My Grandfather the Ruler of Xinjiang
My granddad, the ruler of Xinjiang. He was literally the Last Emperor for that region.
My grandfather Migyur Wang (my mom’s side), also known as Mingyur Wang was the ruler of Xinjiang. He was royalty and from the Mongol ruling family of that area, descending directly from Genghis Khan. He left Xinjiang to Tibet and from Tibet immigrated to Taiwan. It was in Taiwan that he settled down. I saw him a few times in Taiwan when I was very young and before going to the USA. I didn’t have much of a relationship with him. It was his wife, the Queen, Dechen Minh who loved me and was very affectionate towards me. I remember her very fondly and miss her. She is the grandmother every child would love to have. She brought me over to the U.S. from Taiwan hoping for a better life for me.
Tsem Rinpoche
Prince Mingyur Wang, also known as Mindzhur-Dordzhi was the eldest son of Mongolian Prince Palta — the governor of the vast Altai region of northern Xinjiang — and his first, Torghut wife, Orloma. Prince Palta who was a direct descendant of Wang Khan, sworn blood-brother of Genghis Khan’s father, and patron and early ally of Genghis Khan, was described as “a man of great culture, both Chinese and Oirat-Mongolian, a statesman with a thorough grasp of military science which he had studied in Tokyo in the years 1906–1908.”
Prince Palta is known for his role in maintaining the allegiance of Xinjiang to China during the time of the Mongolian Revolution in the early 20th Century.
Prince Palta
Prince Mingyur, at the request of his father Prince Palta, was granted by Tsar Nicholas II admission to the Page Corps, the Russian officers’ school for the nobility in St. Petersburg in 1915. Referred to in Russian as “Corps des Pages”, the school was located at the palace of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as Vorontsov Palace, and would only accept the sons of the hereditary nobility of Russian lands, and the sons of at least Lieutenant Generals/Vice Admirals or grandsons of full Generals/Admirals. This exclusive school was the only military academy (out of about twenty) to prepare future officers for all arms. The school which was founded in 1759 closed in 1917 during the time of the Russian Revolution.
Upon the closure of the Page Corps and the Russian Revolution, Prince Mingyur returned to Peking (Beijing) where his father Prince Palta had moved to and who at the time, took up the post as senator of the Chinese Republic. Upon his father’s passing in 1920, Prince Mingyur inherited his father’s titles along with the powerful position as ruler of the eastern wing of Torghut Mongols in Xinjiang.
Although considered by many early on as a ‘Russophile’, Prince Mingyur proved otherwise when he dedicated his life and work as the administrative head of Xinjiang to the task of increasing the well-being of his people. Prince Mingyur served the people of Xinjiang until the eve of the Cultural Revolution. Just before the Communist takeover of Xinjiang in 1949, Prince Mingyur who had aligned himself with the Nationalist Kuomintang, fled with his family first to Tibet, then to India, and finally emigrating to Taiwan where he briefly served as a member of parliament there.
Prince Mingyur was married to Queen Dechen and had four children, Manye Wang, Princess Lhamo, Prince David Minh and Princess Torgut Noyen Dewa Nimbo.
Prince Mingyur Wang passed away in 1975.
For more interesting information:
- The Promise – Tsem Rinpoche’s inspiring biography now in ebook format!
- My Short Bio in Pictures
- I Like This Picture of My Mother
- Tsem Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry | 詹杜固仁波切的土尔扈特血统
- My Childhood in Taiwan…Revisiting…
- My Great Aunt the Princess
- My Father
- My Grandmother
- My Uncle
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Wow thank you as a Mongolian I always wondered where did the real pure bloodline descendants of great Genghis khan’s are at.. All I know is that Russian communists mass murdered all the people who had royal blood here in outer Mongolia.
My condolences to Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s passing in 2019.
I was born and raised in Malaysia. I was told that I am partly Japanese and Mongolian but not many of us in our family could make sense out of it since my great-grandmother came to Malaysia through South China.
Around early 2020 I had a feeling to do a DNA test. After discovering the DNA company had made errors about my ethnicity prediction I went and used my raw DNA data to research more about my ethnicity makeup. Turns out what my great-grandmother said was true, that we are partly Japanese and Mongolian.
About my Mongolian ancestry, I believe it was Tsem Tulku’s spirit whom guided me to figure out my family ancestry. My great-grandmother was born in the early 1910s, years before Prince Palta passed away. A book written by Gustav John Ramstedt confirmed that Prince Palta had married a Japanese woman during his time studying in Tokyo.
The only photo of my great-grandmother was of her wearing a very peculiar Qing Dynasty coat. Upon research I found that the three dragon emblem in a circle on her robes are identical to those worn by noblewoman in the Qing courts. She must’ve been designated a lesser princess, but still a princess nevertheless.
Hence, this also means that I am related to the late Tsem Tulku. He would’ve been my distant uncle. I wished I had known about Tsem Tulku back when he was still alive in Malaysia. I have heard about Kechara Soup kitchen back then.
I feel saddened that after finding out all of this that my relative had already passed two years ago.
Photo supplied is my great-grandmother in her noblewoman dragon robes. She would be Minzhurdorj’s half-sister. Apparently it seems that during the Communist takeover she had chosen to flee south to Hainan before joining the majority of the Hainanese heading to Malaysia for a new life.
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. I hope many Mongolians will print out this image and place in their houses to create an affinity with Dorje Shugden for greater blessings. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
The powerful Mongolian nation has a long history and connection with Manjushri Dorje Shugden, as expressed in the life of Venerable Choijin Lama, a State Oracle of Mongolia who took trance of Dorje Shugden among other Dharma Protectors. Read more about Choijin Lama: https://bit.ly/2GCyOUZ
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
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
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche, in my humble opinion, the illustrious lineage of your eminence’s family should be better documented and preserved. As a notable individual descends from at least two of China’s most influential minorities communities, your Eminence could qualify as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_People%27s_Political_Consultative_Conference). Okay, I shan’t say more. Have a nice day and do stay with us for a very long time. _/\_
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Such a beautiful picture of Rinpoche’s grandfather.. RInpoche remains so humble and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma even though Rinpoche is of royalty descent.
Without Rinpoche’s grandparents, there wouldn’t be Rinpoche’s parents, and without Rinpoche’s parents there would not be RInpoche!!
For this, I am very thankful for Rinpoche’s family. May every single one of Rinpoche’s family and friends be well and healthy always..
Thank you Rinpoche for choosing the path which will benefit so many sentient beings..
Thank you Rinpoche.
As I read Rinpoche’s post, the thought of a pure and beautiful lotus flower came to mInd. I liken Rinpoche to this pure and beautiful lotus flower, who’s seed came from the wonderful lotus plant. During his (it’s) passage into the world, Rinponche had to endure much pain and challenges, like the lotus plant fighting its way through the murky dark waters of the lake. In the end, it breaks through, using endurance and persistence. Today we all get to enjoy and admire this beautiful lotus flower name Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and aspire to have virtues like him. Thank you for YOU Rinpoche ~ Love, Nancy
Rinpoche ’s maternal ancestral origin is of the Mongolian tribe of the “Old Torgut’ who fled Russia to return to their original homeland, Xinjiang and settled in Wusu. Till today their descendants are still in Wusu. Mingur Wang was the son of Prince Palta, who was one of the most outstanding and prominently influential Mongolian princes of the century. Prince Palta served as an advisor in the Mongolian affairs and confidante in the Manchu Court during the Qing Dynasty.
Not only Rinpoche has a famed historical greatness forefathers that is traced to Genghis Khan, he also has a glorious golden lineage to his line of incarnations. Both of Rinpoche’s lineages are interestingly prominent, powerful, colourful and outstanding.
From royalty to obscurity and now from obscurity Rinpoche is slowly emerging as one of the Gelug Lamas that are actively promoting Buddha Dharma in the Ganden Tradition all over the world now. Applying a myriad of methods and technologies at his disposal Rinpoche is certainly a tour de force in spreading the Buddha Dharma.
Being born to a rich and wealthy family is not absolutely the sign of good karma. Certain children even kill their mothers in the process of birth, or grow up to be completely useless a drain on their families and do not contribute much just harm other people. Rinpoche growing up with so much adversity and difficulty is an example of someone who has made it good. May Rinpoche’s life story inspire many people to practice the dharma and become of benefit to others. Why else should we live if not to benefit others?
Just like Elena and Li Kheng, I also thought of Buddha Shakyamuni who gave up His royal privileges and wealth that most people would have died for in order benefit people in the world.
Whenever Rinpoche relates Rinpoche’s story, it never stop to amaze me how Rinpoche had gone against all odds to be who Rinpoche is today!
Being born out of wedlock and sent away to a faraway land, living with foster parents who wanted to mould Rinpoche into what they want had never stop Rinpoche from pursuing Rinpoche’s life time dream of learning and practicing dharma to benefit others.
Despite Rinpoche’s reluctances in coming to this barbaric land called Malaysia when sent by Rinpoche’s Guru and Protector, Rinpoche had came and settled down and created opportunities for us, the fortunate ones, to be given a rare chance to learn dharma from someone as enlightened as Rinpoche.
Just like Rinpoche’s great grandfathers and grandfather, Rinpoche had united people from all walk of lives under one roof called Kechara House. A spiritual home for the ‘lost souls’ who without Rinpoche’s care and guidance, would have gone to ‘ugly places’ and never have a chance to be liberated.
Thank you Rinpoche for all your love, care and guidance.
Elena, when I was reading the posting, I also related Tsem Rinpoche’s story to that of Buddha Shakyamuni who renounced the life of power, luxury and comfort to benefit others. With this realization, I experience deep gratitude that we have a living Buddha amongst us in Malaysia.
From this reading, I see the link between Rinpoche’s worldly life lineage and that of Rinpoche’s spiritual lineage. They are somewhat in parallel:
1) Both lineages are royal (the greatest lineage of Gurus from Pabongka Rinpoche to Trijang Rinpoche to Zong Rinpoche)
2) Both lineages provide the “tickets” required to great achievements and attainments.
If Rinpoche pursued his Royal entitlement, I completely trust that Rinpoche would be able to achieve many worldly successes. However, Tsem Rinpoche chose to forego his personal successes and pursue his spiritual lineage to bring the greatest gift to sentient beings: the key to attaining enlightenment.
Therefore, like what Dumbledore said to Harry Potter, what defines a man is not what he comes from but the choices he makes. May we be inspired by Rinpoche to make the choices, which i) we will be proud of this lifetime and ii) will lead to a better rebirth for future lifetimes.
Dear Cynthia, it is true many in Asia can trace their geneology back to Genghis Khan. But not everyone can trace it back to the direct ruling family as was my family in Xianjiang. Who decended from the ruling family going back to the immediate family of Gehghis Khan not just people that were concubines or he forced himself on.
Tsem Tulku
Just to share an interesting anecdote: According to David Minh (Rinpoche’s uncle), Migyur Wang had the good fortune to have an audience with both the 13th and the 14th Dalai Lamas.
David Minh had related that in 1949, their family – consisting of his parents, his sister and himself – had left Xinjiang for good. During their journey, their family visited the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and had an audience with the 14th Dalai Lama. The Austrian explorer Heinrich Harrer, who wrote “Seven Years in Tibet” was also there at that time. In that popular book, Harrer had mentioned that there was a Mongolian prince with his two wives and the two wonderful children. That was Rinpoche’s family.
From Lhasa, they went to Kalimpong, which is near Darjeeling, and then to various ports before they arrived in Taiwan, where the family settled.
Rinpoche’s genealogy is a fascinating read, and Rinpoche has kindly shared their stories with us – such as his very cultured and exotic great grand aunt, Nirgidma (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/03/this-is-my-great-grand-aunt-princess-nirgidma-she-married-a-french-diplomat-and-lived-in-france-i-had-never-met-her–tsem.html). Thank you Rinpoche.
I have always been puzzled about this matter too.
Anyways, I too am clueless, but here is something to ponder about.
There were studies that Genghis Khan has helped populated the world. He was quite a lady’s guy. He had many sons from different wives. 1 out of 1000 Mongolians can trace their roots back to the Genghis Khan lineage. Some 17 million people in Asia are estimated to be direct descendants of Genghis Khan.
A study in 2003 showed that about 8% of men in Asia are descended from Genghis Khan. That’s like 5% of the world population.
Who knows some of us here in Malaysia can also be descendants of Genghis Khan.
I have always been slightly amazed with Rinpoche’s distinguished lineage, both his spiritual lineage as well as his royal birth lineage. Imagine being related to such a recognised historical figure such as Genghis Khan? And being a part of the Mongolian royal family?
Tibetans believe that Tulkus have the ability to choose the time, place and conditions of rebirth i.e. they have full control. So why would an attained master like Tsem Rinpoche want to have such a strong connection with the Mongolian people?
I have no answer to the above, but I feel the key lies in the work that Tsem Rinpoche is planning to accomplish in his current lifetime. Rinpoche’s lineage is known for building huge spiritual institutions and for transmitting and creating knowledge holders wherever he emanates. So it should be no surprise that Rinpoche’s future plans include the founding of Kechara World Peace Centre, which will carry on his incarnations’ tradition of bringing Dharma where there was none before.
Thank you Beng Kooi. I really appreciate your writing.
Whenever I read about Rinpoche’s background and history, it always touches me to think about how much Rinpoche gave up and went through even as a small child. To think he was born royalty and could’ve had every luxury afforded to him…it reflects the story of Shakyamuni himself, who willingly gave up such luxuries upon realisation that there was something more to life and no matter how rich a person, death is inescapable. It’s because of great beings like Rinpoche, who have realised the truth of impermanence (and operate from that realisation) that we are lucky enough to receive what little dharma we can in this degenerate age.