Recent review of Blazing Splendor

In recent years, at least a small portion of the most important works in the vast Tibetan Buddhist literature has been translated and made available in English. The rate of publication is increasing as more people become able to translate Tibetan. Against this background, "Blazing Splendor" stands out - it is unique, a book that may mark a watershed in the understanding of Tibetan Buddhism by westerners.
"Blazing Splendor" is the memoirs of one of the greatest Tibetan Yogis of recent years - Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. A collection of stories gathered over many years by his translators, its personal approach makes it different from either history or the formal biographies of great Lamas and masters of the past. Its intimate tone brings the reader right into the lives of Buddhist practitioners.
The book begins with Tulku Urgyen's grandmother, through whom Rinpoche heard many of the stories recorded in the book. It then dips back in time to the very beginnings of Buddhism in Tibet, providing important background information for those not already familiar with this history. It then moves forward again, giving a rich look into the lives of a an entire family of great Lamas and practitioners. The reader sees how a wide range of people, men and women, some highly revered, others nearly unnoticed, great Lamas and lay people, all led lives completely infused with Buddhist teachings.
While not structured as a Dharma text, the reader will find teachings embedded in the stories and these alone are worth the price of the book. Cumulatively, the effect of so many detailed stories and personal memories is to give the reader a rich awareness of life in a culture that was centered on the Dharma. Nothing else I've read over the years has had such a profound effect on me.
Reviewer: Susan Law (Hudson Valley, NY)

Urgyen Jigme Rabsel early picture

His beautiful mother, Tendzin Choyang Gyari, gave us this early photo of the Yangsi.

Announcement of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's Reincarnation

This is a record of the speech given at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche on the third day of the Tibetan New Year, 2006. Present at the auspicious occasion were at a large number of members of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s family headed by the Chokling of Tsikey, Drubwang Tsoknyi, Phakchok of Riwoche, Mayum Dechen Paldron, Lama Tashi Dorje, Mayum Sonam Chodron, Sangyum Chime Yangdzom and many others. The main assembly hall was filled with lamas, monks and nuns, and members of the sangha from all over the world. After chanting the verses of invocation, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche began speaking:

Today I have good news for you. My late father was a guru to all of us, in all our various monasteries and sanghas, and I know we all trusted him deeply with pure perception. He was the kind master from whom we received not only empowerments and reading transmissions but also the important pith instructions. ...

The whole speech is on:
http://www.rangjung.com/gl/Losar_Announcement_2006.htm

Wedding picture of Neten Chokling and Sangyum Choyang

Here is a beautiful wedding picture of Neten Chokling and Sangyum Choyang, the parents of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's reincarnation. (The photo was taken several years back.)

Ceremonies held at the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Nepal

Below you will find a schedule of the major pujas and drubchens at Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's and his sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and the Chokling of Tsikey, Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in the coming months. We hope that many of you will be able to visit the monastery and join these events.
Should you wish to make a donation to these activities, the Monlam website has now been updated to include these special events:
http://www.monlam.org/mainprayers.html

With best wishes, Everyone at Monlam.org

February 22 Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s Anniversary
February 23-27 Vajrakilaya puja
February 28 Tibetan New Year – Year of the Fire Dog

March 7-16 White Amitayus Drubchen
March 14 Festival of Miracles (Chotrul Duchen)
March 24 Lotus Dakini Puja (Kurukule)
March 28 Dharma Protector Puja
March 29 Ngakso Puja (Ocean of Amrita)

April 6-14 Ngakso Puja
April 23 Lotus Dakini Puja (Kurukule)
April 26 Dharma Protector Puja
April 27 Ngakso Puja (Ocean of Amrita)

Ngaktrin Tulku passes on

The fifth Ngaktrin Tulku -- Tsewang Dechen, born 1941, has just passed on. He was the chief abbot of Lachab Gompa and its branch nunnery and retreat centers.

He was also a close student of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and received the transmissions of the New Treasures from him.

Long-Yang, his attendant relates: As soon as Ngaktrin Rinpoche heard news of Tulku Urgyen's reincarnation, he said, "I have waited for this. If the sons have no doubt then I'm satisfied." He died the next day.
His body will be taken to Fortress Peak for one week and then on to Lachab Gompa.

More info on the Ngaktrin tulku line on:
http://www.rangjung.com/authors/Ngaktrin_Tulku_Incarnations.htm

Rebirth of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

The long awaited announcement has finally come.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche has taken rebirth in the family of Neten Chokling Rinpoche and his beautiful wife, Tendzin Choyang Gyari.

Urgyen Jigmey Rabsel was born in the year of the snake & is 4 1/2 years old (6 Tibetan). He was born in the USA & has an American passport.

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche undeniably recognized him as the reincarnation of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche after carefully investigating his experience while in strict retreat in the holy pilgrimage place in Maritika, Nepal.

The child is currently in Bir India with his parents & will be given a new name at the time of the hair cutting ceremony.

As an auspicious coincidence, Tulkus Chokyi Nyima, Tsikey Chokling, Tsoknyi & Phakchok Rinpoches as well as Tenpa Chophel will travel to Bir on March 3rd to meet the child and his parents. There will be a ceremony at the Neten Chokling Gonpa in Bir and with the sons of the former Neten Chokling Rinpoche, Urgyen Topgyal, Khyentse Yeshe, Jamyang & Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoches.

This is a very happy time for all of the students of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Please join together to pray for the further unfolding of auspicious circumstances in regards to this joyous event.

More information about the yangsi can be found on Tulku Urgyen's son Tsoknyi Rinpoche's website:
http://www.pundarika.org/tulku_urgyen_yangsi.htm

HAPPY LOSAR!

It is now the year of the Fire Dog.