Panchen Lama’s Hat
Click on image to enlarge
This is the 4th Panchen Lama’s hat that is currently on auction at the Rockefeller Plaza in New York. One of my students found this on the Internet. What’s interesting about it is that if you take a look at the “Pre Lot Text” (i.e. the owner of the item on auction) it is Princess Dewa Nimbo… my mother!
Christies (the auction house) dates this hat back to the 17th century, which is during the time of the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen, who lived from 1567 – 1662. The hat is described as “Yellow wool cloth and yellow silk lining, the edges with orange silk borders”.
In fact, the incarnation line of the Panchen Lamas dates back to one of the main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa himself. His name was Khedrup Gelek Pelzang (or Khedrup Je), and he was Tsongkhapa’s foremost disciple. Considered a reincarnation of Manjushri, his later incarnation, the 4th Panchen Lama, was also the main tutor of the 5th Dalai Lama and has written many important texts…many of which are still used today.
How did this sacred item came into my family’s possession? In 1932, my grandfather, Prince Mingyur traveled with a large entourage from Mongolia to Tibet. They brought with them rich tributes of gold as they were going to pay homage to the 13th Dalai Lama. In return, the 13th Dalai Lama presented them with the Panchen Lama’s hat. It has a label of authentication which bears the innermost seal of the “Panchen Rinpoche of Tashilhunpo”.
The two pieces of paper that is included as part of this lot is a passport that grants free passage to Prince Mingyur for his visit to Tibet. It includes his entourage of up to 25 people, the duration of their travel, how many animals (8 camels and 64 horses!), and even the military checkpoints they stopped at during their journey.
What an interesting find! I’m happy to know that my family has made very strong connections with such holy beings.
Tsem Rinpoche
This is my maternal grandfather, Prince Mingyur Wang. His father is my great-grandfather, Prince Palta Wang.
Prince Palta wanted his four children to receive both an Oriental and a Western education. In 1915, at his request, Tsar Nicholas II granted his eldest son, Mingyur Wang, admission to the Russian officers’ school for the nobility in St. Petersburg. Returning to Beijing three years later, he dedicated himself to increasing the well-being of his people together with his wife, my grandmother, Queen Dechen.
Below is my mother, daughter of Prince Mingyur and Queen Dechen Minh, Princess Dewa Nimbo.
Click on image to enlarge
The 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen. Click on image to enlarge
Click for high-resolution image
4-armed Chenrezig (central figure)
10th Panchen Lama Choekyi Gyaltsen (top left), Buddha Amitabha (top right), 6-armed Mahakala (bottom left), Tsangpa Karpo (bottom middle) and Dorje Shugden
The 10th Panchen Lama Choekyi Gyaltsen is widely regarded as the emanation of the Buddha Amitabha and for many lifetimes, the Panchen Lama line of incarnations have been the tutors of the Dalai Lama’s previous lives, who in turn are widely regarded as emanations of Chenrezig. Both Tsangpa Karpo and Dorje Shugden have been the protectors of the Panchen Lama for a number of incarnations. In fact, the 10th Panchen Lama himself composed special and extensive prayers to Dorje Shugden and this has been included within his collected written works. This shows that the Panchen Lama himself had the highest regard for Dorje Shugden as an enlightened protector and his powerful ability to assist sentient beings of this time.
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1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.
A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.
Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?
Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.
What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.
So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?
Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.
And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
—–
OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES
rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so
BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.
In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
View
A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Amitabha, Lama Tsongkhapa, H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama, Tsangpa Karpo and Dorje Shugden.
The Panchen Lama line of incarnations are believed to be emanations of Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light. Amitabha is relied on strongly within Pure Land Buddhism that is popularly practised in East Asia. He embodies the awakened aggregate of discernment and that means he purifies desire within the mindstream of practitioners. He currently resides in Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land, where practitioners aspire to take rebirth in order to continue their spiritual practice.
Panchen Lama is not just a name but a title bestowed by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama upon his illustrious teacher, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen and it literally means ‘Great Scholar’ in recognition of his teacher’s scholarly prowess. Since then, the Panchen Lamas have been regarded as the second highest incarnation lineage after the Dalai Lamas in Tibet. Although this incarnation lineage stems all the way back to India, it is traditionally traced back to Kedrub Gelek Pelsang, one of the two main heart disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug tradition. Furthermore, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama bestowed the monastery of Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse to be the monastic seat of the Panchen Lamas. Therefore, Tashi Lhunpo which was originally established by the First Dalai Lama Gendrub Drub has since become the monastic seat of the later incarnations of the Panchen Lama.
In 1938, the 10th Panchen Lama was born in what is today’s Qinghai province. He was enthroned and given the name Choekyi Gyaltsen at Kumbum Monastery in 1949. In 1954, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama travelled to Beijing in order to attend the first session of the first National People’s Congress, meeting Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders. When the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Panchen Lama remained in Tibet and supported the Chinese government in order to be the spiritual head of his people that remained in Tibet. Following a tour of Tibet, in 1962 the Panchen Lama wrote a document entitled the 70,000 Character Petition denouncing the abusive policies of the Chinese in Tibet. In 1964, he was publicly humiliated and dismissed from all posts and imprisoned. In 1978, he returned his monastic vows and married Li Jie, a soldier and medical student. In 1983, Li Jie gave birth to a daughter who was named Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo. She is highly revered as she is the only known offspring of the either Panchen Lama or Dalai Lama incarnation lineages. The Panchen Lama entered clear light from a heart attack in Shigatse at the age of 51 in 1989.
One of the main protectors of the Panchen Lama line of incarnations is Tsangpa Karpo, the peaceful aspect of Setrap Chen. Setrap along with his various manifestations is a Dharma Protector that arose in ancient times in India and was brought to Tibet by Lotsawa Loden Sherab. Dorje Shugden was also closely associated with the Panchen Lamas by virtue of his previous life as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, the heart disciple of His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lama. There is a large chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery which still stands today. It was consecrated by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche at the request of His Holiness the 9th Panchen Lama. Within the collected works of the 10th Panchen Lama, there is an extensive liturgy propitiating Dorje Shugden. Therefore, his writings bear testament to the fact that the Panchen Lama worshiped and considered Dorje Shugden to be beneficial and his practice efficacious.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about the 10th Panchen Lama: https://bit.ly/2EKfDJI
H.H. the 4th Panchen Lama (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Manjushri, H.H. the 4th Panchen Lama, H.H. the 5th Dalai Lama, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, Dorje Shugden and Four-Faced Mahakala.
The Panchen Lama line of incarnations are believed to be emanations of Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light. Amitabha is relied on strongly within Pure Land Buddhism that is popularly practised in East Asia. He embodies the awakened aggregate of discernment and that means he purifies desire within the mindstream of practitioners. He currently resides in Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land, where practitioners aspire to take rebirth in order to continue their spiritual practice.
Panchen Lama is not just a name but a title bestowed by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama upon his illustrious teacher, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen and it literally means ‘Great Scholar’ in recognition of his teacher’s scholarly prowess. Since then, the Panchen Lamas have been regarded as the second highest incarnation lineage after the Dalai Lamas in Tibet. Although this incarnation lineage stems all the way back to India, it is traditionally traced back to Kedrub Gelek Pelsang, one of the two main heart disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug tradition.
Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen who later became known as the 4th Panchen Lama was born in a village called Drukgya in the Lhan valley, in Tsang, in 1570. He searched for and enthroned Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso as the 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen as the 4th Zimkhang Gongma (the incarnation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa). These two lamas became the heart disciples of Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen.
Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen managed to keep suppression by the Tsang king at bay by healing the king from disease and subsequently, he was allowed to recognise the Fifth Dalai Lama. Later, he forged an alliance with the invading Mongols after they had defeated the Tsang king and thus, he was able to enthrone the Dalai Lama as the temporal leader of Tibet at Drepung Monastery. In turn, the Dalai Lama unified Tibet and established his government of the Gaden Podrang. He offered his monastic seat of Tashi Lhunpo to his guru, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen and also bestowed upon him the title Panchen Lama. Thereafter, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen was known as the Panchen Lama and Tashi Lhunpo became the monastic seat of the Panchen Lama incarnation lineage. On the spiritual side, he wrote prolifically and one of his most famous works was the Lama Chopa, also known as the Guru Puja. It was originally transmitted through an oral tradition and stemmed from the sacred teachings and transmissions that Manjushri gave to Lama Tsongkhapa.
Four-Faced Mahakala is a protective emanation of Manjushri, the patron Bodhisattva of Wisdom and is a protector of the Cakrasamvara Tantra. This is one of the main tantric systems widely practised within the Gelug order and therefore, this protector is widely propitiated by many high lamas of our tradition as well.
Upon his passing Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen arose in the form of Dorje Shugden, who became a protector of the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and has been widely propitiated as such ever since.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about the 4th Panchen Lama: https://bit.ly/2JeLUXY
Very happy and nice to know that Rinpoche’s family had the Panchen Lama’s hat . This is indeed a blessed news to know that Rinpoche’s family had so many blessed connections with the living Buddhas of our time. Amazing the auction house managed to trace back as 17th century item belonging to the 4th Panchen Lama and having a wonderful history behind it. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this wonderful post 😍🙏🌈
A poem by Tsem Rinpoche
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
Came across this beautiful old post of the 4th Panchen Lama’s hat. Wow…….amazing this sacred and antique that has indeed high valued. More over this sacred item came from Rinpoche’s family possession. It was Princess Dewa Nimbo… Rinpoche ‘s mother who has this item for auction. Amazing the auction house managed to trace back as 17th century item belonging to the 4th Panchen Lama and having a wonderful history behind it.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
I remember there’s a sacred and powerful Black Hat ceremony that belongs to Lord Karmapa from Karma Kagyu sect. I wonder if there’s any ceremony for Panchen Lama’ s hat ? Besides that, by having this hat, it shows how strong the connection is between the Enlightened Beings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this news with us.
After learning about karma, I’ve come to realize that nothing is a coincidence. I’m sure the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen’s hat with Rinpoche’s family is not a coincidence either. I wonder why the 13th Dalai Lama presented it to Rinpoche’s grandfather.
Dear Rinpoche, Im from Mongolia. It was very interesting to read the story of your family. If you can, please send me the photo of Palta wang in a larger version. Thank you
Wow… I did not know that the sacred Panchen Lama’s hat was actually in Rinpoche’s royal family possession and last owner being Rinpoche’s mother! This is indeed a blessed news to know that Rinpoche’s family had so many blessed connections with the living Buddhas of our time.
I hope whoever’s hand it will fall under now, this person would treasure it not for it’s mundane values but for the significance of this hat. This is not an ordinary hat no doubt, it is only worn by The Panchen Lamas who is the second-highest lama in Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Dalai Lama. I am certain there is a great significant meaning to the shape of this hat? just like Tsongkhapa’s hat has significant meaning… if anyone knows do please share 🙂
This is a truly historical blog post. This is not just any normal hat, this is the hat that has significant holy history that comes with it. This hat can be even traced back to Lord Tsongkhapa’s heart diciple, Khedrup Je! Phenomenal!
How i wish i can have a look at the hat and be blessed! =)
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche!
What a good fortune to have owned the holy Panchen lama’s hat. It must have been so precious for 13th Dalai Lama.
I hope that this sacred item is now in good hands of whoever may have won the auction.
Being such a close personal item for Panchen Lama, I feel that this hat must have a strong power to bless the auction winner with the wisdom of Manjushir from one life time after another.
Wow, this hat belongs to 4th Panchen Lama! Such a holy piece. It was so well kept. it is a 348 years old antique. This Holy Hat represented the strong bonded relationship between Tibet and Mongolia. It was also the blessings from H.H. 13th Dalai Lama to the Prince Mingyur Wang and his people.
It is a priceless piece.
So beautiful to see the hat in real from wool and silk. I only know it by form from the statues of Guru Rinpoche. I like this very pure form.
Dear Rinpoche, Is you mother Princess Torgut Noyen or Princess Dewa Nimbo?
Dear DutchLady,
She is either one. Torgut is her tribe and Noyen is Royal in Mongolian language. Her name is Dewa Nimbo. So she can be addressed either way.
Tsem Rinpoche
It’s a pretty hat.