His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche
Gaden Tripa – Gaden throne holder; Gaden Trisur – Gaden ex-throne holder (Emeritus)
Background
It is commonly believed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetans. Although His Holiness the Dalai Lama is widely respected, this information is in fact inaccurate. In Tibetan Buddhism, the majority of practitioners are adherents of the Gelug tradition and the supreme spiritual head of this lineage is known as the Gaden Tripa.
The Gaden Tripa is the Throne Holder to the seat of Lama Je Tsongkhapa. Considered the representative of Lama Tsongkhapa on earth, the position of the Gaden Tripa is highly significant due to the degree of influence and prevalence of the Gelug tradition. The very first Gaden Tripa was Gyaltsab Je, one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s two heart sons, who held the throne from 1419 to 1431.
To better understand the magnitude and significance of this position, below are some of the many Gelug monasteries that view His Holiness the Gaden Tripa as their supreme head of their lineage, as well as the approximate number of monks that live in some of them:
- Gaden Monastery (consisting of 3000 monks)
- Drepung Monastery (consisting of 6000 monks)
- Sera Monastery (consisting of 10,000 monks)
- Gyuto Tantric Monastery (consisting of 500 monks)
- Gyumed Tantric Monastery (consisting of 500 monks)
- Tashilhunpo Monastery (consisting of 300 monks)
- Gaden Sumtseling Monastery (consisting of 700 monks)
- Kirti Gompa Monastery (consisting of 600 monks)
- Denma Gonsa Monastery (consisting of 5000 monks)
- Riwo Choling Monastery
- Chatreng Sampheling Monastery
- Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s Monastery
- Chamdo Gaden Jampaling Monastery
- Segyud Monastery
- Samding Monastery
- Rato Dratsang
- Labrang Monastery
- Kumbum Monastery
- Namgyal Monastery
- Dhetsang Monastery
- Amdo Tashikyil Monastery
- Thiksey Monastery
- Alchi Monastery
- Phelgye Ling Monastery
- Kumbum Monastery
The above list consists only of the larger monasteries, and does not take into account the countless smaller Gelug monasteries throughout Tibet that would also view His Holiness the Gaden Tripa as the supreme leader of their lineage. It too does not take into account the millions of Tibetan Gelug practitioners throughout Tibet who would fold their hands to the Gaden Tripa and follow his every word.
What is unique about the position of the Gaden Tripa is that it is an appointed office, and not a reincarnation lineage. This means the office is highly meritocratic, and appointment to the role is not reliant on birth, position or rank. It is instead reliant on study, practice, the holding of vows and therefore the level of respect a practitioner gains as a result of doing all of this perfectly. Thus anybody, even an ordinary monk, can ascend to the throne of the Gaden Tripa and through the power of his practice, become able to influence millions of scholars and practitioners on the Buddhist path.
The position of Gaden Tripa is held for only a seven-year term. Thus there have been many more Gaden Tripas than Dalai Lamas to date (102 against 14). The most recently retired Gaden Tripa is His Holiness Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, who was the 101st Gaden Tripa.
Learn more about the Gaden Tripa system and the 101st Gaden Tripa:
Witness the respect the Gaden Tripa receives among the Sangha community of Tibetan Buddhism
Biography of His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche
His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Gaden Tripa, was born in 1927 in the Dawa region of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 8 years old, His Holiness joined the local monastery in Yangding and was consequently ordained as a monk.
Later His Holiness entered Gaden Shartse Norling College. While a student there Rinpoche studied Pramana Vidya (Logic), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), under the guidance of various highly attained Masters, and also received many precious teachings and empowerments of the pure Gaden lineage.
During the Chinese revolution in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India. Arriving at Buxa along the border of India and Bhutan, he continued his studies and completed the Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), Abhidharma (Treasury of Knowledge), and Vinaya (Spiritual Rules and Moral Law). Apart from the normal course of studies, Rinpoche often went for meditation retreats. In 1969, Rinpoche revised through the five major treaties of Buddhist philosophy and participated in the final exam at a renowned local Tibetan University, graduating in the 1st position of honor.
In 1970, a major debate exam which lasted over a period of 20 days was held. Candidates included over 30 outstanding scholars from the 3 great monasteries and other universities. Rinpoche still managed to emerge on top and the title of Geshe Lharampa was officially conferred upon him. Consequently, Rinpoche joined the Gyuto Tantric University and focused on intensive study of the Tantras.
In 1983 and 1992, the Dalai Lama appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of Gyuto Tantric University and abbot of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery respectively. During the years of Rinpoche’s abbotship, apart from supervising the administration and discipline of the Sangha, he also conducted various pujas and teachings personally. Rinpoche’s contribution towards the monastery is widely recognised, and deeply respected by all. In 1986, these remarkable qualities inspired the Dalai Lama to choose him as the representative of Buddhism in Ecumenical Encounters of Assisi interfaith meetings convened on the initiative of Pope John Paul II in Italy.
In 1995, Rinpoche was bestowed the honorary rank of Shartse Choje (2nd rank among dignitaries of the Gelug tradition). After 6 years in that position, on January 20, 2003, the Dalai Lama, during his Kalachakra Empowerment in Bodhgaya, announced the appointment of Venerable Lungrik Namgyal as the 101st Gaden Tripa – the supreme head of the Gelug tradition, and literally, the Holder of the Throne of Tushita.
Rinpoche is one of the most qualified Buddhist teachers alive today – being highly trained in both fields of Sutra and Tantra. Rinpoche has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma, and has been tirelessly visiting many parts of the world to spread the Teachings. Countries which Rinpoche has visited include – France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, Taiwan and Singapore. His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche currently lives in Paris, where he transmits precious Buddhist teachings of his lineage in Thar Due Ling Dharma center in Chelles, France which he founded in 1980.
His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden
In 2010, His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa successfully completed his term of office as the Gaden Throne-holder without blemish. After stepping down, he came to hold the title of His Holiness the Gaden Trisur, ‘Trisur’ meaning ‘Tripa Emeritus’. His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur primarily resides in France, but also has his private household and office (known as a Ladrang) in Karnataka, India, Kathmandu, Nepal and Yangding, Tibet.
His Holiness the Gaden Trisur studied for and received his Geshe degree in Gaden Shartse Monastery. During his time there, His Holiness was a member of Dokhang Khangtsen*. Gaden Shartse was home to 1000 monks who were intensely dedicated to the pursuit and realization of Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition. In this community, Geshe Lungrik Namgyal (as he was known before ascending to the Gaden throne) achieved renown as a pure monk who held his vows well. He also gained a reputation for being an erudite scholar, direct in his speech and no-nonsense in his attitude – yes is yes, and no is no, and although His Holiness manifests a strict demeanour, he is also known to be incredibly kind.
Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche taking the throne for the first time as Gaden Tripa in Gaden Lachi (the main prayer hall of Gaden Monastery)
Later, when Geshe Lungrik Namgyal was selected by the Dalai Lama to become the Gaden Tripa, he devoted himself to promoting Gelug lineage as a living example of Tsongkhapa’s teachings. Those who are aware of his works and deeds will find it impossible to utter a single negativity about him, since His Holiness never once gave cause for criticism or doubt to be directed against him. He is truly a person who showed by example that by focusing on one’s practice, an ordinary being can become extraordinary.
As the Gaden Tripa, this monk of stainless repute never journeyed back to Gaden Shartse Monastery to swear in or take an oath that he gave up Dorje Shugden. Upon the completion of his term as the Gaden Tripa, in January 2010, His Holiness officially left Gaden Shartse Monastery. He joined Shar Gaden Monastery immediately, in a move echoing those of other elite lamas such as His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and His Eminence Domo Geshe Rinpoche.
His Holiness the Gaden Trisur’s departure from Gaden Shartse was a surprising development as His Holiness is a very senior Lama within the Gelug hierarchy. Being a former and living throne-holder of the Gelug lineage, His Holiness even ranks above the current Gaden Tripa since he is senior in order of ascension.
His Holiness the Gaden Trisur’s actions demonstrate that, contrary to the claims of the Tibetan leadership, not ALL lamas and ALL Gaden Tripas are in agreement with the ban on Dorje Shugden. They in fact demonstrate that His Holiness is an unwavering practitioner of Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition, which includes the practice of Dorje Shugden. Having represented Lama Tsongkhapa on earth for seven years, His Holiness’ decisions – whether about Dorje Shugden or otherwise – can be trusted since he firmly believes that simply because something is a rule, does not mean it has to be followed unless it brings benefit and it arises from logic. Otherwise, it has been reported, His Holiness will not hesitate to speak up if necessary.
Some may ask why His Holiness did not reveal his practice during his tenure as the Gaden Tripa. In fact, His Holiness had all along not been happy with the Dorje Shugden ban but did not speak against it. Realising the preciousness of his position, he refused to act in a manner that would stain the reputation of the office he held. Thus he waited until he became an ‘ordinary’ monk again, before making his practice known so that any attacks would be personal to him, and not to the position. Actions like these make it clear to us that His Holiness is without ego, valuing Dharma above politics, and it is clear this attitude has influenced his most loyal and closest students.
Because His Holiness joined Shar Gaden Monastery, his private household and office (Ladrang) joined too. This Ladrang is located in Gaden Shartse, and conveniently borders Shar Gaden Monastery, with just one wall separating the two locations. When Shar Gaden Monastery held a series of teachings in 2009/2010, all of Trisur Ladrang’s students attend although they had not yet joined Shar Gaden.
During the time of His Holiness’ departure from Gaden Shartse, his assistant was sent to speak with the current Gaden Shartse abbot to inform him that His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche was leaving Gaden Shartse Monastery to join Shar Gaden. It was exactly what happened with Trijang Rinpoche and his Ladrang in Gaden. Thus as of 2015, two influential and significant Ladrangs from Gaden Shartse have left to join Shar Gaden.
Although His Holiness the Gaden Trisur has left Gaden Shartse, his throne will remain in Shartse just like Trijang Rinpoche’s throne for should the throne be removed, then Gaden Shartse’s link with these high lamas will be severed. His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche was the student of the previous Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang whom he remains totally devoted to. His Holiness the Gaden Trisur is also very devoted to his Dorje Shugden practice and has never abandoned it. He is an erudite master and scholar. Some people may say, “Oh, many of the high Gelugpa lamas have given up the practice of Dorje Shugden” but I disagree. Many of the high Gelugpa lamas have not given up Dorje Shugden; if they have not been practising openly, then they have been practising secretly and now more and more are coming out to practise openly. There are high-ranking lamas who will stand up for what they believe. With time, more and more monks will join Shar Gaden Monastery because they remain loyal to their lineage, lamas, and practices.
His Holiness the Gaden Trisur gives us strength, inspiration and much-needed courage to stand up and say there is nothing wrong with Dorje Shugden’s practice and we will continue on. From the bottom of my heart and the depths of my being, I fold my hands and place my head on His Holiness the Gaden Trisur’s lotus feet that he will remain for a long time with us, bless us and continuously bestow teachings as he is Lama Tsongkhapa on earth.
Tsem Rinpoche
*khangtsen – fraternity houses in the monastery, categorized by regions in Tibet for administrative purposes
A regular sight at His Holiness’s teachings, which saw packed auditoriums and halls waiting to receive his blessings and wisdom. This photograph was taken in Taiwan, where thousands of people attend His Holiness’s teachings
Scene of His Holiness’s teachings in Singapore
His Holiness the Gaden Tripa being escorted into the hall to a long-life puja being conducted in his honor
His Holiness Kyabje Ling Chocktrul Rinpoche offering a khata to His Holiness Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche in Gaden Lachi shortly after Venerable Lungrik Namgyal was bestowed the title of Gaden Tripa
His Holiness Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal (right) with Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk, a well-known Dorje Shugden practitioner
His Holiness Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal (right) with His Holiness the Panchen Lama
His Holiness Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal (right) in France, on his way to a long-life puja being offered to him by the then-Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery Kensur Lobsang Phende
Additional information about His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche:
- He is a ‘no nonsense’ lama. Yes is yes, and no is no.
- He is very direct, open and straightforward.
- He is staunchly loyal towards H.H. Trijang Rinpoche.
- He will not go along with the rules just because they are rules. He will think about it and speak up if necessary.
- He looks strict, but actually he is direct.
- He was unhappy with the Dorje Shugden ban, but kept quiet all this time, and refused to go to swear in at Gaden Shartse Monastery. He wanted to speak out, but he thought about the sanctified position of Gaden Tripa, so he thought it would be better for him to finish his term, and speak up when he was an ‘ordinary’ monk again with no position. Then, if anyone ‘attacked’ him, it would just involve him as an individual, and no harm would come to the position and create undue and unnecessary problems for the Gelugpas on the whole.
- Gaden Trisur Rinpoche has a large ladrang with land in Gaden Shartse Monastery; it conveniently borders with Shar Gaden Monastery. His ladrang is right next door to Shar Gaden, separated by one wall only. When Shar Gaden Monastery had a series of teachings (in 2009 / 2010), all of Trisur Ladrang’s students attended.
- Gaden Trisur Rinpoche is also raising funds and spending his own funds to improve and offer needed items to his provincial monastery in Yangding Tibet. He has recently sent a large set of Tsongkhapa images from Nepal to Yangding.
- Gaden Trisur Rinpoche hails from Dokhang Khangtsen of Gaden Shartse Monastery, but he had kept his Dorje Shugden practice quiet.
His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal who was the 101st Throne Holder of Tsongkapa gives us so much strength, hope and inspiration. We thank H.H. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche from the bottom of our hearts. With tears streaming down my face as I type this to everyone here. H.H. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche’s assistant said that he went to meet Gaden Shartse’s current abbot and told the abbot that their province in Tibet, their lamas, their lineage, their monasteries in Tibet all practise Dorje Shugden and that they would not be able to give up the practice.
H.H. Gaden Trisur Rinpoche could not give up the practice of Dorje Shugden, he had completed his 7 year term of office as Gaden Tripa and now he is a Trisur, he had resigned from Gaden Shartse Monastery and joined Shar Gaden Monastery to continue to practise Dorje Shugden freely.
A blessed letter bestowed upon me
by His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal
(February 13, 2008)
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, from the Monastic Seat of Gaden Shartse, is an exceptional master who has intentionally taken birth for a noble mission. To take upon himself the responsibility of upholding the pristine and golden dual sutra and tantra Legacy of Manjunatha Tsongkhapa, who re-discovered the wide and ancient pathway shown by the historical Buddha, Tsem Rinpoche sought ordination into Buddhism at his personal initiative, and progressed along his training strictly according to the Vinaya.
At Gaden Monastic Seat, he also studied the Abhidharma and Sutra Pitaka. He has diligently put into practice whatever he has learned. Particularly noteworthy about Rinpoche is that he has engaged in aspects of generosity practice, such as offerings to the Buddha and the Sangha members, that are truly noteworthy and impressive.
Among his many endeavors, Rinpoche is currently involved in the challenging task of building an exceptional image of Manjunatha Je Tsongkhapa rising to 108 feet in height. Such an undertaking demands immense effort, forbearance and perseverance. I would like to recommend that this worthy project deserves the whole-hearted support of the benefactors of the Dharma. With my heartfelt prayers that this endeavor of Tsem Tulku Rinpoche will be fully realized.
Lungrig Namgyal
101st Successor to the Throne of Gaden
Paris, France
February 13, 2008
Gaden Trisur Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and myself in Gaden Monastery doing puja together
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur Rinpoche wrote a foreword for my book “Compassion Conquers All”
(Admin) The book has since been repackaged (2014) and can be purchased here:
Addendum (April 7, 2017)
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is doing well and 90 years old. His Holiness Trisur Lungrik Namgyal is a powerful master of sutra, tantra and lifelong practitioner of Dorje Shugden. He spent his whole life in learning, practising and disseminating the Dharma tirelessly. During his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa (or head of the Gelugpas) and throne holder to Je Tsongkhapa, he was very successful and loved during his tenure. Currently residing in France and visited by many from around the world and dignitary monks from Tibet, he regularly grants blessings.
When the ban against Dorje Shugden arose from the Tibetan leadership, His Holiness Trisur Lungrik Namgyal was the highest reigning lama of the Gelugpas and he never gave up his practice of Dorje Shugden or compromised his samaya (vow) to his guru to keep practising Dorje Shugden. He was very firm on his practice which inspired hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world and in Tibet. The Tibetan leadership approached him many times to abandon the practice of Dorje Shugden, but he would not. It made the Tibetan leadership look wrong in their false political propaganda against Dorje Shugden when such a high, learned and powerful lama continued to practice Dorje Shugden.
The Tibetan leadership likes to say Dorje Shugden is harmful and all the high lamas have abandoned him and if you practice Dorje Shugden, you will lose your refuge vows and bad things will happen to you. The Tibetan leadership likes to use fear tactics to make you abandon your faith (and some have fallen for it) and they can resort to threats, shunning, alienation and segregation to achieve this. But many still hold firm to Dorje Shugden. Here you have the most senior and highest lama of the Gelugpas and a throne holder of Je Tsongkhapa’s lineage practising Dorje Shugden, healthy and vibrant; it totally contradicts what the Tibetan leadership say about Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa would not budge and continued his practice of Dorje Shugden till today at 90 years old and he is healthy, vibrant and fine. He, through his example, shows us that Dorje Shugden practice harms no one and does no damage and in fact blesses us very much. His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namygal of Gaden Shartse Monastery proves this point clearly. He is very saintly, learned and high in his attainments according to those who have met him. Surely such a saintly elderly lama will have the wisdom and learning to see if Dorje Shugden is harmful or not? Obviously he has examined Dorje Shugden and clearly tells us Dorje Shugden is in fact Manjushri and very blessed, and therefore continuing his own practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal (now ‘Trisur’ meaning ’emeritus’) practising Dorje Shugden disproved the wrong claims of the Tibetan leadership. He sat on the throne of Lord Tsongkhapa and was the throne holder of Tsongkhapa’s throne disseminating the pure golden elixir-like Dharma of Je Tsongkhapa. Since the passing of Je Tsongkhapa over 600 years ago, there has been one person to successively represent Tsongkhapa and be the throne holder of the Gelug school of Buddhism. It is said it takes much merits to sit on the throne of Lord Tsongkhapa and represent Tsongkhapa Himself. If a person was not a sincere practitioner, had broken samaya and or was not meritorious enough, when his turn came to sit on the throne of Tsongkhapa to be enthroned as Gaden Tripa he would pass away to take rebirth in a better place to continue to practice. Or if enthroned, he would not survive the full term or during his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa, he will be seriously ill and unable to fulfil his duties, pass away or could step down. This is what the senior monks in Gaden, Sera and Drepung monasteries would share in their experience. By turn, people can sometimes ascend the throne of Tsongkhapa, but only by merit can you remain on the throne successfully according to the senior learned geshes.
No ordinary being can sit on such a illustrious throne and represent Je Tsongkhapa the King of Dharma easily and remain on it. The reason is the person sitting on the very throne of Lord Tsongkhapa cannot be an ordinary person or a person who is not saintly or well-practised in the Dharma. Being scholarly is not enough, you need to have practised Dharma very deeply then you will be ‘fit’ to represent someone as great as Je Tsongkhapa naturally. Therefore if the person ascended the throne by rank or turn, if he was not saintly, well-practised or attained, it would be difficult for him to remain on this very sacred throne to the end of his term. He would not have enough merits to remain on the throne and therefore disease or passing would manifest to allow the space for the next person who is more qualified to ascend the throne rightfully or they can step down in which sometimes the disease will get well. I know it sounds strange, but the senior monks very learned have said this many times to me when I was younger in Gaden Monastery.
You see, a powerful Gaden Tripa should be very well-practised in Tantra to have the abilities to keep his body fit, healthy and well, it is believed. After all tantra teaches the meditation on the winds, channels, drops and chakras that can heal one’s body if done well. In fact meditation on those will confer higher and lower siddhis as well as supreme enlightenment. In the Heruka, Guyasamaja, Yamantaka practices by Lord Tsongkhapa as well as Vajrayogini, it explains clearly on the meditations on the various places on our body to gain control over it, control one’s death, consciousness and as a byproduct, heal one’s diseases if need be. A Gaden Tripa would certainly be able to do that to prove the power and efficacy of tantra, the lineage of Tsongkhapa and his own practice. If a Gaden Tripa cannot show his body to be strong and well even at an advanced age, then he would not be a good representative of the holy teachings of tantra by Buddha Vajradhara it is believed, and therefore not a person who should represent Tsongkhapa sitting on his throne.
After all we all go to Gaden Tripa to ask him to bless our bodies to heal from diseases or practices to extend our own lives. Yes, people get old, get sick and die. But a Gaden Tripa should not be ordinary or why practice a Dharma that grants nothing? The tantras do have power and a good practitioner will have control over their bodies for sure. If you cannot control your body, which is relatively simpler than enlightenment, how to gain higher attainments? There have been many cases of great practitioners of tantra that extended their lives or kept their illnesses at bay or healed and even at death, their bodies do not immediately decompose. This is the logic behind it. (The 102nd Gaden Trisur Rizong Rinpoche was a life long Dorje Shugden practitioner too. He has gone underground with his practice of Dorje Shugden and has never spoken one single negative word against Dorje Shugden during his successful seven-year tenure as Gaden throne holder. He is alive and well now at 89 years of age, and from Ladakh also.)
We are happy and joyous that after seven years as Gaden Tripa, the throne holder of Je Tsongkhapa, Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal successfully retired and joined Shar Gaden Monastery (Dorje Shugden’s monastery in South in India). Not only did he finish his tenure as Gaden Tripa very successfully, but he is very well and robust these days. Dorje Shugden practice does no harm but blesses as this Gaden Tripa has proven to us. It is said in Dorje Shugden practice that those who cultivate the kind heart, keep their samaya with their guru well and benefit others, Dorje Shugden will hold them close, bless and protect them to be more successful in their works. Dorje Shugden is very pleased if you put your heart one hundred percent into the Dharma releasing you from samsara. Dorje Shugden will assist those sincerely practising Dharma and that is why he is labelled a Dharma protector. He protects you on the path of your Dharma. It is obviously true in the case of this 101st Gaden Tripa living in France. It is also true for the hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners for the last 400 years. You see, when you practice Dorje Shugden for spiritual reasons, he will bless you to help you become more successful in your practice because his job is to assist you to be released from samsara. He has vowed to do so.
His Holiness is very well and we are blessed to even see this picture of the 101st Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal the throne holder of Je Tsongkhapa. May He live for many more years. May all beings who cultivate the Three Principle Paths, Lam Rim, Lojong, compassion and sunyata be always blessed by Lord Tsongkhapa in His many forms and emanations. May all beings who sincerely engage in the Dharma achieve the final result of full enlightenment as demonstrated by the King of Sages, Shakyamuni Buddha in Bodhgaya 2,500 years ago.
Bowing to His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namygal lak,
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
For more interesting information and links:
- The Tsongkhapa category on my blog
- The Dorje Shugden category on my blog
- High Lama Images (Free Download)
- Exciting information on Tsongkapa!
- 15 Thangkas of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Life Story
- TRANSCRIPT: TSONGKHAPA explained
- Photo Album: Malaysia – Journey To Gaden
- Main Assistants of the Dharma King
- Ganden Sumtseling Monastery the beautiful
- Tsongkhapa Quotes by Great Lamas
- Making Offerings Shar Gaden Monastery
- Visiting His Holiness Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche in Vermont
- Tsongkapa’s daily practice (video commentary)
- I will not be pulled into conflict
- Assisting Khensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende
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Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story about His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche . As the former head of the Gelugpa lineage, and he is considered an emanation of Tsongkhapa on earth. He is also a powerful practitioner of Dorje Shugden. He relies on Dorje Shugden as his principal Dharma protector as he has for most of his life. Well respected by many being one of the greatest living lamas today. It has proven that practising Dorje Shugden is indeed very beneficial to all. He had stood up for one’s convictions, and upholding the practice nor matter what happened. He has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma. Interesting read biography of a great lama.
In Tibet, a boy from the faraway provinces would normally enter into one of the hundreds of wayside monasteries in order to receive their novice ordination vows. In these smaller provincial monasteries, the young monks received their initial education on reading the Tibetan script, memorisation of the scriptures and so forth. Once these young monks came of age and received their full ordination vows, they would travel great distances to the larger monastic universities such as Gaden (3,300 monks), Sera (6,000 monks), Drepung (10,000 monks), Tashi Lhunpo (4,000 monks) and Amdo Tashikyil (4,000 monks)in order to further their monastic education on the great treatises and so on. Some of these boys from humble beginnings in the provinces would end up becoming great scholars and masters.
བོད་ནང་། ཡུལ་ཐག་རིང་པོའི་ཕྲུག་གུ་གྲྭ་པ་བྱེད་སྐབས་དགེ་ཚུལ་གྱི་སྡོམ་པ་ཞུས་ཆེད་དུ་གྲྭ་ཚང་ཆུང་ཆུང་ནང་ཞུགས་ཀྱི་ཡོད་རེད། མངའ་རིས་ཡུལ་གྱི་གྲྭ་ཚང་ཁག་ནང་། གྲྭ་པ་གཞོན་པ་དེ་དག་གིས་ཐོག་མར་བོད་ཡིག་སྦྱང་གི་ཡོད་པ་དང་། ཞལ་འདོན་སོགས་བློ་ལ་ངེས་པ་བཅས་གནང་གི་ཡོད་པ་རེད། གྲྭ་པ་དེ་རྣམས་ལོ་རྒན་ཚད་ལོངས་རྗེས་དགེ་སློང་གི་སྡོམ་པ་ཞུས་ཚར་ནས། གཞུང་ཆེན་པོའི་ཐོས་བསམ་སློབ་གཉེར་གནང་པའི་ཆེད་དུ་གདན་ས་ཆེན་པོ་ཐོས་བསམ་ནོར་གླིང་གྲྭ་ཚང་དགའ་ལྡན་དང་། (གྲྭ་པ་ ༣,༣༠༠) སེར་རྭ། (གྲྭ་པ་ ༦,༠༠༠) འབྲུས་སྤུངས། (གྲྭ་པ་ ༡༠,༠༠༠) བཀྲ་ཤིས་ལྷུན་པོ། (གྲྭ་པ་ ༤,༠༠༠) ཨ་མདོ་བཀྲ་ཤིས་འཁྱིལ་ (གྲྭ་པ་ ༤,༠༠༠) སོོགས་གྲྭ་ཚང་ཆེན་པོ་ནང་ཕེབས་ཀྱི་ཡོད་པ་རེད། མངའ་རིས་ཆུང་ཆུང་ནས་ཕེབས་པའི་གྲྭ་གཞོན་དེ་དག་ནང་ནས་འགའ་ཤས་མཁས་པ་དང་སློབ་དཔོན་ཕུལ་དུ་བྱུང་བ་ཐོན།
在西藏，来自偏远地区的男孩一般会分别加入许许多多的小寺院接受沙弥戒。这些分布在不同地区的小寺院会为小沙弥提供初级教育，比如藏文阅读、经典背诵等教育。一旦小沙弥成年且到了接受比丘戒之时，他们将远行万里，到更大规模的寺院，比如甘丹寺（3300僧众）、色拉寺（6000僧众）、哲蚌寺（10000僧众）、扎什伦布寺（4000僧众），以及拉卜楞寺（4000僧众）升学，研习各种佛教大论。有的男孩虽然来自偏远地区、出身低微，但最终也是大有作为，成为伟大的学者和大师。
This was what happened to Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche and the 103rd Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin. Both of these lamas were originally from Tsem Monastery in the Yara valley of Kham, Tibet. When Kensur Rinpoche was just a young monk entering into Gaden Monastery, Tsem Rinpoche’s previous life was the abbot at that time. On the other hand, the Gaden Tripa was the nephew of Rinpoche’s previous life, Kentrul Thubten Lamsang. Such was the close connection that Tsem Rinpoche had with these two lamas, going back into previous lives. In this life in fact, Tsem Rinpoche offered his own ladrang in Gaden Shartse Monastery to Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche. Furthermore, the Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin’s ladrang (house) in Drepung Loseling Monastery was fully sponsored by Tsem Rinpoche and his students, and Tsem Rinpoche also fully sponsored on a monthly basis some of the students in the Gaden Tripa’s house. Tsem Rinpoche also found personal sponsorship for the Gaden Tripa himself.
མཁན་ཟུར་བྱམས་པ་ཡེ་ཤེས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་དང་དགའ་ལྡན་ཁྲི་པ་བརྒྱ་དང་གསུམ་པ་བློ་བཟང་བསྟན་འཛིན་རྣམ་གཉིས་ལ་ཡང་དེ་འདྲ་བྱུང་། བླ་མ་ཁོང་རྣམ་ཉིད་ནི་སྤྱིར་བོད་ཁམས་ཡ་ར་ལུང་པའི་ཚེམས་གྲྭ་ཚང་ནས་ཡིན་པ་དང་། མཁན་ཟུར་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་དགུང་ལོ་གཞོན་ནུ་ཡིན་པའི་སྐབས་གདན་ས་དགའ་ལྡན་དུ་བཞུགས་དུས་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེའི་སྐུ་གོང་མ་དེ་ཉིད་གྲྭ་ཚང་གི་མཁན་པོ་ཡིན་པ་རེད། ཕྱོགས་གཞན་དུ། དགའ་ལྡན་ཁྲི་པ་འདི་ཉིད་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེའི་སྐུ་གོང་མ་མཁན་སྤྲུལ་ཐུབ་བསྟན་ལམ་བཟང་གི་ཚ་བོ་དེ་ཡིན་པ་རེད། དེར་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་དང་བླ་མ་དེ་ཉིད་བར་སྐྱེ་བ་སྔོན་མ་ནས་འབྲེལ་བ་ཟབ་པོ་ཡོད་པ་རེད། དྲང་པོ་ཞུས་ན། ཚེ་འདིར་ཡང་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་གིས་དགའ་ལྡན་ཤར་རྩེ་གྲྭ་ཚང་དུ་ཡོད་པའི་སོ་སོའི་བླ་བྲང་དེ་ཡང་མཁན་ཟུར་བྱམས་པ་ཡེ་ཤེས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་ལ་ཕུལ་བ་དང་། གཞན་ཡང་འབྲས་སྤུངས་བློ་གསལ་གླིང་དུ་ཡོད་པའི་དགའ་ལྡན་ཁྲི་པ་བློ་བཟང་བསྟན་འཛིན་མཆོག་གི་བླ་བྲང་གི་སྦྱིན་བདག་ཆ་ཚང་ཡང་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་དང་རིན་པོ་ཆེའི་སློབ་མ་རྣམས་ཀྱིས་གནང་པ་དང་། ཁོང་གི་བླ་བྲང་དགེ་ཕྲུག་འགའ་ཤས་རྣམས་ལ་ཟླ་རེར་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེས་རོགས་རམ་ཡང་གནང་གི་ཡོད་པ་རེད། དགའ་ལྡན་ཁྲི་པ་ཁོ་རང་གི་ཆེད་དུ་ཡང་ཚེམས་རིན་པོ་ཆེས་སྦྱིན་བདག་འཚོལ་ནས་སྤྲོད་པ་རེད།
堪殊强巴耶喜仁波切及第103任甘丹赤巴洛桑丹津皆有如此的出身。这两位上师都来自云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县羊拉的则木寺。堪殊仁波切在他年纪尚轻的时候加入甘丹寺，时任住持便是詹杜固仁波切的其中一个前世。另外，第103任甘丹赤巴洛桑丹津也是詹杜固仁波切的前世——堪珠图登兰桑的侄子。可见，詹杜固仁波切与这两位上师的关系是如此亲近，他们的缘分自前世便已结下。这一世，詹杜固仁波切将自己位于甘丹萨济寺的拉章供养堪殊强巴耶喜仁波切。不仅如此，詹杜固仁波切及其弟子还全额资助第103任甘丹赤巴洛桑丹津在哲蚌洛色林寺的拉章的筹建工程。甘丹赤巴拉章中的好几位弟子每月也获得詹杜固仁波切的资助。另外，甘丹赤巴的功德主，也由詹杜固仁波切找来。
Recently Beng Kooi and Martin on behalf of myself and Kechara was lucky to have audience with His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He lives in around Paris, France. His Holiness is 91 years old and very healthy and alert. He was the 101st throne holder for Tsongkapa and was the head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and was very successful during his tenure. He is a strong practitioner of both Sutra and Tantra of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition and a master of all Buddhist knowledge. He holds steadfast to his protector Dorje Shugden very strongly. So we can see even the highest throneholders who are masters of Sutra and Tantra also practices Dorje Shugden knowing the benefits.
Beng Kooi and Martin brought photo albums of Kechara Forest Retreat/Kechara and updates on Kechara and our works. His Holiness was very pleased to listen and offered some gifts back.
This is a beautiful picture and the great blessings bestowed on us from His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
October 18, 2017
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing such valuable and inspiring story of His Holiness 101st Gaden Tripa story. I particularly admired His Holiness Gaden Tripa unswerving faith and samaya to His Guru and practice of Dorje Shugden is inspiring and worth for us to follow. I particular like the Dharma above the politic, this is wake up call to a lot of people or so called Dharma practioners who has committed a lot of bad karma for politic benefits. I hope they can return to right path soon sincerely.
We are very saddened by the news that, His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, The 101st Throne holder of Tsongkapa had to resign from Gaden Shartse Monastery after having completed his 7 gallant year term of service as Gaden Tripa. This was cause by the fact that he would wish to continue his practice of Dorje Shugden freely in this lifetime. As said, like many devoted and prominent Dorje Shugden practitioners, he had been very unhappy with the Dorje Shugden ban, and had even refused to go for the swearing at Gaden Shartse Monastery. The sanctified position of being Gaden Tripa, had what stop him from speaking out earlier, till his term of office would finish shortly. This would provide a better position for him to speak out as an ordinary monk and an individual, without creating any undue harm or unnecessary problems for the Gelugpas as a whole on his previous position! According to the article, H.H. Gaden Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyar Rinpoche is said to be the most qualified Buddhist teacher alive, having actively spread the teachings Worldwide, like to France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, Taiwan and Singapore! Today, H.H. 101st Gaden Trisur is 90 years old, yet healthy, vibrant, strong and look fine. A powerful master of Sutra and Tantra, and was said to have in fact pre-examined Dorje Shugden. He was in fact “Manjushri” and very well blessed, it was said that is the reason why he continues his own practice of Dorje Shugden. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
The seat of the Gaden Tripa is awarded solely based on the achievements of Lama and its shows the high level of His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche’s practices and integrity. Being able to remain in this powerful seat for the whole tenure of 7 years and remain in robust health even at age 90, His Holiness must have great merits to sustain. When His Holiness shows his loyalty and steadfast practice of Protector Dorje Shugden, many will realise the benefits of this powerful proctector practice and popularity game is just not worth giving up a practice given by one’s kind Gurus. Who has higher authority than His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche on the authentication of Dorje Shugden practice. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring article with us.
His Holiness 101 Gaden Tripa has great devotion to his guru previous incarnation of Kyejab Trijang Dorje Chang and to Dorje Shugden.Although he has receive order from His Holinesd Dalai Lama to give up practice of Dorje Shugden, but he did not follow the intruction and leave India after retire from Gaden Tripa position. This inspired many of Dorje Shugden practitioner in gelugpa school did not give up their practice as well.
May His Holiness Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal effect never be waist and continue turning the dharma wheel.
Great information! I’ve been thinking that H.H. Dalai Lama is the one who take care of Gelugpas.
I like the way how a Ganden Dripa is elected, a practioner must do well in his practice and it’s open to anyone within the Gelugpas schools. It’s like anyone has the chance to do more in their spiritual path.
His Holiness 101st Gaden Tripa is truly inspired me as a Dorje Shugden practitioner. Even he was hold a higher position in the Gelug sec at the time of Dorje Shugden ban, he did not give out his practice and he still do the best at his position and never create any problem. This show that how compassionate of him. This is another prove of Shugden practitioner will not harm anyone and bring any negativity to others but bring benefits to others toward the path of enlightenment. So how can peoples claimed that Dorje Shugden is evil?
It is also interesting to read the comment by Free World on 7th April 2017, I agreed that the current situation of the 103rd Gaden Tripa is to be of more political than spiritual motivation. When politician using religion as political gain is always did not bring any better tomorrow in a long run particular for CTA.
May his Holiness Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
The Gaden Tripa is Lama Tsongkhapa’s representative on earth. This position is only for the most learned and who practices tirelessly and follows a set pathway before being able to be appointed in such a meritorious position. Holding his vows purely and having clean Samaya with his Gurus, this position can be attained by everyone as it is based on merits.
I rejoice that His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur, Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche resides in France to benefit the people in Europe and all over the world.
H.H. the 101 Gaden Trisur shows that there is nothing wrong with Dorje Shugden as he joined Shar Gaden immediately after leaving his position after 7 years. By his example again we can see that Dorje Shugden is a Buddha and that HH the 101th Gaden Trisur was practicing Dorje Shugden all along. May everyone be able to practice Dorje Shugden and may Dorje Shugden spread all over the world.
PAR wrote very details all about the monastic system ( PAR studied a lot ), especially the ” ranking ” of the monastery system – > Sholar Monk -> Geshe Lharam -> Gyuto / Gyume -> Lama Gekul -> Lama Umze -> Abbot -> Abbot Emeritus -> Sharpa / Jangtse Choeje Rinpoche -> Gaden Tripa.
From here we can see, to be a Gaden Tripa is not easy in the monastery, must go on many exams, studies, debates and even more. From this article what i learned for : “Thus he waited until he became an ‘ordinary’ monk again, before making his practice known so that any attacks would be personal to him, and not to the position. Actions like these make it clear to us that His Holiness is without ego, valuing Dharma above politics, and it is clear this attitude has influenced his most loyal and closest students.”
“He was unhappy with the Dorje Shugden ban, but kept quiet all this time, and refused to go to swear in at Gaden Shartse Monastery. He wanted to speak out, but he thought about the sanctified position of Gaden Tripa, so he thought it would be better for him to finish his term, and speak up when he was an ‘ordinary’ monk again with no position. Then, if anyone ‘attacked’ him, it would just involve him as an individual, and no harm would come to the position and create undue and unnecessary problems for the Gelugpas on the whole.” ( copied from PHO )
I love what Rinpoche writes about The Gaden Tripa and thank you Rinpoche for clarifying certain issues especially surrounding the leadership position as the leader or Tibetan Gelugpa/Buddhism sect. I have also learned untold stories about HH’s stance on Dorje Shugden as well. For someone to be holding the highest position in the Buddhism world, it does require a lot of merits and samaya with HH Guru has to be very clean and strong. Otherwise usually the throne holder would not last long or maybe serving the term facing obstacle after obstacle and so on. 101st Gaden Tripa deservedly held the throne throughout without having any sorts of problems whatsoever and HH did not mention of His stance on Dorje Shugden until He relinquished HH position and I have to ask everyone that why HHs health or position wasn’t under any threat at all all through His term. This shows that practising Dorje Shugden is not wrong and it is not breaking Samaya to be practising what your Guru gives you to do. Otherwise Gaden Trips wouldn’t have lasted so long and going strong.
Many people know about Dalai Lama, but not many people know about the existence of Gaden Tripa.
Gaden Tripa is the throne holder of Lama Tsongkhapa. This is such a highly regarded position in Tibetan Buddhism and yet, it is open to any Lama who are qualified and not reincarnation lineage, and every term can only last for 7 years. It is not easy to be Lama Tsongkhapa Throne holder, it requires many years of studies and climb the ladders of Gaden Tripa
Sholar Monk -> Geshe Lharam -> Gyuto / Gyume -> Lama Gekul -> Lama Umze -> Abbot -> Abbot Emeritus -> Sharpa / Jangtse Choeje Rinpoche -> Gaden Tripa.
There is no short cuts or jump queues, because this is a very important position in Gelug lineage, hence, every position is very strict and imagine how many years it will take to become Gaden Tripa by following the chart. For such educated and well learned Lamas, how come they can’t see that Dorje Shugden is a Devil? Well, by them practicing Dorje Shugden, it showed very well that Dorje Shugden is not a Devil, in fact he is a great practice that comes from the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa. Look at Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, he is the practitioner of Dorje Shugden, not only he did finished his 7 years tenure of Gaden Tripa and now at his age of 90s, he is still going very strong and very healthy. Since such great lama is practicing Protector Dorje Shugden, it means anyone can also practice him.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article about 101st Gaden Tripa. For a position like Gaden Tripa, the Throne Holder to the seat of Lama Je Tsongkhapa, it really requires tremendous merit and Guru devotion in order to be in the position. Because he is the head of the whole lineage and he represent the whole lineage. In our practice, Guru devotion is the most important. Without our Guru, we can’t learn and practice dharma, we can’t gain enlightenment. For a high Lama His Holiness Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, who is a Gaden Trisur and who holds a great Guru devotion, Dorje Shugden practice doesn’t seem to be a problem. His Holiness is 90 year old now, and he still a very devoted Dorje Shugden practitioner and still holding strong in his Guru devotion. Again, this prove that Dorje Shugden is a pure practice in the lineage. He will bless everyone especially those who practice and in the lineage. His Holiness Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is an inspiration to us to hold strong devotion with our Guru and Dorje Shugden. May His Holiness Gaden Trisur long life, and continue turning the dharma wheel. _/\_
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing this interesting article about the prodigy of practicing Dorje Shugden. High attained lama such His Holiness the 101th Gaden Tripa, Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and His Holiness the 102th Gaden Tripa, Jetsun Rizong Rinpoche, are truly erudite masters with powerful knowledge of sutra,tantra and lifelong practitioners of Dorje Shugden.
It’s really inspiring of their patience, courage, consciousness and fearless, in terms of practicing Dorje Shugden, they never go against and speak badly about it. Their strength earned much respect from DS practitioners.
I like what Rinpoche wrote below. It shows how selfless and compassionate HH the 101st Gaden Tripa is.
“Thus he waited until he became an ‘ordinary’ monk again, before making his practice known so that any attacks would be personal to him, and not to the position. Actions like these make it clear to us that His Holiness is without ego, valuing Dharma above politics, and it is clear this attitude has influenced his most loyal and closest students.”
“He was unhappy with the Dorje Shugden ban, but kept quiet all this time, and refused to go to swear in at Gaden Shartse Monastery. He wanted to speak out, but he thought about the sanctified position of Gaden Tripa, so he thought it would be better for him to finish his term, and speak up when he was an ‘ordinary’ monk again with no position. Then, if anyone ‘attacked’ him, it would just involve him as an individual, and no harm would come to the position and create undue and unnecessary problems for the Gelugpas on the whole.”
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@Free World
What you say connects very well what the well educated geshes and learned lamas say about broken samaya. Just like what Rinpoche wrote, and I quote:
“If a person was not a sincere practitioner, had broken samaya and or was not meritorious enough, when his turn came to sit on the throne of Tsongkhapa to be enthroned as Gaden Tripa he would pass away to take rebirth in a better place to continue to practice. Or if enthroned, he would not survive the full term or during his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa, he will be seriously ill and unable to fulfil his duties, pass away or could step down.”
This article explain very well on the Gaden Lineage holder of Gaden Tripa. I believe a lot of people may just think that HH the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetans but in Tibet there are 4 different schools (Gelug, Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma) that has their own spiritual leader. As mentioned in the article Gaden Tripa is the holder of the golden throne of Ganden represents the King of Dharma Je Tsongkhapa on earth. The route to the position of Ganden Tripa is a democratic one, as expressed in the Tibetan proverb: “if a mother’s son has the right qualifications, then the Ganden throne is open to him”.
As such a great scholar and caliber person which warded based on merit and only the best Buddhist scholars and practitioners can ascend the golden throne of Ganden, how can he be wrong on Dorje Shugden practice. His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche is one of many that hold on his commitment with his protector practice and give a good and great example of the highest rank in Gelug school. Just the same as His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche who never once doubt his guru advice on the practice given and go all the way. No one should said our practice is wrong especially that given by our Guru. In our spiritual practice we are not to say who’s right or wrong but do well in our practice and trust our Guru that has been so kind to spend their time and effort to help us to be a better person and eventually gain highest attainment in our practice.
With folded hands, may His Holiness live long and continue to turn the wheel of dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article about the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche. After reading this article, I learned that to able to become a Gaden Tripa, a monk has to practised Dharma very deeply then he will be ‘fit’ to represent someone as great as Je Tsongkhapa.
If a monk was not a sincere practitioner, had broken samaya and or was not meritorious enough, when his turn came to sit on the throne of Tsongkhapa to be enthroned as Gaden Tripa he would pass away to take rebirth in a better place to continue to practice. Or if enthroned, he would not survive the full term or during his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa, he will be seriously ill and unable to fulfil his duties, pass away or could step down.
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is doing well and 90 years old. His Holiness is a powerful master of sutra, tantra and lifelong practitioner of Dorje Shugden. His Holiness is really a role model for every other monks. During his tenure as Gaden Tripa, His Holiness did not reveal his Dorje Shugden practices to anyone as His Holiness needs to protect the reputation of the office he held.
As we can see from the 101st Gaden Tripa to the 102nd Gaden Tripa, both Lama serve the monastery 7 years as Gaden Tripa and they are still strong and still practising Dorje Shugden. This comes to show that Dorje Shugden practices does no harm to anyone but benefits us if we put all our trust and faith in him.
With folded palms,
Vivian
His Holiness Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is indeed an erudite Lama. Through His pure Guru devotion, practice and perseverance, look at what He achieved. He was the Gaden Tripa, representation of Lama Tsongkhapa on earth! It’s not a post that simply anyone can be assigned to. It has to be someone of high caliber, achievements, studies, practice, vows, respect and much more.
For someone who is so highly attained, I am very sure He will know if Dorje Shugden’s practice will harm or not. And He is already 90 years old! If after practicing so many years, he was able to be Gaden Tripa and now, healthy and still practicing, then how can one believe that Dorje Shugden’s practice is harmful? Wouldn’t that be an illogical point?
Our spiritual path should not be dictated by CTA and it’s tactics. It must never be mixed with politics. Where is the freedom to practice? Speaking out against Dorje Shugden practitioners should not be their focus. Why don’t they do something to benefit their people instead?
May H.H. the 101st Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal is an immovable diamond having risen via a meritocratic monastic system, eventually nominated by peers to the position of Gaden Trisur, somewhat like how the Pope is appointed.
His actions are consistent with the core practice of the Gelugpas, that of the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga (a.k.a. the Hundred Deities of Tushita or “Ganden Lhagyama”) which is a powerful practice for receiving the blessings of one’s personal teacher and developing the realization of guru devotion.
t is certainly a great inspiration to read about 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal who is Lama Tsongkhapa on Earth bravely not giving up his practice of Dorje Shugden against the wishes of the Tibetan Leadership. His Holiness is true to himself, his Guru, the Lineage and his followers. We have good merits to witness this stance taken by Gaden Trisur. There is no doubt about his commitment, principle and practice. I pray that His Holiness will live long and continue to awe-inspire many more followers of Dorje Shugden and the Gelug Tradition.
I first heard about His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Gaden Tripa, when His Holiness gave a foreword to my teacher’s, H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s book, Compassion Conquers All. From there, I started to learn about the significance of Gaden Tripa’s office.
Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche won my respect when after His Holiness finishes his term, he openly admitted that he is a Dorje Shugden practitioners. During that time, it was not easy to be a high profile Dorje Shugden practitioner since the ban against the Dorje Shugden practice was in effect. In 2008, Gaden Monastery, the previous monastery where the Gaden Trisur came from requested the monks to declare whether they were Dorje Shugden practitioners or not. If they were, then, they were expected to swear that they were not practicing. The Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal has never come back to swear and deny his protector practice. I truly admire his courage.
I hope Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal will live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
Valentina
There is something about this Gaden Tripa’s face that makes me so happy. I’m not that familiar with the customs and ranks of Tibetan Buddhism so I don’t know who is who or what is what or how they are important until I read this post. But anyway, for now I take what I see on face value and it seems to me when I look at this person, he is doing something correct with his life. Who can be 90 and look so good? That is the proof of his practice which is his faith lor. Aiyo half the time, people 20 to 30 years younger than him already have big eye bags and look like raisin and dry. Then you have this man who is smiling and radiant. Actually his face is like Dalai Lama, also glowing and looks strong and healthy. Means what they are doing, there is something correct in it so they have gain some kind of power?? Is this correct to say? Anyway thank you for sharing about him, he looks like a nice person.
His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche,is one that up hold his vows to practice Dorje Shugden. As the throne holder of Je Tsongkhapa, Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal successfully retired after a 7 years term without saying anything of the practice of Dorje Shugden.Gaden Tripa has proven that Dorje shugden do no harm but do benefits those practices it.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche’s biography with us to gain more and insight knowledge of his Holiness.May His Holiness live long to continue turning the Dharma wheel.
Yes, Ihe fact that H.H. the 101st Gaden Tripa , Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, a lifelong practitioner of Dorje Shugden, is 90 years old and is still strong and doing well, undoubtedly speaks well for him, and for Shugden! His Holiness’ health has not declined because he practiced and still practises Dorje Shugden!
This holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne, the head of the Gelugpa Lineage, has kept his samaya with his Gurus and his Lineage clean. This pure practitioner and adept of both Sutra and Tantra has kept unwavering faith with the Protector bequeathed to him by his Guru, the illustrious Master H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. With His Holiness’ standing and the fact that he has conducted himself with faultless grace and dignity , he is a pinnacle of inspiration to all, including great Shugden Lamas, who will now be more ready to follow his lead and come out courageously like him to let the world know they are Shugden practitioners. Being the powerful and erudite Master that he is , many will now be moved and influenced to look more objectively at the Dorje Shugden controversy, and see the truth behind it all.
Many will see how His Holiness quietly waited out his term of office ; then with great courage and dignity, left Gaden Shartse and joined Shar Gaden. Many will realise that the main reason why His Holiness waited until his term of office had come to an end , before taking the step of pronouncing himself a Shugden practitioner, was that he did not want to cast any stain on that sacred and august office.
It would be lovely if,inspired by His Hollness’ loyalty to his Gurus, lineage and practices, more and more, come forward and declare themselves as practitioners and supporters of the Dorje Shugden practice, which has always benefited all and never harmed any.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story about His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche. He has demonstrated to us the right behaviours of a loyal student to one’s guru and showed respect to the monastery. While he was serving the position as the Gaden Tripa, he performed his work as a spiritual head very well without getting involved with politic. When he finished his terms as the Gaden Tripa, he joined Shar Gaden, again without saying anything bad about anyone. The funny thing is if lama who practises DS is bad, and is a demon worshipper, why did Gaden Shartse still keep the throne of HH Trijang Rinpoche and HH the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche? Won’t it stain their ‘pure lineage’? Why do they still want to associate with DS Lamas? Anti-DS monasteries and people are very contradictory, they said DS is a spirit, yet they are keeping the thrones of the 2 DS Lamas throne in their monastery.
What makes the “Throne” of the Gaden Tripa so special, precious and holy is that the Throne Holder is chosen due to meritocracy and purity of the practice of Je Tsongkapa’s doctrine. The Gaden Tripa is the holder of the lineage on earth and as such only the best and purest can ascend this holy throne.
As it is not by birthright, the choice of the Gaden Tripa is only from the cream of the crop. As such if the 101st and 102nd Gaden Tripa never gave up their practice of Dorje Shugden, and had successfully fulfilled their term as Gaden Tripa, it is logical to think that the worship of Dorje Shugden is pure and a blessing to be able to practise.
Dorje Shugden is the supreme Protector of Je Tsongkapa’s doctrine.
It is the example of His Holiness the great 101st Gaden Tripa that Buddhists should amplify the worship of Dorje Shugden and not be fearful of the erroneous ban by CTA whose work so far is not impressive at all.
It is also interesting to read the comment by Free World on 7th April 2017 who shared the current situation of the 103rd Gaden Tripa who is in Free World’s point of view to be of more political than spiritual motivation.
If someone of HH’s 101st Gaden Tripa’s calibre and attainments would hold onto Dorje Shugden practice more than HH’s life, it says a lot of what we should be doing too. His Holiness’ result of practice and health is for all to see and witness. Noy only practicing Dorje Shugden does not harm his life as Dorje Shugden is Buddha but also practising Dorje Shugden does not harm HH Dalai Lama’s life too. Dalai Lama is too are now healthy and approaching 90 years old soon. Another glaring proof that practising Dorje Shugden is beneficial to all and does not harm anyone at all instead as per claimed.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such great news about 101st Gaden Tripa Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal, about his good health and vibrant. But it is even better news to learn the logic reasoning behind all this, as Rinpoche puts them very clearly.
What I like about Buddhism is its logic reasoning, and this is more so for Gelug school of Buddhism. From this lineage, we can see that Tsem Rinpoche’s strong logic reasoning is making a lot of sense and making the Dharma grow because majority of the people do not believe in blind faith anymore.
What made me sick is the politics which interfere with the spiritual practice. The CTA (administration of the exile) are just lay person who don’t practice Dharma, and yet they want to interfere with Dharma, and turn people away from Dharma by giving wrong information. CTA gave false information (such as all high lamas are giving up Dorje Shugden etc) for their personal gain. They want to be close to HH Dalai Lama so that they can continue to receive donation money from western countries for their own pocket. If CTA is really for the benefit of the Tibetans, why not unite eveyone and fight for a good cause? Why persecute?
Would you listen to a high level of practitioners like 101st Gaden Tripa? or lay person in CTA who are for their personal gain? The answer is clear.
I came across this picture of the three Gaden Tripas together and googled “Gaden Tripa’ and found this blog. It’s my first time here and I will return. I must say, there certainly so much information on so much here. Good going guys! Kudos.
I have been a avid follower of Dorje Shugden for ten years now and my life has only improved. I am surprised that the current Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin would speak out against Dorje Shugden till now seeing his condition. It demeans his position to speak out against Dorje Shugden as the previous two Gaden Tripas (Lungrik Namgyal and Rizong Rinpoche never spoke against Shugden during their tenures). He looks extremely ill and corpse like. I guess the karma of always speaking out against one’s lama, the lama’s practice and traditions does generate tremendous negative karma. The current Gaden Tripa by speaking out against Dorje Shugden created a lot of schism between the students of Dorje Shugden practitioners and their teachers. The karma is heavy for that. One of the teachers of the current Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin is Trijang Rinpoche. By speaking out against Shugden who was revered by Trijang Rinpoche, he is saying Trijang is wrong. Dangerous karma.
Everyone knows the suppression of the Dorje Shugden practice is purely political and nothing spiritual at all by the Tibetan leadership. They failed in their mission to secure Tibet back so they conveniently blamed it on the gods (Shugden and entourage) by saying the worship prevented this goal to manifest. Like how they are suppressing the FREE SPEECH of Mr. Lukar Jam. Very backwards. Tibetan society and leaders do not allow any practices, thoughts and speech that do not fall in line with their martial policies. They say they are democratic but that is PURE Bullsh***! They play the democracy card in order to milk more free money from Western governments and Tibetan sympathizers. I know because I use to live in Dharamsala and helped in some works in one of the newspaper office that was forcibly closed down by the Exile Tibetan government for printing articles that did not agree with their autocratic way of dictatorship. If you criticize them, they will seek revenge and havoc in your life. They will brand you an enemy of the people. Get the public to segregate you and if you don’t back down, incite violence against you as it has happened to Mr. Lukar Jam.
The exiled so called government of Tibetans in North India (Dharamsala) is a money grabbing, greedy, selfish, narrow minded lot of people who use the Dalai Lama’s name and fame for pure self gain. You can see this even happens in the monasteries as it did with the current 103rd Gaden Tripa. Before he was enthroned as the current Gaden Tripa, he was not known as a spiritual saintly monk but a very political monk person who cherishes money, gossiped plenty and never engaged in meditation. His reputation is well known in the monasteries. He does not have a good reputation in the monasteries at all and many of his students leave him or just keep quiet. The Dalai Lama chose him and allowed him to ascend the throne of Gaden Tripa because he was vehement in speaking out against Dorje Shugden and called for them to be expelled from Drepung Loseling Monastery where he is from. That is the criteria to be allowed to be Gaden Tripa these days. Because of this, he was favored by the Dalai Lama and it served the political purpose. He is a scholar of Buddhism for sure, but no practice. Not moist with the nectar of practice, contemplation and meditation. As Gaden Tripa he should have some mystical powers gained from meditation at least and repair his body to say the least wouldn’t you think? It seems, three months on the throne as Gaden Tripa (recently enthroned) and Lobsang Tenzin is not doing very well at all by the looks of his gaunt picture. It seems there is some truth that you have to be pure and saintly to sit on the throne of Tsongkapa and remain on the throne!
The current Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin is gaunt, sickly and unable to fulfill his duties let alone carry out the political agenda of the Tibetan leaders while the previous two Gaden Tripas are looking positively radiant and vibrant. Bless them. I guess their practice of Dorje Shugden served them well!
@Free World, What you wrote is powerful and much to think about and digest.
It is sad to see that the current Gaden Tripa is getting sick. However, lay person like me would question: If he has practiced tantra very well, why can’t he heal his body and show a good example of Dharma? Just like 101st Gaden Tripa, although He disagree with the Dorje Shugden ban, He kept quiet during his term to represent the Dharma well. If we are sick and go to current Gaden Tripa to get blessings to heal our body, will be get even more sick? Why would we want to get blessings from someone who is more sick than us?
Also, saying Dorje Shugden harm him because he speak against Dorje Shugden does not make sense. By virtue of holding vows and practice Dharma, one is free from the disturbance of spirits IF he/she is genuine practitioner. It only goes to show the current Gaden Tripa is not a genuine practitioners, and his sickness is a manifestation of his own negative karma, and he has no way to turning back the obstacles, and whatever protector he prayed to, is not effective in helping him and it is giving the Dharma a very bad name.
@Free World
What you say connects very well what the well educated geshes and learned lamas say about broken samaya. Just like what Rinpoche wrote, and I quote:
“If a person was not a sincere practitioner, had broken samaya and or was not meritorious enough, when his turn came to sit on the throne of Tsongkhapa to be enthroned as Gaden Tripa he would pass away to take rebirth in a better place to continue to practice. Or if enthroned, he would not survive the full term or during his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa, he will be seriously ill and unable to fulfil his duties, pass away or could step down.”
This is yet another strong evidence to rebut the controversy of Dorje Shugden being a negative Protector practice. For a monk to be appointed to be the Gaden Tripa he has to be a very highly learned Geshe. It is a position based on top class merits, not based on reincarnation lineage. Hence, if a Gaden Tripa practices Dorje Shugden, what does it say about the practice ? Whist HH Gaden Tripa was in office he gave many teachings, he conducted many Pujas, he gave many initiations, he benefited many beings whilst practicing Dorje Shugden too.
It is not a battle of whose Protector is better or worse, it is an issue of tolerance and respect for other people’s practice. We are all in samsara together, all destined to the lower realms UNLESS we can transform and purify our negative karma and gain merits to have a good rebirth. To achieve a good rebirth we need the divine help, it is much quicker and more focus that way. Hence a Buddha like Dorje Shugden would be perfect to guide us out of samsara. If it is a practice revered by the 101st Gaden Tripa, it would be a practice perfect for us too !!
Thank you Rinpoche for this very assuring teaching !!
To me the 101st Gaden Tripa is an example of Buddha’s sangha who held himself and offices with great respect, responsibility and prestige. May more people come to know that the representative of Lama Tsongkhapa in our planet is the Gaden Tripa and this position is attained via merit and spiritual effort.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing on His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Rinpoche.We are very fortunate to be introduce to such a significant Gaden Tripa position within the Gelug monastic tradition.
Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche is a truly amazing lama.From his action ,we could see that he is free from attachment ,which others would find it hard to resist as given such a position.He truly kept his vows to the highest level and continue to engage in the practice that he believes in would benefit others too..Which is the Dorje Shugden practice.
May Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche action and believes gives us strength and endorsement to lift the ban for Dorje Shugden Practice.As he too believes Tsem Rinpoche share the same mission to spread the holy Dharma as thought by Je Tsongkhapa and his lineage masters.
It is so inspiring that while not giving up His practice of Dorje Shugden, HH the 101st Ganden Trisur would not speak up against the Ban in reverence to the position he was endowed with.
How wonderful that once HH has served His term, he would then quietly leave and join Shar Ganden to be free to practise His faith in Dorje Shugden.
Such was the way for Tsem Rinpoche, who held on to His faith as initiated to Him by His Root Guru until now. I find the courage of these high Lamas such an inspiration.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you very much for compiling, composing and sharing this wonderful history to us.
I am ignorant of all these until Your Eminence shared this with us. As you have written, “His Holiness the Gaden Trisur gives us strength, inspiration and much-needed courage to stand up and say there is nothing wrong with Dorje Shugden’s practice and we will continue on. From the bottom of my heart and the depths of my being, I fold my hands and place my head on His Holiness the Gaden Trisur’s lotus feet that he will remain for a long time with us, bless us and continuously bestow teachings as he is Lama Tsongkhapa on earth.”
We will follow you and may the blessings come to all and may you have long life, a stable health and remain with us for a long time.
With folded hands _/\_
Lum Kok Luen
His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and many other high lamas such as Trijang Rinpoche etc operate from the Absolute level. Leaving Gaden Monastery for Shar Gaden is just in name, place or form only. For they’ve already realized Emptiness.
What is most important is the practice and the benefits that it brings to oneself and others.
We in Malaysia are so fortunate to have such a highly attained Boddhisattva Lama as endorsed by Gaden Tripa himself, living amongst us giving teachings and guiding us.
Thank you Rinpoche for maintaining steadfastly in spreading and upholding the Dharma and Dorje Shugden’s practice to all of us, irregardless of social pressure, criticism, ban and other worldly concerns.