Gedun Nyedrak: An Abbot of Gaden
Tsem Monastery in Yara, Tibet.
Click on image to enlarge.
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s incarnation name originally arose from Tsem Monastery, the home monastery of his previous incarnation, Gedun Nyedrak. The monastery was called ‘Tsem’, the honorific word for ‘tooth’, as the monastery was a custodian of a tooth relic of the great Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Gedun Nyedrak was born to the Selsha household that lived in the Yara district of the northern Kham province of Tibet. The monastery is said to have been provided for by 99 households, many of which were “wild and irreligious.” However, members of the Selsha household were particularly known to be generous and devout Buddhist practitioners who were also uncommonly taller than the average Tibetan. It was into this virtuous family that Gedun Nyedrak was born.
His spiritual imprints were strong and easily observable from a very young age. He took his novice vows in his early years and his thirst for the teachings led him on a long journey to the central province, where he enrolled at Gaden Monastery. Subsequently, he entered Pukhang Khangtsen of Gaden Shartse Monastery where he was able to meet many great teachers and masters, and receive many teachings from them. His education encompassed the traditional Five Buddhist Treatises, beginning with the Compendium on Valid Cognition (Pramanavartika).
Gedun Nyedrak, the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery in Tibet.
By receiving teachings and engaging in contemplation and meditation, the young master Gedun Nyedrak became an erudite scholar and was awarded the most coveted Geshe Lharampa degree from his monastery. From there, he entered Gyutö Tantric College to study tantric liturgy and scripture. Upon the completion of his studies, he returned to Gaden Shartse and was appointed as Lama Umze or lead chanter, which is a significant position within the monastery. His tenure as umze is remembered for his exceptional voice and phenomenal skill in rituals.
Then in the Metal Sheep Year according to the Tibetan calendar, a conflict erupted between the Tibetan government and Gaden Shartse Monastery. During this time of strife, the general administration and maintenance of the monastery was disrupted and fell into disrepair. It was during this time that the Regent of Tibet appointed Gedun Nyedrak as the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery. Upon accepting the position and associated duties, the new abbot immediately embarked on an extensive restoration program of the monastery. He accomplished this by reinstating monastic rules and regulations, improving the administration and overseeing the restoration of damaged structures at the monastery.
Gedun Nyedrak continued improving the monastery until the end of his tenure as abbot and then retired. He received the rank of Kensur Rinpoche (Abbot Emeritus) and then traveled to Lhasa. There, he entered an extended retreat of White Tara, dedicating the merits to extend the life of His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. It is said that Gedun Nyedrak entered clear light while engaged in White Tara meditation. Thus, his retreat was considered successful and the obstacles to the life of the 13th Dalai Lama were absorbed by Kensur Rinpoche Gedun Nyedrak.
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H E Tsem Rinpoche previous incarnation, Gedun Nyedrak.Gedun Nyedrak was born to the Selsha household in the Yara district of the northern Kham province of Tibet. HE Tsem Rinpoche’s incarnation name originally arose from Tsem Monastery. Gedun Nydrak was the 72st Abbot of the Gaden Shartse Monastery. Interesting read of a GREAT Lama.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s previous incarnation Gedun Nydrak was the 72st Abbot of the Gaden Shartse Monastery.
Gedun Nyedrak was born in the Yara district in Tibet in Kham and his family was known as devoted Buddhist practitioners.
Later he left to go to Lhasa to continue his studies at Gaden Shartse and then at the Gyutö Tantric College.
After the completion of his studies Gedun Nyedrak was appointed as Umze and later as the abbot of Gaden Shartse.
The ultimate offering to H.H. the 13 Dalai Lama was the completion of the White Tara Retreat during which Gedun Nyedrak passed into clear light and removed obstacles to the life of the 13. Dalai Lama.
Thank you for sharing Pastor David.
We can see the qualities, skill, wisdom and compassion and complete selflessness of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche in his previous incarnation through your writing.
it’s always interesting and great to read about His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s incarnation name originally arose from Tsem Monastery, the home monastery of his previous incarnation, Gedun Nyedrak. The monastery was called ‘Tsem’, the honorific word for ‘tooth’, as the monastery was a custodian of a tooth relic of the great Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Gedun Nyedrak was born to the Selsha household that lived in the Yara district of the northern Kham province of Tibet. His spiritual imprints were strong and easily observable from a very young age. He took his novice vows in his early years and his thirst for the teachings led him on a long journey to the central province, where he enrolled at Gaden Monastery. By receiving teachings and engaging in contemplation and meditation, the young master Gedun Nyedrak became an erudite scholar and was awarded the most coveted Geshe Lharampa degree from his monastery. His tenure as umze is remembered for his exceptional voice and phenomenal skill in rituals. It is said that Gedun Nyedrak entered clear light while engaged in White Tara meditation. Thus, his retreat was considered successful and the obstacles to the life of the 13th Dalai Lama were absorbed by Kensur Rinpoche Gedun Nyedrak. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for sharing another interesting write up👍👏😍🌈🙏
Interesting read , even though short but at least knowing the home Monastery of H E Tsem Rinpoche’s previous incarnation, Gedun Nyedrak. The monastery was called ‘Tsem’,where a custodian of a tooth relic of the great Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Thank you Pastor David for this sharing.
Thank you Pastor David for sharing this short story of Khensur Rinpoche Gedun Nyedrak, which is none other than our Guru.
Extraordinary unparalleled perfect guru – May I understand and transform according to your instructions.