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.
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The 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen. Click on image to enlarge
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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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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.