Emperor Kangxi and Dorje Shugden = same mindstream

[hope rainbow]

It is not surprised that the China greatest King Emperor KangXi is one of the reincarnation of Dorje Shugden. I went to find out some information from China historical book had recorded that Kang Xi like Tibetan Buddhism very much. His had support to convert the palace into Tibetan Monastery called Yong He Gong, well known as lamasery few decade until today. Kang Xi also used his politic power to support Buddhism in China at that time. Many Kang Xi's follower had be converted become a strong practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Yong He Gong in Beijing, China become a most famous Buddhism holy place in China. When you enter the chapel, immediately you can see a huge Lama Tsongkhapa's statue in front of your face. The big statue is very holy and I believe this statue will bring harmony, calm, inner peace to people who is visit him! This is one of the great contribution. This is the great afford by KangXi.       

Until today, this monastery still open and train more energetic, 600 years already practice, so Buddha cannot be wrong!

I was related the story that Zhou Enlai himself had dispatched a special soldiers unit to protect the Yong He Gong from the destruction taking place sometime during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976).

Interesting...

[WisdomBeing]

Dear Hope,

Here's a bit more explanation about the background of Yong He Gong lamasery. How Kang Xi's descendants built Yong He Gong in the Gelugpa tradition, and how it was preserved until today - yes - with Zhou En Lai's help. I also found the history interesting - how Tibetan Buddhism, also referred to as 'Lamaism',  was harnessed by the Emperor Qian Long to unify the smaller states and build stronger relations with Mongolia and Tibet.

Perhaps modern China will use the Emperor's strategy to encourage Buddhism in order to have stronger unity in China and create more harmony.

Read the article below for more information.

http://www.foreignercn.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=669:yonghegong-lamasery-lama-temple&catid=25:travel-in-beijing&Itemid=40

Yonghegong ( the Palace of Harmony and Peace)?popularly known as the” Lama Temple” , is a famous lamasery in the northeastern part of Beijing?It is located next to the northern side of the Second Ring Road?with Bai Lin Si (the Cypress Grove Temple) to its east and the Temple of Confucius and the Imperial Academy to the west?

Yonghegong Lamasery is the largest lamasery and one of the best preserved lama temples at the present time in Beijing with a total area of 66?400 square meters?480 meters long from north to south and 120 meters wide from east to west?Yonghegong Lamasery is also a well—known monastery of the Gelugpa?the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Mainland China?In 1961?it was listed as one of China’s major national treasures under state protection?

Originally?Yonghegong was a palatial residence of the Prince Yinzhen?the fourth son of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty?It was built in 1694 after Prince Yinzhen was given the title “YongPrince” and the palace was named “Palace Mansion of YongPrince”?After Yong Prince succeeded the throne in 1723, he moved to the Forbidden City and became Emperor Yongzheng?In 1725?he turned half of his former residence into a temple for the monks of the Yellow Sect and the other half became a temporary palace where he came for his personal use?Thus?his residence started to be called Yonghegong (the Palace of Harmony and Peace)?Not long after?the Temporary Palace was burnt down and only the temple part was left?

Emperor Yongzheng (y?ngzhèng ??) had lived here before he came to the throne and his son Hongli?who succeeded his throne later and became Emperor Qianlong?was born here?So as a rule?the former imperial residence then became a” Residence of Hidden Dragon”? it could not revert to secular use and had to remain a temple?In 1735?Emperor Yongzheng died and then his son Hongli succeeded the throne?He put his father’s coffin here for more than one year before the coffin was moved to the Western Qing Tombs?Emperor Qianlong upgraded Yonghegong to the status of an Imperial Palace by replacing the green tiles of the roof with the yellow ones?for the yellow color was the imperial color in the old days?especially in the Qing Dynasty?In 1744?it was formally converted into a Lamasery but it retained the name?“Yonghegong”?the Palace of Harmony and Peace?

Lamaism is also known as Tibetan Buddhism or it is called Buddhism of the Tibetan Language?Lamaism is a form of Buddhism?which contains a large element of Hinduism and popular Tibetan religious worship?“Lama” means “Superior one”?In the 7th century?Buddhism was disseminated to Tibet from India?Nepal and the interior of China?Assimilating the culture of local religion?it formed a kind of Buddhism with Tibetan characteristics known as “Tibetan Buddhism”?popularly nicknamed as Lamaism?and soon it became influenced by the Tibetan cults?In the 13th century?it spread rapidly into Mongolia and north China?During the Qing Dynasty?the Mongolian and Tibetan people believed in Lamaism and at the same time?both Mongolia and Tibet were very important borders of the country?In order to stabilize these regions? Emperor Qianlong found that Lamaism could play an irreplaceable role in uniting and appeasing minority nations?And could strengthen the central power of the Manchu ruler as well?So based on his religion policy? some lama monasteries were erected and Lamaism was especially encouraged by Emperor Qianlong as a means of maintaining political unity with Mongolia and Tibet?In order to safeguard territorial integrity?security and peace?And strengthen its unity with the minority ethnic groups in these areas?Emperor QianlQng changed Yonghegong to a Lamasery?In this way?religion played a very important role in promoting harmony and cementing the relationship between the Mongolian and Tibetan people?He also ordered 500 lamas?who came from Mongolia to stay here in the Yonghegong Lamasery?This was not only for obeying his mother’s wish?but was also in accordance with the imperial regulation of the former imperial residence?Furthermore?it also showed the emperor’s determination to conciliate the minority nationalities and reinforce the frontier.

After 1949?the Chinese Government attached great importance to this Lama Temple?Several renovations have been carried out since then?and the Temple has taken on a new look?In 1950 and 1952?the government allocated large sums of money to renovate it. In 1961?Yonghegong Lamasery was listed by the State Council as a major national cultural relic and historical site under the state’s protection?During the ten—year Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976?Yonghegong was very well preserved because of the special care given by our late Premier Zhou Enlai?The latest renovation was carried out in 1976?and in 1981,  Yonghegong was reopen to the public?

Today?there are rich collections of cultural relics which are preserved in Yonghegong Lamasery?especially those related to Tibetan Buddhism?For instance?there is a large number of vividly sculptured Buddhist images of various sizes?each different in posture and expression; a large collection of Tibetan—style paintings known as Tangka painting; delicate frescoes?scriptures and religious instruments; the inscriptions and calligraphic works on the stele and boards?and Buddhist scriptures in the languages of Manchu?Tibetan?Chinese?Mongolian and Sanskrit?all of which being of very high cultural and historical value for the Chinese people?

Ever since it was opened to the public more than 20 years ago?Yonghegong Lamasery has attracted thousands of people every day?Many state and government leaders?from more than 100 countries and regions?have visited here?Presently?there are nearly 100 lamas in Yonghegong and most of them are Mongolians?Tibetans and people from Qinghai?Daily traditional religious ceremonies and activities in Yonghegong are undertaken strictly according to the regulation and disciplines of Tibetan Buddhism?

Yonghegong Lamasery

Yonghegong Lamasery mainly consists of seven courtyards from south to north?including three well-decorated elegant archways and six main structure buildings lying along the north—south central axis?with annex halls standing along both sides?The six main buildings are?the Gate of Harmony and Peace (Yonghemen)?the Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong Dian)?the Hall of Eternal Blessings (Yongyoudian)?the Hall of Dharma Wheel (Falundian)?the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happiness (Wanfuge) and the Pavilion of Peaceful Accomplishment (Suichengge)?In addition there are four buildings on both sides called“the Four Academic Halls” (Sixuedian)?

From south to north?the courtyards along the central axis are progressively reduced in size?one after another?while the buildings in each courtyard rise progressively higher?giving people an enigmatic impression of unfathomable infinite height and depth?Here?one can really experience traditional Chinese architecture with a special emphasis on the architectural style of Tibetan Buddhism?

The architecture of the overall layout?the unique decorative designs and colors all show a special combination of the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties blended with the culture of the Han and Tibetan people?It really combines the palace architectural style and temple buildings with the architectural features of the Manchu?Han?Mongolian and Tibetan people into one style?We can also find this feature in the Hall of Dharma Wheel and the Ten Thousand Happiness Pavilion?The Hall of Dharma Wheel has five dormer windows in the roof and five gilded pinnacles?which reflect the rich characteristics of the temples of Tibetan Buddhism and the architecture of the Tibetan people?The Ten Thousand Happiness Pavilion has“overhead passages”on either side of the second floor?which is typical of the building style of the Liao and Jin Dynasties (907—1 234)?Very few of these kinds of structures are still in existence today?They are rare architectural masterpieces?

Contact
Address: 12 Yonghegong Dajie, Beijxinqiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing
( ??12? )
Post Code?100007
Tel:86-10-64044499
Website: http://www.yonghegong.cn/
E-mail: [email protected]

[hope rainbow]

Thank you WB for a very interesting article.

I do notice this:
- without Kangxi, this temple would not be there
- and his grand-son Emperor Qianlong may not have had the opportunity to cement "lamaism" in China.

This gives more clues...

[wang]

Thank you WB for a very interesting article.

I do notice this:
- without Kangxi, this temple would not be there
- and his grand-son Emperor Qianlong may not have had the opportunity to cement "lamaism" in China.

This gives more clues...

Hey lets comment based on facts...
- Emperor Kangxi,'s son is Yongzheng
- Emperor Yongzheng's son is  Qianlong

As said in the article, before Yonghegong be turned into a Gelupa monastery, it was  Yongzheng's living place.  It was only after death of Yongzheng(ie during Qianlong's time) that the present Yonghegong be established.  Yonghegong's setup is nothing related to Kangxi.

Having said that
- Before the Qing dynasty emperors ruled over China, when they were still  prevent from entering mainland by the Great Wall, they already accepted Gelukpa and have some Gelukpa monasteries setup in their capital in the current Shengyang city of Liaoning Province, north east China.  So they accepted Gelukpa since 3rd Dalai Lama and the other Gelukpa lama's activities in north China(current Mongolia, inner-Mongolia and north east China)
- Kangxi defeated the Mongolian and form the current landscape of China(including Xinjiang, the Muslim area and current Mongolia), he was not that religious but very hardworking and knowledgeable (including Buddhism for sure)
- Yongzheng had a good knowledge of Buddhism, but looks he had more interest in the Chen Buddhism then the Tibetan Buddhism
- It is only during time of Qianlong, who formed the policy of 'Bringing up the Yellow sect, in order to manage Tibet and Mongolia' that the Gelukpa really developed fast outside of current 'Tibet Province'.   We all know that during the 5th Dalai Lama the Gelukpa governed the current 'Tibet Province', while in Amdo and Kham Tibetan were ruled by local kings, and be in-directly ruled over by the Beijing Qing government.  During Qianlong's time, he met a lot Gelukpa tulkus and support their activities when they back to their hometown.  The end result is that a lot non-Gelukpa area turned into Gelukpa area, especially the more densely populated agricultural area.  This trend is very obvious if you study the history of Kham (west Sichuan) during this time.

Interestingly, I read a comment that it may be the reason why some Nyingma lamas didn't like DS that much: by force of the Lhasa and Beijing government, a lot benefactors turned to support Gelukpa, resulted in big reduction of Nyingma monasteries, say in Kham area they were pushed to the north and rural area, while the big Gelukpa monasteries established in major route had 1000+ monks.  Those lamas might project their dissatisfaction of Gelukpa into DS, who was 'symbol' of Gelukpa's power by that time...So Dorje Shugden and Dalai Lama are 'twin' from this 'sectarian Gelukpa' sense....

[hope rainbow]

Interestingly, I read a comment that it may be the reason why some Nyingma lamas didn't like DS that much: by force of the Lhasa and Beijing government, a lot benefactors turned to support Gelukpa, resulted in big reduction of Nyingma monasteries, say in Kham area they were pushed to the north and rural area, while the big Gelukpa monasteries established in major route had 1000+ monks. 
Those lamas might project their dissatisfaction of Gelukpa into DS, who was 'symbol' of Gelukpa's power by that time...So Dorje Shugden and Dalai Lama are 'twin' from this 'sectarian Gelukpa' sense....

Thank you Wang for giving detailed facts.
The reality of history is sure more complex than my 2 short conclusions.
Thanks again.

Interesting comment on the effect of the Gelugpa's growth in Kham, dissatisfied some Nyingma lamas.
I did not know of this.

[wang]

Interesting comment on the effect of the Gelugpa's growth in Kham, dissatisfied some Nyingma lamas.
I did not know of this.

It may be an 'hypothesis' anyway.  In an zero-sum game, when someone gained, someone must  lost. Population in that kind of harsh living area couldn't increase a lot, but on the contrary, Gelukpa monasteries grew a lot after Qian Long in these regions...

To my memory, current population distribution of Tibetan is around 2M in Tibet province, 2M in Kham  and 2M in Amdo.

[Carpenter]

Deal All,

Thank you for all these information of Kangxi, after reading this post, a sort of curiosity that I’ve went to website trying to find out more about Kangxi since it is in relation with Dorje Shugden, below is the link of Kangxi’s circular achievement:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/311006/Kangxi

During the difficult times (War time) in China, Kangxi was never forget to care about his citizen, he never increase tax from them instead, he gave tax reduction to relieve their burden. Besides, he also reads all documents that submitted to him and settle it daily, even in war time, he still settle at least 300 – 400 documents / cases daily.

With his strategy, knowledge, care and compassion, during his reigned, he created a strong foundation for his child (Yongzheng), Qing Dynasty had lasted a very long period of political stability and economic prosperity in China.

[Big Uncle]

Thank you WB for a very interesting article.

I do notice this:
- without Kangxi, this temple would not be there
- and his grand-son Emperor Qianlong may not have had the opportunity to cement "lamaism" in China.

This gives more clues...

Hey lets comment based on facts...
- Emperor Kangxi,'s son is Yongzheng
- Emperor Yongzheng's son is  Qianlong

As said in the article, before Yonghegong be turned into a Gelupa monastery, it was  Yongzheng's living place.  It was only after death of Yongzheng(ie during Qianlong's time) that the present Yonghegong be established.  Yonghegong's setup is nothing related to Kangxi.

Having said that
- Before the Qing dynasty emperors ruled over China, when they were still  prevent from entering mainland by the Great Wall, they already accepted Gelukpa and have some Gelukpa monasteries setup in their capital in the current Shengyang city of Liaoning Province, north east China.  So they accepted Gelukpa since 3rd Dalai Lama and the other Gelukpa lama's activities in north China(current Mongolia, inner-Mongolia and north east China)
- Kangxi defeated the Mongolian and form the current landscape of China(including Xinjiang, the Muslim area and current Mongolia), he was not that religious but very hardworking and knowledgeable (including Buddhism for sure)
- Yongzheng had a good knowledge of Buddhism, but looks he had more interest in the Chen Buddhism then the Tibetan Buddhism
- It is only during time of Qianlong, who formed the policy of 'Bringing up the Yellow sect, in order to manage Tibet and Mongolia' that the Gelukpa really developed fast outside of current 'Tibet Province'.   We all know that during the 5th Dalai Lama the Gelukpa governed the current 'Tibet Province', while in Amdo and Kham Tibetan were ruled by local kings, and be in-directly ruled over by the Beijing Qing government.  During Qianlong's time, he met a lot Gelukpa tulkus and support their activities when they back to their hometown.  The end result is that a lot non-Gelukpa area turned into Gelukpa area, especially the more densely populated agricultural area.  This trend is very obvious if you study the history of Kham (west Sichuan) during this time.

Interestingly, I read a comment that it may be the reason why some Nyingma lamas didn't like DS that much: by force of the Lhasa and Beijing government, a lot benefactors turned to support Gelukpa, resulted in big reduction of Nyingma monasteries, say in Kham area they were pushed to the north and rural area, while the big Gelukpa monasteries established in major route had 1000+ monks.  Those lamas might project their dissatisfaction of Gelukpa into DS, who was 'symbol' of Gelukpa's power by that time...So Dorje Shugden and Dalai Lama are 'twin' from this 'sectarian Gelukpa' sense....

Dear Wang,

The fact is, Yong He Gong was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi and this was when Yongzheng was only a prince. Hence, all royal construction must be approved by the emperor before hand. It was during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng that he converted the palace to a Gelug monastery. It doesn't matter that it was a palace or a temple in the beginning. What matters is that it was built during that period and who built it.   

Hence, the temple's legacy was Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Yongzheng's. The temple is a huge legacy for Dorje Shugden to grow within China in the near future. Why? Because Gelug/Tibetan Buddhism is just a label. When the Chinese see this historical site, they will not really identify this as Gelug or Tibetan but Chinese. The practices within this temple is Tsongkhapa and/or Gelugpa, they will readily associate it as Chinese as well. It is in the history books. Now, Dorje Shugden is to be the main Protector of the Gaden tradition. It all adds up.

Although Emperor Kangxi did not openly embrace Tibetan Buddhism or supported it but the construction of the palace which eventually became the temple paved the way for it to enter mainstream Chinese acceptance. That is the lasting legacy of the Emperor Kangxi, emanation of Dorje Shugden. He paved the way for Tsongkhapa's tradition to enter into China. Without this significant temple, acceptance of Je Tsongkhapa or Dorje Shugden would be much harder and would take a lot longer.

Yong He Gong's role is unfinished. It will served as a spiritual legacy for China's past and a heritage that China will eventually tap into as she marches on into the future.

[wang]

I am not denying that Kangxi was a great emperor, but 'because he was great, he must be DS' is a very strange logic..

[shugdenprotect]

Wow! Wisdom Being, thank you for the detailed information about Yongegong. I visited the space before and it safeguards some of the most beutiful Buddha images I have ever seen. It is so interesting to reflect that China is motherland to some of the world's most authentic and precious Dharma items and, yet, the current knowledge of Dharma is still quite limited and superficial.

I pray hard that the glory of China as a nation with spiritual wealth to arise swiftly and will combine in harmony with the worldly riches China is building and achieving.

[Vajraprotector]

I am not denying that Kangxi was a great emperor, but 'because he was great, he must be DS' is a very strange logic..

If you read Dreyfus' The Shugden Affair: Origins of a Controversy before,  you would have read the below:

[20] In reference to the year 1655 (Wood Sheep), Sum-pa-mkhan-po notes: "[Birth of] the Kangshi emperor renowned as the reincarnation of Tul-ku Drak-ba Gyel-tsen (sprul sku grags rgyan skye bar grags pa'i khang zhi bde skyid rgyal po) (Rehu mig,) 70. 

The Rehu mig or chronological tables should refer to the one published in Delhi by International Academy of Indian Culture, 1959,

bod de'i rgyal po ni gzim khang gong ma sprul sku grags rgyan zer ba ni chag(s) sdang gi gtam kho nar zad do/ des na bsod nams chos 'phel ni lo 'dir 'das nas khong dge lugs la thugs zhen ches pas chos bsrung ba'i tshul bzung nas dge lugs pa skyong zhes grags pa bden nam snyam mo/

Anyone who can read good Tibetan can may be go through the text and let us know?

You can read Dreyfus' work here, guess where  , on the Dalai Lama's website: http://www.dalailama.com/messages/dolgyal-shugden/ganden-tripa/the-shugden-affair-i

[wang]

I am not denying that Kangxi was a great emperor, but 'because he was great, he must be DS' is a very strange logic..

If you read Dreyfus' The Shugden Affair: Origins of a Controversy before,  you would have read the below:

[20] In reference to the year 1655 (Wood Sheep), Sum-pa-mkhan-po notes: "[Birth of] the Kangshi emperor renowned as the reincarnation of Tul-ku Drak-ba Gyel-tsen (sprul sku grags rgyan skye bar grags pa'i khang zhi bde skyid rgyal po) (Rehu mig,) 70. 

Thanks! It gives some hint.

I checked that Kangxi was born on 4th May 1654. The Chinese history is quite accurate on this, as there was a specific person to marked important events of the court.

In the wiki, it is said that Dragpa Gyaltsen passed away in 1656.  Not sure how accurate it is though...

[Ensapa]

I am not denying that Kangxi was a great emperor, but 'because he was great, he must be DS' is a very strange logic..

If you read Dreyfus' The Shugden Affair: Origins of a Controversy before,  you would have read the below:

[20] In reference to the year 1655 (Wood Sheep), Sum-pa-mkhan-po notes: "[Birth of] the Kangshi emperor renowned as the reincarnation of Tul-ku Drak-ba Gyel-tsen (sprul sku grags rgyan skye bar grags pa'i khang zhi bde skyid rgyal po) (Rehu mig,) 70. 

Thanks! It gives some hint.

I checked that Kangxi was born on 4th May 1654. The Chinese history is quite accurate on this, as there was a specific person to marked important events of the court.

In the wiki, it is said that Dragpa Gyaltsen passed away in 1656.  Not sure how accurate it is though...

It could be that he was able to manifest multiple incarnations/mindstreams. This is not surprising with beings who have attained his level of attainments. Kangxi was one of the most loved Chinese emperors of all time, and there were many stories on him that are still told until today. Aside from building many temples he also instituted many reforms in China and revamped the literature and arts of that time. Truly he has done a lot for China and undeniably the most sucessful king in the Qing dynasty followed by Qianlong.

[Barzin]

I don't know much about Kangxi emperor but i find this rather interesting...  It got me thinking how powerful the protector is, if Kangxi emperor is claimed to be the emanation of Dorje Shugden.  This reaffirmed the power of reincarnation, life after life the precious protector work tirelessly to build a nation of dharma.  During Kangxi time, the emperor successfully introduced Buddhism into China and united people.  Now, the protector seemed to pick up where he left, in a modern methods same motivation bringing dharma to the chinese if not globally.  All the ground work that the protector manifested from lives to lives has not gone wasted, if not we won't be even hearing about the ban and how Buddhism has spread so rapidly!  That's true Buddha nature, what more do we want?

[yontenjamyang]

Emperor Kangxi had the longest reign among Chinese emperors and is known as the consolidator of the Qing rule in China. His father was the the Emperor Shunzhi who were rumored to have abdicated to become a monk.
During his reign he consolidated the whole of China, crushed the last remnants of the the Ming loyalist in Southern China, conquered Taiwan and established the western borders of China of the present. Interestingly, he also, personally led an army to retaliate against the Dzungars in Tibet and re installed the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso.
So Emperor Kangxi has strong link to Tibet and especially to the Gelug school of Buddihism.