Difference between revisions of "Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche"
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[[File:Lame Yeshe Losal London June 2010.jpg|thumb|200px|Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, London 2010]] | [[File:Lame Yeshe Losal London June 2010.jpg|thumb|200px|Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, London 2010]] | ||
| − | The Venerable Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche (Tibetan: ཡེ་ཤེས་བློ་གསལ་, Wylie: Ye-shes Blo-gsal) is a [[lama]] and [[tulku]] in the [[Kagyu]] | + | |
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| + | The [[Venerable]] [[Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan[[ཡེ་ཤེས་བློ་གསལ་]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[Ye-shes Blo-gsal]]) is a [[lama]] and [[tulku]] in the [[Kagyu school]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[abbot]] of the [[Samye Ling Monastery]], {{Wiki|Scotland}}, the first and largest of its kind in the {{Wiki|West}}. | ||
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==Early years== | ==Early years== | ||
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| − | + | Born in 1943 into a {{Wiki|farming}} [[family]] in [[Kham]], {{Wiki|East}} [[Tibet]], he was given the [[name]] [[Jamphel Drakpa]], or Jamdrak for short. He spent his early childhood close to [[nature]] helping with the [[family]] {{Wiki|sheep}} and [[yaks]] and playing with the other children in the village. This changed when at 10 years old as he was selected to go with his elder brother [[Choje Akong Rinpoche]] - who had been recognised as a [[tulku]] by the [[16th Karmapa]] - to the [[Lhakang Monastery]] where he was | |
| + | |||
| + | to receive an [[education]]. Although [[Akong]] was only three years older than [[Jamdrak]], it was the [[tradition]] that where a [[tulku]] is the [[abbot of a monastery]] one of his brothers goes to assist him. It is said that many [[auspicious signs]] had been seen when | ||
| − | Jamdrak | + | [[Jamdrak]] was born and he had also been recognised as a [[tulku]], but not officially confirmed due to the {{Wiki|political}} turbulence of the time. At [[Lhakang]] [[Jamdrak]] was a reluctant but diligent [[scholar]] under a succession of [[lamas]], but his studies were rudely interrupted by the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Chamdo|Chinese invasion]] of [[Tibet]] in 1959. |
| − | + | ==Escape to [[India]]== | |
| − | + | Jamdrak set off with his brother in a party of 300 to flee [[Tibet]]. As the {{Wiki|Chinese}} occupied [[Lhasa]] the party was forced to take an alternative route which involved a perilous journey across the [[Himalayas]]. The arduous journey involved high altitudes, [[raging]] [[rivers]], evading capture and near starvation. Of the three hundred that set off only thirteen, [[including]] Jamdrak and his brother [[Akong Rinpoche]] arrived safely in [[India]]. The others were killed, captured or [[died]] of starvation. | |
| − | He did indeed briefly take up this post before leaving in 1967 to serve as Private Secretary to His Holiness the 16th Karmapa at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. All though still a layperson he had a privileged position receiving teachings from high lamas. | + | Even in [[India]] the refugees were not safe. Another of Jamdrak's elder brothers [[died]] of tuberculosis, and he [[suffered]] from {{Wiki|smallpox}} and tuberculosis himself. He survived but only after major surgery involving the removal of one of his {{Wiki|lungs}}. |
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| + | He continued his [[education]] at the [[Young Lamas Home School]] in {{Wiki|Dalhousie}}, where he was groomed for a well paid post as an administrator of a large [[Tibetan]] settlement in [[India]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He did indeed briefly take up this post before leaving in 1967 to serve as Private Secretary to [[His Holiness]] the [[16th Karmapa]] at [[Rumtek Monastery]] in [[Sikkim]]. All though still a [[layperson]] he had a privileged position receiving teachings from high [[lamas]]. | ||
Rebellious youth. | Rebellious youth. | ||
| − | Meeting young American Peace Corps volunteers, Jamdrak became curious about the West. With the help of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche he obtained a visa and plane ticket to travel to Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. | + | Meeting young [[American]] [[Peace Corps]] volunteers, Jamdrak became curious about the [[West]]. With the help of [[Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche]] and [[Akong Rinpoche]] he obtained a visa and plane ticket to travel to [[Samye Ling Monastery]] in [[Scotland]]. |
| − | His arrival in 1960s Britain coincided with the peak of the hippie movement. Jamdrak was to mix with the young, rich and famous people flocking to Samye Ling and he shared their hedonistic lifestyle with enthusiasm. His brother, busy running the monastery, tolerated his excesses hoping that he would grow out of them eventually. | + | His arrival in 1960s [[Britain]] coincided with the peak of the hippie {{Wiki|movement}}. Jamdrak was to mix with the young, rich and famous [[people]] flocking to [[Samye Ling]] and he shared their [[Wikipedia:Hedonism|hedonistic]] [[lifestyle]] with [[enthusiasm]]. His brother, busy running the [[monastery]], tolerated his excesses hoping that he would grow out of them eventually. |
| − | The turning point for Jamdrak was a fishing trip to Orkney with a friend. With his Buddhist upbringing, he was uncomfortable with the idea of fishing but he went along with it to please his friend and soon caught many fish while his friend killed them with a blow to the head. His friend took a proud picture of all the dead fish and showed this to Akong Rinpoche on their return. Akong Rinpoche was deeply sad at seeing this picture and lamented how he had promised their parents he would look after his younger brother and felt that he had failed. | + | The turning point for Jamdrak was a fishing trip to Orkney with a [[friend]]. With his [[Buddhist]] upbringing, he was uncomfortable with the [[idea]] of fishing but he went along with it to please his [[friend]] and soon caught many {{Wiki|fish}} while his [[friend]] killed them with a blow to the head. His [[friend]] took a proud picture of all the [[dead]] {{Wiki|fish}} and showed this to [[Akong Rinpoche]] on their return. [[Akong Rinpoche]] was deeply [[sad]] at [[seeing]] this picture and lamented how he had promised their [[parents]] he would look after his younger brother and felt that he had failed. |
| − | This turned the heart of the young rebel back to the Buddha Dharma. He heard that the Karmapa was going to America at the invitation of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and requested that he be allowed to join him on a tour of the United States and Canada. On the tour a Chinese benefactor donated a large tract of land for a Buddhist centre in New York State. Jamdrak was appointed secretary and treasurer. With many visiting lamas, Jamdrak had the opportunity to establish the preliminary practises of the four foundations. Wishing to take his practise further he became a monk in 1980, and was ordained by the 16th Karmapa, and named Yeshe Losal. | + | This turned the [[heart]] of the young rebel back to the [[Buddha Dharma]]. He heard that the [[Karmapa]] was going to [[America]] at the invitation of [[Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche]], and requested that he be allowed to join him on a tour of the [[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]] and [[Canada]]. On the tour a {{Wiki|Chinese}} benefactor donated a large tract of land for a [[Buddhist]] centre in [[New York]] [[State]]. Jamdrak was appointed secretary and treasurer. With many visiting [[lamas]], Jamdrak had the opportunity to establish the preliminary practises of the [[four foundations]]. Wishing to take his practise further he became a [[monk]] in 1980, and was [[ordained]] by the [[16th Karmapa]], and named Yeshe Losal. |
| − | ==Long retreat== | + | ==Long [[retreat]]== |
| − | Yeshe Losal practised hard and retreated in a small quiet cottage. Soon the tranquility was shattered by building work on a nearby shrine room and it became increasingly uncomfortable as electricity, water and sanitation were disconnected. Remembering the trials of Milarepa, Yeshe Losal carried on with his practice. Moreover beavers built a nest beneath his retreat house while raccoons and skunks fighting over territory left stinking reminders of their presence. After five years of retreat and enduring many hardships he emerged and was recognised as a lama. It has been said that his body was almost skeletal, but his mind crystal clear. | + | Yeshe Losal practised hard and retreated in a small quiet cottage. Soon the [[tranquility]] was shattered by building work on a nearby [[shrine]] room and it became increasingly uncomfortable as electricity, [[water]] and sanitation were disconnected. Remembering the trials of [[Milarepa]], [[Yeshe Losal]] carried on with his practice. Moreover beavers built a nest beneath his [[retreat]] house while raccoons and skunks fighting over territory left stinking reminders of their presence. After five years of [[retreat]] and enduring many {{Wiki|hardships}} he emerged and was recognised as a [[lama]]. It has been said that his [[body]] was almost skeletal, but his [[mind]] {{Wiki|crystal}} clear. |
| − | Akong Rinpoche requested that Lama Yeshe move to Purelands, a purpose built retreat centre at Samye Ling, and in time he became the retreat master in 1988. At Akong Rinpoche's request, in 1995 Lama Yeshe was confirmed as abbot of Samye Ling by the Tai Situpa. | + | [[Akong Rinpoche]] requested that [[Lama Yeshe]] move to [[Purelands]], a {{Wiki|purpose}} built [[retreat centre]] at [[Samye Ling]], and in time he became the [[retreat master]] in 1988. At [[Akong Rinpoche's]] request, in 1995 [[Lama Yeshe]] was confirmed as [[abbot]] of [[Samye Ling]] by the [[Tai Situpa]]. |
[[Image:LamaYesheLosal and OmMani stones.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche on Holy Island with stones decorated with the mantra Om Mani Peme Hung]] | [[Image:LamaYesheLosal and OmMani stones.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche on Holy Island with stones decorated with the mantra Om Mani Peme Hung]] | ||
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| − | In 1990 an Irish lady came to Samye Ling with a strange request. She was the owner of Holy Island a small island near the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. She wished to sell the Island and had had a vision of Mary, the mother of Jesus who asked her to approach the Buddhists at Samye Ling. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche visited the island in December and felt an immediate affinity for the rugged landscape, reminiscent of his homeland. Looking out over the | + | =={{Wiki|Holy}} [[Island]]== |
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| + | In 1990 an Irish lady came to [[Samye Ling]] with a strange request. She was the [[owner]] of {{Wiki|Holy}} [[Island]] a small [[island]] near the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. She wished to sell the [[Island]] and had had a [[vision]] of Mary, the mother of {{Wiki|Jesus}} who asked her to approach the [[Buddhists]] at [[Samye Ling]]. [[Lama]] [[Yeshe [Rinpoche]] visited the [[island]] in December and felt an immediate [[affinity]] for the rugged landscape, reminiscent of his homeland. Looking out over the | ||
| − | The island is a sanctuary for wild life, and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche is active in promoting the case for Lamlash Bay to be no take zone, a wildlife reserve for marine life, perhaps an echo of his own life-changing fishing trip. | + | lights of Lamlash bay, he was reminded of a [[vision]] he had while practising [[dream yoga]] on [[retreat]]. He had [[experienced]] flying over a [[beautiful]] [[island]] surrounded by lights. In April 1992 the {{Wiki|Holy}} Isle was bought by the [[Rokpa Trust]]. |
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| + | Since then [[Lama Yeshe Rinpoche]] has been instrumental in establishing the Centre for [[World]] [[Peace]] and [[Health]], an environmentally designed residential venue for courses, conferences and [[retreats]] on {{Wiki|Holy}} [[Island]], and a [[monastery]] on the southern end of the [[Island]] for [[nuns]] on three year [[retreats]]. | ||
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| + | The [[island]] is a [[sanctuary]] for wild [[life]], and [[Lama Yeshe Rinpoche]] is active in promoting the case for Lamlash Bay to be no take zone, a wildlife reserve for marine [[life]], perhaps an {{Wiki|echo}} of his [[own]] life-changing fishing trip. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Buddhism]] | ||
[[Wikipedia:Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche]] | [[Wikipedia:Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche]] | ||
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[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche ]] |
| − | + | [[Category:Kagyu (Lineage)]] | |
| + | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhism]] | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
| + | [[Category:Great Britain]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:53, 3 December 2021
The Venerable Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche (Tibetan: {{BigTibetanཡེ་ཤེས་བློ་གསལ་}}, Wylie: Ye-shes Blo-gsal) is a lama and tulku in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and abbot of the Samye Ling Monastery, Scotland, the first and largest of its kind in the West.
Early years
Born in 1943 into a farming family in Kham, East Tibet, he was given the name Jamphel Drakpa, or Jamdrak for short. He spent his early childhood close to nature helping with the family sheep and yaks and playing with the other children in the village. This changed when at 10 years old as he was selected to go with his elder brother Choje Akong Rinpoche - who had been recognised as a tulku by the 16th Karmapa - to the Lhakang Monastery where he was
to receive an education. Although Akong was only three years older than Jamdrak, it was the tradition that where a tulku is the abbot of a monastery one of his brothers goes to assist him. It is said that many auspicious signs had been seen when
Jamdrak was born and he had also been recognised as a tulku, but not officially confirmed due to the political turbulence of the time. At Lhakang Jamdrak was a reluctant but diligent scholar under a succession of lamas, but his studies were rudely interrupted by the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.
Escape to India
Jamdrak set off with his brother in a party of 300 to flee Tibet. As the Chinese occupied Lhasa the party was forced to take an alternative route which involved a perilous journey across the Himalayas. The arduous journey involved high altitudes, raging rivers, evading capture and near starvation. Of the three hundred that set off only thirteen, including Jamdrak and his brother Akong Rinpoche arrived safely in India. The others were killed, captured or died of starvation.
Even in India the refugees were not safe. Another of Jamdrak's elder brothers died of tuberculosis, and he suffered from smallpox and tuberculosis himself. He survived but only after major surgery involving the removal of one of his lungs.
He continued his education at the Young Lamas Home School in Dalhousie, where he was groomed for a well paid post as an administrator of a large Tibetan settlement in India.
He did indeed briefly take up this post before leaving in 1967 to serve as Private Secretary to His Holiness the 16th Karmapa at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. All though still a layperson he had a privileged position receiving teachings from high lamas. Rebellious youth.
Meeting young American Peace Corps volunteers, Jamdrak became curious about the West. With the help of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche he obtained a visa and plane ticket to travel to Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland.
His arrival in 1960s Britain coincided with the peak of the hippie movement. Jamdrak was to mix with the young, rich and famous people flocking to Samye Ling and he shared their hedonistic lifestyle with enthusiasm. His brother, busy running the monastery, tolerated his excesses hoping that he would grow out of them eventually.
The turning point for Jamdrak was a fishing trip to Orkney with a friend. With his Buddhist upbringing, he was uncomfortable with the idea of fishing but he went along with it to please his friend and soon caught many fish while his friend killed them with a blow to the head. His friend took a proud picture of all the dead fish and showed this to Akong Rinpoche on their return. Akong Rinpoche was deeply sad at seeing this picture and lamented how he had promised their parents he would look after his younger brother and felt that he had failed.
This turned the heart of the young rebel back to the Buddha Dharma. He heard that the Karmapa was going to America at the invitation of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and requested that he be allowed to join him on a tour of the United States and Canada. On the tour a Chinese benefactor donated a large tract of land for a Buddhist centre in New York State. Jamdrak was appointed secretary and treasurer. With many visiting lamas, Jamdrak had the opportunity to establish the preliminary practises of the four foundations. Wishing to take his practise further he became a monk in 1980, and was ordained by the 16th Karmapa, and named Yeshe Losal.
Long retreat
Yeshe Losal practised hard and retreated in a small quiet cottage. Soon the tranquility was shattered by building work on a nearby shrine room and it became increasingly uncomfortable as electricity, water and sanitation were disconnected. Remembering the trials of Milarepa, Yeshe Losal carried on with his practice. Moreover beavers built a nest beneath his retreat house while raccoons and skunks fighting over territory left stinking reminders of their presence. After five years of retreat and enduring many hardships he emerged and was recognised as a lama. It has been said that his body was almost skeletal, but his mind crystal clear.
Akong Rinpoche requested that Lama Yeshe move to Purelands, a purpose built retreat centre at Samye Ling, and in time he became the retreat master in 1988. At Akong Rinpoche's request, in 1995 Lama Yeshe was confirmed as abbot of Samye Ling by the Tai Situpa.
Holy Island
In 1990 an Irish lady came to Samye Ling with a strange request. She was the owner of Holy Island a small island near the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. She wished to sell the Island and had had a vision of Mary, the mother of Jesus who asked her to approach the Buddhists at Samye Ling. Lama [[Yeshe [Rinpoche]] visited the island in December and felt an immediate affinity for the rugged landscape, reminiscent of his homeland. Looking out over the
lights of Lamlash bay, he was reminded of a vision he had while practising dream yoga on retreat. He had experienced flying over a beautiful island surrounded by lights. In April 1992 the Holy Isle was bought by the Rokpa Trust.
Since then Lama Yeshe Rinpoche has been instrumental in establishing the Centre for World Peace and Health, an environmentally designed residential venue for courses, conferences and retreats on Holy Island, and a monastery on the southern end of the Island for nuns on three year retreats.
The island is a sanctuary for wild life, and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche is active in promoting the case for Lamlash Bay to be no take zone, a wildlife reserve for marine life, perhaps an echo of his own life-changing fishing trip.
