉奇汗殁了之后，其部族出现内乱，加上沙俄频繁的政治干预，导致叶卡捷琳娜二世在1771年成功废除卡尔梅克部族的自治，并将卡尔梅克汗国纳入沙俄帝国之中。
大部分的卡尔梅克土尔扈特人于1775年回到北疆。他们的后裔是我们如今所熟知的中国新疆的土尔扈特人，人口超过15万。除此，在蒙古的科布多省也住着超过一万名土尔扈特人，俄罗斯则住着超过18万名卡尔梅克土尔扈特人。
卡尔梅克汗国的土尔扈特可汗
- 和鄂尔勒克（殁于1644年）
- 书库尔岱青（1644–1661年）
- 朋楚克（1661–1669年）
- 阿玉奇汗（1669–1724年）
- 策凌敦多布（1724–1735年）
- 敦罗卜旺布（1735–1741年）
- 敦罗布剌什（1741–1761年）
- 渥巴锡汗（1762–1771年）
Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_Mongol_rulers
巴玛渥巴锡汗诺因（渥巴锡汗）（1744 – 1774年）
“诺因”（Noyon）一封号是出于清朝于1694至1911年统治蒙古的时期。清代政府将管理蒙古之权交予成吉思汗的后裔，这些后裔就被称作“诺因”。
渥巴锡汗的油画
渥巴锡汗是阿玉奇汗的曾孙 ，也是卡尔梅克汗国的最后一位可汗 。1771年1月，渥巴锡汗率领卡尔梅克部族从卡尔梅克草原东归故土北疆，归顺清朝政府的管治。
由于卡尔梅克部族是藏传佛教格鲁派的信徒，当渥巴锡汗决定东归回到北疆，他请示八世达赖他们启程的日期及请求尊者的加持。
八世达赖在观过星相后定下启程的日期，然而就在启程之际，伏尔加河冰川融化，致使只有靠向左边或东边河畔行走的卡尔梅克人成功离开。那些靠向右边河畔行走的卡尔梅克人则被逼留下。
大约有20万卡尔梅克人从他们位于伏尔加河左边河畔的牧草地启程东归北疆。大约有六分之五的土尔扈特人跟随渥巴锡汗，大多的和硕特部族、绰罗斯氏及辉特部族人随着土尔扈特人东归北疆。相反的，杜尔伯特部族人则决定留下。
东归总人数有许多估算数字，但人数就在15万至40万之间。除此，当时或许也有六百万只兽类（牛、羊、马、骆驼及狗）随行。在东归的路途上，他们遭遇劫掠和饥渴，最后成功回到北疆的人数，只有大约八万五千人。东归后他们获得满清乾隆皇帝的批准，聚居在靠近额济纳河的地方。后来重新定居在清朝政府领土（北疆）的卡尔梅克人就被称作为土尔扈特人。
无法阻止卡尔梅克人迁徙的叶卡捷琳娜二世随后将卡尔梅克汗国及“汗”的封号灭除，以致渥巴锡汗是持此封号的最后一个人。
巴雅尔王、帕勒塔王及明清王
“王”，乃 哈撒儿（Qasar）后裔，或成吉思汗任何拥有自己封地的亲属所拥有的封号。
帕勒塔王（1882 – 1920年）
帕勒塔王子（帕勒塔王）
詹杜固仁波切的外曾祖父——帕勒塔王子或帕勒塔王，为土尔扈特东部落六世君王巴雅尔之生子、土尔扈特部族的大王子，也是新疆省的管治者。
1906年，中国清朝政府将原本在科布多省管辖底下的蒙古西部的阿尔泰乌梁海旗、新土尔扈特部及和硕特部转调到以承化寺作为首都的新阿尔泰区（今为新疆阿勒泰市城区）。
1913年，刚成立的外蒙古及中国新疆分割新阿尔泰区。土尔扈特王子帕勒塔就在20世纪初成了新疆的管治者。1917年，帕勒塔王子担任中华民国参议员。
帕勒塔对中国历史及文学的高造诣获中国学者们的赞叹。除此，他也擅长英文及日文。据说著名的芬兰东方学者G. Ramsted在一次登门拜访其父亲巴雅尔王时跟帕勒塔谈论多种话题，其中就包括佛教哲学，以及东西方文化对未来的共同影响。那次的谈话让G. Ramsted高度赞赏年轻的帕勒塔。
帕勒塔深信一个人的最大财富是他的才智和学识，于是其四个孩子都在东西方教育制度下学习，于是也包括了以欧亚的元素。
帕勒塔曾在1906至1908年期间出洋东渡，就学于日本士官学校，因此他也是一个精通军事的政治家。
明清王（不详 – 1975）
敏珠多尔济王子（明清王）
1915年，在帕勒塔的请求下，尼古拉二世允许帕勒塔之长子敏珠多尔济王子（明清王）入读位于圣彼得堡一所俄罗斯贵族学校。三年后，当其长子回到北京。一开始一部分人视他为亲俄份子，但在其父亲帕勒塔过世后继承其头衔，并尽心尽力为自身的民族谋取更多福祉。
詹杜固仁波切的外祖父于1932年率领大批随从从蒙古跋涉到藏地前去拜见第十三世达赖尊者。为了拜见尊者，他们还带上了金条。随后，十三世达赖将班禅大师的法帽回赠他们。在这顶法帽里某一隐秘处有着写有“扎什伦布寺班禅仁波切”的印章。
在一场拍卖会上曾有人见过两张显示明清王入藏朝圣的通行证明书。证明书上记录着他获得批准带领多达25名随从入藏、他们朝圣的天数、随行带了多少只兽类（八只骆驼及64匹马），甚至还记录了他们在路途上曾在哪些军事关卡停留。
1949年国民党战败后，明清王携带家眷逃到藏地，然后艰辛地逃到印度。路上他们遭遇死亡的险境。最后，明清王从印度移居到台湾。到台湾后，明清王短暂地担任台湾立法委员，并于1975年逝世。
Sources
- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/panchen-lamas-hat.html
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ayuka_Khan
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ubashi_Khan
- The Kalmyks (Caucasus World: Peoples of the Caucasus) 1st Edition; Elza-Bair Mataskovna Gouchinova
- Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, Christopher P. Atwood, Indiana University, Bloomington
- http://www.barkman.nl/en/werk_compleet.jsp
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Interesting read of Tsem Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry’s history. Beautiful to know all about family biologically descended having related to Gelugpa lineage and as well as family line of Genghis Khan.
Thank you Rinpoche and Seow Choong Liang for this sharing.
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. I hope many Mongolians will print out this image and place in their houses to create an affinity with Dorje Shugden for greater blessings. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
The powerful Mongolian nation has a long history and connection with Manjushri Dorje Shugden, as expressed in the life of Venerable Choijin Lama, a State Oracle of Mongolia who took trance of Dorje Shugden among other Dharma Protectors. Read more about Choijin Lama: https://bit.ly/2GCyOUZ
1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
A poem by Tsem Rinpoche
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
This is a short history about Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry. From this article we know more a little bit on Rinpoche’s background. Rinpoche’s maternal side have very close connection with Gelugpa lineage. Not only that, it is closely related to family line of Genghis Khan.
Thank you Choong for this article
The Mongolians certainly have made a mark on the world, due to their conquests and fearlessness in taking on half of the known world. However once they embraced Tibetan Buddhism they have kept it as their own heritage for hundreds of years.
A sign of realized master is usually one who is born into a family with power and influence and one who is not shackled by such a family but goes on to bring benefit to many others.
An interesting account by any standard. How impermanent the world is. The family line has moved across northern Asia as royalties, as nomads, as refugees, in wealth and glory, in stealth and hardship and a normal life eventually. Nothing stays static.
Thank you for a very interesting background on Tsem Rinpoche.
Glad to know Tsem Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry.It is interesting write up.A lot of research done thank you Seow Choon Liang ,now i know better of the history and Torghut ancestry.Rinpoche has a beautiful ancestry and wonderful background.
Rinpoche are related to China,Mongolia and Tibet even though Rinpoche was raised in USA.Buddhism has long associated to Rinpoche’s great grand parents for sure.
I do enjoyed reading this article which helped me to know and understand all about Rinpoche’s Torghut ancestry.
Thanks again
Thank you Choong for this very interesting write up about Rinpoche Torghut Ancestry. Now i remember watching Hong Kong costume drama with this type of history,but i couldn’t understand it very well because of the olden days chinese they were speaking.
I’m also wondering whether I’m a decendent of the Khan’s as my surname is also “Wang” (王) . Lol ?
I don’t really understand this part of the story,…”Kangxi Emperor of Qing China in 1697 to announce that the 5th Dalai Lama had died and the 6th had been discovered.” ….How is the 6th Dalai Lama discovered so soon after the passing of the 5th??
Sorry..had some typing error earlier.
Dear Anne,
The Great 5th Dalai Lama really died in 1682 but this was hidden from the public until 1697.
You can read more about the 6th Dalai Lama here: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/6th_Dalai_Lama
There was second 6th Dalai Lama. 🙂
Thank you Choong for this very interesting write up about Rinpoche Torghul Ancestry. Now i remember watching Hong Kong costume drama with this type of history,but i couldn’t understand it very well because of the olden days chinese they were speaking.
I’m also wondering whether I’m a decendent of the Khan’s as my surname is also “Wang” (王) . Lol 🙂
I don’t really understand this part of the story,…”Kangxi Emperor of Qing China in 1697 to announce that the 5th Dalai Lama had died and the 6th had been discovered.” ….How is the 6th Dalai Lama discovered so soon after the passing of the 5th??
Anne,
You are definitely not descendant of the Khan. Rinpoche’s ancestors were bestowed the title Wang, which reflect their status. They didn’t have it as a surname. There’s a big difference there. Many Chinese people have the surname Wang. It’s common but that does not make them royalty. Sorry to burst your bubble. Lol! Just to let you know, most Chinese people in Malaysia descended from the southern provinces of Kwangtung, Fujian and so forth. In the old days, those were considered backward part of China. 😉 These days, things are a lot different.
With regards to Kangxi emperor, you didn’t read the sentence properly. It clearly states that the death of the 5th Dalai Lama was kept a secret for 15 years before they sent the delegation to meet the Kangxi emperor to make the official announcement of the passing the Great Fifth and the discovery of the 6th Dalai Lama. It is pretty clear.
Dear Da da lah,
You are right that quality people will only be attracted to positive energy, so please do not pollute this space with any negative thoughts or speech. Many people, including myself, have found much spiritual blessings and help from this sacred space.
I met and befriended a few Kalmyk Americans, it is inspiring to learn about their spirituality and heritage. Traditionally, a Kalmyk greeting between strangers begins with a standard question kenyahnyavt? ‘which clan/family do you belong to?’ to which a usual reply includes information about one’s clan, its name, attributes, and merits.
I find Tsem Rinpoche’s connection to the Mongols and the Tibetans interesting as these two ethnic groups are closely connected to Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism. The Mongols, at the peak of their power, adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their religious faith.
I find this type of stories inspiring spiritually, it tells of karmic and past lives connection. If you don’t, please respect others who do. I have been an avid follower of this blog, and I like reading posts like this as they explain the link of Tsem Rinpoche connection with Mongolian Lama Guru Deva Rinpoche because of his Kalmyk/ Mongolian ancestry, and also his connection with the Dalai Lama.
His maternal grandfather, Migyur Wang was presented with the Panchen Lama’s hat by the 13th Dalai Lama (For those of us who are interested, this is the link: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/panchen-lamas-hat.html) while his father, a Tibetan from Golok and a sponsor of Guru Deva Rinpoche (who also happens to be a teacher of his mother) was also close with the Dalai Lama as he was managing a school for Tibetan kids in Taiwan. Tsem Rinpoche himself, without realising his ancestry and not knowing his own father, connected with and received teachings from the Dalai Lama in New Jersey while living with his foster parents!
Also, I assume the writer of this post, Seow Choong Liang spent a lot of hours researching and writing about his respected teacher’s background, we should encourage this kind of interests and devotion.
Same thoughts as you Elza. I’m interested in reincarnations and the recent post on Kechara facebook shows how H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s current life are closely connected to his previous lives, that his closeness to the Mongolians and Tibetans, and how again he has returned to study in the same lineage and monastery of Gaden Shartse. I find that very interesting.
This is the post:
H.E. The 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s 22nd reincarnation Ngakwang Tsultrim (1721 – 1791) and was born at Darwo, near Chone Monastery in Amdo. At the age of 7, Ngakwang Tsultrim received the vows of primary ordination at Tsador Monastery and received his novice monk vows at the age of 20, followed by his full ordination from Chone Khenchen Drakpa Shedrup, who taught Ngakwang Tsultrim on many topics of sutra and tantra. He later enrolled in Gyuto College and studied tantra, both scripture and rituals, under the tutorship of Sharchen Ngawang Chodrak, the 59th Ganden Tripa.
Ngakwang Tsultrim was enthroned as the abbot of Gyume at the age of 41, and soon after, to the office of the Sharpa Choje in Ganden Shartse.
In 1762, serving as Sharpa Choje, Ngakwang Tsultrim visited Qianlong Emperor in Beijing and subsequently was appointed the abbot of Yonghegong Monastery, making him the official representative of Tibet in China. Qianlong Emperor awarded Ngakwang Tsultrim, the title of “Nominhan”, the Manchu equivalent of the Tibetan title, Chogyel or Dharma King. He gave Qianlong Emperor teachings, empowerments and initiations.
In 1777, Ngakwang Tsultrim was appointed to the post of Regent of Tibet or Sikyong. He also established Tsemonling Labrang, which later became a seat of the Tibetan Regent.
In 1778, he was enthroned to the seat of 61st Ganden Tripa, a post he served for the customary 7 years, until 1785.
In 1783, he established the Shedrub Ling Labrang at Sera.
In 1786, he headed the “National Religious Institute”.
Ngakwang Tsultrim also served as the tutor to the H.H. 8th Dalai Lama, Jampel Gyatso.
Ngakwang Tsultrim carried out many installation and/or restoration work, such as, installation of primary sacred objects in Sera Me Tosam Ling Monastery, restoration of the Dalai Lama residence at the Potala Palace, restoration of murals at the Jokhang.
Ngakwang Tsultrim was very knowledgeable in the Mongolian language and even completed the translation works of Kangyur into Mongolian. He was also known to travel to Mongolia, to spread the Dharma there.
https://www.facebook.com/kecharahouse/photos/a.376562728719.156354.313513903719/10154768767238720/?type=3
Interesting post and I didn’t know this about Tsem Tulku not that it makes any difference. Tsem Tulku’s story is interesting regardless of whether his ancestors were kings or paupers. In fact what I find most inspiring is Tsem Tulku’s difficult childhood and how he rose above that. I don’t think the post was written with any agenda in mind and I fail to see how it should offend anyone especially if its a factual account.
I do find it interesting that a high practitioner (whom Tsem Tulku’s previous lives were and who can control the circumstances of their death and rebirth) should choose such contrasting backgrounds i.e. born a prince and brought so low only to rise again. I can only think Tsem Tulku’s life itself is an inspiration and an illustration of impermenance. Siddharta, Atisha and Naropa all went through similar drastic experiences.
And so Dada lah missed the point altogether. I find it quite amusing that some other person’s life story should offend Dada lah. Personally I do not appreciate such cowardice.
Dear Tsem Tulku, please carry on with your good works and really interesting blog. You are much respected and appreciated.
Tx
Who cares if you are xxx emperor ‘s son ? Or impressed by your ancestor? People only care about what positive good deeds one has done to him/her. There are so many rinpoches in this world, so what are their selling points, wearing 12 hats or sitting on 110 thrones ? If 100 people poke at you when you have saved 50, 150, 1000, or 2080 people , does it matter ? Don’t be too attached on how people look at you, don’t even try to convince those who won’t buy, cause you can’t conquer the whole world, quality people will only be attracted to positive energy, that is the compilations of all good deeds, keep focusing on the good deeds you have done onto other people , that is very uplifting and attractive. No one will buy superficial quality like looks, royalty background.
@Da da lah,
If you have the honesty to comment so negatively, do it with your real name. When you hide behind your false name, what does that say about you? I have been visiting this blog for years and so do many of my friends, and we get infinite benefits. You are so bitter. If someone like Tsem Rinpoche is having his background written up, what is the big deal? So it happens that Tsem Rinpoche’s background happens to be royalty. So what? When did Tsem Rinpoche play that up? Never. So keep your wrong and perverted views to yourself. There is NOTHING WRONG with someone writing and researching about Tsem Rinpoche’s background and it is on his own blog. I am very happy to know more about Tsem Rinpoche’s interesting and exotic background. You don’t like it, don’t visit!
Afternote: Thank you Mr. Seow Choong Liang for this interesting write up. I hope you write more on Tsem Rinpoche’s interesting background.
Hey “Da da lah”, you sound jealous. Must be jealousy because you didn’t read the article too closely since it wasn’t even the Rinpoche who wrote this. It was his student.
And you’re right about the importance of doing good deeds but I care about this stuff. If you don’t like it, and go and read something else on the blog. There are thousands of other articles, no one needs your negativity here. Stop trying to lecture how the world should think according to your views.
It is “interesting” that you want to take this article/information out with this kind of context. This is just a background and history of Tsem Rinpoche’s ancestors and nothing else. With regards to the royalty background, pointing this out doesn’t mean showing off at all because I don’t see anything that worth to be shown off but it is just a matter of fact. Royalty doesn’t mean superior and royalty is just a part of human’s civiliazation and histories. I don’t understand why are you so hostile towards this information, perhaps maybe you are hostile towards Tsem Rinpoche? I’m not sure but just my opinion. Take it easy. 🙂