Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk shares beautifully about Tsem Rinpoche
Over the years Kechara students have gone to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s home and headquarters Gaden Shartse Monastery, and various other places around the world where they have met many of Rinpoche’s friends, peers and lamas. Each time, they have given us a beautiful sharing about Rinpoche and his qualities that Rinpoche would not talk about himself. Here is one of those sharings and if you wish to read more on this, please go to Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche.
The writers’ team
Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk
A personal friend of Tsem Rinpoche’s, Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk visited Rinpoche in Malaysia where he was an attendant and assistant. Tsem Rinpoche’s students from his early days in Malaysia will remember this monk well. When they visited the monastery, Geshe Wangchuk helped to show them around and, being fluent in Chinese, also helped to translate during various interviews.
Summary: Geshe Wangchuk explained that many people had a very high opinion of Tsem Rinpoche because they knew his character, and have benefited from his kindness, such as the sponsoring of Gaden Shartse’s debate courtyard. He also spoke of Tsem Rinpoche’s great guru devotion, and how Rinpoche showed this in Rinpoche’s actions. Geshe Wangchuk recounted how Rinpoche helped many monks from different monasteries, and how Rinpoche’s kindness enabled quite a few monks to overcome tremendous hardship, and how Rinpoche gave all that he had to help others, including to beggars on the streets. Geshe Wangchuk explained the life of a reincarnated lama in the monastery, and how it is similar to a normal monk. He also explained the extra responsibilities of a reincarnated lama, and the hopes placed on Tsem Rinpoche by the monks of his fraternity.
Main Points:
- Many people still liked Tsem Rinpoche, despite what others may have said. This was because they had received help from Rinpoche and knew his character. There were only a few people who were against Rinpoche, but many others held positive opinions of Tsem Rinpoche.
- Gen Wangchuk explained that Tsem Rinpoche is one of the few international lamas living overseas that had contributed significantly in terms of finances for the monastery, such as for Gaden Shartse’s debate courtyard.
- For Tsem Rinpoche, it didn’t matter if Rinpoche’s guru was a monk or layman (referring to Drigung Rinpoche), Rinpoche respected all of them the same. For example, Tsem Rinpoche once went to visit Drigung Rinpoche and although the space was very limited, he still prostrated to his teacher.
- Gen Wangchuk recounted how Tsem Rinpoche displayed pictures of all his gurus on his altar, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the centre. He always took his gurus’ pictures with him wherever he went, especially those of Zong Rinpoche and Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche.
- Gen Wangchuk also recounted his trip to Malaysia together with Kating Rinpoche, and how Tsem Rinpoche took care of them while they were there.
- Geshe Wangchuk recalled that when Tsem Rinpoche was in the monastery, Rinpoche’s help made a difference for many monks. Most of the monks had come from Tibet, and had lost their families or relatives. It was financially difficult for them to survive as they had no one to sponsor or support them. It was actually Tsem Rinpoche who found the money to support their monkhood and their lives.
- Tsem Rinpoche helped a lot of monks, not only from Gaden, but also from many different monasteries, including Sera and Drepung Monasteries. Even though he did not have much money, as he did not have a sponsor himself, he still offered what little he had to help other monks.
- Tsem Rinpoche even gave money to beggars on the street in Hubli, even though he had very little himself.
- When Geshe Wangchuk first started his studies, he wanted to stop and return to Tibet as it was very difficult to make ends meet without any support.
- Geshe Wangchuk said that he managed to become a Geshe only because Tsem Rinpoche helped him tremendously and he was not the only one as there were a lot of similar cases. To him, many things would have been impossible if it was not for Tsem Rinpoche, as at the time the monastery was going through a difficult period; everyone was struggling and the monks were even starving. Sometimes there was no breakfast, and for lunch they were lucky if they received vegetables to go with their rice.
- Tsem Rinpoche advised Geshe Wangchuk to continue studying the Dharma and advised him not to worry about anything as Rinpoche would help him financially and in any way Rinpoche could. All Geshe-la needed to do was remain in the monastery and focus on studying the Dharma to get his Geshe degree. With Rinpoche’s assurance and help, he stopped thinking about returning to Tibet and persevered in his studies.
- Geshe Wangchuk mentioned that Tsem Rinpoche also sponsored the textbooks for many of the monks who came from Tibet and had nothing. Tsem Rinpoche’s concern for the preservation of the Dharma is well-known within the monastery. He reiterated that he was not the only monk to have experienced Tsem Rinpoche’s kindness, and there were many others, and that he was extremely grateful for all that Tsem Rinpoche had done.
- In the monasteries, reincarnated lamas are expected to take on some of the responsibilities of the monastery’s welfare. However they also have regular routines just like other monks, such as studying, going for debate and so forth.
- Many of the monks from Tsem Rinpoche’s khangtsen (fraternity house) have great hopes for Tsem Rinpoche. Such hopes are not an expectation that is typically given to normal monks.
- Typically, the monastery also expects reincarnated lamas to complete their Geshe studies.
- Following the interview, some Kecharians met with Khen Rinpoche, the abbot of Gaden Shartse, and Geshe Jangchub Dorje, the director of Gaden Shartse Hospital. They thanked Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara for donating to hospital, and they offered Tsem Rinpoche a Medicine Buddha statue, Medicine Buddha thangka, a poster of the lineage lamas, and wished him a very long life. They also gave an official receipt for the donations, which was signed by Khen Rinpoche and Geshe Jangchub Dorje. In addition, Khen Rinpoche gifted each of the Kecharians that attended the meeting with a bag of incense.
For more interesting information:
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- Gen Gelong (ex-Gekul / Disciplinarian)
- Geshe Yeshe (Gaden Jangtse Monastery)
- Geshe Lobsang Phuntsok
- Geshe Jangchup Dorje (Head of the Hospital)
- Geshe Yonten Gyatso and Geshe Tenpa Chophel
- Anila Thubten Chonyid
- Geshe Tenzing Dakpa
- Ani Lobsang Drolma
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Well done the writers team from Kechara who had interviewed Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk , spoke what his thoughts of all about Kyabje Tsem Rinpoche our Lama. He is a personal friend of Tsem Rinpoche spoke the truth and only truth. Gen Wangchuk recounted Tsem Rinpoche’s Guru devotion, kindness and had help many monks from his home and headquarters Gaden Shartse Monastery, and even monks from different monasteries. Tsem Rinpoche understand the hardships of monks gave what he could even he had little for himself. Many monks have benefited from his kindness, Tsem Rinpoche was one of the few international lamas living overseas that had contributed significantly to monasteries. Rinpoche gave all that he had to benefit others, and even to beggars on the streets Rinpoche met. Rinpoche’s help had made a difference in the monk’s lives, supporting, encouragement, sponsoring dharma books and so forth.
Thank you writers team for this wonderful sharing.
Geshe-lobsang-wangchuk shared wonderful accounts of our Guru Tsem Rinpoche. He speaks articulately how Rinpoche had helped many monks in many different monasteries such as Sera, Dreping and Gaden. Even though Rinpoche have little for himself , Rinpoche will helped them. Rinpoche had helped to raise funds for the buildings, sponsored the textbooks for many of the monks, and will sponsor or support them in their Dharma practice.
These were some of those thoughts on Rinpoche while in India, shared by Geshe-lobsang-wangchuk.
Thank you writers team doing all the interviews .
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
It is so inspiring to read the sharing by Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk. Rinpoche has really done a lot for many everyone in order for dharma to spread. While Rinpoche has very little during that time in Gaden, he did not give up but instead help raise fund so the monks have enough place to stay and study dharma. Rinpoche also lead the Kechara team to raise fund for the medicine and hospital that enables monks to obtain the necessary medication. Thank you Rinpoche for your care and love. We are really fortunate to receive Rinpoche’s teaching here in Kechara.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!