Desi Sangye Gyatso, Riwo Choling and Dorje Shugden

[Ringo Starr]

In invocations and prayers to Dorje Shugden, Riwo Choling is known as one of the enlightened protector’s residences and therefore also protector (srung ma) of Riwo Choling.

Riwo Choling in the Yarlung Valley and founded by Je Tsongkhapa’s heart disciple Khedrup Gelek Palzang (Khedrup Je, 1st Panchen Lama) in the 15th century and this is also the monastery where Desi Sangye Gyatso, the erudite scholar and capable regent of the 5th Dalai Lama entered religious life.

Riwo Choling hosts a silver reliquary ornamented by gold which contains the skull (broken into 8 pieces that has 21 self-arisen Taras visible) of Marpa’s son, Darma Dode, placed by the Fifth Dalai Lama at this monastery. A three-storey statue of Maitreya stands at its assembly hall.

Monks of this monastery were permitted to study at the then three great monasteries of Ganden, Sera, and Drepung; also Ngari Dagpo college, and traditional Tibetan medical schools such as Chagpori.

We know how the 5th Dalai Lama offered Dorje Shugden, Trode Khangsar. It was Desi Sangye Gyatso, who had previously lived in the monastery of Riwo Choling, who entrusted the possession of Trode Khangsar to Riwo Choling. 11 monks and an oracle were sent to Trode Khangsar permanently.

The 5th Dalai Lama passed away in 1682. In an effort to quietly inform the Qing Emperor Kangxi of the 5th’s death, Desi Sangye Gyatso sent a portrait and three items of clothing to the Emperor but its significance was apparently not understood. Desi Sangye Gyatso also hid the death from the Gaden Phodrang (central government at that time), fearing political fights.

In 1690, the Desi began building a holy stupa and memorial hall for the 5th Dalai Lama, the famous Red Palace. The construction of the Red Palace was a momentous task. About 7,700 artisans and builders were employed daily. Qing Emperor Kangxi sent artisans of the Chinese and Mongolian ethnic groups to Lhasa to help with construction.

The 5th’s death eventually reached the Emperor, it was then that Desi Sangye Gyatso announced the death and at almost the same time the identification of the incarnation, the 6th, who was enthroned in Potala Palace.

We can see how the Great 5th, the Gelug monasteries, Trode Khangsar, Desi Sangye Gyatso, Riwo Choling and Emperor Kangxi were all on the same side of the equation, Dorje Shugden’s side.

Sources:

The Reincarnations of Desi Sangye Gyatso in Alasha and the "Secret History" of the Sixth Dalai Lama
JALSAN
Inner Asia
Vol. 4, No. 2, Special Issue: Tibet/Mongolia Interface (2002), pp. 347-359

www.dorjeshugdenhistory.org

Photo of Dorje Shugden at Riwo Choling.

[Ringo Starr]

A History of Modern Tibet, 1913-1951: The Demise of the Lamaist State
By Melvyn C. Goldstein ( page 8 ) details how Riwo Choling was a relatively large and important Gelug monastery during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama.

[grandmapele]

at the end of the day, it does not matter where the rot started and where it landed. If it is the karma of the Tibetan people to suffer, if it is the karma for the people of this time and age not to receive this practice openly, how are we to fight their karma for them?

Have we not learned that only we ourselves can purify our karma? That we ourselves are responsible for the creation of the karma and the purification? If someone else can purify the karma or clear it, why haven't all the great lamas and masters of the past and present not be able to avert this calamity of the embroiling of politics in religious matters? and allow all the poison from the secular to seep into the religious?

So, to make a long story short, why are we even trying to change other people's karma when it is impossible? Why can't we quietly practice and put effort into our own practice than to put so much resources into trying to help others at the expense of our own salvation? When so much resources are put into fighting a political battle, aren't we wasting precious time and effort? How do even find time to study and learn with peace of mind when we are busy looking over our shoulders? If the Jonang can survive for so long as a very small practice in a remote place, what makes anyone so sure that Dorje Shugden lineage will not be able to survive?

[Ringo Starr]

It's about creating the causes for more and more to come into contact with the unstained Buddhist teachings including that of the protector of our times Dorje Shugden. This will help plant the seeds of their own purification, just as we have been fortunate to do so because someone else had created the causes for us to come across the great teachings. And so it goes until every sentient being gains the ultimate truth.