The current incarnation, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche
Of the countless attained lamas of the Gelug lineage, few have become household names in the way of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Undoubtedly one of the most famous lamas of his generation, the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is best known as the *junior tutor of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
However, to spiritual practitioners – Tibetan or otherwise – the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was widely respected and celebrated for his tireless turning of the Dharma wheel to keep the Gelug tradition alive. All Gelug lamas of the 21st century owe their learning, knowledge and scholarship to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s compassion. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was one of the great lamas present at His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s famous Lam Rim teachings. Having composed notes and memorised everything perfectly, Trijang Rinpoche brought this knowledge with him into exile where he proceeded to record all of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings into a book. Published under the title Liberation in the Palm of Your Hands, this book now forms the core text for monasteries and Dharma centres around the world, studied by both Shugden practitioners and non-Shugden practitioners alike.
His Holiness the previous 3rd Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso
Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche himself taught tirelessly. Understanding that by educating countless monks to become accomplished teachers themselves, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche ensured that the pure Gelug lineage and practices were preserved. In this way, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is often known as the “teacher of teachers”.
On 9th November 1981, the world lost a leading figure when His Holiness the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche entered into clear light. You can read more about his illustrious incarnation by clicking here.
His reincarnation, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, was born in perfect form on 15th October 1982 to a Tibetan family in Dalhousie, India. The search for the new incarnation was spread-headed by the main assistant of the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kungo Palden who consulted Dorje Shugden.
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (right) with one of his gurus Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche (left)
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s incarnation was recognised by Dorje Shugden as well as many other high Gelug lineage lamas, including the late Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and His Holiness the 98th Gaden Tripa Jampel Shenpen. On 23rd April 1985, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche as the reincarnation of his predecessor. Following his recognition, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche completed his primary studies under the compassionate tutelage of his gurus Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Due to increasingly violent persecution for his reliance on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche escaped India for Europe when he was 13 years old. Arriving in Switzerland, he lived there for a time under the guidance and protection of His Eminence Gonsar Rinpoche. In 2004, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche migrated to the United States, where he established Trijang Buddhist Institute in Northfield, Vermont.
Located on nearly 400 acres of pristine woodland, Trijang Buddhist Institute (TBI) is the North American seat of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche. It was established by a devoted student of His Eminence Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Rea Barkley. She had begun renovating pre-existing buildings with the intention of offering everything to her lama, who instead instructed her to offer it to Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.
The view from the gompa (prayer hall) at Trijang Buddhist Institute. Click on the image to enlarge.
On 18th September 2004, Trijang Buddhist Institute was officially dedicated to Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and on 23rd April 2009, His Holiness the 101st Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal announced his support of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s position as the Spiritual Director of Trijang Buddhist Institute.
The previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche had an extremely close relationship with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden and in this life, it is no different. As a result, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has had death threats directed at him and his people. His students have suffered attacks, and regularly receive verbal abuse.
Translation: This object of veneration is offered to Trijang Buddhist Institute with the prayer that the Buddha’s teaching flourish, that all sentient beings may obtain the treasure of the Dharma, and that they may live in happiness and virtue.
Signed,
Dalai Lama, Buddhist Monk
May 9, 2007
Instead of returning like for like, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche remains unwavering in his guru devotion and Dharma practice. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche advises his students to be respectful of the Dalai Lama, saying that he has received teachings from His Holiness and therefore respects him as one of his gurus. To this end, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has displayed in TBI’s gompa an image of the Dalai Lama, signed by the Dalai Lama himself.
This reincarnation is living proof that Dharma study and practice DO result in the attainments of great compassion and wisdom. After all, despite obstacles created by the ban, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche continues to manifest more and more the accomplishments, erudite scholarship, grace and leadership of his previous incarnations. At such a young age, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche already shows all the signs of a great Dharma leader, with the bravery to stand against the mighty forces which wish to silence him.
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche on a recent trip to Mongolia where he received a very warm welcome
Thus, unlike many others who have become involved in politics, Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has maintained a dignified silence against the rhetoric of the ban. His main and only focus continues to be the Buddhadharma. This is surely the clearest sign that he is the unmistaken incarnation of his predecessors, here to continue and further their works and accomplishments to benefit sentient beings.
All of us at DorjeShugden.com make this virtual offering of a butterlamp to the most erudite master, the incomparable His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, requesting him to remain for another 1,000 years to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and benefiting countless beings.
*junior is in reference only to the order of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s appointment as a tutor of the Dalai Lama, and does not imply any inferior status to Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
During Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s 32nd birthday celebrations at Trijang Buddhist Institute (Vermont, USA)
For more information about this great master, check out these links:
A Tribute to His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/great-masters/tributes/a-tribute-to-his-holiness-kyabje-trijang-rinpoche/)
Download: Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang’s Autobiography (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/downloads/texts/download-kyabje-trijang-dorjechangs-autobiography/)
The Third Trijang Rinpoche, Lobzang Yeshe Tendzin Gyatso (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/the-third-trijang-rinpoche-lobzang-yeshe-tendzin-gyatso/)
Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/advice-from-kyabje-trijang-dorje-chang/)
Trijang Rinpoche in Mongolia 2014 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-rinpoche-in-mongolia-2014/)
Trijang Rinpoche Visits Europe 2012 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-rinpoche-visits-europe-2012/)
Trijang Rinpoche Confers Initiation in Europe (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/trijang-rinpoche-confers-initiation-in-europe/)
Current Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Conducts Dorje Shugden puja (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/current-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-conducts-dorje-shugden-puja/)
Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche in Mongolia (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/kyabje-trijang-choktrul-rinpoche-in-mongolia/)
H.H. Trijang Rinpoche Consecrates Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Mongolia (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/h-h-trijang-rinpoche-consecrates-amarbayasgalant-monastery-in-mongolia/)
Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche leads Vajra Yogini Fire Puja (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-leads-vajra-yogini-fire-puja/)
H.H. Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Accepts Tenshug from Shar Gaden (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/h-h-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-accepts-tenshug-from-shar-gaden/)
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche Carrying Buddha’s Relics (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/videos/lamas-teachings/kyabje-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche-carrying-buddhas-relics/)
Ganden Tripa Authorizes Dorje Shugden Practitioners to represent the Gelugpa tradition (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/ganden-tripa-authorizes-dorje-shugden-pratitioners-to-represent-the-gelugpa-tradition/)
H.H. Ganden Tripa’s Dedication to Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/hh-ganden-tripa-lungri-namgyels-dedication-to-kyabje-trijang-choktrul-rinpoche/)
Dalai Lama Used 2014 Lamrim Teachings To Undermine His Guru (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/dalai-lama-used-2014-lamrim-teachings-to-undermine-his-guru/)
THE TRUTH behind who saved the Dalai Lama’s life (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/controversy/articles-controversy/the-truth-behind-who-saved-the-dalai-lamas-life/)
Radio Interview with Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/controversy/articles-controversy/radio-interview-with-trijang-chocktrul-rinpoche/)
Shartse’s Abbot sees Trijang Rinpoche: The Conclusion (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/shartses-abbot-sees-trijang-rinpoche-the-conclusion/)
UPDATE: Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/update-abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)
Abbots Urgently Sent to the USA (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/abbots-urgently-sent-to-the-usa/)
Trijang Buddhist Institute (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/places/trijang-buddhist-institute-tbi/)
Trijang Buddhist Institute (external link) (http://www.tbiusa.org/)
His Eminence Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche
(Source: http://www.tbiusa.org/director)
Trijang Rinpoche is a reincarnation of the late Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, who was recognized as one of the foremost Tibetan Buddhist Masters of our time, taking birth at the turn of the 20th century and passing away in 1981. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was revered for his extraordinary method of teaching and his precious activities, particularly in the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. Up to the end of his life, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang continuously turned the Wheel of Dharma for the sake of all sentient beings. The flourishing of the Dharma in the West is strongly connected with him, because of his own teachings as well as the precious activities of his great disciples such as Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Venerable Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Venerable Lama Yeshe, and many others. Without him, the situation of Tibetan Buddhism and in particular the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa would be very different.
During Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche’s 32nd birthday celebrations at Trijang Buddhist Institute (Vermont, USA)
His Eminence Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is the eighteenth in a lineage of eminent Indian and Tibetan pandits and masters. The supreme reincarnation was discovered in a Tibetan family in Northern India and was officially recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on April 23, 1985. Rinpoche has completed his primary studies under his root guru H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche. Presently Rinpoche is doing further studies under the guidance of H.E. Dagpo Rinpoche, H.E. Yongyal Rinpoche and study helper Geshe Lobsang Phuntsok. As the Spiritual Director of the Trijang Buddhist Institute, he will guide the Institute’s activities and programs for the public, for ordained monks and nuns, and for future lay teachers whose Dharma training is anticipated in coming years.
Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche arriving at the opening of Gaden Khachoe Shing Monastery (Indiana, USA)
May Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul live 1,000 years to turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings
Click on the image to enlarge.
Many great masters have kept their practice of Dorje Shugden strong. Here we see Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, meeting with Kensur Lati Rinpoche and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. The Tibetan leadership forced Kensur Lati Rinpoche and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen to give up the practice, but they went to meet Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche in 2000, a sign that they still had great faith in Dorje Shugden. Why else would they meet a Dorje Shugden lama? Despite the ban enforced by the Tibetan leadership, they held their own views strongly. Click on image to enlarge.
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Eli Buchen
January 19, 2015
May Trijang Dorjechang do as his previous life non stop giving teachings and initiations.
Michael Brown
January 19, 2015
It’s too bad all of you persist in your worship of Dhogyal. You know it’s harmful and yet you persist. I have found my way in the Drigung Kagyu sect of Buddhism which is free from taint. I guess your karma forces you to follow the path to hell.
Manjushri
January 20, 2015
Dear Michael,
Is that what your teacher teaches you; To heavily criticizes the spiritual path of others? I would like to know who your teacher is, so that I am able to judge and see for myself whether your teacher is teaching you to disparage the religious choices of others. If you think that this path that most of us have chosen would lead us to hell, then why are you coming on here to learn, since it’s going to lead you to hell anyways? If I were you, I would rather spend my time as a practising Kagyupa, meditating, and gaining attainments than waste my time criticizing others.
Your comments here are not appreciated as this is a wonderful writeup on an erudite master, who is OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED, as the 18th incarnation of his predecessors. What a long line of realised and attained incarnations, and you, Michael Brown – what recognition of an incarnation do you have, and what attainments do you have to say that the practise is wrong, against someone who has had 18 recognized incarnations?
BlueUpali
January 21, 2015
Ok Michael,
Let me see here, you cannot understand why we persist in prayers to Dorje Shugden? In the article, we can see that many great and high masters said that Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche is the recognized reincarnation of the great master Trijang Rinpoche. The Dalai Lama agreed this was the reincarnation. The Dalai Lama is the one that doesn’t like the Shugden practice. Now, if this person is a recognized reincarnation, according to high masters and the Dalai Lama also agrees, then what exactly is the problem with him? Logically, if you have a problem with him that he goes against the Dalai Lama’s wish that everyone give up the Shugden practice, then what do you say to the fact that the Dalai Lama agrees he is the reincarnation of Trijang Rinpoche, a Buddha? Buddhas are not wrong, so if you are worried about the Dalai Lama’s opinion of a practice, surely then you would be worried about the Dalai Lama’s agreement that this is the holy Buddhist master Trijang Rinpoche. As such, who are we to criticize Trijang Rinpoche? Now, Trijang Rinpoche is doing the Dorje Shugden practice, which is the same practice the webpage is devoted to. Now, why would you have a problem with those of us who are on the webpage looking at information about this holy master’s practice. The Dalai Lama agrees this is the holy master Trijang Rinpoche, right? So, whatever Buddha Trijang Rinpoche wants to do is fine. We are doing a practice that he teaches his students to do, and practices himself. So I don’t see what logical problem there could be?
samayakeeper
January 21, 2015
I’d rather focus on learning and practicing the dharma than bicker about which lineage is tainted or untainted, which protector is labeled a demon, which lama is high and mighty, etc. All these harsh words do not aid anyone in the progress of dharma progress and realizations. It’s just ridiculous that Buddhists of one sect (if it’s true as claimed) disparages other Buddhists of other sects, and worse still speak ill words and make negative comments of lamas, protectors and Buddhas. Buddhism is spiraling down because one man, the Dalai Lama, decided to put a ban on Dorje Shugden practitioners from attending his talks and the CTA picked it up and instigated an all out war on Dorje Shugden practitioners. Nothing is gained but pain and suffering for all.
Joo Won
January 21, 2015
May HH Trijang Rinpoche continues to manifest more and more the accomplishments, erudite scholarship, grace and leadership of his previous incarnations! May HH Trijang Rinpoche lives long and healthy always!
Sunitta
January 23, 2015
Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche though still young is highly revered by many great masters and high Lamas both in the Gelug tradition as well as that of the other traditions ! Truly looking forward to see him spread the powerful teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa that will benefit many beings ! May he live long to turn the Dharma wheel for all beings !
Khoo
January 23, 2015
His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche is truly a highly attained master. The way His Holiness chose to absorb the violent targetted at him with peaceful method and remains unwavering in his guru devotion and Dharma practice should be the example for us as a disiple of Lord Buddha. May HH be always healty to turn the Dharma wheel.
Jampa Tashi
February 19, 2015
next dalai Lama of Tibet and king of buddha dharma. may hh trijang rinpoche live 100 years and spread pure dharma all over the world.
SabrinaS
June 8, 2016
H.H Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is indeed the enlightened incarnate of the previous H.H Trijang Dorje Chang Rinpoche, just as the Dalai Lama had officially recognised him on 23rd April 1985.
It goes without saying that his previous incarnate’s practice of Protector Dorje Shugden had not sent him to hell but instead he is still the highly attained master able to control his own rebirth. This debunk the lie that “Dorje Shugden practice sends you straight to hell”.
I also see how his practice of Dorje Shugden had helped propitiated Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings worldwide, with many students and followers. And just as his predecessor had done, H.H Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is set to be the teachers’ teacher again with his “activities and programs for the public, for ordained monks and nuns, and for future lay teachers whose Dharma training is anticipated in coming years.”
Here is one of the greatest attained masters of the Buddhadharma, one who brought Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings from Tibet to the world and trained most of the Gurus in this current times. The Dalai Lama had allowed him to continue his practice in Dorje Shugden and yet, CTA dare to threaten and harass him. Won’t that mean that they are actually going against the Dalai Lama’s instructions? Why obey the ban on Dorje Shugden and yet disobey the Dalai Lama’s wish to allow H.H Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche his practice? Just simply does not make sense but then again when has CTA practiced what it should be doing, what any good government shoud be doing and that is taking care of their people’s needs unbiased.
I wish H.H Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche a very very long and healthy life and for him to continue to turn the wheel of dharma to benefit all sentient beings whether they are aware of their sufferings or not.
Kelsang Luney
April 6, 2017
This site is hilarious with everyone pretending to be people they are not. Michael Brown? I doubt it. Kay Beswick? Really? Tom Jigme? Robert Carey? Trijang Choktrul? I’ve heard he’s a fake tulku born before Trijang Dorjecahng even died. Even Burcha Bugayeff pretends to be someone he’s not.
Funny bunch of fools.
Anonymous
April 23, 2018
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.
Anonymous
October 11, 2018
Anonymous
February 21, 2019