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===Short Biography===
== Bardor Tulku Rinpoche ==
'''His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, Ngawang Khyenrab Thupten Lekshe Gyatso''', is the head of [[Tsharpa]] branch of the [[Sakya Tradition]] of Tibetan Buddhism. As the most senior Sakya lama living today, His Eminence is a renowned tantric master, a dedicated practitioner, an outstanding scholar and an eloquent poet. His Eminence embodies the wisdom, spirit and activities of the holy Dharma.


His Eminence is a master of masters as most Tibetan Buddhist lineage holders are his disciples. Amongst these disciples are His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness [[Sakya Trizin]]. Perhaps one can begin to comprehend the greatness of His Eminence through the words of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, who describes the great accomplishments of His Eminence as thus:


"There are many who have attained the wisdom arising from the study of the Scriptures. There are some who have attained the wisdom arising from contemplation of the Dharma. There are few who have gained wisdom arising from meditation. His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche is one who has attained all three wisdoms. One should consider oneself fortunate just to meet him, which is in itself a great blessing."
Born in 1950 in Kham, East Tibet, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche <ref> See also biography of Bardor Tulku Rinpoche on [http://www.kunzang.org/btr.html Kunzang Palchen Ling] and [http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/teachers/tea14.php Karma Triyana Dharmachakra] web sites. </ref> was recognized as the third incarnation of Terchen Barway Dorje <ref> [http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/Terton_Barway_Dorje Terchen Barway Dorje], a student of [[Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa|Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa]] and the Ninth Tai Situ Rinpoche, was an incarnation of [[Nubchen Sangye Yeshe|Nupchen Sangye Yeshe]], one of the twenty-five principal disciples of [[Padmasambhava|Guru Padmasambhava]] and a prime minister for the [[Trisong Detsen|King Trisong Detsen]]. He was also the founder of Raktrul Monastery in Eastern Tibet. The inner autobiography of Terchen Barway Dorje has been published in English as ''[http://www.ktdpublications.org/book%20catalog/Precious%20Essence/Precious_Essence.php Precious Essence. The Inner Autobiography of Terchen Barway Dorje]'' (KTD Publications, 2005). A collection of his songs of realizations is available in English as ''[http://www.ktdpublications.org/book%20catalog/Treasure%20of%20Eloquence/Treasure_of_Eloquence.php Treasury of Eloquence. The songs of Barway Dorje]'' (KTD Publications, 2007) </ref> (1836-1920) by is Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa <ref> [http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/lineage/kag41.php His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa] is the head of the [[Karma Kagyu|Karma Kagyu]] lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. </ref> (1924-1981). After the Communist invasion of [[Tibet|Tibet]] in 1959, Rinpoche and his family, like many Tibetans, fled their homeland to seek safety in India. The arduous journey over the Himalayas and later the tropical climate of Assam brought death to all Rinpoche’s family, and the young Rinpoche found himself alone in a foreign country. With a twelve-year old friend, Rinpoche left Assam and  traveled to Darjeeling where His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa found him and arranged for him to be taken to Rumtek Monastery <ref> [http://www.rumtek.org/ Rumtek Monastery] is the main seat of the Karmapas outside of Tibet. </ref> in Sikkim.  


In addition to His Eminence's stature among Tibetan lamas, King Birendra of Nepal awarded His Eminence "Gorkha Dakshin Babu", a tribute which has never been awarded to a Buddhist monk in Nepal before.
Bardor Tulku Rinpoche underwent his training as a [[Tulku|''tulku'']] (reincarnate lama) under the tutelage of the 16th Karmapa at Rumtek Monastery. He remained close to His Holiness throughout his life, serving as his attendant and traveling with him overseas. At His Holiness’s request, he stayed in the United States to help establish the Karmapa’s Seat in North America, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra <ref> [http://www.kagyu.org Karma Triyana Dharmachakra] (KTD), the main seat of the Karmapa in North America, is located in Woodstock, NY. </ref>.  Since 1980s, Rinpoche has taught at KTD and its affiliated centers across the United States and abroad. Some of his teachings have been published as books and DVDs; many more still await publication.


His Eminence was born in 1920 into the blessed [[Zhalu Kushang]] family of the Che clan, a lineage descended from the clear light gods. Many auspicious and marveleous signs accompanied His Eminence's birth. His Eminence is the 26th patriarch of [[Phenpo Nalendra Monastery]], north of Lhasa. Founded by [[Rongton Sheja Kunrig]] (1367-1449), [[Nalendra]] is one of the most important Sakya monasteries in Tibet. Wondrously, each generation of the [[Kushang]] family has produced no less than four sons, most of who have served as throne holders of many important monasteries including Nalendra, [[Zhalu]] and [[Ngor]]. The name "Kushang" meaning 'royal maternal uncle' derived from the fact that many daughters from the family were married to numerous Sakya throne holders, one of whom, [[Drogon Chagna]], was supreme ruler of Tibet, who succeeded [[Chogyal Phakpa]]. At the age of twelve His Eminence was officially enthroned at the [[Phenpo Nalendra Monastery]].  
In 2000, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche established the Raktrul Foundation <ref> [http://www.raktrul.org Raktrul Foundation] is a non-profit organization, the mission of which is to assist underprivileged communities in Tibet by developing and implementing programs for education, medical care, and basic community support. </ref> and a Tibetan Buddhist center, Kunzang Palchen Ling <ref> [http://www.kunzang.org Kunzang Palchen Ling] is a Tibetan Buddhist center in Red Hook, NY. Its mission is to make available the teachings of all major traditions of [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhism]]. </ref>, in Red Hook NY, where he offers teachings and empowerments. In 2005, a ground-breaking ceremony for a new building at Kunzang Palchen Ling was held. When the new facility is completed, all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism will be taught there. Furthermore, Bardor Rinpoche intends to make the center available to people of other spiritual affiliations as a quiet and sacred space where they can seek refuge from the busyness of daily life.  


From his enthronement until the age of 39, His Eminence remained in the Phenpo Nalendra Monastery where he mastered the monastic scriptural rituals, the rituals of mandala, and the musical accompaniment of the rituals. His Eminence has completed meditation retreats of all the major deities of all the four tantras. His Eminence's two root gurus are [[Zimog Rinpoche Kunga Tenzin]], and [[Dampa Rinpoche Shenphen Nyingpo]] of [[Ngor monastery]]. From them, His Eminence received the Lamdre empowerments and instructions, as well as countless other empowerments, transmissions, pith instructions, and ritual traditions of all [[four classes of Tantra]]. His Eminence completed extensive studies in all major fields of study taught in Lord Buddha's teachings. His Eminence is a master in both [[Sutrayana]] and [[Mantrayana]] teachings. His Eminence is also a great scholar of literature, poetry, history and Buddhist metaphysics and a highly accomplished poet.
Kunzang Palchen Ling is also a venue for the preservation of the treasure ([[Terma (Buddhism)|''terma'']]) teachings of Terchen Barway Dorje and the hidden teachings of the [[Kagyu#Barom_Kagyu|Barom Kagyu]] lineage. Since the conception of Kunzang Palchen Ling, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche has been overseeing translations of the treasure texts of Terchen Barway Dorje into English. Rinpoche himself is an author of many liturgies and [[Songs of realization|songs of realization]] (''dohas'') <ref> Samples of Bardor Tulku Rinpoche's dohas can be viewed on [http://www.kunzang.org/btr_dohas.html Kunzang Palchen Ling] web site. </ref>.  


In 1959, given the change in circumstances in Tibet after the Chinese invasion, His Eminence left Tibet for [[Mustang]], where his sister was married to the Mustang Raja, the King of Mustang. For several years from 1962, in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Eminence acted as the Secretary General of the Council for Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala, India. Also, His Eminence took a leading role in preparing the manuscript of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's book "[[My Land and My People]]" and was responsible for writing Tibetan text books for schools set up for central Tibetans.


In 1969, His Eminence took leave from the Tibetan government and returned to Nepal to rebuild the [[Nalendra monastery]] and the Seat of the [[Tsharpa]] school in exile. His Eminence has founded two monasteries in Nepal, the [[Tashi Rabten Ling Monastery]] in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the [[Jamchen Lhakhang Monastery]] in Katmandu. In Lumbini, His Eminence established the first three and half year [[Lamdre Lobshey]] retreat centre, which has inspired the founding of other meditation retreat centres or '[[Gomdra]]'. A smaller retreat facility has also been established by His Eminence in [[Bagdora]], a sacred site attributed to [[Krakucchanda]], one of the previous Buddhas of this age. His Eminence has also founded a [[Tsharpa]] retreat center at [[Lo Gekar]] in Mustang.
== Published teachings by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche (books and DVD) ==
''Practice of Green Tara'' (1999) Rinchen Publications<br />
''Preparing for Death and Dying'' (1999) Vajra Echoes<br />
''Twenty-One Praises to Tara'' (1999) Vajra Echoes<br />
''Living in Compassion'' (2004) Rinchen Publications<br />
''Tashi Prayer'' (2000) Rinchen Publications<br />
''Rest for the Fortunate: The Extraordinary Practice of Nyungne'' (2004) Rinchen Publications<br />
''Life of Yeshe Tsogyal'' (2008) Karma Kagyu Institute<br />


Outside Nepal, His Eminence has established centers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The center in Hong Kong is named after [[Green Tara]]. With the sincere invitations of his disciples, His Eminence has traveled to these centers to give teachings and initiations. His Eminence is also the supreme patron of ten centres in Australia and New Zealand founded by his disciple, [[Lama Choedak]]. As two of the main centres in Australia are named after [[Rongton]] and [[Tsharchen]]. His Eminence regards them as future pillars of strength to uphold his teachings and practices. To acknowledge these developments in Australia, His Eminence made two important visits to Australia in 1996 and 2001.


It is believed that the name 'Chogye' has derived from the anniversary date of [[Khyenrab Choje]], a member of the Kushang family and a tribute offered by the then Chinese emperor to his nephew. Khyenrab Choje was a teacher who possessed the direct lineage of [[Kalachakra]] received from [[Vajrayogini]], and he was invited by the [[Sakya Trinzin Dagchen Lodro Gyalten]] to be 8th abbot of the [[Phenpo Nalendra Monastery]].


During his time, [[Kyenrab Choje]] immensely impressed the Emperor of China. Although Khyenrab Choje was unable to visit China, his nephew [[Jamyang Donyoe Gyalsten]] visited China and became the spiritual preceptor of the Chinese Emperor. Inspired by Jamyang Donyoe Gyalsten's saintly qualities, the Chinese Emperor bestowed upon him eighteen precious tributes as praise for spiritual qualities he recognised in this master. Hence the name 'Chogye' which means 'eighteen' in Tibetan. It is from Kyenrab Choje that the lineage of the Chogye Trichens, all of whom came from His Eminence's family, began. The title "Trichen" means "throne holder", referring to the one whole holds the seat and title of the Chogye Trichen.
== References ==
{{reflist}}


It is often said that His Eminence maintains the style of a hidden yogi as he has engaged in several three-year meditation retreats. Outside of these retreats, His Eminence spends most of his time in deep meditation and practicing tantric rituals and prayers from early dawn to many hours past midnight. His Eminence is regarded as the modern day manifestation of past Indian Buddhist siddha saints such as [[Mahasiddha Virupa]]. At the age of 82 today, His Eminence continues this very admirable practice every day. This in itself is already an inspiration to all practitioners.


His Eminence has continuously given initiations, transmissions, empowerments, teachings and instructions on Buddha's teachings. Those who have had the fortune to receive an audience with His Eminence will no doubt agree that he is also an enthusiastic storyteller. Every initiation or empowerment given by His Eminence is almost always accompanied by precious stories about the particular Bodhisattvas or teachers of that lineage, as well as stories that illustrate the importance of Boddhichitta and other precious teachings of Lord Buddha such as [[Prajna Paramita]]. His Eminence is the lineage holder of the highly prized uncommon esoteric teachings of the practice lineage of the [[Tsharpa]] school, such as [[Vajrayogini]] and [[Lamdre Lobshey]], the [[uncommon Hevajra traditon]] for close disciples.
== See also ==
[[Dzogchen|Dzogchen]]<br />
[[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]]<br />


It is through the kindness of His Eminence that his disciples have met with the teachings of Lord Buddha. From his time in Tibet till today, His Eminence has continued to spread and cause the holy Dharma to flourish in the minds of all who have faith in Buddhism. His activity is evidence of his continuous and selfless efforts of giving the holy Dharma. Today, at the age of 82, His Eminence remains firmly committed in his mission to spread the teachings of Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings wherever they may be, notwithstanding that such lengthy teachings especially those conducted overseas must bring inevitable fatigue and strain to his physical body.


As examples of his teaching activity, His Eminence has bestowed major and minor initiations, transmissions, instructions and commentaries with oral pith instructions. His Eminence also offered the profound uncommon teachings of the Sakya tradition, particularly the [[uncommon Lamdre Lobshey]] according to the [[Tsharpa tradition]], to His Holiness [[Sakya Trizin]] and His Holiness the [[Dalai Lama]]. In addition, His Eminence also offered his major lineages to His Holiness Sakya Trizin, such as the [[Collection of Tantras]] ([[Gyude Kuntue]]) and the empowerments and transmission of Pith Instructions. Others who have been fortunate enough to receive teachings, initiations and empowerments from His Eminence include many rinpoches, monks and other lay disciples from all over the world.
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]]
 
His Eminence's commitment to spread the holy Dharma has no geographical boundaries and is truly global. This is evident by His Eminence's numerous travels overseas to give teachings, initiations and empowerments to his disciples abroad. For example, in 1988, His Eminence traveled to the United States and Canada. In 1994, His Eminence taught in Japan and in 1996, His Eminence visited Australia. In 1998, His Eminence visited Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia to give many initiations and teachings. In the same year, His Eminence bestowed the [[Kalachakra]] initiation and other teachings for an assembly of 6,000 disciples in Taiwan. In 2000, at the request of His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche, His Eminence visited France where he bestowed the [[Collection of Sadhanas]]. In the same year, at the request of the Sakya centers in Spain, His Eminence visited Spain where he gave the Kalachakra initiation and public talks in Barcelona on Peace in the World according to [[Kalachakra Tantra]].
 
Most recently in this year, His Eminence has just completed a two-month trip overseas to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, New Zealand, Singapore and Kuching in Malaysia, where he bestowed upon his disciples precious teachings and initiations of many important Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In Australia during this recent trip, His Eminence added a new chapter to the history of Buddhism in Australia by ordaining twelve Australians as monks and nuns, in the same manner as [[Shantarakshita]] did in 7th century Tibet when he ordained seven Tibetans. The ripple effect of His Eminence's visit to Australia will definitely be felt for many hundreds of years to come.
===Primary Teachers===
 
===Primary Lineage===
 
===Publications===
* [[History of the Sakya Tradition]] by Chogay Trichen, translated from Tibetan into French by Ven. [[Phende Rinpoche]] and [[Jamyang Khandro]] and from French to English by Jennifer Scott; 1983, Ganesha Press, Bristol.
* [[Gateway to the Temple]] by [[Thubten Legshay Gyatsho]], translated from Tibetan to English by [[David Paul Jackson]];1979, Patna Pustak Bhandar, Katmandu, Nepal
* [[Fortunate to behold]] by [[Ngawang Khyenrab Legshe Gyatso]], the 26th Chogye Trichen, translated from Tibetan to English by [[Cyrus Stearns]]; 1986 Sahayogi Press, Katmandu, Nepal
* [[The profound Pith Instructions on Mind Training & Compassion]] by His Eminence [[Chogye Trichen Rinpoche]], translated from Tibetan to English by [[Lama Choedak]]; 1999 Jamchen Lhakang, Kathmandu, Nepal.
* [[A Short Sadhana of Guru Hevajra]] by His Eminence [[Chogye Trichen Rinpoche]], translated from Tibetan to English by [[Cyrus R. Stearns]]; 1999 Jamchen Lhakang, Kathmandu, Nepal.
* [[Parting from the Four Attachments]] by [[Chogye Trichen Rinpoche]], 2003, Snow Lion Publications
 
===Internal Links===
*[[Chogye Trichen Rinpoche more details]]
 
===External Links===
*Bio from [http://www.chogyetrichen.com/English/he/index.html website]
*[ http://www.chogyetrichen.com/English main website]
 
 
[[Category:Buddhist Masters]]
[[Category:Sakya Masters]]

Revision as of 23:22, 16 July 2009

Bardor Tulku Rinpoche

Born in 1950 in Kham, East Tibet, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche [1] was recognized as the third incarnation of Terchen Barway Dorje [2] (1836-1920) by is Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa [3] (1924-1981). After the Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche and his family, like many Tibetans, fled their homeland to seek safety in India. The arduous journey over the Himalayas and later the tropical climate of Assam brought death to all Rinpoche’s family, and the young Rinpoche found himself alone in a foreign country. With a twelve-year old friend, Rinpoche left Assam and traveled to Darjeeling where His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa found him and arranged for him to be taken to Rumtek Monastery [4] in Sikkim.

Bardor Tulku Rinpoche underwent his training as a tulku (reincarnate lama) under the tutelage of the 16th Karmapa at Rumtek Monastery. He remained close to His Holiness throughout his life, serving as his attendant and traveling with him overseas. At His Holiness’s request, he stayed in the United States to help establish the Karmapa’s Seat in North America, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra [5]. Since 1980s, Rinpoche has taught at KTD and its affiliated centers across the United States and abroad. Some of his teachings have been published as books and DVDs; many more still await publication.

In 2000, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche established the Raktrul Foundation [6] and a Tibetan Buddhist center, Kunzang Palchen Ling [7], in Red Hook NY, where he offers teachings and empowerments. In 2005, a ground-breaking ceremony for a new building at Kunzang Palchen Ling was held. When the new facility is completed, all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism will be taught there. Furthermore, Bardor Rinpoche intends to make the center available to people of other spiritual affiliations as a quiet and sacred space where they can seek refuge from the busyness of daily life.

Kunzang Palchen Ling is also a venue for the preservation of the treasure (terma) teachings of Terchen Barway Dorje and the hidden teachings of the Barom Kagyu lineage. Since the conception of Kunzang Palchen Ling, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche has been overseeing translations of the treasure texts of Terchen Barway Dorje into English. Rinpoche himself is an author of many liturgies and songs of realization (dohas) [8].


Published teachings by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche (books and DVD)

Practice of Green Tara (1999) Rinchen Publications
Preparing for Death and Dying (1999) Vajra Echoes
Twenty-One Praises to Tara (1999) Vajra Echoes
Living in Compassion (2004) Rinchen Publications
Tashi Prayer (2000) Rinchen Publications
Rest for the Fortunate: The Extraordinary Practice of Nyungne (2004) Rinchen Publications
Life of Yeshe Tsogyal (2008) Karma Kagyu Institute


References

  1. ↑ See also biography of Bardor Tulku Rinpoche on Kunzang Palchen Ling and Karma Triyana Dharmachakra web sites.
  2. ↑ Terchen Barway Dorje, a student of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa and the Ninth Tai Situ Rinpoche, was an incarnation of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe, one of the twenty-five principal disciples of Guru Padmasambhava and a prime minister for the King Trisong Detsen. He was also the founder of Raktrul Monastery in Eastern Tibet. The inner autobiography of Terchen Barway Dorje has been published in English as Precious Essence. The Inner Autobiography of Terchen Barway Dorje (KTD Publications, 2005). A collection of his songs of realizations is available in English as Treasury of Eloquence. The songs of Barway Dorje (KTD Publications, 2007)
  3. ↑ His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
  4. ↑ Rumtek Monastery is the main seat of the Karmapas outside of Tibet.
  5. ↑ Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD), the main seat of the Karmapa in North America, is located in Woodstock, NY.
  6. ↑ Raktrul Foundation is a non-profit organization, the mission of which is to assist underprivileged communities in Tibet by developing and implementing programs for education, medical care, and basic community support.
  7. ↑ Kunzang Palchen Ling is a Tibetan Buddhist center in Red Hook, NY. Its mission is to make available the teachings of all major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
  8. ↑ Samples of Bardor Tulku Rinpoche's dohas can be viewed on Kunzang Palchen Ling web site.


See also

Dzogchen
Vajrayana Buddhism

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