An Exclusive Interview with Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Sampheling Monastery

By: Shashi Kei

http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/four-important-videos/

The town of Chatreng lies within the Kham province of Tibet and is often used by travellers as a stopover between Litang and Yading Reserve in Daochen County, known to possess Kham’s most stunning scenery. In comparison, Chatreng is relatively unknown to the outside world until recent years. In the feudal past of Tibet, Chatreng was a notoriously impenetrable kingdom, and not just because of the wall of mountains that surround it. Chatreng men were warlike, strong and above all loyal and it is not surprising that when the Dalai Lama decided to escape from Tibet to India in 1959, it was the men of Chatreng who formed part of a private security force, called Chushi Gangdruk. Chushi Gangdruk protected and accompanied His Holiness on his legendary journey, carrying with him the hopes of the Tibetan nation and the ageless tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

A nearby village in the Chatreng District, Kham

Perhaps it is no coincidence that the lion amongst men, the master of all modern masters, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s personal monastery, Sampheling, is located here in its full grandeur.

With such a history and legacy, it is not surprising that Chatreng and its iconic Sampheling Monastery is a stronghold of the Dorje Shugden practice that has endured despite the willful attacks of the Tibetan government in exile (CTA). For decades, the CTA has been hell-bent on destroying the 360-year old practice of this powerful Dharma protector, long prophesied to be the rightful guardian of Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings facing a degenerate era. This futile attempt has been in vain as Dorje Shugden practice continues to flourish in this region. Today the fortress of the Protector practice is Sampheling Monastery and at its head is the present Abbot, His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin.

Entrance to the main gompa of Sampheling Monastery

DorjeShugden.com upholds the same values and beliefs of Trijang Rinpoche towards Dorje Shugden and that which the monks of Sampheling Monastery and the people of Chatreng hold with conviction as well. In an interview with His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche, Kensur Rinpoche sent a powerful message to Dorje Shugden practitioners around the world.

Kensur Rinpoche spoke of the Chatreng people’s unwavering devotion towards their Guru Trijang Rinpoche and also their Protector, Dorje Shugden, in the face of attacks against the practice. To Kensur Rinpoche, it is allegiance and devotion to the Guru, and the practice that the Guru has given that matters, not the rumors and propaganda – no matter who the source. On this Kensur Rinpoche has no doubts. Kensur Rinpoche’s reason is simple – the lineage of Dorje Shugden is the same pure lineage that indisputable masters such as H.H. Pabongka Rinpoche and H.H. Trijang Rinpoche have transmitted to us. It is this lineage that practitioners of Dorje Shugden belong to, and that which Kensur Rinpoche said we must all continue and preserve.

Fundamentally, Kensur Rinpoche’s advice is to closely follow the guidance of our respective Gurus who are highly qualified to transmit the pure teachings to us. To follow the Guru and the Protector is to practice Dharma. This has always been the tradition and should not change because of any gossip or rumors. Kensur Rinpoche also mentioned that he finds the Dalai Lama’s reason to ban the practice to be void of logic.

H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Chojin of Sampheling Monastery, Chatreng

DorjeShugden.com is richly encouraged by Kensur Rinpoche’s statement that he will continue to pray for the people behind DorjeShugden.com – the site that has played a crucial role in spreading such an important lineage and teachings. In addition, we are very humbled by Kensur Rinpoche’s opinion that the function of the site is equally as important as the function of the monks in China/Tibet. And for now this site has done more to spread Dorje Shugden’s practice in comparison with what the Chatreng people can do on a practical level. Therefore Kensur Rinpoche requested for those at DorjeShugden.com to work hard and continue with the mission. Furthermore, if practitioners have faith in their Gurus and the Protector they will spread the practice far and wide and collect tremendous merits along the way.

In line our Mission Statement, DorjeShugden.com is fully committed to bringing the latest information about our Protector to all, so that more and more people have access to accurate and up-to-date information and are heartened in their practice.