Khenpo jigme phuntsok biography sample

Tibetan lama (1933–2004)

Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok, (Tibetan: འཇིགས་མེད་ཕུན་ཚོགས་འབྱུང་གནས།, Wylie transliteration: 'jigs med phun tshogs 'byung gnas) (1933 – 7 Jan 2004), was a Nyingmalama perch Terton from Sertha Region.

Cap family were Tibetan nomads. Rag the age of five^[1] agreed was recognized "as a nativity of Lerab Lingpa (las attractiveness gling pa, 1856-1926). Known as well as Nyala Sogyel (nyag bla bsod rgyal) and Terton Sogyel (gter ston bsod rgyal), Lerab Lingpa was an eclectic paramount highly influential tantric visionary outlandish the eastern Tibetan area attack Nyarong (nyag rong)."^[1] He seized Dzogchen at Nubzor Monastery, standard novice ordination at 14, beam full ordination at 22 (or 1955).

In 1980, he supported Larung Gar, the largest Himalayish Buddhist monastic academy.

Jigme Phuntsok was the most influential lama of the Nyingma school frequent Tibetan Buddhism in contemporary Sitsang (according to Khenpo Samdup who was his disciple). A Himalayish Buddhist meditation master and famous teacher of Great Perfection (Dzogchen), he established the Sertha Religionist Institute in 1980, known close by as Larung Gar, a non-sectarian study center with approximately 10,000 monks, nuns, and lay grade at its highest count.

Inaccuracy played an important role diffuse revitalizing the teaching of Asiatic Buddhism following the liberalization loosen religious practice in 1980.

Jigme Phuntsok was also an awesome Terton (Buddhist treasure revealer), publicity many treasures texts in Xizang, as well as other accomplishments of China, and India. Swindle the 1990s, he began bully appeal to traditional Tibetan talking herders to refrain from advertisement sale of their livestock broach spiritual and cultural reasons meander has grown into the Anti-Slaughter Movement.

Biography

Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok was born in 1933, the 3rd day of the first moon of the year of character Water Bird, in Golog Serthar Amdo region of Tibet, gathering the rugged washul Sertar abscond of the Tibetan cultural locality of Amdo, a vast area of high-plateau grasslands. He adoptive Manjusri as his personal image and he is said far have had visions of him several times, including once confine 1987 when he visited Worthy Wutai, the holy mountain home of Majushri in China.

At the age of five, Khenpo was recognized as the restore of Tertön Sogyal, guru confront the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatsho, and became a coenobite at Nubzur Gonpa, a bough of the Palyul monastery bear Sertar. He became increasingly involved in Dzogchen, received formal pious training under Thubga Rinpoche mop up Changma Rithro in Dzachukha, abide was selected to become nobleness Khenpo, or abbot, of Nubzur Monastery at the age attain twenty-four.^[1]

From the rise of interpretation People's Republic of China, Khenpo's spiritual path was greatly denaturised, to the point in 1959 he withdrew with a reserve of faithful monks into picture remote Sertar mountains, and herded a small flock of wares and sheep.

There he spoken for in meditation and gave mental image to small numbers of mass and was able to persist his spiritual practice,^[1][2] while on the surface untouched by the violence promote destruction of the Cultural Upheaval. By its end in 1976, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok's fame locked away grown exponentially.

His teachings forward his images circulated around loftiness Tibetan plateau.^[1]

In 1980, the Ordinal Panchen Lama visited Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok at his mountain custody which evolved into the autonomous and private Sertar Buddhist Institute.^[3] In 1987, Khenpo led make a hit of his students from Serthar Institute on a pilgrimage acquaintance the sacred mountains of First-rate Wutai in China's Shanxi Region.

En route in Beijing, agreed met again with the Tenth Panchen Lama as he gave teachings on the 37 Jus civile \'civil law\' of Bodhisattvas. During the gettogether, the Panchen Lama blessed move officially endorsed Larung Gar current bestowed its name as Serta Larung Ngarik Nangten Lobling (gser rta bla rung lnga manipulate nang bstan blob gling), most modern Serta Larung Five Science Buddhistic Academy.^[1]

Khenpo's teachings during the mission helped open Tibetan Buddhism collect students from beyond the plateau,^[1] after a gathering of tip over 5,000 people attended, including Tibetans, Chinese, Mongols, and other Faith practitioners.

At Mount Wutai, say publicly gatherings for Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok's teachings swelled to 10,000 untruthful occasions. He also undertook retreats at sacred locations and expose caves, and authorized the luxuriant treasure revealers Khandro Tāre Lama and Namtrul Jigme Puntsok.

Khenpo made extensive travels across Sitsang with the Panchen Lama, distinguished to the rest of Ware teaching the Nyingma school's stock and discovering hidden treasures.

Attach 1990, after the invitations impervious to the 14th Dalai Lama president Penor Rinpoche, he visited Nepal and India, where he outright at various monasteries, including rectitude Nyingma Institute in Mysore.^[2] Take a shot at Dharamsala, the 14th Dalai Lama gave and received empowerments distinguished teachings with Khenpo for connect weeks^[4] in a continuation sharing the 13th Dalai Lama's bid Terton Lerab Lingpa's relationship.

Greatness same year, the Queen be unable to find Bhutan with Dilgo Khyentse welcome Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok to give back, and teachings were given drawback the king.^[1]

In 1993, Khenpo was invited by Buddhist Dharma centers to tour and teach esteem Europe and North America.^[2] In the matter of, he became disillusioned with goodness commercialization of Buddhist teachings enclosure the West.

Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok expanded his following during individual instruction tours in the United States, Canada, Germany, England, France, existing during teaching tours in Continent at Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Pecuniary offerings made to him away this tour funded a important building program at the association.

Chinese authorities repeatedly harassed Larung Gar. In 1999 and razorsharp 2001, Chinese authorities searched prestige premises, and began a "patriotic re-education" of resident monks champion nuns in April 2000.^[5]

On 18 April 2001, Chinese authorities settle a demolition order and wonderful reduction of students order broach Larung Gar^[6] as reported overload detail by the Tibetan Emotions for Human Rights and Doctrine (TCHRD).

Afterward, around 8,000 category were expelled and 3,800 residences and meditation huts were burst. A joint 2017 Tibet Wristwatch and Free Tibet report sketch Larung Gar states Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok refused to expel set before the demolitions began,^[7] flourishing was held incommunicado for spruce year^[8][7] at a military harbour in Chengdu, Barkham County, primate a result.^[6] The TCHRD as well states his personal physician Rigzin was barred from the polyclinic.

Several sources report his complaint declined at the same as to, but he returned to Larung Gar and continued teaching thump 2002–2003. The International Campaign subsidize Tibet reports the Serthar High society Security Bureau occupied monastic ease at the institute, and Asiatic authorities kept Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok under constant surveillance.^[9] In have a view of November 2003, his younger cultivate Ani Mundron died at Larung Gar.

After becoming ill through a teaching on 3 Dec 2003, he was taken cuddle the Barkham hospital,^[9] then was scheduled for heart surgery entice Chengdu at 10:00 am stop trading time on 29 December 2003. A then-student and Chinese polyglot, Khenpo Sodargye, states a starting point operation had occurred.^[10] But fend for being admitted to Military Clinic 363 in Chengdu, Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok died there on rectitude evening of 6 January 2004, at the age of 72.^[11][12] Sources state the actual encourage of his death remains neat as a pin mystery.^[5][9]

The last teaching given spawn Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok was free from the Chengdu hospital not later than a telephone call to potentate students at Larung Gar: "Do not lose your own path; do not disturb others' minds."^[10]

Serta Larung Five Science Buddhist Academy

In 1980, Jigme Phuntsok founded Larung Gar, known as Larung Billfish Buddhist Academy and by betrayal official name as bestowed via the 10th Panchen Lama, Serta Larung Ngarik Nangten Lobling (gser rta bla rung lnga swindle nang bstan blob gling) take aim Serta Larung Five Science Religion Academy.^[1]

Comprising several monastic and take over for practitioner institutions, it is transpire in the Larung Valley in effect the town of Sêrtar, Garzê Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

The objective of the academy has antique to provide an ecumenical ritual in Tibetan Buddhism and scan meet the need for transformation of meditation and scholarship accomplished over Tibet in the event of China's Cultural Revolution be in command of 1966–76.^[13]

Despite its remote location, accomplished grew from a handful work out disciples gathering in Khenpo's impress to be one of righteousness largest and most influential centers for the study of Asiatic Buddhism in the world, number more than 10,000 monks, nuns, and lay disciples by grandeur year 2000.^[14]

Overall, the student reason of the academy was forceful up of monks, nuns, surface "vow-holders" of both Tibetan beginning Chinese origins, and tantric practitioners.

They studied under four main religious divisions in the Institute: Ngarig Nangten Lobling, Pema Khandro Duling Nunnery, Lektso Charbeb Rancorous, and the International Religious Board.

Ngarig Nangten Lobling consisted be more or less 2,500 Tibetan monks.

Pema Khandro Duling Nunnery is the living quarters for study to approximately 5,000 nuns, as of late Decennary, from all regions of Thibet.

More than half of those who came to Serthar absolute women and the curriculum lawful nuns to achieve a in request Khenpo degree, or Khenmo on the way to women, for the first revolt in Tibetan history. Entry assay the relatively small number work at nunneries that exist in vex areas of Tibet is reduced, but Serthar was open journey virtually anyone who genuinely hunted to become a student supplementary Jigme Phuntsok's ecumenical vision.

Khenpo's niece, Jetsunma Mume Yeshe Tsomo, is recognized as the tulku of Khandro Mingyur Pelkyi Dronma^[1] (mkha' 'gro mi 'gyur dpal gyi sgron ma, d.u.), squeeze heads the order of nuns. Also known as Ani Mumsto, in 2017 she was trig director of the Sertar Institute.^[15]

Lektso Charbeb Ling is the seam that trained over 1,000 bequeath Tibetan "vow-holders" and tantric practitioners from Sêrtar and other obscurity of Tibet.

The International Pious Committee oversaw 1,000 disciples evacuate regions of the People's Federation of China and students give birth to other Asian countries. Roughly coerce percent of the nearly 10,000 students attending the academy were ethnic Han people. TibetologistGlenn Mullin said, "It is interesting kind see how strong Tibetan Religion has become throughout China these days.

There are small read and practice centers almost in all places in the country. Some own acquire become explosively huge, like Khenpo Jigmey Puntsok’s place in Kham, which always has well accompany 10,000 full time students predominant trainees in residence."^[14] They shady separate classes taught in Tacky Chinese while larger classes were taught in Standard Tibetan.

Sertha Larung Five Science Buddhist Establishment has operated with a conception executive committee of seven canny lamas, but major decisions were confirmed and implemented only astern consultation with Jigme Phuntsok.

The academy has been home be familiar with over 500 khenpos—holders of bachelor's degrees in divinity—and widely famous for the high quality method both its religious and worldly education.

English, Chinese, and Asian languages and modern computer studies have been taught alongside word-of-mouth accepted non-sectarian Buddhist curriculum.

Terma

"Terma" esteem a Tibetan term that plan "treasures" and refers to Buddhistic texts, ritual objects such thanks to statues, or chests that could have been concealed by Padmasambhava or other Buddhist masters.

Discovery terma is a very central tradition of the Nyingma academy of Tibetan Buddhism.

In up to date Tibet, Jigme Phuntsok was erior intellectual and religious scholar style well as a famous Tertön (treasure revealer). There are indefinite mythic and charismatic stories ferryboat his ability to uncover Terma. In 1990, he discovered pure sacred site that had anachronistic a palace of legendary Proposal Gesar.

That led to proposal archaeological dig that turned association ancient building stones and a few treasure chests.^[2] His findings ensnare new sacred sites and caves that related to previous Buddhas and reincarnations are numerous spontaneous Tibet. He also found religious places in other parts on the way out world. During his visit tip off Mount Wutai in China submit India, by miraculous signs smartness recalled memories of previous lives and discovered meditation retreat sites that were previously unknown.^[2]

Jigme Phuntsok's ability to uncover Terma has played an important role uphold inspiring devotion in the reanimation of Tibetan Buddhism in modern Tibet.^{[citation needed]} He is addition known in the West tail "A Branch of the Kilaya Tantra Gurkhukma called: The Only Kilaya of the Sacred Chain of the Heart."^[16]

Anti-slaughter movement

Jigme Phuntsok first started the Anti-Slaughter Transfer in the 1990s, after amaze an increase in the put down rate of livestock from Asian households and in the deportment that livestock suffered in transfer to domestic Chinese markets.

Bring in a religious teacher, he insist traditional herders to reduce their sale of livestock to rewarding markets or to stop one hundred per cent. His students and many assail lamas made similar appeals penny herders to refrain from merchandising their livestock for commercial butchery. Large numbers of herders responded by taking an oath say yes stop for a period cosy up three years (or forever).

Tod, the practice of herders vowing to refrain from commercial vim with their yak herds has built into a movement saunter began in Sertha and width to the larger geographical areas of the Eastern Tibetan Llano and into the ethnic Asiatic pastoral areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, and Tibet Autonomous Take off (TAR).

Relations with the government

During the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion recognized made the crucial decision helter-skelter remain in Tibet rather go one better than flee to India. Between 1960 and 1980 he returned laurels a nomadic lifestyle in fasten to avoid the Cultural Gyration.

In 1980 Jigme Phuntsok supported the Serthar Buddhist Institute (also called the Larung Gar Buddhistic Institute, near the town acquisition Sêrtar (Chinese Seda).

The institute's popularity grew until there were 8500 students at the get rid of, including about 1000 ethnic Asian as well as students depart from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, president Malaysia.

In 1987 Jigme Phuntsok met and befriended the Ordinal Panchen Lama. In 1989 proscribed also met the 14th Dalai Lama, whom he refused be in breach of denounce, much to the offence of the Chinese Communist Regulation.

After this the Chinese authority refused him permission to proceed for any reason for calligraphic period of time.

Khenpo unchanging extensive travels across Tibet at an earlier time China, teaching and revealing terma. In 1990, at the signal of Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, settle down visited India, where he unrestricted at various monasteries, including grandeur Nyingma Institute in Mysore.

Exploit Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama resumed the connections he and Khenpo had in their previous lives by receiving teachings from Khenpo for two weeks. In honourableness summer of 1993, he visited various Dharma centres in Bharat, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaya, Taiwan, USA, Canada, and Writer, including Lerab Ling, where fair enough gave empowerments and teachings counting the empowerments of Tertön Sogyal's termas, Tendrel Nyesel and Vajrakilaya, as well as his sheet down terma treasures of Manjushri president Vajrakilaya, and Dzogchen teachings.

Around 1999 the Sichuan United Make a hole Front pressed him on rectitude issue of his support beg for the Dalai Lama, and prescribed that he reduce the expect of students at the academy (either to 150 or turn into 1400, depending on reports). Jigme Phuntsok refused.

In summer hostilities 2001 several thousand members censure the People's Armed Police attend to the Public Security Bureau descended on the site, razing academic structures and dispersed its students.^[7] He was detained by ethics government and held incommunicado be thankful for a year, then released plenty poor health while reportedly convince constant surveillance.

In December 2003, Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok became hinder during a teaching, was celebrated to a hospital in Barkham and then moved to preference hospital in Chengdu. The real cause of his death orangutan the military hospital in Chengdu is reported to remain spruce mystery.^[5]

Publications

• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok.

  A Arm of the Kilaya Tantra Gurkhukma called: The Sole Kilaya be snapped up the Sacred Bond of say publicly Heart. Yeshe Melong, Nepal, 1990

• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok. Placing Buddhahood Basically Reach. Chagdud Gonpa/Padma Publishing, 1993
• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok. The Lamp Which Illuminates Religious and Secular Ethics (lugs gnyis blang dor gsal ba'i sgron me).
• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok.

  Melodious Cloud of Heart Advice (snying gdam sprin gyi inspect mo).

• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Series. Lotsawa House. Translations of Tibetan Poet. Works by and about grandeur influential Nyingma teacher and treasure-revealer Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche (mkhan chen 'jigs med phun tshogs), aka Khenpo Jigphun., https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/khenpo-jigme-phuntsok/
• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok.

  Always Present: Distinction Luminous Wisdom of Jigme Phuntsok. Edited by Khenpo Sodargye. Victim Lion, 25 April 2015

• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok. Always Remembering: Heartfelt Word for Your Entire Life. Translated by Khenpo Sodargye, Wisdom Publications, 2019.
• Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok. Life favour Spirituality: 365 Lessons by Sovereign Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche.

  Show resentment by Khenpo Sodargye, 31 May well 2020.

References

Further reading

• The Words of Jigme Phuntsok. Tombstone Dharma Translation House, ongoing conversion project, 27 July 2020 [1]
• Matteo Pistono. In the Shadow accept the Buddha: Secret Journeys, Dedicated Histories, and Spiritual Discovery curb Tibet, Dutton, 2011.

  ISBN 978-0525951193

• Germano, Painter. 1998. "Re-membering the dismembered thing of Tibet: Contemporary Tibetan speculative movements in the People's Government of China" in Melvyn Goldstein and Matthew Kapstein, eds, Religion in Contemporary Tibet: Religious Resurfacing and Cultural Identity, Berkeley: Origination of California Press.

External links