Recently, one of the most honored Gelugpa lineage masters, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, presented 500 copies of ‘The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’ to the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery. Authored by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, this book, written in Tibetan, is based on the root text of Mahamudra called ‘The Main Path to Attainment of the Conqueror Buddha’.
In Sanskrit ‘Mudra’ means ‘absolute necessity’ and ‘Maha’ means ‘great understanding’. The root text, also known as ‘The Great Seal of Voidness’ was composed by the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662), who was the tutor of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama as well as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen.
The world of Tibetan Buddhism must indeed pay the greatest tribute and honor to this great teacher and master. Why? Just like his incomparable root guru, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has reached out and touched the lives of millions of people worldwide. Thousands of monks, nuns and lay practitioners have gained success in the spiritual path through his teachings and guidance.
Born in 1931 in Yangcho, Eastern Tibet, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso escaped Tibet with only two scriptural texts in 1959. Today, his achievements are near unbelievable. Apart from founding the largest international Tibetan Buddhist organization in the world with over 700 ordained monks and nuns, he has authored over 20 Dharma books in the English language for Buddhists of all levels, from beginners to tantric practitioners.
His greatest works include Joyful Path of Good Fortune (a commentary on the Lamrim), The New Guide to Dakini Land (a commentary on Vajrayogini’s practice) and Heart Jewel (a commentary on Dorje Shugden’s practice), along with various other commentaries on Indian texts such as Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’.
This great Lama’s incredible success can only be attributed to his unwavering faith and confidence in his lineage and protector, Dorje Shugden, which can be traced back to the teachings he received from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s greatest mission now is to preserve the precious tradition of Lama Tsongkapa and by extension, the practice of Dorje Shugden who is the special protector of Tsongkapa’s lineage.
The world rejoices in the achievements of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and his wisdom in writing and publishing such an important book which will escalate the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa to further unprecedented heights. We await his next book with great anticipation and offer prayers for his continued good health, long life and the growth of his works.
500 Mahamudra books offered to Shar Gaden
Shar Ganden administrator, Geshe Lobsang Gelek (left) offers the Mahamudra books to the monks on behalf of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
Brian Jones
September 30, 2014
Is kelsang giving his book away because no one would buy it, due to its numerous spelling mistakes and grammitical errors. Good luck to the monks that’ll have to plough through this.
Kelsang Zamling
September 30, 2014
A warm-hearted thanks to DorjeShugden.com for publishing this extraordinary news. I pray that this text will soon be translated into many languages so that people worldwide can practice and benefit from the sublime instructions contained within.
In a world of so much pain and conflict we are all so lucky that such pure, unsurpassed instructions still exist. The teachings on the Mahamudra as described in this text provide the swift attainment of permanent protection from suffering and unending inner peace, Buddhahood. May everyone attain such good qualities!
BlueUpali
October 1, 2014
Wow:). Look at all these monks with a Geshe-la book:). Did they get the oral transmission:)? Let’s invite them to the United States soon to give teachings… because I don’t think it’s out in English yet?
Nate McCarthy
October 1, 2014
To Brian Jones, Just because you don’t agree with Shugden practice you don’t have to knock everyone in it. If you are a Buddhist practitioner, then please write like one. You have every right to not practice Shugden but no rights to criticize another’s faith, practice and or religious beliefs.
Geshe Kelsang is the largest Tibetan based Buddhist organization in the world and his books are in all major bookstores all over the world. My sister works as a marketing exec for Barnes and Nobles who deals with many publishers-distributors around the world daily and she said out of all the Buddhist authors besides the Dalai Lama, Geshe Kelsang’s books sell highest volume throughout North America, Western Europe and in the Far East. Some of his books has been translated into over various languages.
So within the Tibetan tradition, offering books in the monastery is an act of merit. The sangha is open to any type of offerings and offer prayers for the benefactor in return. The sangha is gracious enough to accept any offering.
admin
October 1, 2014
For your information, the sangha of Shar Gaden requested for Geshe Kelsang’s books. Admin
Losang Tenpa
October 1, 2014
Thank you for removing my photo.
Incognito is best.
Anonymous
October 1, 2014
Please crop me out of the thumbnail photo to this article as well please. Thanks.
Daniel Bear
October 1, 2014
It is always wonderful to see Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s virtuous activities. I too hope that it will translated into many languages.
Of course, Brian Jones has to make disparaging comments and criticize the book for its spelling mistakes and “grammitical errors”, ironically, and yet make no mention of its contents. I guess that would mean that what Geshe la wrote is faultless.
Good news indeed.
Sandra
October 1, 2014
I rejoice to see so many books been presented to Shar Gaden. Hopefully later day the previous dharma book can translate to multi languages and distribute to worldwide. May Tsongkhapa teachings continue spread and flourish to every corner in the world.
Doreen Park
October 1, 2014
I rejoice at this most gracious gift of 500 copies of the “Oral Instruction of Mahamudra” to the monks of Shar Gaden, upon their request, by its author the unexcelled Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Such unsurpassed instructions on the Mahamudra – the Main Path of Attainment of the Conqueror Buddha -must have been received with great joy by the Shar Gaden monks.
It was most uncalled for to even suggest that the books had been given to Shar Gaden because they could not be sold!
Eli
October 1, 2014
Geshela is very kind to offer this book to the monks of Sh
Eli
October 1, 2014
Geshela is very kind to offer this book to the monks of Shar Gaden. Due to the Dorje Sugden ban geshela was excommunicated from his mother monastery yet he held no grudge and supports the Gaden tradition whole heartedly and this shows his true nature that despite problems and difficulty Geshela faces them with much courage.
Ringo Starr
October 2, 2014
May the Dharma spread in the ten directions. Thank you Geshe La.
Sofia Neumerkel
October 4, 2014
Shar Gaden requested for the books, it must be an indication that the books written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso are faultless. There are people who said Geshe-la’s books deviate from the original meaning of the scriptures, now they are proven wrong. If Geshe-la’s books do not reflect the real meaning, the monastery will not request for his books at all.
No matter how people criticise Geshe-la or isolate him, he still continue to turn the wheel of Dharma and did not give up. Look at how big his organisation is. I rejoice for Geshe-la’s works and wish Geshe-la long life and remain with us for a very long time.
Rinchen
October 6, 2014
It is just great that the monks of Shar Ganden could receive books from Geshela. It is great that Geshela’s book are out in public for all to read as well. It is just such a great piece of news that the monks are receiving books so that they will be able to improve their knowledge and also have more items to study and read.
Thank you Geshela for making this available for the monks, and thank you DS.com administrators for sharing with us such great news.
Buddhists are people who share and care for others around us, not putting anyone down. Through the act of Geshela, it has clearly showed the kind of kindness that Geshela has.
Dekyi Tara
October 13, 2014
Thank you Geshe Kelsang Gyatso kindness of offered 500 copies of ‘The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’ to the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery.
Wish ths book, authored by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, written in Tibetan, based on the root text of Mahamudra called ‘The Main Path to Attainment of the Conqueror Buddha’ can translate into many languages in future to publish all around the world.
trin ley
January 31, 2015
I think your sect is disgrace for tibetan buddhism, you are like ISIS of buddhism
SabrinaS
August 21, 2016
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a tireless propounded of the teachings of Je Tsongkapa and the Dorje Shugden practise. He is such an inspiration and example of Guru Devotion as he stood firm to his practise of enlightened Dorje Shugden during the ban by the Dalai Lama and CTA. In keeping his samaya pure with his Guru, his dharmic deeds spread far and wide successfully. How blessed the monks are to receive his book, The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’. Thank you dorjeshugden.com for bringing to us Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s enlightened activities.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 13, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.