Gelek Rimpoche

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Nawang Gelek Rimpoche
སྐྱབས་རྗེ་དགེ་ལེགས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ།
Gelek Rinpoche
TitleLama
Personal
Born(1939-10-26)26 October 1939
Lhasa, Tibet
Died15 February 2017(2017-02-15) (aged 77)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
ReligionTibetan Buddhist
NationalityTibetan
SchoolDrepung Monastery
Other namesNyakre Khentrul Rinpoche, Kyabje Ngwang Gehlek Rimpoche, Gehlek Rimpoche, Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche
Professionteacher
OrderGelug
Senior posting
TeacherKyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, Khensur Denma Locho Rinpoche, Song Rinpoche
Students
Professionteacher

Kyabje Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche (Tibetan: སྐྱབས་རྗེ་དགེ་ལེགས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ།, Wylie: skyabs rje dge legs rin po che/) was a Tibetan Buddhist lama born in Lhasa, Tibet on October 26, 1939. His personal name was Gelek; kyabje and rimpoche are titles meaning "teacher" (lit., "lord of refuge") and "precious," respectively; he is known to Tibetans as Nyakre Khentrul Rinpoche.[1] According to Thupten Jinpa, principal English translator to the Dalai Lama, he is considered

"an important link to the great lineages of Tibet’s great masters, especially of the Geluk school. Known more famously for the Tibetans as Nyakre Khentrul Rinpoche, Rinpoche had been instrumental in reprinting many of the Geluk texts in the 1970s, and also remained an important object of affection for both Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Of course, his emergence as one of the great Tibetan teachers in the West has also been a source of inspiration for many.”[2]

Known for his memory, intellectual insight, familiarity with modern culture, and effectiveness as a teacher of Western practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, Rimpoche taught in English without a translator, claiming he learned "English watching the soap opera Days of Our Lives."[3]

Early life and education[edit]

Gelek Rimpoche was recognized at the age of four as a tulku, an incarnate lama. He was "recognized as the incarnation of one of the Gyuto Tantric College abbots called Tashi Namgyal. I believe I was recognized by the late Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo – the famous Pabongka." His father was the 10th Demo Rinpoche and his uncle was the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. He received the highest scholastic degree of Geshe Lharampa, equivalent to a PhD, at the exceptionally young age of twenty, at Drepung Monastic University which he attended from the age of four to twenty.[4]

He was educated alongside the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso who said "he completed his traditional Buddhist training as a monk in Tibet prior to the Chinese Takeover."[5] Rimpoche was tutored by many of Tibet's greatest teachers including the 14th Dalai Lama's senior and junior tutors, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who sent him to the West to teach, and Denma Locho Rinpoche and Song Rinpoche.[6][7]

Exile[edit]

In 1959, ten days after the Dalai Lama fled to India, Gelek Rimpoche led a large group of Tibetans from Tibet into exile in India.

"They were stalled at the foot of the Himalayas. Only a few miles away, over a cluster of four peaks, lay Arunachal Pradesh in India, and freedom. Time and time again throughout the day members of the group tried the treacherous climb, yet they were unable to find passage. To get here they had traversed mile after mile of rugged terrain while strafed by Chinese aircraft. There was no turning back. Tired, hungry and cold, they sought advice from an incarnate lama who had joined their exodus – nineteen-year-old Nawang Gehlek Rinpoche. “I sat there and looked at the situation, I don’t know if it was a coincidence or the effects of a flu shot or common sense, but I saw that the range had four peaks and I thought we should zigzag across to the farthest one on the right. So I happened to be the one to suggest that route and the people began to follow me.” "The route he suggested became a major route for tens of thousands in the coming decades."[8]

He then settled at a temporary camp with other lamas and monks in Buxa, India, where his education continued, although "there were no books, and classes had to be taught from memory only."[9] He was one of the first students of the Young Lamas Home School.[10][11]

Later, he relinquished monastic life. "Many other Rinpoches, including Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, told me, “Even though you didn’t remain as a monk, it doesn’t mean you’ve resigned as a rinpoche.” They told me I still have to carry the banner of Buddhism. So that’s how it is."[4] He was named director of Tibet House in New Delhi, India, in 1965. In the 1970s, he served as head of Tibetan services and as a radio host at All India Radio.[12][8] He preserved over 170 volumes of rare Tibetan manuscripts that would have otherwise been lost and conducted over 1000 interviews, compiling an oral history of the fall of Tibet to Communist China that is in the US Library of Congress' Tibetan Oral History Archive Project.[13][14] In 1964, he was an exchange student at Cornell University.[8]

Life in the west[edit]

Rimpoche moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1987 to teach Buddhism at the request of two local women, Aura Glaser and Sandra Finkel, who met him on a trip to India during the mid-1980s.[15] He first taught in Ann Arbor in 1985. He helped a Case Western Reserve professor write a book on Tibetan history for two years in Cleveland, then moved to Ann Arbor. In 1988, with Glaser and Finkel, he founded and was president of Jewel Heart, a nonprofit "spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian organization that translates the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism into contemporary life," in Ann Arbor, which has expanded to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Chicago, Cleveland, Nebraska, New York, Malaysia, and The Netherlands. The Dalai Lama visited Jewel Heart in Ann Arbor in 2008.[16][17]

Beat poet Allen Ginsberg was among the more prominent of Jewel Heart's members. Ginsberg met with Gelek Rinpoche through the modern composer Philip Glass in 1989, and they became great friends.[18][19][20][21] Allen and Philip jointly staged benefits for the Jewel Heart organization. Professor Robert Thurman, Joe Liozzo, and Glenn Mullin, are also Jewel Heart members and frequent lecturers.[22] Cyndi Lee also teaches at Jewel Heart.[23] Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Venerable Thubten Chodron, and Michael Imperioli were also students of Rimpoche's.[24][25] He became an American citizen in July 1994.[26]

Gelek Rinpoche died on February 15, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after undergoing surgery the previous month.[27][28][29][30][31]

Demo Rinpoche, Rimpoche's nephew, has served as Jewel Heart’s Resident Spiritual Director, since 2018.[32][33]

In 2021 Tibet House US in New York City, partnered with the Allen Ginsberg estate, and Jewel Heart International, on Transforming Minds: Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche and Friends, a gallery show, video, and eventually online exhibition, of photos and drawings by Allen Ginsberg with whom Rimpoche had an “indissoluble bond," exemplifying the "transformational nature of this time in US history."[34] "Fifty negatives guided by Allen’s extensive notes on the contact sheets and images he’d circled with the intention to print," featured images of Rimpoche with friends, including "other great Tibetan masters, including Ribur Rimpoche and Khyongla Rato Rimpoche, images we had not known about," and "monks, Tibetologists, friends, and students, including Philip Glass, artist Francesco Clemente, founder of Tibet House US, Robert Thurman, poet Anne Waldman, and songwriter, singer, and poet, Patti Smith."[35][36][37]

Publications[edit]

Gehlek Rimpoche assisted Melvyn C. Goldstein in his writing of A History of Modern Tibet, Volume 1: The Demise of the Lamaist State, 1913-1951.[38]

In 2001, Rimpoche's teaching with many biographical details, Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation, with a foreword by the Dalai Lama, and an introduction by Robert Thurman, was published. "Buddhist readers will cheer about this fresh voice, and even those who don't believe in reincarnation will find something valuable in this short meditation on death.[39]

Many of Rimpoche's teachings since the mid 1980s, including intermediate and vajrayana lightly edited transcripts and books, are available.[40]

Archive[edit]

The Gelek Rimpoche Archive, "arguably are the largest, or one of the largest collections of authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings in English of a Tibetan master," was established online by the Gelek Rimpoche Foundation.[41] Free of charge, the archive contains more than five hundred teachings and more informal talks comprising over 1800 video and 2900 audio files, often accompanied by searchable verbatim and compiled transcripts.[42]


Selected bibliography[edit]

  • Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation, (with Gini Alhadeff and Mark Magill, foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, introduction by Robert Thurman), Riverhead Books, 2001, ISBN 1-57322-196-1[43]
  • The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection and Healing From the Female Buddha (with Brenda Rosen), New World Library, 2004, ISBN 1-57731-461-1
  • Essentials of Modern Literary Tibetan: A Reading Course and Reference Grammar (with Melvyn C. Goldstein, Lobsang Phuntshog), University of California Press, 1991, ISBN 978-0520076228, ISBN 0520076222
  • How the Mind Works, Jewel Heart, 2016, ASIN B01H2MXIDE
  • Perfection of Wisdom: An Essential Explanation of the Mantra and the Five Paths, 2014, ASIN B00KCX3IUE
  • The Three Principles of the Path: A Brief Explanation, Jewel Heart, 2014, ASIN B00KDIZBZ8
  • Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 3; Full Acceptance of the Awakening Mind, Jewel Heart, 2013, ASIN B00BUVLZNE
  • 37 Wings of Change, Jewel Heart, 2012, ASIN B006WFKPUM
  • Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 6; Patience, Jewel Heart, 2010, ASIN B00BUYYN3U
  • The Four Mindfulnesses: On the Basis of a Poem by the Seventh Dalai Lama with Commentary by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, Jewel Heart, 2009, ISBN 193499409X
  • The Four Noble Truths, Jewel Heart, 2009, ISBN 1934994057
  • Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 7; Enthusiasm, Jewel Heart, 2008, ASIN B00BUYYN58
  • GOM: A Course In Meditation, Jewel Heart, 2005, ASIN B004N84VLE
  • Lam Rim: Foundations of the Path, Jewel Heart, 2005, ASIN B00KD3OOLU
  • Transforming Negativities, Jewel Heart, 2004, ASIN B004N63770
  • Catalogue : first exhibition in new Tibet House, (with Gyaltsen Yeshey, Nicholas Ribush, Trisha Donnelly); Tibet House, New Delhi, India), 1979, OCLC Number: 37437276

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Oral history interview of Gelek Rimpoche-Nyare Khentrü". loc.gov. US Library of Congress. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ Lewis, Craig (February 16, 2017). "Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche Dies". Buddhistdoor Global. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  3. ^ Magill, Mark. "Remembering Gelek Rimpoche". tricycle.org. The Tricycle Foundation. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Gelek Rinpoche". fpmt.org/mandala/archives. Mandala Magazine, FPMT. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  5. ^ Gehlek, Nawang (2001). Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation. New York: Riverhead Books. pp. Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. ISBN 9781573221962. Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation.
  6. ^ Larson, Kay (August 7, 2005). "When Buddha Chooses to Be a Woman". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  7. ^ Tworkov, Helen. "A Lama for All Seasons: An Interview with Gelek Rinpoche". tricycle.org. Tricycle Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Kain, John (July 1, 2002). "Gehlek Rinpoche's Remarkable Journey". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  9. ^ Brentano, Robyn (January 1, 2019). "BUXA CHOGAR: Saving Tibetan Buddhism in Exile". Mandala, Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Tibet House US. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  10. ^ Mackenzie, Vicki (March 28, 2017). The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi: British Feminist, Indian Nationalist, Buddhist Nun. Shambhala. p. 102. ISBN 978-1611804256. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  11. ^ Namgyal, Tsewang (July 27, 2009). "Foundations for a Modern Tibet". Phayul. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Remembering a Great Teacher: the learned and inspiring Gelek Rimpoche of Jewel Heart International left behind a sparkling jewel of Dharma teachings". buddhaweekly.com. Buddha Weekly. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  13. ^ "Lama Choepa Tsok Offering Puja Gelek Rinpoche". drepung.org. Drepung Loseling Monastery Center. February 16, 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Tibetan Oral History Archive Project". loc.gov. US Library Of Congress. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  15. ^ Gehlek, Rimpoche Nawang (October 1, 2002). Good Life, Good Death. New York, New York: Riverhead Books, Penguin Random House. p. 175. ISBN 9781573229524. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  16. ^ Larcom, Geoff S.; Thompson, Leisa (April 12, 2008). "The Dalai Lama's long road to Ann Arbor: Invitation was issued almost 14 years ago". The Ann Arbor News. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  17. ^ Gruner, John; Leisa Thompson, Leisa Thompson (April 18, 2008). "Dalai Lama accepts 14-year standing invitation, returns to Midwest this weekend". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  18. ^ Silliman, Daniel (December 28, 2017). "A woman who married God, a chess-playing priest and 10 more fascinating religious figures who died in 2017". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Gelek Rinpoche's Birthday!". allenginsberg.org. The Allen Ginsberg Project. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Lifeline". Allen Ginsberg dot org. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  21. ^ Di Prima, Diane (May 18, 1997). "Lust for Life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  22. ^ Liozzo, Joe (18 February 2017). "Celebrating Gelek Rimpoche". huffingtonpost.com. Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  23. ^ Lee, Cyndi (July 22, 2021). "The Complete Package: Meditation and Yoga". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Remembering Gelek Rimpoche". jewelheart.org. Jewel Heart. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  25. ^ Miller, Andrea (3 February 2021). "Wise Guy". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  26. ^ Norbu, Konchog (March 20, 2014). "Trailer: New documentary celebrates "The American Rimpoche"; June premieres in NY, DC". Lion's Roar Foundation. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  27. ^ "The Office of Tibet Mourns the Passing of Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche". tibetoffice.org. The Office of Tibet, Washington, DC. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  28. ^ Biddlecombe, Wendy Joan (February 15, 2017). "Tibetan Buddhist Lama Gelek Rimpoche Has Died". Tricycle. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  29. ^ Meade Sperry, Rod. "Remembering Gelek Rimpoche, Tibetan Buddhist teacher and author (1939-2017)". lionsroar.com. Lion’s Roar Foundation. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  30. ^ Lewis, Craig. "Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche Dies". buddhistdoor.net. Buddhistdoor Global. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Jewel Heart: Remembering the Life of Gelek Rimpoche". beherenownetwork.com. Be Here Now Network. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  32. ^ "About Demo Rinpoche". .jewelheart.org. Jewel Heart. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  33. ^ Gauding, Madonna (September 1, 2021). "Bringing Youthful New Leadership to Jewel Heart: The Crazy Wisdom Interview with Spiritual Director Demo Rinpoche". No. 78. Crazy Wisdom Journal. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  34. ^ "Transforming Minds". jewelheart.org/. Jewel Heart International. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  35. ^ Spiegel, Alison (September 29, 2021). "Inside the New Allen Ginsberg Photography Exhibit at Tibet House US". Tricycle Magazine. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  36. ^ Paljor Chatag, Ben (2022). "Curatorial Reflections on 'Transforming Minds: Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche and Friends, Photographs by Allen Ginsberg 1989-1997'". Yeshe, A Journal of Tibetan Literature, Arts and Humanities. 2 (1). Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  37. ^ "Transforming Minds: Kyabje Gelek Rimnpohce and Friends". jewelheart.org. Jewel Heart. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  38. ^ Beckwith, CI. "Journal Article: Melvyn C. Goldstein. A History of Modern Tibet, 1913–1951: The Demise of the Lamaist State. Assisted by Gelek Rimpoche. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. 1989". The American Historical Review. 96 (2, April 1991): 582–583. doi:10.1086/ahr/96.2.582. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Starred: GOOD LIFE, GOOD DEATH: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation". Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Transcripts". jewelheart.org. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  41. ^ "About Gelek Rimpoche". gelekrimpoche.org. Gelek Rimpoche Foundation. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  42. ^ "About the Archive". gelekrimpoche.org. Gelek Rimpoche Foundation. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Good life, good death : Tibetan wisdom on reincarnation". catalog.loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

External links[edit]

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