Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Cuts My Hair
This photo was taken at Thubten Dhargye Ling centre in Los Angeles in 1984. I had promised to take ordination and go to Gaden Monastery. HH Zong Rinpoche told me to live in his house(Zong Ladrang) in Gaden. I agreed to everything. HH Zong Rinpoche cutting a strand of my hair and blessing me as indication of His acceptance.
I am still moved when I see this.
Since HH Zong Rinpoche’s passing, I have felt lonely and missed Him till today. Not a day goes by I do not chant His name mantra or wish to be in His presence again. I have not met such a lama.
When I first heard His name, immediately great faith, joy and excitement arose in my mind. I believed He is Heruka and that faith has never wavered. He is Heruka.
Meeting Zong Rinpoche was one of the top 5 events of my life which has been useless most of the time.
I love you Zong Rinpoche and I will always be devoted to you. You are my refuge. Whatever you have passed to me from your Enlightened mind, I will uphold till my death.
Tsem Rinpoche
Tibetan ‘Ah’ syllable found on the inside of the skull of the 2nd Zong Rinpoche, Zongtrul Tenpa Chopel (1836-1899 AD) after his cremation ceremony
I was 18 years old when this was taken back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Here I am in this photo with my most precious root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He has profoundly changed my life for the better forever. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him, love him, miss him and yearn for his presence and teachings.
I meditate on him in my heart every single day. He was everything that a high Tibetan lama is said to be and more. From the moment I heard his name before meeting him from a friend who had met him already, faith instantly arose in me. Instantly faith arose in me. I did 100 prostrations to his picture everyday until I met him. I wanted to make a spiritual karmic connection with him so that when I met him, I can receive many teachings and that is why I made the prostrations.
No other spiritual teacher although all of them were great has this sort of meteoric impact on me. It’s unexplainable. 30 plus years down the line, my faith, respect and trust in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is unshakable. I will always follow and practice what he has taught me and given me. I will never abandon my teacher or any practice he has given me no matter what obstacles come my way.
No matter if my life is threatened, or I am disliked or segregated for following his instructions, I will never abandon any of his teachings. No other teacher will ever have me change my practice I have received from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. May I meet Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in all my future lives too and come under his care. I forever bow to him and place the crown of my unworthy head to his feet. I will follow, meditate, trust and believe in my guru always.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
这是我与我的至宝根本上师，至尊嘉杰宋仁波切于1983年在加利福尼亚洛杉矶拍下的合照。当年我18岁。他深刻地改变了我的生命，永恒地使我的生命变得更美好。没有那么一天，我不想起他，不珍爱他，不思念他，或是不切盼他的出现与教诲。
每一天，我都在心中忆念嘉杰宋仁波切。他拥有人们眼中一个西藏高僧该具备的一切条件，甚至拥有更多。我从一个曾拜见嘉杰宋仁波切的朋友口中听见宋仁波切的殊胜名字，自那一刻起，我虽未见过仁波切一面，但信心即刻油然而生。在见到仁波切之前的每一天，我都向着他的法照顶礼一百遍，我想跟他结下法缘，那么等到见到他的时候，我能接受到大量的教诲。这是我每日顶礼的原因。
其他所有上师固然殊胜，但没有一个像嘉杰宋仁波切那样对我造成犹如陨星撞击般的影响。这种感受无从解释。我对嘉杰宋仁波切的信心、敬重和信任，三十余载从未动摇。他教过我的，给过我的，我都会一直跟从并且实修。
我永远不会背弃我的上师，或是背弃他赐予我的任何修行，不管我眼前出现什么阻难。即使我因为遵从他的指示而面对生命威胁，或遭受厌弃或排挤，我仍然不会背弃他的任何一个教诲。没有任何一位上师能够动摇嘉杰宋仁波切赐予我的修行。祈愿我生生世世都能遇见嘉杰宋仁波切并得到他的引导。我永世顶礼于嘉杰宋仁波切足下。我将永远遵从上师的教诲，忆念他，信任他，相信他。
谦卑的詹杜固仁波切
སྤྱི་ལོ་༡༩༨༣ ལོར་ལོས་ཨེན་ཇེ་ལེ་ས་ཀལ་ལི་ཕོ་ནི་ཡ་(Los Angeles, California.) ནང་ང་ལོ་ ༡༨ ཡིན་པའི་སྐབས་ཀྱི་འདྲ་པར་རེད། འདྲ་པར་འདི་ནང་ང་དང་བདག་གི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ལྷན་དུ་ཡོད། སྐུ་ཉིད་ཀྱི་གཏིང་ཚུགས་པའི་སྒོ་ནས་བདག་གི་མི་ཚེ་གཏན་དུ་བསྒྱུར་བར་འཕྲིན་ལས་བརྩོལ་ཡོད་པས། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མར་དགའ་བ་མ་སྒོམ་པ་དང་། མི་དྲན་པ། ཁོང་གི་སྐོར་མ་བསམ་པ། ཁོང་གི་མདུན་ནས་སློབ་ཁྲིད་སོགས་ཞུ་འདོད་མེད་པ་ཉིན་གཅིག་ཀྱང་མེད།
ཉིན་ལྟར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་གྱི་ཡོད། ཁོང་ནི་བོད་པའི་བླ་མ་མཁས་པ་ཞིག་ལ་ཚང་དགོས་པའི་ཡོན་ཏན་བླ་ན་མེད་པ་དང་ལྡན། བདག་གིས་ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་གོང་དུ་བདག་གི་གྲོགས་པོས་ཁོང་མཇལ་ཡོད་པས་ངའི་གྲོགས་པོའི་རྒྱུད་ནས་ཁོང་གི་མཚན་ཐོས་པ་ད་སྐབས་བདག་གི་སེམས་ནང་ལམ་སང་དད་པ་སྐྱེས། ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་བར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་གི་སྐུ་པར་ལ་ཉིན་ལྟར་ཕྱག་ཚར་༡༠༠ འཚལ་གྱི་ཡོད། གང་ཡིན་ཟེར་ན། ཁོང་དང་ཆོས་ཀྱི་འབྲེལ་བ་ཡོང་བ་དང་ཁོང་མཇལ་ནས་ཆོས་མང་པོ་ཞུས་ཐུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་ངས་ཕྱག་འཚལ་དགོས་དོན་དེ་འདྲ་ཡིན།
བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་རྣམས་ཁྱད་པར་དུ་འཕགས་པ་ཡིན་ཡང་བདག་ལ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ནི་ཤིན་ཏུ་བཀའ་དྲིན་ཆེ། འདི་གསལ་བཤད་བྱེད་མི་ཐུབ། ལོ་ ༣༠ རྗེས་ལའང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་ལ་ངས་དད་པ། རྩི་བཀུར། ཡིད་ཆེས་སོགས་གཡོ་བ་མེད་པ་རེད། ཁོང་གི་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་སྦྱོང་བརྡར་སོགས་བདག་གིས་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་ཉམས་ལེན་བགྱིད། བདག་གི་ཆོས་ཉིད་ཀྱི་ལམ་དུ་བར་ཆད་ཆེ་ཆུང་གང་འདྲ་འཕྲད་ཀྱང་བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་ཀྱིས་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དེ་དག་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་འདོར་གྱི་མིན།
བདག་གི་མི་ཚེར་ཉེན་ཚབས་བཟོ་ནའང་། བདག་ལ་མ་དགའ་བ་བྱེད་ནའང་། ཡང་ན་བདག་གི་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་སྒྲུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་བདག་དང་འབྲེལ་ཐག་གཅོད་ནའང་ཁྱད་མེད་བཞིན་བདག་གིས་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་མི་འདོར། ༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་ཐོབ་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་བདག་གི་དད་པ་དམ་ཚིག་བླ་མ་གཞན་སུའང་ཞིག་གིས་འགྱུར་མི་ཐུབ། བདག་གི་ཚེ་ཕྱི་མར་ཡང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཇལ་བ་དང་ཁོང་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་བྱམས་སྙིང་རྗེ་ཐོབ་པའི་རེ་སྨོན་ཡོད། ཁོང་གི་ཞབས་ཀྱི་པད་མོར་ཐུག་ཏེ་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་གུས་ཕྱག་འཚལ། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་བླ་མ་རྗེས་སུ་བཟུང་ཞིང་། ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་ཞིང་། རྒྱུན་དུ་དད་པ་དང་ཡིད་ཆེས་བགྱིད།
གུས་པས་ཚེམས་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་ནས།།
Precious Footage of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
A master of sutra and tantra, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche performed countless holy deeds and gave thousands of Dharma teachings during his lifetime, some of which were filmed for the benefit of sentient beings in the future. Thanks to those recordings, we are able to present you with some very precious footage of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s activities. Be blessed as you listen to the holy voice of the Buddha that is Zong Rinpoche.
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Disclaimer: This footage is presented for strictly educational, non-commercial purposes only. No profit is being made from the display of the footage.
Venerable Lama Yeshe’s Cremation
This video shows the integral role that His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche played in the funeral of his close student, Venerable Lama Yeshe. A highly accomplished tantric master and lifelong Dorje Shugden practitioner, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche led and advised Lama Yeshe’s students on the proper funerary and cremation rites befitting a practitioner of Lama Yeshe’s qualities and attainments.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/LamaYesheCremation.mp4
The Basis of the Spiritual Path
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a teaching on the nature of cyclic existence, the first of the Four Noble Truths as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni, as well as the six realms of suffering.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/BasisSpiritualPath.mp4
The Principles of the Spiritual Path (Part 1 of 2)
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a clear explanation on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path: renunciation, bodhicitta and the right view of emptiness.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PrincipleSpiritualPath1.mp4
The Principles of the Spiritual Path (Part 2 of 2)
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a clear explanation on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path: renunciation, bodhicitta and the right view of emptiness.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PrincipleSpiritualPath2.mp4
Melodies of the Ensa Ear-Whispered Chod Lineage
At the request of Venerable Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen in 1983 at Thubten Dhargye Ling in Los Angeles, USA, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche recited and taught the Ensa Ear-Whispered Chod practice from memory. These melodies are chanted according to prayers known as: Cutting through Self-grasping; Dedicating the Illusory Body as Ganachakra; and the Ganachakra Offering according to Chod practice. Zong Rinpoche chose to present the melodies of certain verses of these prayers and remarked that there may come a time when Chod melodies are taught according to this recording.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/ZongRinpocheRecitesChod.mp4
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A beautiful picture of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche cutting our lama’s hairs back in 1984 tells us a thousand words . That’s where our lama begin a long life spiritual journey travelling a thousand miles to India to be a monk. A promise made to his root guru to take ordination and go to Gaden Monastery. Meeting Kyabje Zong Rinpoche had changed our Lama’s life for the better forever. With all the sufferings and hardship our lama had gone through since young had not deter Rinpoche from becoming a monk. The promise was kept, even though Kyabje Zong Rinpoche had since passed away. Rinpoche became a monk and was advised coming to Malaysia and that’s where we have Kechara Forest Retreat today.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing. The pictures indeed have a great memories.
Be loyal to your guru. Be close to your guru. Be honest with your guru. Never give your guru excuses but always accomplish your assignments that your guru has given you. Be loving, devoted and sincere with your guru. If you conduct yourself in this way, you will see positive transformations in your mind. ~ Tsem Rinpoche
1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
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
The picture of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche cutting Rinpoche ‘s hairs paints a thousand words of how determined ,courage to do what he has promised to his Guru. Even though Rinpoche have had gone through a lot of hardship Rinpoche ‘ s will power have him to endure to becoming a monk travelling from America to India. A promise is a promise and Rinpoche have indeed keeping his words to where Rinpoche is today in Malaysia.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious picture and showing us the way.
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
Beautiful picture of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. It is amazing I was able to meet him and learn from him. It was such an amazing opportunity. Tsem Rinpoche
The picture below was taken in Gaden Shartse Monastery’s main prayer hall during Lama Chopa puja. In the front row is His Holiness Gaden Trisur Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal when he was the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery. Next to him is His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and His Eminence the young Tsem Rinpoche. Sitting behind wearing the hat is Venerable Geshe Lobsang Phende as head chant master.
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
Do watch this short video of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche ?
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1508414004.mp4
Lama Yeshe was a very devoted student of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe very much loved and respected Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and was the first lama to invite Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to the west. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gave vast amount of empowerments, oral transmissions, teachings and sogtae of Dorje Shugden to many of Lama Yeshe’s senior students. Towards the end of Lama Yeshe’s fruitful life, he was in the hospital and physically shutting down. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was giving teachings in Switzerland and was requested to fly in which Kyabje Zong Rinpoche most graciously did. Here in this picture is Kyabje Zong Rinpoche doing special prayers for his student Lama Yeshe. Lama Yeshe was already partially paralyzed, but true to a meditation master, his mind was extremely clear and bright. You can see Lama Yeshe leaning towards Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in deep respect and devotion. Lama Yeshe practiced all the lineages, yidams, protectors such as Dorje Shugden given to him till the end of his life. He never gave up on any of his practices as he has great devotion to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and his other lamas. Lama Yeshe’s samaya with Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was so pure, intact and perfect till the end. A great inspiration.~Tsem Rinpoche
耶喜喇嘛是至尊嘉杰宋仁波切的忠诚弟子。耶喜喇嘛十分敬爱嘉杰宋仁波切，他是第一位把宋仁波切邀请到西方弘法的上师。嘉杰宋仁波切曾为耶喜喇嘛的许多资深弟子传授灌顶、口传、教诲和多杰雄登托命灌顶。在耶喜喇嘛即将走完丰富人生旅程之际，他躺在医院病床上，身体已经逐渐衰败。当时正在瑞士弘法的嘉杰宋仁波切被邀请前去探望他，宋仁波切欣然答应了。这张照片显示嘉杰宋仁波切正为弟子耶喜喇嘛进行特殊的法会。耶喜喇嘛那时已经处于半瘫痪状态，但作为一位禅修大师，他的心识却极度清醒。在这张照片中，可见耶喜喇嘛以无限的敬意和依止心，把身体倾向宋仁波切。耶喜喇嘛终其一生都修持上师所传授的传承、本尊、护法修持如多杰雄登法门等。他从不放弃任何上师所传授的教法，因为他对嘉杰宋仁波切和其他上师均拥有极大的依止心。耶喜喇嘛由始至终都对嘉杰宋仁波切保持清净、完整和完美的三昧耶。这真是一个启发人心的典范。～詹杜固仁波切
I was 18 years old when this was taken back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Here I am in this photo with my most precious root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He has profoundly changed my life for the better forever. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him, love him, miss him and yearn for his presence and teachings. I meditate on him in my heart every single day.
He was everything that a high Tibetan lama is said to be and more. From the moment I heard his name before meeting him from a friend who had met him already, faith instantly arose in me. Instantly faith arose in me. I did 100 prostrations to his picture everyday until I met him. I wanted to make a spiritual karmic connection with him so that when I met him, I can receive many teachings and that is why I made the prostrations. No other spiritual teacher although all of them were great has this sort of meteoric impact on me. It’s unexplainable.
30 plus years down the line, my faith, respect and trust in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is unshakable. I will always follow and practice what he has taught me and given me. I will never abandon my teacher or any practice he has given me no matter what obstacles come my way. No matter if my life is threatened, or I am disliked or segregated for following his instructions, I will never abandon any of his teachings. No other teacher will ever have me change my practice I have received from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
May I meet Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in all my future lives too and come under his care. I forever bow to him and place the crown of my unworthy head to his feet. I will follow, meditate, trust and believe in my guru always.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
这是我与我的至宝根本上师，至尊嘉杰宋仁波切于1983年在加利福尼亚洛杉矶拍下的合照。当年我18岁。他深刻地改变了我的生命，永恒地使我的生命变得更美好。没有那么一天，我不想起他，不珍爱他，不思念他，或是不切盼他的出现与教诲。每一天，我都在心中忆念嘉杰宋仁波切。他拥有人们眼中一个西藏高僧该具备的一切条件，甚至拥有更多。我从一个曾拜见嘉杰宋仁波切的朋友口中听见宋仁波切的殊胜名字，自那一刻起，我虽未见过仁波切一面，但信心即刻油然而生。在见到仁波切之前的每一天，我都向着他的法照顶礼一百遍，我想跟他结下法缘，那么等到见到他的时候，我能接受到大量的教诲。这是我每日顶礼的原因。其他所有上师固然殊胜，但没有一个像嘉杰宋仁波切那样对我造成犹如陨星撞击般的影响。这种感受无从解释。我对嘉杰宋仁波切的信心、敬重和信任，三十余载从未动摇。他教过我的，给过我的，我都会一直跟从并且实修。我永远不会背弃我的上师，或是背弃他赐予我的任何修行，不管我眼前出现什么阻难。即使我因为遵从他的指示而面对生命威胁，或遭受厌弃或排挤，我仍然不会背弃他的任何一个教诲。没有任何一位上师能够动摇嘉杰宋仁波切赐予我的修行。祈愿我生生世世都能遇见嘉杰宋仁波切并得到他的引导。我永世顶礼于嘉杰宋仁波切足下。我将永远遵从上师的教诲，忆念他，信任他，相信他。
谦卑的詹杜固仁波切
སྤྱི་ལོ་༡༩༨༣ ལོར་ལོས་ཨེན་ཇེ་ལེ་ས་ཀལ་ལི་ཕོ་ནི་ཡ་(Los Angeles, California.) ནང་ང་ལོ་ ༡༨ ཡིན་པའི་སྐབས་ཀྱི་འདྲ་པར་རེད། འདྲ་པར་འདི་ནང་ང་དང་བདག་གི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ལྷན་དུ་ཡོད། སྐུ་ཉིད་ཀྱི་གཏིང་ཚུགས་པའི་སྒོ་ནས་བདག་གི་མི་ཚེ་གཏན་དུ་བསྒྱུར་བར་འཕྲིན་ལས་བརྩོལ་ཡོད་པས། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མར་དགའ་བ་མ་སྒོམ་པ་དང་། མི་དྲན་པ། ཁོང་གི་སྐོར་མ་བསམ་པ། ཁོང་གི་མདུན་ནས་སློབ་ཁྲིད་སོགས་ཞུ་འདོད་མེད་པ་ཉིན་གཅིག་ཀྱང་མེད།
ཉིན་ལྟར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་གྱི་ཡོད། ཁོང་ནི་བོད་པའི་བླ་མ་མཁས་པ་ཞིག་ལ་ཚང་དགོས་པའི་ཡོན་ཏན་བླ་ན་མེད་པ་དང་ལྡན། བདག་གིས་ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་གོང་དུ་བདག་གི་གྲོགས་པོས་ཁོང་མཇལ་ཡོད་པས་ངའི་གྲོགས་པོའི་རྒྱུད་ནས་ཁོང་གི་མཚན་ཐོས་པ་ད་སྐབས་བདག་གི་སེམས་ནང་ལམ་སང་དད་པ་སྐྱེས། ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་བར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་གི་སྐུ་པར་ལ་ཉིན་ལྟར་ཕྱག་ཚར་༡༠༠ འཚལ་གྱི་ཡོད། གང་ཡིན་ཟེར་ན། ཁོང་དང་ཆོས་ཀྱི་འབྲེལ་བ་ཡོང་བ་དང་ཁོང་མཇལ་ནས་ཆོས་མང་པོ་ཞུས་ཐུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་ངས་ཕྱག་འཚལ་དགོས་དོན་དེ་འདྲ་ཡིན།
བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་རྣམས་ཁྱད་པར་དུ་འཕགས་པ་ཡིན་ཡང་བདག་ལ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ནི་ཤིན་ཏུ་བཀའ་དྲིན་ཆེ། འདི་གསལ་བཤད་བྱེད་མི་ཐུབ། ལོ་ ༣༠ རྗེས་ལའང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་ལ་ངས་དད་པ། རྩི་བཀུར། ཡིད་ཆེས་སོགས་གཡོ་བ་མེད་པ་རེད། ཁོང་གི་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་སྦྱོང་བརྡར་སོགས་བདག་གིས་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་ཉམས་ལེན་བགྱིད། བདག་གི་ཆོས་ཉིད་ཀྱི་ལམ་དུ་བར་ཆད་ཆེ་ཆུང་གང་འདྲ་འཕྲད་ཀྱང་བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་ཀྱིས་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དེ་དག་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་འདོར་གྱི་མིན།
བདག་གི་མི་ཚེར་ཉེན་ཚབས་བཟོ་ནའང་། བདག་ལ་མ་དགའ་བ་བྱེད་ནའང་། ཡང་ན་བདག་གི་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་སྒྲུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་བདག་དང་འབྲེལ་ཐག་གཅོད་ནའང་ཁྱད་མེད་བཞིན་བདག་གིས་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་མི་འདོར། ༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་ཐོབ་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་བདག་གི་དད་པ་དམ་ཚིག་བླ་མ་གཞན་སུའང་ཞིག་གིས་འགྱུར་མི་ཐུབ། བདག་གི་ཚེ་ཕྱི་མར་ཡང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཇལ་བ་དང་ཁོང་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་བྱམས་སྙིང་རྗེ་ཐོབ་པའི་རེ་སྨོན་ཡོད། ཁོང་གི་ཞབས་ཀྱི་པད་མོར་ཐུག་ཏེ་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་གུས་ཕྱག་འཚལ། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་བླ་མ་རྗེས་སུ་བཟུང་ཞིང་། ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་ཞིང་། རྒྱུན་དུ་དད་པ་དང་ཡིད་ཆེས་བགྱིད།
གུས་པས་ཚེམས་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་ནས།།
Im really happy that Rinpoche never gave up and + keeping his promise to his guru. As we too should. Going through life was hard for you, but you pushed through and its amazing! At the end of it all you gained strength and compassion. Thank you Rinpoche for everything.
This touching moment will be indelibly etched in my memory. The promise Rinpoche made to his root Guru to become ordained as a monk was sealed by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche cutting his hair.
This moment is truly precious: the promise was kept, despite Zong Rinpoche’s passing away. Rinpoche became a monk and gave all his focus to benefiting the world. We are the beneficiaries of this promise.Each of us, his students, have received so much from him.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
Really touched to see this picture.
It is not easy to meet with our Guru. In this life, it took me 28 years to step into Kechara and get to know my Guru, H.E Tsem Rinpoche.
How i wish i can get closer to my Guru and serve him well.
Thanks
Looking at this picture, I feel as though I have not accomplished anything in my life. At such a young age, Tsem Rinpoche chose the path less taken which is the path to liberation.
This picture should be put up as a billboard to remind everyone of the qualities we should have and the path we should be heading to. Also to make everyone realise we do have a choice in life. So make the right choice..
This pictures tells a lot of stories… It may not look like much, but there are a lot of teachings and walking and real example of how to practice Dharma.
I asked myself, at the age of 18, if someone asked me to give up all the things I consider pleasurable and become a monk, I will definitely say no. Yet, Tsem Rinpoche without questions asked, renounce and promised Zong Rinpoche to become a monk.
Yet, the hardship Tsem Rinpoche had to endure to become a monk (all the beatings, hiking across America, being homeless, etc), and all the hardship He had to endure after becoming a monk did not stop Tsem Rinpoche to give up Dharma.
Sometimes I cannot stop to think that Tsem Rinpoche choose this difficult reincarnation to teach us lay people that not only the monks in monastery can practice Dharma. Lay people who faced the similar issues as Tsem Rinpoche as young (the abuse, etc), can also learn Dharma and become a compassionate person.
May the difficult encounters of Tsem Rinpoche be an inspiration for all of us to have perseverance to practice Dharma to benefit all sentient beings!
This is the real example of Guru and disciple relationship. Rinpoche promised His Guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche that he will go to india to get ordained and pursued his spiritual practice which He did. Despite all the hardship that Rinpoche went through before he met Kyabje Zong, Rinpoche still faced a lot of difficulties in the later part when he arrived in the monastery. Rinpoche keep His promise and continue his journey to benefit all sentient beings. Also because of that, Rinpoche is here in Malaysia.
This is such a pivotal moment in Rinpoche’s life and in many cases for many sentient beings who have received love and care from Rinpoche. Without Rinpoche’s strict loyalty and devotion to Kyabjye Zong Rinpoche many people would have been left in the lurch, hence we must truly truly people who hold the monastic vows they are the people who pass on the lineages of our tradition and who can benefit so many due to their unselfish nature.
Please grant me blessings to be able to gain all the attainments and realizations.These follow from correctly depending on and devoting to you,who is the guru.Achieving all these realizations depends on correctly devoting to you,H.E.Tsem Tulku Rinpoche who has sacrifice so much to teach us Dharma due to his unwavering devotion towards his guru,by following his guru’s instructions.
May we strive to benefit all sentient beings who are lost,who are wondering in samsara.Thank you Rinpoche,for your constant guidance.
Rinpoche has very strong guru devotion. By following HH Zong Rinpoche’s advice and became a monk, Rinpoche has benefited many people all over the world. Rinpoche was not selective from whatever his guru advises him. This makes a lama’s “work” easier and a student’s progress and attainment faster. This precious picture is very touching and blessed.
Rinpoche has shown his strong Guru Devotion since at his young age. He has gone through all the hardship until today and Rinpoche continues to love and care for many by giving us the teaching from all he has received from his root guru. This photo will always remind us not to give up in any Dharma works as Rinpoche has put himself ahead of us since 28 years ago.
TSEM RINPOCHE 对ZONG RINPOCHE 的爱是溢於言表的！！TSEM RINOPCHE 是非常希望留在甘丹寺修习佛法的，但是ZONG RINPOCHE 授於他的使命是要来 MALAYSIA 宣扬佛法的。虽然 TSEM RINPOCHE 有百般不愿意，但是因为对ZONG RINPOCHE 的信念与奉献，RINPOCHE 就飘扬过海来到这个陌生的城市！！TSEM RINPOCHE 对ZONG RINPOCHE 和他的徒弟的爱是无私的！！我们身为他的徒弟也因该基於对他的信念与奉献，好好的与TSEM RINPOCHE 並肩做战，实现TSEM RINPOCHE 的愿望—“ KWPC 和KFR” can success ASAP!!!
Rinpoche had done the 100% guru devotion to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to show us. Being a monk is very hard, follow Guru instructions 100% is more difficult. But Rinpoche wish to benefits more then he accept this mission and turn it into reality. Thanks Rinpoche for staying with us with fold hands.
Hopefully our ignorance and selective style will be cut off faster to follow your instructions.
落发容易，留发更容易。学佛法容易，但留佛法在心中为世人付出一切代价而付出行动的没几个人。成功人仕，往往都持之以恒，有他特别的地方。
Rinpoche shows his great guru devotion with simply a short few paragraphs. Reading through them wet my eyes.
At a relatively young age Rinpoche has already shown his great buddha potential and never one day he forgets the kindness that Kyabje Zong Rinpoche has given him.
Rinpoche’s devotion in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is shown in simple words, yet they are powerful enough to reminds me the importance of guru devotion and they touches my heart.
I really agreed what Pastor Ngeow had said. We have to apply Guru Devotion everyday even our Guru is not around anymore. Rinpoche has shown us a very good example of Guru devotion. Thank you Rinpoche.
Rinpoche have show us how Rinpoche treated his relationship with his Guru.A strong guru samaya is maintained regardless his guru is still with him or not.
It is very easy to make a promise. It is even easier to forget about the promises we have made. Because we don’t care and we don’t take our words seriously. Looking at this picture shows that at least one man keeps his words and it is our good merits that he is our spiritual guide and Guru. _/\_
The 1st time i saw this photos is when i visited to the Kechara gallery. I’ve been told that this is the moment where Rinpoche decided to take ordination. Rinpoche has kept his promise for all these while to his Guru. This connection has never faded away even after Zong Rinpoche’s left. Rinpoche has always been a very good example to use for your great devotion for your Guru. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the picture with us and for all the guidance you have given to us.
I always love this photo of Rinpoche. That was the promise Rinpoche made to Zong Rinpoche, precisely why we have Rinpoche here today.
Rinpoche gave us a teaching on DEVOTION a few months back which changed my perspective and thinking quite a lot. He told us that THE REAL GURU DEVOTION starts when he passes on. Whether, we hold our promise and our practice to Rinpoche like how Rinpoche held his promise to Zong Rinpoche in America.
Read more about what Rinpoche had to go through to bring Dharma to this level
You Have Not Seen The Last Of Me
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/you-havent-seen-the-last-of-me.html
Yes,real guru devotion is whether we continue to apply whatever we had learnt from our Guru even if he is not around. We should still practice real Guru devotion even when he is with us.The same attitudes of respect for others , virtuous qualities like lovingkindness , forgiveness, forbearance, etc taught to us by our Guru , should be applied to our family and friends and spiritual community to stabilise our practice and build up our store of merits.
This is a one of the great moment when Rinpoche make the promise to become a monk.
Rinpoche strong inclination towards Dharma, love and devotion for Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is immeasurable. Rinpoche persistent and consistency inspired many and the lineage continues under Rinpoche guidance and teaching. We are so fortunate and thankful for this great opportunity. We as student shall follow the Guru footstep to bring the doctrine of Lama Tsongkhapa flourish and benefit more people.
多么殊胜的一张照片，HH Zong Rinpoche为Tsem Rinpoche削减一绺头发。詹杜固仁波切无时无刻都惦记着宋仁波切，仁波切拥有强烈的依止上师心，对上师的信念完全没有削减丝毫。詹杜固仁波切和宋仁波切相处的时间只有短短的几个月，但那份信念延续到现在，这也教诲我一定要有仁波切的这份品质，这就是我们最基本的修行条件。
我一定会坚守这份信念，对我而言上师是我的一盏明灯，这可以令我在修行上更上一城楼，
我祈愿生生世世拥有仁波切的美好品质直到证悟。
Looking at this photo, its always remind me on guru devotion. It remind me Rinpoche mentioned in his blog, Rinpoche said “I didn’t think serving Zong Rinpoche was work at all but spiritual opportunity that comes once in ten aeons!!” it is so great.
Thanks Rinpoche by leading with example to teach us that we should follow our Guru’s teaching and thinking of Him even He is no longer with us. Thanks Rinpoche.
Rinpoche has shown by example what guru devotion is like and how one should practice it. Guru devotion doesn’t stop when the guru has passed away. Since the guru is a Buddha, he will continue to bless us although he may not be physically with us. Guru devotion is a practice that can bring a lot of benefits.
The way in which Rinpoche shares the memories and accounts of time spent with HH Zong Rinpoche with such clarity, fondness and reverence is indeed a clear sign of complete and utter sincere Guru devotion. Admirable and certainly an inspiration.
This photo is such a poignant point for us the students, as this is the very moment etched in time, when Rinpoche made that step whereby Rinpoche would eventually enter our lives.
This is when Rinpoche “gave up” everything, stepped out of Rinpoche’s comfort zone to benefit all, and as a result we are blessed with the rippling effects!
Such is Rinpoche’s steadfast devotion to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche that tears well up each time Rinpoche mentions Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s name. And Rinpoche is keeping The Promise made to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. All these are in the book titled “The Promise” made available in Kechara Paradise retail outlets and MPH bookstores by Kechara Media & Publications.
The second edition of The Promise is out!Read the sypnosis below:
In Buddha’s Space
http://www.buddhas-space.com
It’s here! The beautiful, full technicolor pictorial biography of Tsem Rinoche has just arrived at our doorsteps in both English and Chinese. This latest version also includes a new chapter about Rinpoche’s previous life and an interview with one of his closest cousins, H.E. Telo Rinpoche of Kalmykia. This isn’t just any biography. It’s the incredible story of the strength of the human spirit, the trials and tribulations of one man and how he overcame all the odds to fight the obstacles, pursue the dream and bring light to the hearts of thousands all over the world. If we could live only a small percentage of what Tsem Rinpoche has, we would be much happier people. The Promise features rare photos that have never been published, stories that are being revealed for the first time ever and insights from people who have known Rinpoche across the many chapters of his life – from his childhood, to the heydays of Los Angeles, to the monastery, to the early days of Malaysia, to what Kechara is today. It’s all here, the story of someone who doesn’t just teach the Lamrim but who has lived it every moment of every day of his life. Get your own copy, be inspired and start making your own sacred promises here: http://www.kechara.com/publications/news/keeping-the-promise/
Thank you Rinpoche for your firm resolve and passion to give it your all to mankind. You are a torch to this degenerating age. We love you Rinpoche. Please remain and live long with us. We need you.
With hand folded Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the great moment with us.
Dear Rinpoche,
It is exactly a year today, June 23 since last year 2011, on Yik Ming’s birthday that we invited sacred Tsongkapa with his two disciplines to our home. I can always remember that day last year, because it was such a happiness for us as we are able to invite Tsongkapa home with the blessings of Rinpoche. Yik Ming’s dad also receive Rinpoche’s blessings, and before he passed away on March 2012 and it was Rimpoche who came to gave our dad your blessings again. My family is so blessed to have met Rinpoche and I would not want to imagine that day wiithout Rinpoche.
Meeting Rinpoche is one of my first biggest event after havings my two boys. My faith isin Rinpoche, my guru, and always my Guru for life after life. I will create the merits to meet and serve you life after life.
With folded palms, your Ignorance student.
Dear Rinpoche,
It is exactly a year today, June 23 since last year 2011, on Yik Ming’s birthday that we invited sacred Tsongkapa with his two disciplines to our home. I can always remember that day last year, because it was such a happiness for us as we are able to invite Tsongkapa home with the blessings of Rinpoche. Yik Ming’s dad also receive Rinpoche’s blessings, and before he passed away on March 2012 and it was Rimpoche who came to gave our dad your blessings again. My family is so blessed to have met Rinpoche and I would not want to imagine that day wiithout Rinpoche.
Meeting Rinpoche is one of my first biggest event after havings my two boys. My faith isin Rinpoche, my guru, and always my Guru for life after life. I will create the merits to meet and serve you life after life.
How Rinpoche run away from home and met H.H.Kyabje Zong Rinpoche again I believe it was all planned from their previous lives, just like noted inside their dairy. Time, place and condition simply so right. The previous life’s promise. It’s because of this promise, Rinpoche is here with us. I trust that it is also because of our promise to Rinpoche that why we met Rinpoche again in this life and became Rinpoche’s student again.
This photo is so precious, is a great moment for Rinpoche and meaningful for us. Because is our guru by take ordination- the 1st step, so until today only we can meet our great teacher here.
Rinpoche have a great faith in Zong Rinpoche, even we have no chance to meet with this great master, but through sharing, teaching and praise by Rinpoche about Zong Rinpoche, we know and we learn. Rinpoche have set us a very good example, what is all about Guru Devotion. And how important to follow our guru step to the greatest path.
I feel quite shame after reading this post and we are not doing enough and do more, even selective to doing Dharma work. With my hand fold together to you, wish we can reach the stage of emulate your good qualities and strong Guru devotion to our Guru. Your inspiration always bring a great thinking.
This is the “very” moment, which Rinpoche made a promise to His Holiness Zong Rinpoche to live your life for others.
Every time I bring tour to gallery, when talk about the story of this picture, of how Rinpoche chose his future according to what HH Zong Rinpoche say, everybody will listen with respect. If these choices gave to us, we might make choose the other way round.
This picture also reminds me the highest level of guru devotion of a guru-disciple relationship. We have much much to learn from Rinpoche. Thank you Rinpoche _/\_
I love this picture a lot. I felt the strong energy from the picture and this is very memorable. I will always remind myself on Guru devotion and my promise to Guru. Just like how Rinpoche uphold whatever HH Zong Rinpoche has passed to him.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the picture with us.
Take good care please 🙂
This was the promise that Tsem Rinpoche gave to his root guru, HH Zong Rinpoche. It was a promise of renunciation to ultimately benefit others. Although the journey thereafter continued to be tough and most challenging, Tsem Rinpoche never gave up on his word to his guru. Rinpoche’s resilience and tenacity is awe-inspiring. These are some of the key qualities of Rinpoche’s success in building Kechara to alleviate the sufferings of others.
We’re in the midst of producing a movie of Tsem Rinpoche’s biography. In the movie we hope to inspire others that when we apply qualities such as compassion, kindness and determination, we can heal ourselves and succeed in all endeavours.
Please check on this link to know more about Tsem Rinpoche’s movie project. http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/my-reasons-for-doing-a-movie.html
Wow! It’s always nice to look at this picture again and again. I think we are very lucky to be able to see Rinpoche as a young man, making this promise that eventually made him a monk. It’s a very important picture for us because it marks the turning point in Rinpoche’s life that made him who he is today. His promise to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was forever upheld!
It is an inspiration for our own practice that when things go bad, this picture reminds us to keep going and never give up. If he can do that for his Lama, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, why can’t we keep going and do our best? Rinpoche endured so much more suffering when compared to the rest of us. Since he suffered much more than many of us and continue, what we are enduring is actually not that bad. It’s all in the mind. Well, at least that’s what I tell myself.
Tsem Rinpoche to us, is also like his Guru, Zong Rinpoche to him. He is our only devine Inspiration and spiritual guide, exception is that we failed miserably and ignorantly to exhibit his kind of deep guru devotion with such distinct wisdom and devine awareness shown, which put us all to shame and lifelong of regrets. He has awakened us through this memorious blog, that “A picture speaks louder than a thousand words”, to bring constant mindfulness in our thoughts and actions of such important practice. As our Lord Buddha has said, “Mindfulness is thus the very basis, the cure for all samsaric afflictions.”
Last year, a student of Rinpoche found out from the monks of Gaden that in their previous lives Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche were very close dharma brothers under Trijang Rinpoche. This explained why the strong affinity between Rinpoche when he first met Zong Rinpoche in LA.
This is a very moving and powerful picture indeed. Rinpoche’s body language exemplified the essence of Guru Devotion – complete surrendering. Just trust the Guru and do whatever he asks of you. I have failed and I regret this from the bottom of my heart. I don’t want to disappoint my Guru , myself and people that have helped and supported me on my path. I pick up from here and now.
Rinpoche have very strong Guru Devotion. H.E strong devotion to Guru make me think about my Guru Devotion, how strong it is? What have i gave to Rinpoche? Thus, I always remind myself to develop strong Guru Devotion. Thank you Guru by teaching me. Thank you
Rinpoche’s result and achievement show us how important Guru devotion is if we want to gain result in our spiritual practice. A Guru does not wish us to be rich and famous but he wants us to transform our mind and to achieve eternal happiness. He takes care of us not only this lifetime, but many lifetimes to come as long as we are still in Samsara.
The picture of H.H. Zong Rinpoche cutting Tem Rinpoche’s hair has brought my mind back to the day when Tsem Rinpoche cut my hair to tell me I have been accepted to become a Sangha. It is no coincidence, but the Karma that I am linked with Zong Rinpooche through Tsem Rinpoche and the Gelupa Lineage. When our Rinpoche cut my hair I never had regret that I said yes. I am very prepared and not had the slightest doubt in entering Sanghahood. I am very satisfied I had already experienced mundane life. As I age I want to have a more peaceful and calm life and collect more merits for next life like Rinpoche has said. I hope what Rinpoche has done by becoming a monk will inspire more people to join as Sangha.
A picture paints a thousand words. A sacred one like this can touch a million hearts.
Guru Devotion is not only about close bonding or its external manifestation.It is really about being determined to become the best one can be to benefit others, to help them overcome suffering – which is what our Guru had accomplished.Being close to a Guru in body, speech and mind closes the gap between us and enlightened beings.
Rinpoche’s Guru Devotion to Zong Rinpoche and his steadfastness in keeping his promise to be ordained as a monk is a wondrous thing to me.
So often, we break our promises and then pretend nothing is happening, Rinpoche could have done that as Zong Rinpoche passed away before Tsem Rinpoche found his way to ordination.
To even imagine, Rinpoche met his Root Guru, Zong Rinpoche in USA and was with him for only a short time and the impact of that relationship would last Tsem Rinpoche till today, when Tsem Rinpoche will spend his life teaching the Dharma.
This event also brings to my mind, the promise Tsem Rinpoche made to Lati Rinpoche, who sent him here to Malaysia to spread the Doctrine of Lama Tsongkapa. Lati Rinpoche has just passed away, and Tsem Rinpoche is still here with us in Malaysia, a place of Budhism “wilderness” teaching Dharma.
Such example of integrity and honour is very difficult to find and I am so glad I can have such a living example as my Guru.
Looking at the picture, I visualize such a ceremony will be held when KWPC is ready, Rinpoche will be conducting the ceremony like what Kyabje Zong Rinpoche did to Rinpoche by cutting a strand of hair and blessing as indicate of the student’s acceptance to be ordained.
Everytime when Rinpoche shared with us about how Rinpoche came all the way acrossed the mainland of USA to meet Rinpoche’s root guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in L.A. also all the precious moment Rinpoche spent with his guru, Rinpoche’s eyes always filled with tears. The tremendous love and gratitude that over flow in Rinpoche’s heart towards Kyabje Zong Rinpoche will be what we all must follow and up hold to our own guru.
Chinese babies in Malaysia (maybe elsewhere in other Chinese communities) have their hair shaved when they are 1 month old. (On the day of their “first” full moon.)
When I saw the picture of Rinpoche having his hair cut by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche reminds me of my sons when they had their heads shaven at 1 month of age. This ‘act’ for Chinese babies is very meaningful, signifying a new beginning and a blessing.
When Rinpoche had his hair cut, it was greatly meaningful for him BUT in my mind, it is equally meaningful for us in Samsara, because this simple act, when Rinpoche agreed to be a monk, is the day, we who are students at least may have a chance of… dare I say it… ”Enlightenment?” or “Liberation?” Maybe Rinpoche can correct my ignorance on this matter.
Why would a nineteen years boy promised to take ordination and go to Gaden Monastery to an old monk he hardly know? Either he was crazy or he must have tremendous faith in the old Monk. H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s faith in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche proves that karmic relationships exist. His strong guru devotion can be seen even to this day by his blog of his root guru and by the many times and the way he refers to Zong Rinpoche. I remember a few years back H.E. Tsem Rinpoche told us that he used to wake up very early in the morning to prepare breakfast for Zong Rinpoche then goes to work and comes back after work and serve his guru till very late at night; attending to his needs and also attending his guru’s Dharma teachings. He even cut his toe nails. I thought it was strange at that time….urgh!! But now I think this is the best example of guru devotion.
I pray every day that I may have pure and strong guru devotion to His Eminence, so that I can practice the Dharma well to benefit all sentient beings.
Even at his young age, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche met H. H. Zong Rinpoche, he could immediately recognize him to be his root Guru. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche would listen and follow every instruction His Holiness told him to do, which meant that he had very strong Guru devotion.
His Holiness saw in Tsem Tulku Rinpoche sincerity and devotion to him when he accepted to take ordination and decided to enter Gaden Monastery. That is why His Holiness offered his own house in Gaden Monastery for him to stay. As Tsem Tulku Rinpoche agreed to everything His Holiness told him to do, he performed the hair cutting ceremony to show his acceptance and blessings
Even after His Holiness’ passing , Tsem Tulku would never forget what His Holiness has done for him each time he recited his Guru’s mantra and he did that everyday without fail. From then on, Tsem Tulku carried out all the works his Gurus passed down for him to do and nothing can make his mind change.
H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has demonstrated perfect guru devotion to H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche since the first day he met him in Los Angeles, TDL center. Even though H.H. Zong Rinpoche has passed away in 1984, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has never forgetting him for even one second.
Tsem Rinpoche frequently talks about Zong Rinpoche’s good qualities, his kindness and compassion towards the student, and praise him openly in front of his own students. Tsem Rinpoche will print a lot of Zong Rinpoche’s pictures, put inside very nice photo frame and give it away to all of us, Tsem Rinpoche is like the most loyalty fans of H.H. Zong Rinpoche, except H.H.Zong Rinpoche is not a pop star.
H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has show a good demonstration of how a student should devoted to their guru, listen to instructions and always remembering the guru kindness. Watching H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s devotion to his guru is like life copy of “the 50 stanza of Guru Devotions”!
PAUL
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche must be a very remarkable guru for Tsem Rinpoche to have so much faith in him. The unshakable trust and promise of Tsem Rinpoche has for his guru despite his passing, even forgoing fame to be famous and rich Hollywood star is really commendable.
I can feel rinpoche’s love for his guru is reflected in his actions for it move and effected him to do so much in this life. I’ve not met Zong Rinpoche before so I could not not have a personal comment. But the ripple effect of the love rinpoche has for his guru has definitely rub on as my love for Tsem Rinpoche. I can commend that I’ve not come across anyone that has so much wisdom and compassion for others as in rinpoche. That altruistic actions of rinpoche has affected so many people in that he comes into contact with. I’ve heard and seen so much transformation of people that has been in contact with rinpoche. Thank you very much Rinpoche and Rinpoche’s past guru I’m forever grateful for all the teachings in transforming my mind.
ya, i kind of able to relate to your experience & feeling the first time Tsem Tulku Rinpoche heard your Guru’s name whereby immediately great faith, joy & excitement arose in your mind.
I feel the same way when the 1st time i saw my Guru, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in Kechara’s Dvd : Re-visited” wherby our Guru made a statement at the end of the Dvd, whereby my Guru said ” Actually he is having high fever & feeling very cold but he did not shown it to all his students because he does not want them to feel worry for him & concerned for his health. He also said The Best time to practise dharma is when one’s is very sick and not feeling well but you do not tell the whole world about it & cause your loved one worry for you ” Anyone whom had watched this Dvd before knows that our Guru had visited many Kechara paradise sites / shops & etc since the early morning of that day till mid-night but he did not shown to anyone that he is actually sick because he does not want his student worry for him. He is so caring & love his student . You know what, after seeing this DVd , i decided to make a trip to Kechara House to check it out & find out more because i wish to know this Guru more…..
Today, I am so fortunate cause i manage to meet my Guru several times in person & has the opportunity to learn Dharma from this great teacher…. thank you, my Guru
His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche shows great love for his root guru and perfect guru devotion. We should all be like that, that way we could become a very nice person and a better student. Zong Rinpoche shows his acceptance by cutting Rinpoche’s hair. I do not really know what kind of ceremony this is. When Rinpoche first heard his name, he could already trust Zong Rinpoche, the Heruka on earth. I bet they have a Karmic bond between each other that is especially different compared to that of regular student and teacher! We should all treat our guru like that as our guru always provides us with care, he provides us with one of the greatest gifts of all, the glorious Dharma!
This photo alone is very moving because it reveals so much about Rinpoche and about how fortunate we are to have met Rinpoche. The very fact that have the Dharma right now is because of the kindness and blessings of Rinpoche’s Guru devotion to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. The very fact now, many of us are doing Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga is because of this joyous occasion so many years ago. One thing about Rinpoche, despite all trials and tribulations, his faith in his Gurus never wavers.
Indeed we are fortunate to have met Rinpoche and receive from him so much Dharma teachings. We are also very fortunate to have encountered this unbroken lineage in which perfect Guru-disciple relationship had formed a bond from which the blessings of Lama Tsongkhapa, Vajrayogini and Buddha Shakyamuni can flow forth. H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is the last generation from which Vajrayogini initiation he bestows will promise 7 lifetimes of meeting Vajrayogini until achieving Kechara Paradise. This is promised by Vajrayogini herself to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, our lineage Guru or spiritual forefather. How sacred and fortunate that we are!
It is indeed a profoundly moving picture of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche cutting Rinpoche’s hair. It signified the beginning of a spiritual journey that Rinpoche has promised to undertake and to this date Rinpoche has not turned back but has gone all the way in this endeavour to make it a success out of love and welfare for sentient beings. Despite having to go through all odds and suffering, Rinpoche emerged a winner . He turned his table around and and is not afraid to utilise his life experience to skillfully benefit others. He truly has compassion, wisdom and skillfulness.
To learn more about Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, visit http://www.tsemtulku.com
I love this picture VERY MUCH! It touches me each time when I see this picture.
This was taken when Rinpoche asked Zong Rinpoche whether should he be an actor or a monk. Zong Rinpoche did divination and told Rinpoche that :-
1. If Rinpoche becomes an actor, he will successful
2. But if Rinpoche becomes a monk, HE WILL BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE
Based on these words from Zong Rinpoche, Rinpoche made his promise to go to Gaden Monastery in India to become a monk. And Rinpoche DID NOT BREAK HIS PROMISE TO HIS GURU even after Zong Rinpoche has entered clear light shortly after.
Every article about Tsem Rinpoche’s gurus has the strong message of GURU DEVOTION. Whatever it takes, Tsem Rinpoche always uphold dhama and his gurus and all the great masters.
Rinpoche said “meeting Zong Rinpoche was one of the top 5 events of his life which has been useless most of the time” Rinpoche not always meet Zong Rinpoche, but the guru-student bond was so strong like Paris said, Rinpoche proves to us what’s real guru devotion is, not about physical closeness but about mental and spiritual closeness.
Despite Zong Rinpoche had already entered clear light, everytime when Tsem Rinpoche mentioned abt Zong Rinpoche, he cried with tears. To many of us, I should said that meeting Tsem Rinpoche was the top event of our life….before meeting Rinpoche, has been useless most of the time….
Zong Rinpoche is Rinpoche’s root guru. Zong Rinpoche is emanation of Heruka, he showed his wrateful form, normally. But Zong Rinpoche like Tsem Rinpoche very much, the relationship between guru and student is very close. So when Rinpoche heard that Zong Rinpoche was pass away, he feels lonely. Until now when Rinpoche mentioned Zong Rinpoche, he also feels sad and lonely.
Rinpoche also always mention how great Zong Rinpoche was!! Even though I don’t have chance meets with Zong Rinpoche but I am thinking quite fortunate because Rinpoche always shared and praise the good quality regarding Zong Rinpoche. I feel very luckly we have Rinpoche to explain us all those great story regardings Zong Rinpoche.
It has always amazed me how Rinpoche has remained so steadfast and unwavering in his Guru devotion, commitment and promises made so many years ago. And that even after his Guru has passed on, he never gave up on his promises; nor were their importance ever diluted in Rinpoche’s mind. The promises he made are as fresh in his mind now as they were when he was only 17, kneeling in front of Zong Rinpoche in Los Angeles (as in this photo). Many of us can’t even remember what we had promised our teachers last week and it is shaming for me to realise how lightly I have held my own commitments. How will we ever hold the higher tantric commitments and vows when we can’t even follow our teacher’s advice through to the end.
It is remarkable too that Tsem Rinpoche only really got to spend about 6 months with Zong Rinpoche. After he left the LA centre, Rinpoche never saw him again. But these 6 months were enough to seal his faith and devotion forever – which is a lot more than can be said for many of us who have physically been by our teacher’s side for YEARS and still cannot reach this same level of devotion.
Rinpoche proves to us, as ever, that real devotion and being close to the guru is not about a physical closeness. The teachers will always hold us close to them but it is up to us to keep that sacred relationship close or break it. It’s about the spiritual and mental closeness we maintain from OUR side where we hold our promises and commitments close to our hearts, near and always precious.
Everyone have an inner and outer guru, so don’t need to go around to search for your inner guru, because when the time comes, your inner guru will come to you, so mean while, start your dharma practice under your outer guru, create the cause until the time comes.
Rinpoche met Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin the first time; he started to receive teaching from him until later when he meets Zong Rinpoche, with the strong faith Tsem Rinpoche has to Zong Rinpoche, he decided to follow Zong Rinpoche as his root guru to further his Dharma Practice.
With a moment of decision, the moment of hair cutting and blessing by Zong Rinpoche, and from then on, Rinpoche has hold his vows and his guru devotion to Zong Rinpoche for the rest of his life. Rinpoche always a very strong devotion to his guru, regardless of either Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin or Zong Rinpoche, Tsem Rinpoche has always serve them very well, Rinpoche has shown the perfect example of guru devotion to anyone else that he met in the rest of his life.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
With hand folded
Albert
Beautiful photo, thank you so much for sharing such an emotional photo with us 🙂
I agree with what Elena says, especially pointing out how terrible it will be when *touch wood* Rinpoche passes on. Although we are all enlightened with the knowledge that when Rinpoche enters into clear light that he will be in control of his rebirth, I dread the day. I can’t imagine how it would feel to have such a strong connection with someone, for a short period of time, and then they’re no longer physically there anymore. I’ve known Rinpoche since I was 6 – losing him would be akin to losing a family member.
*shudders at the thought*
The other thing that I agree with Elena, is when she pointed out the fact that Tsem Rinpoche carried out his duties without his lama being there to scold, continuously encourage and check up. The lama said and the student followed with pure devotion. Such is the power of words and of promises.
Tsem Rinpoche – may you continue to be our inspiration and spiritual guide of our time and our children, be our Heruka and Vajra Yogini. Your example of guru devotion is faultless and we must strive to emulate your good qualities of care, compassion, wisdom and skillful means.
Every time I attend a live dharma talk given by you, you continue to instill hope and love and care to help us gain realization of our “samsaric” thoughts, body and speech. I become more aware because of these oral transmissions and teachings to improve myself to benefit others.
A picture says a thousand words! In this picture it clearly showed the trust and devotion Rinpoche had towards Zong Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s love, trust and devotion towards Zong Rinpoche is really inspiring. No matter how many times Rinpoche share the precious moments Rinpoche had with Zong Rinpoche, it had always tugged at my and many other hearts.
Despite the hard times and obstacles that Rinpoche had endured so far, Rinpoche had never given up on us, all these is due to Rinpoche’s promise to Zong Rinpoche in benefitting others! A very good example of Guru Devotion!
The special bond between Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche is really admirable. It put me to shame whenever I thought of giving up.
May I be able to emulate Rinpoche’s good qualities to benefit others!
When I hear the many accounts of how Tsem Tulku Rinpoche always thought of his guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, how he treated him and served him when he was still with us, and how much he has missed him ever since he passed away, I am moved by the sincere devotion.
And I mean “moved” like one is moved by witnessing great acts of kindness that are motivated purely from wanting to be kind to others with no hidden agenda, with awaiting nothing in return: pure, honest, spontaneous, effortless, joyous and sincere devotion.
For guru devotion to arise so strongly and purely, Rinpoche must have strong imprint from previous lives, and strong affinities with his guru.
Rinpoche, I fold my hands to you, and I pray that I may show such devotion to my own guru too.
I particularly like what Elena said.. “I hope everyone realises that with Rinpoche, not only do his words reflect guru devotion but his actions and deeds too.” This is what makes us different from Rinpoche’s devotion to Zong Rinpoche. But why must we make that different. Rinpoche give us the exact precious Dharma just like Zong Rinpoche did for him. Rinpoche memorised everything he learnt. It puts me to shame how much..rather how little i have memorised. Rinpoche has gone through so much as Beng Kooi has clearly written. What I find hope in is that Rinpoche believes I can. The assignments he gives is because he knows I can…thus, I will trust in him more than myself.
This photo is but one moment of the many decades of guru devotion that Rinpoche has unwaveringly held for Zong Rinpoche. I cried the last time Rinpoche spoke extensively of Zong Rinpoche, saying that he would give up everything to have one more moment with him. It made me realise that I didn’t want to find myself one day in that situation where I wanted Rinpoche, and he was gone for good. It’s not like you can bring someone back from the dead, no matter how much you want them.
I hope everyone realises that with Rinpoche, not only do his words reflect guru devotion but his actions and deeds too. I wonder how many people would have the devotion to follow the instructions of a lama who has just passed into clear light meditation with the same determination that Rinpoche had. I mean, Rinpoche didn’t have anyone to check up on him and make sure he was following instructions for something as difficult as moving to a totally foreign land with a totally foreign culture and language, and ‘giving up’ everything to take ordination vows…and it still didn’t deter Rinpoche. It shows Rinpoche’s great trust in his root guru that this was the right decision to make, everything would be okay…and Rinpoche’s great trust for the Buddhadharma to be the right decision to make.
Dear Rinpoche,
This looks like wonderful and intimate moment that no doubt you will forever cherish. Having known great loss myself, I can empathise with the feeling of loneliness that comes with it, but no doubt HH Zong Rinpoche is always with you in all that you are and in all the great benefit you continue to provide to many, and although I personally never knew HH Zong Rinpoche, I have the deepest respect for him, because it is thanks to his great kindness, compassion and wisdom that we have all had the immense fortune to come to know you as our teacher.
I’m sure we all join you in our eternal gratitude to HH Zong Rinpoche, and give our eternal and sincere thanks to you for guiding us.
Kindest regards.
Rinpoche, despite everything you went through, you never gave up or broke your word to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche even till today.
You had braved scoldings and beatings from your parents, risked robbery and worse by hitchhiking across America to LA, and suffered through homelessness, hunger and basically having to stand up for yourself and survive when you were still a teenager. And you had to find a way to get yourself to India to be ordained as a monk, despite that fact that your root Guru to whom you made your promise to had already entered clear light.
Reading your post puts me to shame. And from now onwards I will not allow small insignificant problems to discourage me or get me down.
May all Dharma students be inspired and uphold your example.
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Dorje Chang la chag tsel lo!