Tsadong Rinpoche

Tsadong Rinpoche in his previous life and today

The Monastery, Tsadong Dechen Rabgyal Ling, which was founded by Tsadong Rinpoche is a branch Monastery of Chamdo Jampa Ling Monastery whose establishment was prophesized by Lama Je Tsong Khapa.

Jetsun Losang Lungrig Pelsangpo, the XIXth in the line of Tsadong Tulkus, was the immediate predecessor of the present Tsadong Rinpoche. Jetsun Losang Lungrig Pelsangpo became a monk at an early age and joined Drepung Loseling Monastery. Under the guidance of many renowned scholars, he completed his studies in Buddhist philosophy and became a great master himself. Later he set off to his native place to help guide the monks and lay devotees there.

In 1959, when the Chinese invaded Tibet and started to destroy the people and the entire environment to Tibet, Rinpoche gave his life to save the Dharma and the freedom of Tibet.

In 1980 he reincarnated and was located 7 years later. 1987 all the people including the monks and the native people, who were having connection with Tsadong Rabgyal Ling Monastery, sent a letter of request to H. H. the Dalai Lama to kindly recognize where Tsadong Rinpoche had taken birth. H. H. the Dalai Lama, in his reply, mentioned that a boy aged seven, born to a family close to Sera Monastery (in India) had good signs.

However, the restrictions imposed by the Chinese at that time, made it impossible for the native people to visit India to look for the child. Thus it was delayed for a several years.

On March 12, 1997, when a further request was made by the devotees, H. H. the Dalai Lama recognized Jampa Sonam, the son of father Sonam Dorje and mother Kartso to be the reincarnation of the XIXth Tsadong Rinpoche.

After all formal ceremonies, the young Rinpoche joined Drepung Loseling Monastery on Nov. 21, 1997 to study in the deeper insights of Buddhist philosophy. In 1998 Rinpoche received a private audience with H. H. The Dalai Lama in Dhadak. In 1999 Rinpoche was novice ordained by 100th Gaden throne holder (Gaden Tri Rinpoche) H. E Venerable Losang Nyima.

I met His Holiness in 2000 when he visited Drepung Monastery. He came to our Khangtsen and gave monthly sponsorship to all Khangtsen Tulkus and Khangtsen. This was for food, electric bills and water. He also bought me a laptop for study purposes as well as a computer for Khangtsen.

He bought a large generator for our Khangtsen, which is used by all the Monks and Tulkus. This provides electricity when we get a power outage. He funded the building of our main praying hall and rooms for the Monks, including bathrooms, toilets and one large kitchen for all Monks to use. The kitchen is also used by guests and is a big improvement to the old kitchen. We now have a new large gas cooker that replaced the old wood burning stove.His Holiness bought a water pump for the Khangtsen which now provides our own water supply. Before we often had a water shortage.

In November 2005 His Holiness gave a Dharshan in Nepal and I was invited. At that time I told him I wanted to come to the USA and join his Sangha. In February 2006 the Church of Shambhala sponsored me to come to the USA and teach.