Gen Gelong (ex-Gekul / Disciplinarian) shares beautifully about Tsem Rinpoche
Over the years Kechara students have gone to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s home and headquarters Gaden Shartse Monastery, and various other places around the world where they have met many of Rinpoche’s friends, peers and lamas. Each time, they have given us a beautiful sharing about Rinpoche and his qualities that Rinpoche would not talk about himself. Here is one of those sharings and if you wish to read more on this, please go to Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche.
The writers’ team
Gen Gelong (ex-Gekul / Disciplinarian)
Gen Gelong’s simple appearance belies the force of his practice. Gen Gelong was one of the disciplinarians of the monastery, and he first met Tsem Rinpoche when Rinpoche arrived in Dharamsala. Although Gen Gelong was unable to speak English, and Rinpoche was unable to speak Tibetan, through a series of gestures and mimes, a strong friendship and respect was developed between the two monks. Here he recalls his impression of Tsem Rinpoche when Rinpoche first came to the monastery.
Summary: Most of the video centres around discussion of Gen Gelong’s medical problem. Gen Gelong said that the first time he met Rinpoche, Rinpoche spoke a little Tibetan which impressed him. Gen Gelong and Rinpoche were very close. He felt that Rinpoche was very special and an exceptional young man to be able to leave behind everything in America to go to India to be a monk when others were going the other direction to America. He could see that Rinpoche was a very Dharmic person from the way he carried himself and spoke. Gen Gelong also said that Rinpoche was playful and would play pranks on him. Gen Gelong said that Rinpoche’s Dharma is very pure.
Although bedridden with tuberculosis of the bone, Gen Gelong gave this interview to a group of Tsem Rinpoche’s students, giving each of them personal advice for their practice. He recounted the time when Tsem Rinpoche first arrived at Dharmasala and their meeting. Although Tsem Rinpoche was an ordinary monk at the time, Gen Gelong invited him to stay at Gaden Shartse’s Shabten Khang because he was a student of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He did not think Tsem Rinpoche was an ordinary person, but someone who was a strong practitioner of the Dharma, and offered him a khata.
Main Points:
- When Zong Rinpoche came to the United States and stayed at Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen’s centre, he met Tsem Rinpoche who was assigned to served him. Zong Rinpoche was very happy with Tsem Rinpoche.
- Gen Gelong first met and became close to Rinpoche there. Gen Gelong invited Rinpoche, who was then a young man on his own all the way from America, to stay with him in his house and help him in the Shabten Khang, Gaden Shartse in Dharamsala as he was going to be in Zong Ladrang anyway.
- So although Tsem Rinpoche had not been recognised as a high incarnation yet, Gen Gelong had invited him to stay at Gaden Shartse Monastery’s Shabten Khang because he was a student of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. At the time, Gen Gelong was looking after the Shabten Khang and therefore, had the authority to invite Tsem Rinpoche to stay there.
- When Tsem Rinpoche first came to Dharamsala, Rinpoche could not speak Tibetan. Therefore, Gen Gelong started to play and to tease Rinpoche in Tibetan. Soon after, Rinpoche began to speak a little Tibetan.
- Gen Gelong then started teaching Tibetan to Rinpoche. They became very close then. Because it was cold in Dharamsala, Tsem Rinpoche offered Gen Gelong clothes, although at the time Tsem Rinpoche was not rich.
- Gen Gelong said that Tsem Rinpoche’s Dharma is very pure. He can’t say about others as he doesn’t know them but he knows Rinpoche’s Dharma practice.
- Gen Gelong said Tsem Rinpoche left everything in America and came to India. It was a great thing to do as others were leaving India for America. When he first met Tsem Rinpoche, he thought Tsem Rinpoche was not normal but exceptional. The way Tsem Rinpoche looked and spoke was very special. Gen Gelong then offered a khata to Tsem Rinpoche and told Tsem Rinpoche that he looked very much like a Buddhist and a very Dharmic person.
- Gen Gelong said that Tsem Rinpoche was very playful. He related his time as the Disciplinarian of the monastery and how Tsem Rinpoche often teased Gen Gelong during puja, or play tricks on him by placing stones or insects in his shoes to surprise Gen Gelong.
- Gen Gelong said that if Tsem Rinpoche stayed in the monastery, he would have obtained his Geshe degree name. Tsem Rinpoche had learned all the scriptures necessary for becoming a Geshe. However, Tsem Rinpoche was requested to go overseas to fundraise for Phukhang Khangtsen monks, and therefore, Tsem Rinpoche could not complete the process of becoming a Geshe name. Tsem Rinpoche did not wait to obtain his Geshe degree before going overseas because the objective of the fundraising effort was not for himself, but for many monks.
- Although Tsem Rinpoche was from Gaden Shartse, Tsem Rinpoche helped both Gaden Jangtse and Gaden Shartse. Therefore, everybody was very impressed with Tsem Rinpoche because people felt that he possessed bodhicitta, or had the mind of a bodhisattva.
- Gen Gelong said that every few months, Tsem Rinpoche offered him money to buy milk or other necessities.
- Gen Gelong felt close to Tsem Rinpoche because even though Rinpoche had stayed in foreign countries for many years, he had never disrobed.
- Gen Gelong said that Kecharians are very lucky to have a teacher who can speak English, as he is able to impart the teachings which will not only benefit us in this life, but in future lives too.
- Tsem Rinpoche was a very sharp student. Due to his learning from past lives, Rinpoche could understand the subjects very fast, compared to those who have not studied them in their past lives. Although Rinpoche has retained the learning from his previous lives, to inspire sentient beings, Tsem Rinpoche has to go through the learning process again.
- Tsem Rinpoche’s great guru devotion towards Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche was due to the blessing of Zong Rinpoche and his past lives’ merits.
- When this interview was recorded Gen Gelong was ill with tuberculosis of the bone. He was bedridden because the disease had attacked his spine. He apologised that he wouldn’t be able to travel to Malaysia as Tsem Rinpoche had requested because of his illness.
- Gen Gelong also explained that he used to give leeway for Rinpoche to skip pujas because of Rinpoche’s strong past life affiliations with the Dharma.
- Gen Gelong also felt that Tsem Rinpoche should have entered Dokhang Khangtsen in Gaden Shartse because his past life came from Dokhang Khangtsen. Rinpoche’s previous life was Kentrul Thubten Lamsang from Phari.
- Tsem Rinpoche was enthroned very much later in life. However, it does not matter because there are some tulkus that were enthroned at an even older age (e.g., 50 years old).
For more interesting information:
- Great Masters Speak about Tsem Rinpoche
- Geshe Yeshe (Gaden Jangtse Monastery)
- Geshe Lobsang Phuntsok
- Geshe Lobsang Wangchuk
- Geshe Jangchup Dorje (Head of the Hospital)
- Geshe Yonten Gyatso and Geshe Tenpa Chophel
- Anila Thubten Chonyid
- Geshe Tenzing Dakpa
- Ani Lobsang Drolma
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Beautiful account of our Guru by someone who had known Rinpoche for a long time. The respectable Gen Gelong tells a memory of Rinpoche and thought of Rinpoche is no original person but of someone very special, who will bring dharma to the next level. We are indeed lucky to have Rinpoche as our Guru here in Malaysia.
With folded hands Rinpoche , thank you for this wonderful sharing.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
How fortunate of us to be let a glimpse of the life of Rinpoche when he was in Gaden Shartse Monastery through the memory of the respectable Gen Gelong! Rinpoche possesses many extraordinary qualities that represents a Dharmic person and of the mind of a Bodhisattva. It is truly amazing and lucky to have Rinpoche as our Guru. Thank you for this sharing.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!