Gaden Jangtse Monastery Geshe Khenrab Gajam
In Memory of H.E Geshe Khenrab Gajam’s Paranirvana Day – 19 October 2016
Geshe Khenrab Gajam was born in 1928 in the province of Kham in eastern Tibet. Entering the local monastery, Nyagon Tashi Chöling, at a very young age, he began his novice monk studies, staying there for 4 years.
Then, according to the Gelugpa monastic tradition, he left Kham to perfect his Buddhist education in the great monastic University of Gaden. He traveled to Lhasa in a caravan of about a hundred people, under the protection of a very famous Lama, who was a friend of his extended family.
A diligent student, at age 24, Geshe-la showed mastery of his various subjects and began teaching the younger students. In 1959, because of the Chinese occupation, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama left Tibet, entering exile in India. Geshe-la and many other Tibetans followed the example of His Holiness and fled to India. Along the way through the Himalayas, there were many harrowing dangers, both from the Chinese army and natural hindrances. At some point, Geshe Khenrab was blinded by fog and fell off a cliff, miraculously escaping uninjured.
In 1968, at the age of 40, Geshe-la completed his cycle of Buddhist philosophical studies. He attained a high level of scholarship, second in his class after the renowned Pabongka Rinpoche (who tragically passed away soon after his Geshe degree in India). The title of Lharampa Geshe, the highest degree in the Tibetan monastic system, was a part of Geshe Khenrab’s many accomplishments.
In 1970, the Indian government offered the monks and Tibetan people living temporarily in Baxa (an old British army internment camp), a section of land in Mundgod, in southern India. The monks cleared the jungle with their bare hands and built the first Gaden Monastic University in exile. Geshe Khenrab became its proctor.
In 1972, because the Canadian Government accepted approximately 400 Tibetan refugees and due to an unusual display of sensitivity on the part of a Canadian Immigration official, the department approached four lamas from the four traditions in Tibetan Buddhism. They asked Geshe Khenrab to be the representative of the Gelugpa order and care for the Tibetans living in Longueuil, Quebec. At first, he refused, having the wish to live simply within a Tibetan Community and do serious meditation in the manner of his teacher, Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche. However, since the Immigration official asked several times over a period of several months, Geshe-la thought it was necessary to accept this responsibility.
When Geshe Khenrab arrived in Montreal and settled into a relationship with his Tibetan refugee community, he was the only master qualified to teach the Tibetan form of Mahayana Buddhism in Quebec. Eventually, through a LIP grant, Geshe-la moved into a small apartment in Longueuil.
Progressively, a small group of English and French students coalesced around him. He began giving Dharma teachings and performing various ceremonies on request and as the need arose.
The apartment became Geshe-la’s first Dharma centre. It was named Atisha Dharma Centre. He received the visits of several great lamas (Venerable Pema Gyalsten of Drepung Monastery, Venerable Lati Rinpoche of Gaden Shartse Monastery, Venerable Kalu Rinpoche of the Kyagyu Lineage, Kyabje Song Rinpoche) touring Canada. Many of the teachings, initiations, and retreats were conducted in the house of singer Leonard Cohen which was located on St-Dominique street, in the Plateau area of downtown Montreal.
In 1980, just before the visit of H.H. the Dalai Lama in fall of the same year, the centre moved to a residential area in Longueuil. The Atisha Dharma Centre became known as Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Chang Chub Chöling. The location was much bigger and allowed a much larger group of people to participate in temple activities. H.H. the Dalai Lama visited the temple. Incredibly, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche was also visiting Chang Chub Chöling at that particular time.
In 1982 Geshe-la left for a 6-7 months visit to India and Tibet. Leaving from Kathmandu in Nepal, he travelled to Kham, Tibet where members of his family still lived. Geshe-la was the first monk the Tibetans had seen for years. An overwhelming number of Tibetans from that area came to visit him. After a very successful tour, being able to help many of those whom he met, he returned to Montreal.
At the advice and request of Gaden Tripa, Jamphel Shenpen, who visited the temple several times over the course of a few years, Geshe-la’s students were told that they must find and relocate to a larger space. The center was moved to the present location on De l’Eglise Ave. in Côte St. Paul.
Work began in the fall, with six months spent emptying the new location (an old branch of Banque Nationale) of unwanted objects, cleaning, repairing, painting and building. In January 1986, although the work was not completed, it had all been primed with fresh coats of white paint. The Gyume monks were in Montreal and so they were requested by Geshe-la to consecrate the Temple. The work then continued through the winter into spring.
The Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Chang Chub Chöling was opened in a ceremony with the Gyuto monks in May 1986. The temple became a site of great activity. Classical Buddhist teachings and practices were given freely to any interested persons. Geshe-la began conducting several retreats and teachings in various North American cities.
A long list of great lamas continued to visit the temple to give teachings and initiations. Among these were Ganden Tripa, Venerable Lati Rinpoche, Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche (who visited the temple many times) and others.
After living the exemplary life of a Dharma practitioner within his community of friends and students for more than twenty years, Geshe Khenrab Gagam showed the truth of impermanence on October 4, 1993. Since then, his students never lost the hope that the temple remain a centre radiating Mahayana Buddhism and that Geshe-la’s reincarnation would soon return. Advice had been requested from Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche on these serious matters.
Through the kindness and care of Dagom Rinpoche, the temple came under the guidance of Geshe Tsultrim, an exceptional Geshe from Gaden Jangtse Monastery.
Source:
Tibetan Buddhist Temple (http://www.khenrab.org/khenrab.htm)
A Spiritual Friend Geshe Khenrab Topgyal Gajam, Gary Young
English
Indonesia
Tibetan
gary young
November 16, 2010
Very Good
I wish to add that the origiinal source information is from a book called
A Spiritual Friend Geshe Khenrab Topgyal Gajam by Gary Young
This book is located on the web and i will send a copy
sibcerely
Gary Young
Sierra
July 31, 2016
I bow down to a great and selfless lama who though reluctant, started a dharma centre far from a place he knew and loved. An alien in an alien land caring for Tibetans and Canadians alike, he grew the dharma centre known as Atisha Dharma Cemtre into Tibetan Buddhist Temple – Chang Chub Chöling.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring article on another great lama. The lamas that came out of Tibet had so much compassion that they would move obstacles, big and small to bring dharma and peace of mind to all.
OM MANI PADME HUM
Tashi Gyeltsen
October 20, 2016
I’ve met people who have met this Geshe Khenrab and they were very moved by his spirituality. His presence and prayers moved people to tears. He was a very devoted student of his teacher and his protector Dorje Shugden. He was a pure monk and practiced Dorje Shugden till the end.
SabrinaS
October 21, 2016
Thank you for sharing this inspiring article of H.E. Geshe Khenrab Gajam. It shows really his attainments through his ability to spread the Dharma, even to a land far away and the success of his activities as his centre grew to what it is today. I am touched by his compassion that despite his wish to remain in India to do serious meditation, he went for the sake of the Tibetan refugees who went there and the people of Canada. I find that many attained Gurus really prefer to focus on their meditations as they know the futility of Samsara and yet out of compassion for the people, they give up their wishes to go into the world of ignorance and egos to spread the Dharma. May Geshe Khenrab Gajam’s students’ wishes be fulfilled and may his reincarnation be found soon.
Gaz
October 22, 2016
Inspiring article about a real master. You dont have masters of that calibre from that generation anymore so thanks for refreshing this and pulling it back up to the front pages. Though when you say “In 1972…due to an unusual display of sensitivity on the part of a Canadian Immigration official, the department approached four lamas from the four traditions in Tibetan Buddhism.” it is unusual but not entirely unexpected coming from the Canadian government. Too bad the sensitivity wasnt appreciated by the Dalai Lama-supporting Tibetans who moved there and continue to create trouble for everyone.
Elibuchen
October 29, 2016
A great Dorje Shugden master makes good of his life and makes full use of this life to benefit others.Rejoice.
Sherabz
November 4, 2016
This is good for us to read more about great lama’s inspiring story.
May H.E Geshe Khenrab Gajam’s reincarnation would soon return and continue to benefit sentient beings by turning the dharma wheel.
Camillia
December 12, 2016
Very heartwarming to read of the life story of a erudite lama who dedicate his life i service of others and preserving Buddha Dharma. May the incarnation of Geshe Khenrab Gagam return soon to continue his great work and turn the wheel of Dharma once again.
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
The Shugden groups can dare defy the Dalai Lama because they do not have a country. The Tibetans are scattered all over the world and they have their various power basis from their various countries. I have spoken to Ms. Dhardon Sharling about this. If all the Tibetans were back in Tibet, they would have no chance to defy the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s government would crush them into silence. How dare they defy the Dalai Lama. Democracy is not for the backwards and illiterate Tibetans. They need a strong, smart and able ruler like the Dalai Lama and his ministers to tell them what is good or bad for them. The Dorje Shugden practice should be banned completely from the Tibetans and Tibetan nation because it is a harmful practice. And no religious freedom should be allowed to let this Dorje Shugden religion arise. In history, many other harmful religions were suppressed for the good of mankind. Shugden should be suppressed and all people who practice him should be forced to give up the practice.
Tenzin Paljor
January 28, 2017
Everyone should be seen with and take a picture with the Dalai Lama and post it. It will boost ‘business’. It’s made me look really valid and more people trust what I am saying simply because I had my picture taken with the Dalai Lama. I’ve roped in Carole MccQuirre and gang to do the same things. You see because I am from East Germany and we don’t believe in any sort of religious freedom. Whatever the regime in the past told you to do, you do it without question. The Shugden groups should not be allowed to practice their religion because the Dalai lama says so. We shouldn’t question the Dalai Lama or defy him. After all he is not human but a god. So if Dalai Lama says don’t practice Dorje Shugden, just follow along without question because why should there be religious freedom. The populace are too stupid to see what religion is good and what is harmful.
Carol McQuirre
January 28, 2017
I agree with you Paljor. The Tibetans do not need democracy, but a strong firm hand to tell them what to do. They are not like us educated English people who can handle and know what to do with democracy. The fact that Tibetans have no real elected leaders and the leader is really the Dalai Lama for the last 60 years is good news. Tibetans cannot elect their own leaders. When the Dalai Lama dies, we wait for him to reincarnate back and take over again because he is the only leader that can handle Tibetans.
Pema
March 21, 2017
What a beautiful account of H.E. Geshe Khenrab Gajam Rinpoche. It is a great inspiration to read the life of such a holy monk who selflessly shared the Dharma to many and took over the unending worries and hardship of building a Dharma Center in Canada, far away from his home Tibet.
Thank you for sharing the life of this holy being with us.
TseringD, Delhi
October 29, 2017
Nechung is ZUMA 👎 before I m think he is one of d best when I m watch dis video By Geshe Dorjee la but now I m think is not d truth n he is lie to Tibet people we r not back to Tibet yt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIDZLzXIgW8 Chithue Tenpa Yarphel la tq for talk about truth of Nechung . I m watch to this video many time la https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2dFMKIr_8 n after I hear you talk I m not belief to Nechung
Lhakpa Dhendup
August 11, 2018
What will the all the people around the world and in Tibet do now? Dalai Lama says he is happy that Tibet is a part of China and should remain a part of China. So many Tibetans self-immolated for Tibet to be independent and now Dalai Lama did a 360 degree turn and says he wants to go back to Tibet and China and Tibet should be a part of China. So unbelievable. So many are angry and disappointed.
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.
Ayana
August 16, 2018
Why doesn’t the United States and its allies end Refugee Status for the useless Tibetans? They have been refugees for 60 years now and don’t tell me they still cannot get their lives back in order?
Tibetans really know how to put on a good show and use people, take their money and do nothing in return.
Ojas
August 18, 2018
Supreme Court of India JUSTICE Mr. MARKANDEY KATJU (RETD) writes that Tibet is much better under the Chinese than it was under the lamas who only wanted to make the populace slaves. It was feudal and it will never return to the backwardness again.
Yoezer
August 19, 2018
While the government of Nepal has framed a policy to tighten the noose around non-governmental organisations, they have welcomed 30 Chinese NGOs to enter the country. These NGOs will penetrate the country’s social sector at the grassroots level. This is the first time such a large number of Chinese NGOs have entered Nepal at one time. Nepal is increasingly open to Chinese influence, a sign that ties between both countries are strengthening, while India’s influence is being reduced. The time has passed for India’s monopoly to remain uninterrupted in Nepal as opportunities to engage with China are being welcomed.
Vardaniya
August 24, 2018
The cracks in Tibetan society are starting to show, and it is now coming to the attention of local Indians who have all but identified the Tibetan leadership as the source of the divisions. According to this author, disunity amongst the Tibetans is now creating problems for Indian law enforcement agencies, and this disunity may culminate in young Tibetans holding silent grudges against their host country. It is incredible that after six decades of generosity from India, Indians are now facing the very real possibility Tibetans can be ungrateful towards India. The Tibetan leadership totally failed to impart positive values upon their exiled community, like gratitude for those kindest to them and the need to repay these kindnesses with real, tangible results. It’s also very unlikely that the Tibetan leadership will now start to do this, after six decades of failing to do so. Indians need to realise this, and see that there is no benefit for their nation to align themselves with the Tibetan leadership, and there never will be.
Maya
August 24, 2018
Although the Dalai Lama has offered an apology, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) still expressed their disappointment over his controversial comment on Nehru, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Dalai Lama called Nehru self-centred.
The Congress said Dalai Lama being a foreigner should shun and refrain from interfering in the internal as well as external affairs of India.