Denma Locho Rinpoche of Loseling
Gaden Jangtze Monastery Serkong Khamtsen Gaser Tulku Rinpoche requested H.E. Denma Locho Rinpoche (DLR) for a series of teachings to be given in Drepung Loseling's Prayer hall. DLR accepted as he is already 85 years old but in stunning health. DLR is one of the most senior and knowledgeable Gelug Lamas alive today. DLR is a very close disciple of the previous Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. DLR has mentioned he does not practice Dorje Shugden but has tremendous faith in him. He feels and expressed secretly if Dorje Shugden is not propitiated, it would be a great damage to the Gelug lineage as he is the primary protector now.
One day before the set teachings were to be given in Loseling, Drepung Gomang monks posted letters all over the Monastery stating people should not attend DLR's teachings as he is 'not clean'.
Many monks from Gaden Shartse, Gaden Jangtze and Drepung Loseling were attending the precious teachings by this living treasure DLR. But the letters posted created doubts and problems. After three days of teachings, Gaden Jangtze Administration ordered should any monks from their Monastery dare attend DLR's teachings, they will be expelled. Just after three days, the teachings stopped completely. It was Gaser Tulku of Gaden Jangtze who requested for the teachings, but Gaden Jangtze Monastery disallowed Gaser Tulku and all Jangtze monks to attend! The irony is beyond description.
These days even giving and receiving dharma teachings becomes political and dangerous. It is a very sad state. The only place the Gelug teachings can be transmitted openly and without intereferences to large crowds would be at Shar Gaden Monastery and Serpom Monastery. We must support them if we wish future Gelug masters to arise within the Dorje Shugden pure lineage.
As you may know, DLR travelled to Taiwan a few years back at the request of Serkong Tritul Rinpoche and his disciple Jamseng Rinpoche to give a series of empowerments/commentaries. It was photographed and Tibetan Govt / Dalai Lama got wind of it. From then the troubles started as Serkong Tritul and Jamseng Rinpoche are strong practitioners of Dorje Shugden.
DLR was very close to the Dalai Lama until he travelled to Taiwan. It is reported that whenever Dalai Lama visits Drepung or Gaden, DLR is now sidelined and basically ignored. DLR does not deserve in any way to be treated in such a manner. DLR is a supreme Tulku incarnation, highly learned, a pure monk and very senior among the sangha and he should be treasured. You may also know that over a decade or more back, DLR was selected to be the Abbot of Namgyal Monastery. Namgyal Monastery is the personal Monastery of Dalai Lama and Dalai Lama was the one that selected DLR to be abbot. Upon successful completion of his term as Namgyal Monastery's abbot in Dharamsala. He was awared the title "Namdra Kensur" or Abbot Emeritus of Namgyal Monastery. With this title he has a throne set for him in Drepung Loseling's prayer hall equal to the other abbot emeritus' of their monastery, Gyume and Gyuto tantric colleges.
It should be noted DLR was browbeaten by the Dalai Lama to visit his region in Tibet (Denma) to ask the Monastery/locals to stop practicing Dorje Shugden. He visited on several occasions to Denma and many other parts of Tibet, but never mentioned one word against Dorje Shugden to the dismay of Dalai Lama. DLR in fact showed great respect toward the Shugden practice always just as he shows great respect towards the Dalai Lama. Nevertheless, Dalai Lama was very displeased with this old and sagely Lama for not following instructions by speaking of the ills of Shugden in Tibet.
It is very sad what is continuing to happen to DLR. Such a supreme being and so learned. Such a waste. I feel personally DLR should join Shar Gaden Monastery. That would be a powerful message to the Tibetan Govt in exile.
He could transmit so much teachings to the eager monks there.
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Gyume Kensur Rinpoche of Jangtze
Recently Gyume Kensur Rinpoche (Gongpo Khamtsen Geshe Chatee) was expelled from Gaden Jangtze Monastery. Dalai Lama in a meeting with abbots in Gaden mentioned Gyume Kensur Rinpoche (GKR) doesn't come to see him anymore nor attend his teachings. With that pronouncement, the current Abbot of Jangtze Monastery wrote a letter to GKR in France expelling him. The current abbot (Hamdong Khamtsen Geshe Chopel) is a disciple of GKR also! The current abbot is said to be gentle and kind and would practice Dorje Shugden strongly. He is forced to take this action to expel his own guru. How politics forces us to commit actions against everything correct.
The current Gaden Jangtze abbot is so terrified of the Dalai Lama. He doesn't want his political clout as a abbot to be threatened it seems. He will give up his guru samaya to expel his own teacher from the Monastery. It would have been better he resigned from his post as abbot than to expel his own teacher for political reasons. The abbot of all people should exemplify the dharma to his sangha of the his monastery. In the future his horrendous action will catch up with him. People will think deeper, that his motives are political and not dharmic in nature at all. Very sad news.
On a inspirational note, GKR would not take this lying down as the saying goes. He wrote and sent letters to Gaden, Sera and Drepung stating that he has already sworn 'against' Dorje Shugden's practice while he was in Gyume Monastery (as he was forced to), so he will not return to Gaden Jangtze to swear 'again'. He cannot honestly swear against this practice as Dorje Shugden is the practice of many elite masters both present and past. So swearing against Dorje Shugden is tantamount to swearing against them. He could not do that as swearing in front of the sangha should not be taken lightly he mentioned in his letter. He listed in his letter the names of many great masters who practiced Dorje Shugden. GKR seems to be in correct alliance with his teachers, has loyalty, understands the dharma profoundly and has the courage to practice under such political pressures. My heart goes out to GKR and may he live long and healthy in France.
Again I hope GKR will join Shar Gaden Monastery also. After all the previous Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal (now addressed as Trisur Rinpoche) has joined Gaden Jangtze Monastery).
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Ven Choden Rinpoche of Sera Je
A senior Tulku Ven Choden Rinpoche (Hlopa khamtsen) Sera Je Monastery has recently sent his brother ( a monk) to their home district (Chamdo) in Tibet to speak for Dorje Shugden and to promote the practice. Choden Rinpoche is 78 years old and has many discples in Sera Je. He is considered like the Denma Locho Rinpoche calibre in Loseling within Sera Je. Dalai Lama has scolded him recently for his promotion of Dorje Shugden in Chamdo. Many Sera Je monks has become the disciple of this Tulku and enjoyed countless dharmas from him. Now due to political pressures, this might change. When I get more information I will share here regarding this.
Ven Choden Rinpoche is a disciple of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche according to his biography.
(
http://chantamantra.com/index.php/articles/57-the-inspiring-story-of-choden-rinpoche &
http://www.anandadharma.org/rinpoche/rinpoche.php )
More and more senior Teachers are opposing quietly and some directly to the Dorje Shugden ban. Let's hope this trend continues.
TK
Below pictures:
1.H.E. Denma Locho Rinpoche offering long life to Dalai Lama years back during better times.
2. H. E. Denma Locho Rinpoche (Scholar's hat of Panchen Sonam Drakpa)
3. H.E. Denma Locho Rinpoche with Jamseng Rinpoche in Taiwan.
4. Sera Je Choden Rinpoche
