The Promise: A Tsem Rinpoche Biography (2nd ed)

By sharon saw

The Promise: A Tsem Rinpoche Biography has gone into its 2nd edition.
 This latest edition has additional facts of Tsem Rinpoche’s recognised previous incarnations and spiritual lineage. The Promise features many personal photographs of Tsem Rinpoche’s life, including images that have never been published before. The book crosses four countries, five cities, countless cultures, and is the result of years of travel and research by Tsem Rinpoche’s students. Read intimate stories of Tsem Rinpoche’s life, which have never been publicly told.
 The Promise is a true story of a great man’s journey from the time he was a baby in Taiwan, to his teenage days in the US and India, right through to the first time he set foot in Malaysia at the age of 27. This book promises to show you all that can be achieved when the human spirit, love, compassion and devotion are put to the test and is in turn allowed to shine through

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kechara Media & Publications Sdn Bhd
• Release date: Jun 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9789675365102

Book preview

prologue

ACROSS MANY LIFETIMES

Tulkus are the incarnations of highly attained beings who take rebirth for the sole purpose of benefiting others. They manifest their compassion by taking on the spiritual responsibilities of their previous lives, and upholding and sharing the Buddha's spiritual teachings.

The Spiritual Lineage of a Buddha

One of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s previous incarnations dates back to a direct disciple of the 14th-century Buddhist scholar and saint, Lama Tsongkhapa. Lama Tsongkhapa is popularly known as the Second Buddha and is the founder of Gaden Monastery and the Gelugpa school of Buddhism.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche comes from a glorious line of illustrious incarnations dating back to a direct disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. Tsongkhapa was commonly known as the Second Buddha within Tibet and renowned as a scholar saint and founder of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism, now one of the fastest growing Buddhist traditions in the world. Possessing full control over his rebirth, throughout countless lifetimes, Rinpoche has returned among us today, using his pure compassion and omniscient wisdom solely to benefit each and every one of us.

Tsem Rinpoche is also a Tulku. Tulkus are the incarnations of highly attained beings who take rebirth for the sole purpose of benefiting others. They manifest their compassion by taking on the spiritual responsibilities of their previous lives, and upholding and sharing the Buddha’s spiritual teachings.

In the Buddhist tradition, there are many stringent guidelines to the identification and recognition of Tulkus, all of which are verified by highly attained teachers including figures like the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche has been formally recognised as a highly incarnated Master by many esteemed Masters, including H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, H.E. Drigung Rinpoche and H.E. Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche.

This recognition as the main incarnation of Gedun Nyedrak, the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and Kentrul Thubten Lamsang, a great Buddhist scholar and teacher, was further acknowledged by none other than H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself.

H.H. Zong Rinpoche (1905-1984) was a legendary scholar and master of the Tantra. After his tenure as the Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Zong Rinpoche travelled from India to the West three times. It was on one of these trips that he met the young Tsem Rinpoche who took him as his root Guru

H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche (1922-2010), a former Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, was an elite Master who was instrumental in sending Tsem Rinpoche to Malaysia to fundraise and eventually to teach.

H.E. Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche’s (1928 - 2011) achievements received the highest acknowledgement when he was appointed the Abbot of Gaden Shartse by H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1984.

Kensur Jampa Yeshe became one of Tsem Rinpoche’s Gurus when Tsem Rinpoche arrived in Gaden in 1987.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s incarnation status as a Tulku is acknowledged by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

This Gelugpa Refuge Tree or merit field depicts the deities and unbroken spiritual lineage of Dharma teachers which stem from Shakyamuni Buddha himself.

Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelugpa lineage, is the central figure of this lineage. The main figure on the left side is Maitreya Buddha, who leads the lineage of compassionate activities, while the main figure on the right is Manjushri, who leads the lineage of wisdom activities.

This assembly of deities and Gurus is used as a focus of meditation for Gelugpa practitioners.

The powerful spiritual imprints of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche is evident in his inspiring life story, which illustrates the unbreakable and relentless pursuit of the Dharma despite all odds.

TANTRIC SCHOLAR AND ABBOT:

Gedun Nyedrak

Gedun Nyedrak was born in northern Kham, Tibet, to the Selsha household of Tsem Monastery. Tsem is the honorific word for tooth, as the monastery is the custodian of a tooth relic of Lama Tsongkhapa. At Tsem Monastery, there were 99 households, most of which were notorious for their wild and irreligious ways. The Selsha household was exceptional in that its members were renowned for their generosity and inclination to the Dharma. They were also uncommonly taller than the average Tibetan.

The 19th-century Master, Gedun Nyedrak, was renowned for his scholastic achievements and uncompromising adherence to the Vinaya, or monastic code of conduct and vows. After taking his novice vows at a young age, Gedun Nyedrak made a long and hazardous journey from Tsem Monastery to join Pukhang Khangtsen (likened to a fraternity house within the monastery) at Gaden Shartse Monastery. Here, he received extensive teachings from many illustrious teachers and studied the great five Buddhist Treatises, starting with Pramanavartika.

Gedun Nyedrak was unparalleled in his scholarship and easily attained the coveted Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest degree of Buddhist scholastic achievement likened to a PhD. Gedun Nyedrak then entered the Gyuto Tantric College which specialises in the most advanced teachings and practices of Tantra. Upon completing his studies at Gyuto, he then returned to Gaden Shartse and was awarded the prestigious position of Umze (Lead Chanter in prayers) where his recitation and ritual abilities were renowned.

One of Gedun Nyedrak’s notable achievements was the restoration of Gaden Shartse Monastery, which had been desecrated by civil unrest. Upon his appointment as Abbot of Gaden Shartse by the Regent of Tibet, Gedun Nyedrak immediately began to restore not only the damaged buildings of the Monastery but also reinstated the monastic rules, regulations and administrative systems.

In his current incarnation, Tsem Rinpoche continues to support the growth and development of Gaden Shartse. One of Rinpoche’s first big projects at this monastery, when he was still a very young monk, was to build much needed monastic quarters for the increasing influx of refugee monks from Tibet. At a later time, he was also responsible for restoring and developing the main prayer hall and debate hall, two of the most central and significant places of gathering and learning for the monastic community of Gaden.

Appointed as the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Gedun Nyedrak spent his tenure rebuilding damaged monastic buildings and became highly respected for his extensive work

CONTROLLER OF THE THREE REALMS:

Kentrul Thubten Lamsang Rinpoche

Kentrul Thubten Lamsang

The remarkable achievements of Gedun Nyedrak's ardent spiritual practice would arise again in his next incarnation, who would become widely known throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world for his enormous contributions to the growth of Dharma.

Born amidst auspicious signs during his mother's pregnancy, the clear and unmistaken incarnation of Gedun Nyedrak would be personally identified by none other than H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche - one of the most prominent Buddhist masters of our time and Junior Tutor to the 14th Dalai Lama. This new incarnation was called Kentrul Thubten Lamsang Rinpoche, a name that continues to resound strongly across the monastic community today.

THE EARLY DAYS

Originally from Tsem Monastery in Yara, Tibet, Kentrul Rinpoche joined Tibet's largest and most famous monastery, Gaden, in Lhasa, when he was recognised as the incarnation of the tantric Abbot Gedun Nyedrak.

Though young, this incarnation swiftly found his way back into the practices of his previous life, becoming increasingly known in the community for his academic prowess and his ability to excel in Buddhist study during his time in Gaden Monastery.

Already, even as a child, Kentrul Rinpoche developed an extraordinarily close relationship with Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, receiving many teachings directly from a master who is still considered one of the leading fathers of the Gelugpa school as we know it today. This incredible devotion would become the cornerstone of his entire lifetime of work and practice, leading him to create and sustain huge and influential Dharma communities in a region where Buddhist practice was previously diminishing.

Under the excellent tutelage of Trijang Rinpoche, Kentrul Rinpoche attained the highest degree of Geshe Lharam (a degree equivalent to a PhD, requiring at least 30 years of study) when he was still very young, long before his peers. He went on to the prestigious Gyuto Tantric College – one of the highest monastic institutions of the Tibetan Buddhist world, specialising in the most advanced teachings and practices (Tantra). Again, he would excel here, rising quickly to earn tremendous respect for his unusual abilities and knowledge. A year later, he was even elected as the disciplinarian of the monastery, one of three most senior positions that can be held in any Gelugpa institution.

REVIVING BUDDHISM

While Gedun Nyedrak was largely celebrated and known for his lifetime’s contribution to one of the most central monasteries of Tibet, Gaden, this next incarnation would become known for reviving the Dharma in places where it was beginning to dissipate.

With his wealth of knowledge, erudite training and mastery of the teachings and practices, Kentrul Rinpoche was sent by Trijang Rinpoche to some of the most remote parts of Tibet. Tasked with restoring dilapidated monasteries and reigniting the teachings and practice in the area, Kentrul Rinpoche was first sent to Dadokang Monastery, a branch of Gyuto Monastery in the remote state of Phari bordering Tibet and India. When Kentrul Rinpoche first arrived in the area, Dharma activity was scarce there with little support for the monasteries and infrequent interaction with the lay community. This would mark the beginning of many such challenges for the rest of Kentrul Rinpoche’s life and works – to bring Dharma study and practice to places where there was a weak foundation and little interest.

However, during his three-year tenure as Abbot of Dadokang, Kentrul Rinpoche overcame all odds and succeeded to make the Dharma grow. By improving the conditions of the monastery, creating large Buddha statues and performing extensive pujas (prayer rituals) for people of the area, much activity was revived and faith restored in the hearts of both the lay and ordained communities. People began making offerings which would support both Dadokang and its mother monastery Gyuto, and Kentrul Rinpoche’s fame began to spread throughout the region.

These efforts would repeat and even double in the next two monasteries that Kentrul Rinpoche restored and led – Samdrupcheling, a monastery he built himself in south Phari, and later, Rizong Butok Monastery, an affiliate of Gaden Shartse Monastery. What he would accomplish there for the people would eventually garner him the greatest fame and respect of his life so that even the Chinese authorities began to take notice of him as a leading force of the region. He set into motion what would become thriving Dharma communities, the support from which enabled him to further develop the monasteries there, create large central images of worship and support the mother monasteries of Gyuto and Gaden.

Today, that same passionate, tenacious spirit lives on in the next (current) incarnation, Tsem Rinpoche, who is now causing the growth of Dharma in places where it is still in its infancy. Like his predecessor, Tsem Rinpoche has spent his entire life creating large life-sized Buddhist images, building physical institutions, introducing the spiritual teachings to thousands and creating Dharma communities in many of the most unlikely corners of the world.

LIKE A PIECE OF FLESH FROM THE HEART

Kentrul Rinpoche is especially remembered by monks today for the unparalleled devotion he had towards his teacher, the previous Trijang Rinpoche. He was known to be one of the most important disciples of Trijang Rinpoche and often referred to as Trijang Rinpoche’s heart son. Their teacher-disciple relationship was so close that monks describe it with a common Tibetan saying – like a piece of flesh from the heart.

At a very young age in this incarnation, Tsem Rinpoche came across a picture of Trijang Rinpoche in an old library book about old Tibet and the old masters. Upon seeing this Lama, and without knowing anything about him, the boy cried spontaneously, shedding uncontrollable tears. He immediately photocopied the picture, keeping it very close to him right up until the moment he learnt that this had been the root teacher of his previous life. This picture still rests on Rinpoche’s personal altar now and Trijang Rinpoche remains a most central driving force in Rinpoche’s practice, work and vision for the future.

It was this devotion that led both Kentrul Rinpoche and his subsequent incarnation, Tsem Rinpoche, to sustaining a lifetime of practice and teaching where spiritual consciousness and assistance