Tales with My Lama: Tsem Rinpoche’s Spiritual Lineage
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche by the throne of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, his root guru from whom he had received tremendous amounts of teachings.
A spiritual lineage refers to a line of transmission of teachings from teacher to student that can be traced back to the Buddha or a widely accepted attained master. Acknowledgement of the transmission of the teachings can be passed down orally or in writing. A detailed record of teachings is maintained in all Tibetan Buddhist traditions to validate the lama and the teachings themselves. In fact, most teachers state their lineage before giving teachings so that those listening will be more receptive. Or, as His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche used to say, “so that the Dharma can go in very deep”.
Tsem Rinpoche frequently began his formal teachings, especially those on a specific Buddha’s practice or yidam (meditational deity), with an explanation of the lineage of the teachings and, occasionally, a story or account of the circumstances that led Rinpoche to receive them. Nonetheless, when students and friends directly requested that Rinpoche reveal the list of all of his lineages and teachings, Rinpoche declined to do so out of humility. From time to time, however, Rinpoche revealed bits and pieces during his teachings, especially when recalling his time with his teachers.
Rinpoche grew up in New Jersey, USA, which is where he met his first guru, the master Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin. It is unclear how many Tantric initiations and teachings Rinpoche actually received from Kensur Rinpoche. However, Rinpoche did mention that he received the Heruka and Vajra Yogini initiations after an unsuccessful first attempt. According to Rinpoche, he was both ecstatic and terrified that his foster parents would show up and drag him away as they didn’t want him to pursue his interest in the Dharma. His worst fears were realised during his first attempt, and he was forced to withdraw. However, the following year, he attempted again and successfully received the initiations. This demonstrates Rinpoche’s innate determination to practise the Dharma, despite his young age. He was only 14 at the time, an age when most kids are preoccupied with school, friends, and so on.
Later, Rinpoche received many initiations and teachings from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, during the master’s brief six-month stay at Thubten Dhargye Ling, Los Angeles. Rinpoche received teachings on Lamrim along with the practises of Trakpo Sumtril, Je Tse Zin Ma (Long life-granting Tsongkhapa), White Tara, Chenrezig Ngesung Kundrol, Hayagriva, Yamantaka, Heruka, Vajra Yogini, Cittamani Tara, Chod and other tantric initiations. On several occasions, Tsem Rinpoche recalled how he requested Kyabje Zong Rinpoche for the practice of a Dharma Protector. Zong Rinpoche replied that he would give Tsem Rinpoche the practice of his own protector, Dorje Shugden. Later, Rinpoche received the Dorje Shugden sogtae or life-entrustment initiation from this great master, which was given to three recipients at a time.
With regards to teachings on Dorje Shugden’s practice, Rinpoche received a number of transmissions and teachings from various teachers including Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen on the origins of Dorje Shugden and his previous incarnations as lamas and siddhas; Lama Gangchen Rinpoche on various Dorje Shugden mantras; and from Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe on the visualisation and mantra of Dorje Shugden’s various emanations like Wangze, Gyenze and so forth. Rinpoche also received the transmission of Dorje Shugden’s dice divination text directly from Duldzin Dorje Shugden via the Choyang Dulzin oracle.
His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche with Lama Zopa Rinpoche who was one of Rinpoche’s teachers
With regards to his other gurus, the list of teachings and the circumstances surrounding these teachings are detailed in The Promise, Rinpoche’s pictorial biography. Of special note, among the many teachings Rinpoche received, were the teachings on Vajra Yogini Powa or Mind Transference practice that was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. I recall Rinpoche telling me that Lama Zopa even personally copied the entire Powa text by hand and gave it to Rinpoche. Vajra Yogini Powa is the daily practice of mind transference that essentially prepares us to die and eject our mind to Kechara Paradise.
Another account that Rinpoche told me about personally was in regards to a particular meditation practice that he received from Jetsun Nyima Rinpoche. This account is not mentioned in Tsem Rinpoche’s biography. It was a special meditation to overcome anger, apparently descended from the dakinis and was sealed by them. That means the meditation practice could not be written down and could only be transmitted orally from teacher to disciple. Rinpoche said that the practice could only be given to the most qualified of disciples. At that point, Rinpoche also said that it would be unlikely that he would pass the lineage of this meditation down to any of us.
It is unfortunate that for most of us, we will not be able to receive these precious lineages from Rinpoche directly. However, that does not mean we should give up the idea of seeking higher teachings. In fact, we should strive forward by preparing ourselves to receive tantric practice. Rinpoche previously instructed that we engage in a daily sadhana consistently, keep our promises and samaya, complete our preliminary practices, and study the Lamrim and Three Principal Aspects of the Path to prepare ourselves. In this manner, we will purify our karma and accumulate the merits to meet, connect and receive higher practices from a qualified spiritual teacher from our own tradition, whether it is in this life or the next.
For more interesting information:
- Tales with My Lama: Looking at Vajra Yogini
- Tales with My Lama: Going to the movies with Rinpoche
- Tales With My Lama: The Geshe Who Loved Butter
- Tales With My Lama: Rinpoche’s Heruka Statue
- Tales With My Lama: Rinpoche on a ‘Holiday’
- Tales With My Lama: Dorje Shugden on The Head
- Tales With My Lama: What is the New News?
- Tales With My Lama: Rinpoche Felt He Was More Indian
- Tales With My Lama: What Does Rinpoche Like About Liz Taylor?
- Tales With My Lama: Daily Practice
- Tales With My Lama: Laugh Away Your Ego
- Tales With My Lama: Why Rinpoche Has To Suffer
- Tales With My Lama: Larger Than Life
- Tales With My Lama: Manjushri
- Tales With My Lama: Audience With Tsem Rinpoche
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Thank you Pastor David for your interesting spiritual relationship with Tsem Rinpoche, sharing with us bit by bit stories and observations. Reading gave me a better understandings. Knowledge and appreciation of our spiritual lineage is important as it shapes our identity and empowers our ability, ensuring the continuity of the true dharma. Lineage is basically concerned with authenticity and preserving the spiritual potency of the lineage’s teachings.