Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche

Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche (July 27, 1914, Tibet—August 29, 1983, Spiti Valley) was a master (tsenshab) of Tibetan Buddhism from the Gelug tradition. At the age of 34 in 1948 he was appointed from Ganden Jangtsey Monastery near Lhasa as one of seven teachers for the Dalai Lama.

Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche, one of the main teachers of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, was also Dr. Berzin’s principal teacher. His down-to-earth manner, practical approach and great sense of humor endeared him to both Tibetan and Western students alike. A master of all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, he combined the highest qualities of being a learned scholar, an accomplished practitioner, and a skillful, compassionate teacher. Here, Dr. Berzin shares his personal memories of the nine years he spent as his close disciple, interpreter and English secretary.

Duties with the Dalai Lama

Having joined the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala India in 1959, Rinpoche taught the Dalai Lama through debates about Buddhist teachings until Rinpoche's death in August 1983. He assisted the 14th Dalai Lama in prayers for the benefit of the world.

Rinpoche assisted in reestablishing in India's many Buddhist monasteries and their rituals, otherwise destroyed in the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

Travels

Rinpoche traveled in India, Nepal, Western Europe and North America. Over five visits to Spiti, the Himalayan valley next to Kinnaur, Rinpoche rededicated the most ancient monastery, Tabo Gonpa, and conferred on its monks the empowerments and oral transmissions for its traditional rituals. He imported learned spiritual teachers and founded a school for the local children.

Rinpoche used the offerings he received from his Western tours to commission a large applique scroll portraying the Buddha-figure Kalachakra and a full set of scroll-paintings of the life of Tsongkhapa, which he presented to his monastery, Ganden Jangtsey. He also made extensive offerings to the monks and nuns gathered at Drepung Monastery, Mundgod, in March 1983 for the first full Monlam prayer festival.

Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche (1914 – 1983) was the Master Debate Partner and one of the teachers of the Dalai Lama. A learned master of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Serkong Rinpoche helped re-establish the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India. He made two teachings tours of North America and Europe, touching the hearts of all he met with his practical wisdom, humor and down-to-earth manner.

Source

https://studybuddhism.com/en/tibetan-buddhism/spiritual-teachers/tsenzhab-serkong-rinpoche