His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Ganden Tripa, was born in 1927 in the Dawa region of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 8 years old, His Holiness joined the local monastery in Yangding and was consequentialy ordained as a monk.
Later His Holiness entered Gaden Shartse Norling College. While a student there Rinpoche studied Pramana Vidya (Logic), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), under the guidance of various highly attained Masters, and also received many precious teachings and empowerments of the pure Ganden lineage.
During the Chinese revolution in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India. Arriving at ‘Ba Se’ along the border of India and Bhutan, he continued his studies and completed the Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), Abhidharma (Treasury of Knowledge), and Vinaya (Spiritual Rules and Moral Law). Apart from the normal course of studies, Rinpoche often went for meditation retreats. In 1969, Rinpoche revised through the five major treaties of Buddhist philosophy and participated in the final exam at a renowned local Tibetan University, graduating in the 1st position of honor.
In 1970, a major debate exam which lasted over a period of 20 days was held. Candidates included over 30 outstanding scholars from the 3 great monasteries and other universities. Rinpoche still managed to emerge on top and the title of Geshe Lharampa was officially conferred upon him. Consequently, Rinpoche joined the Gyuto Tantric University and focused on intensive study of the Tantras.
In 1983 and 1992, the Dalai Lama appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of Gyuto Tantric University and abbot of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery respectively. During the years of Rinpoche’s abbotship, apart from supervising the administration and discipline of the Sangha, he also conducted various pujas and teachings personally. Rinpoche’s contribution towards the monastery is widely recognised, and deeply respected by all. In 1986, these remarkable qualities inspired the Dalai Lama to choose him as the representative of Buddhism in Ecumenical Encounters of Assisi interfaith meetings convened on the initiative of Pope John Paul II in Italy.
In 1995, Rinpoche was bestowed the honorary rank of Shartse Choje (2nd rank among dignitaries of the Gelug tradition). After 6 years in that position, on January 20, 2003, the Dalai Lama, during his Kalachakra Empowerment in Bodhgaya, announced the appointment of Venerable Lungrik Namgyal as the 101 Gaden Tripa – the supreme head of the Gelug tradition, and literally, the Holder of the Throne of Tushita.
Rinpoche is one of the most qualified Buddhist teachers alive today – being highly trained in both fields of Sutra and Tantra. Rinpoche has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma, and has been tirelessly visiting many parts of the world to spread the Teachings. Countries which Rinpoche has visited include – France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, and Singapore. His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche currently lives in Paris, where he transmits precious Buddhist teachings of his lineage in Thar Due Ling Dharma center in Chelles, France which he founded in 1980.
Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche
Trisur Rinpoche meeting Pope John Paul in 1986
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Lin Cassidy
February 24, 2014
That is great news HE Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche the 101st Gaden Tripa (the head of Gelug – the very best of the best).
He endorses Shar Gaden at the height of the ban which is still going by joining Shar Gaden.
That speaks volumes in my books, that someone with extensive knowledge of sutra/tantra can discern with logic and wisdom that the reasons for the ban have no basis.
A lama who would become a Gaden Tripa is no ordinary lama but Lama Tsongkhapas representative, head of the Gelug lineage.
We are so blessed to have him supporting SG by joining and standing up for DS practitioners through his actions is wonderful news indeed.
Thank you again Admin for keeping us all connected and united!
_/I\_ LC
twotruths
February 24, 2014
If you give this much respect to a Trisur Rinpoche, then you should give respect to the Ganden Tripa before him, Lobsang Nyingma Rinpoche, who was against Shugden when he said, “If it (Shugden) were a real protector, it should protect the people. There may not be any protector such as this, which needs to be protected by the people.”
Lin you say “That speaks volumes in my books, that someone with extensive knowledge of sutra/tantra can discern with logic and wisdom that the reasons for the ban have no basis. A lama who would become a Gaden Tripa is no ordinary lama but Lama Tsongkhapas representative, head of the Gelug lineage.”
Then why not also follow this current Ganden Tripa, Rizong Rinpoche? Who is in the HHDL camp.
I have the deepest respect for Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche and his decision, but we can’t just pick and choose Ganden Tripas to follow just because it is convenient for our own agenda.
Lin Cassidy
February 25, 2014
@TT
Exactly my point TT the first time in many years I have to agree with you (shock horror for me) from the POV that I have a connection with certain Lamas who are DS Lamas for this reason alone…50 Verses of Guru Devotion?
I do not have a dharma connection with HHDL or other pro HHDL Lamas, should I drop my Lama like some pariah and follow the next best option in town?
In this life I may be gelug, in a previous life I have been kadampa or as some Tibetans say Chinese? If I cannot practice Guru Devotion with a teacher in this life how do I create the karma to have another guru in my next life or the life after that?
No Buddha or enlightened being can ever be the golden egg giving us precious human births till we get enlightened? We can only work with what cards our own karma has given us in this life.
I and many others draw the line because to choose would mean that our Lamas are wrong others Lamas are wrong, we do not believe in Buddhas and holy beings to bless us…We do not create the conditions to be close to dharma, close to dharma teachers or our spiritual guides we hold in our hearts.
I am lucky because I am close to my Lamas who I have a connection with but do not have to choose…but it breaks my heart immensely that some of my friends have to choose?
Would you be able to choose I certainly wouldn’t because I value my guru for being the one who cared for and supported my spiritual journey.
I wouldn’t want to take that away from anyone not least my worst enemy knowing how rare it is to have the opportunity to find a perfect teacher to teach you dharma.
Everyone as a spiritual seeker has the right to find a dharma teacher that is better suited for their mind. That is called diversity?
Tolerance and Acceptance are other terms somewhat lacking in our current situation…
Imagine waking up one day and finding out where you live and who you are is illegal? Can’t work, no medical, no education, no passport, can’t leave? You have to break your vows if you are a monk?
The ban is forcing the large majority to pick and choose their gurus to break their samayas with their gurus? to choose sides, to do negative actions in the name of their gurus.
The ban is wrong not the players within this play.
_/I\_ LC
Tashi
February 28, 2014
@twotruths. You make no sense.
I respect 101 Ganden Tripa very much because he shows example pure geluk lineage . not like other ganden tripa now and before that ban dorje shugden just because dalai said so.
simple.
Jack Harness
March 3, 2014
@Tashi
Thank you for posting your support for the 101st Gaden Tripa. The reason TT doesn’t make sense is because:
1) His position is not clear when he posts, always posting to confuse issues pertaining to threads to create confusion in the mind of people visiting DS.COM.
2) He plagiarises comments on this website turning them around and using them as his own to support his arguments (is that flattery or just lack of dharma knowledge purporting to be dharma practice).
3) If you need to understand his POV comments ask yourself this question? For someone who puts himself out there as pro HHDL / anti-DS Why go visit Shar Gaden and have a meal? When HHDL clearly states that practitioners who have samaya with him are not allowed have any contact with DS practitioners.
JH
Steve Rogers
May 16, 2014
Respect and guru devotion are a world apart. Respect does not necessarily imply even an atom of involvement, whereas a practice inspired by guru devotion is completely engaged heart and soul. Those human beings who are fortunate enough to have found the subtle object we call Guru have nothing to fear from those who have not, but should feel great compassion and pray for them.