Difference between revisions of "Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen"
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− | [[Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen]] (1923 – February 13, 2009) was a [[Tibetan]] [[lama]] and [[human rights]] | + | [[Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen]] (1923 – February 13, 2009) was a [[Tibetan]] [[lama]] and [[human rights activist]] living in the [[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]]. [[Gyeltsen]] had been described as "one of the last living [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[masters]] to have been trained in [[Tibet]]" before 1959. |
− | [[Geshe Gyeltsen]] founded the Thubten Dhargye Ling | + | [[Geshe Gyeltsen]] founded the [[Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist center]] in 1978. He was a member of the same [[Buddhist]] [[sect]], known as the [[Gelug]] or [[Yellow Hat sect]], as the [[14th Dalai Lama]]. |
=={{Wiki|Biography}}== | =={{Wiki|Biography}}== | ||
===Early [[life]]=== | ===Early [[life]]=== | ||
− | [[Gyeltsen]] was born Jamphel Yeshe in 1923, in [[Kham]], an eastern ethno-cultural [[Tibet]]. He became a [[Buddhist monk]] when he was seven years old. He traveled to the [[Gaden Monastery]] near [[Lhasa]] when he was sixteen years old. [[Gyeltsen]] remained as a [[student]] at the [[monastery]] for the next twenty years. | + | [[Gyeltsen]] was born [[Jamphel Yeshe]] in 1923, in [[Kham]], an eastern ethno-cultural [[Tibet]]. He became a [[Buddhist monk]] when he was seven years old. He traveled to the [[Gaden Monastery]] near [[Lhasa]] when he was sixteen years old. [[Gyeltsen]] remained as a [[student]] at the [[monastery]] for the next twenty years. |
===[[India]] and {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}=== | ===[[India]] and {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}=== | ||
− | [[Gyeltsen]] and fifty other [[Tibetan]] [[monks]] fled to [[India]] following the [[14th Dalai Lama]] during the 1959 [[Tibetan]] uprising. His group, which included fifty [[monks]], travelled for a month over the [[Himalaya]] [[Mountains]]. Upon reaching the [[Indian]] town of {{Wiki|Dalhousie}}, he completed his [[Buddhist studies]] at [[Gyuto]] [[Tantric College]]. He earned the rank and title of [[Geshe]], which has been described as a "{{Wiki|doctorate}} of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]", while living in a refugee camp in {{Wiki|West Bengal}}. [[Gyeltsen]] went to {{Wiki|England}} in 1963, where he spent more than a decade educating [[Tibetan]] refugee children in [[Tibetan language]], {{Wiki|culture}}, and [[Buddhist philosophy]] in the {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}. In 1970, [[Gyeltsen]] undid his [[vows]] and [[married]] Jennifer Humphries. While [[married]], [[Gyeltsen]] continued [[teaching]] [[Buddhism]]. In 1976, his wife gave [[birth]] to their only child; a boy they named, [[Tsewang | + | [[Gyeltsen]] and fifty other [[Tibetan]] [[monks]] fled to [[India]] following the [[14th Dalai Lama]] during the 1959 [[Tibetan]] uprising. His group, which included fifty [[monks]], travelled for a month over the [[Himalaya]] [[Mountains]]. Upon reaching the [[Indian]] town of {{Wiki|Dalhousie}}, he completed his [[Buddhist studies]] at [[Gyuto]] [[Tantric College]]. He earned the rank and title of [[Geshe]], which has been described as a "{{Wiki|doctorate}} of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]", while living in a refugee camp in {{Wiki|West Bengal}}. [[Gyeltsen]] went to {{Wiki|England}} in 1963, where he spent more than a decade educating [[Tibetan]] refugee children in [[Tibetan language]], {{Wiki|culture}}, and [[Buddhist philosophy]] in the {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}. In 1970, [[Gyeltsen]] undid his [[vows]] and [[married]] [[Jennifer Humphries]]. While [[married]], [[Gyeltsen]] continued [[teaching]] [[Buddhism]]. In 1976, his wife gave [[birth]] to their only child; a boy they named, [[Tsewang Gyeltsen]]. |
===[[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]]=== | ===[[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]]=== | ||
− | [[Gyeltsen]] immigrated to the [[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]] from the {{Wiki|United Kingdom}} in 1976. Shortly after, he and his wife mutually divorced. [[Gyeltsen]] then reinstated his [[vows]] as a [[monk]] and began [[teaching]] [[Tibetan language]], [[meditation]] and [[religious]] studies as a [[professor]] at the {{Wiki|University of California}}, {{Wiki|Santa Barbara}} and the {{Wiki|University of California}}, {{Wiki|Los Angeles}}. [[Gyeltsen]] founded the Thubten Dhargye Ling | + | [[Gyeltsen]] immigrated to the [[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]] from the {{Wiki|United Kingdom}} in 1976. Shortly after, he and his wife mutually divorced. [[Gyeltsen]] then reinstated his [[vows]] as a [[monk]] and began [[teaching]] [[Tibetan language]], [[meditation]] and [[religious]] studies as a [[professor]] at the {{Wiki|University of California}}, {{Wiki|Santa Barbara}} and the {{Wiki|University of California}}, {{Wiki|Los Angeles}}. [[Gyeltsen]] founded the [[Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist Center]] in {{Wiki|Los Angeles}} (later Long Beach) in 1978. [[Gyeltsen]] also founded [[Tibetan Buddhist]] centers throughout [[North America]], including [[Texas]], {{Wiki|Colorado}}, [[Alaska, {{Wiki|Mexico}}, the Grass Valley in northern [[California]], as well as {{Wiki|Europe}}. |
[[File:Geshela-03.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Geshela-03.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
[[Gyeltsen]] hosted the [[Dalai Lama]] on visits to {{Wiki|Los Angeles}} on six separate occasions. The most recent visit by the [[Dalai Lama]] was in 2006. | [[Gyeltsen]] hosted the [[Dalai Lama]] on visits to {{Wiki|Los Angeles}} on six separate occasions. The most recent visit by the [[Dalai Lama]] was in 2006. | ||
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==[[Death]]== | ==[[Death]]== | ||
− | [[Geshe Gyeltsen]] [[died]] on February 13, 2009, at his home at the Thubten Dhargye Ling | + | [[Geshe Gyeltsen]] [[died]] on February 13, 2009, at his home at the [[Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist center]] at the age of 85 after a short {{Wiki|illness}}. [[Gyeltsen]] [[cremation]] {{Wiki|ceremony}} was held in southern [[India]]. His [[relics]] were then returned to the center. [[Gyeltsen]] is survived by a son, [[Tsewang Gyeltsen]] of Long Beach; a sister and several nieces and nephews. |
{{R}} | {{R}} |
Revision as of 17:23, 17 December 2015
Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen (1923 – February 13, 2009) was a Tibetan lama and human rights activist living in the United States. Gyeltsen had been described as "one of the last living Tibetan Buddhist masters to have been trained in Tibet" before 1959.
Geshe Gyeltsen founded the Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist center in 1978. He was a member of the same Buddhist sect, known as the Gelug or Yellow Hat sect, as the 14th Dalai Lama.
Biography
Early life
Gyeltsen was born Jamphel Yeshe in 1923, in Kham, an eastern ethno-cultural Tibet. He became a Buddhist monk when he was seven years old. He traveled to the Gaden Monastery near Lhasa when he was sixteen years old. Gyeltsen remained as a student at the monastery for the next twenty years.
India and United Kingdom
Gyeltsen and fifty other Tibetan monks fled to India following the 14th Dalai Lama during the 1959 Tibetan uprising. His group, which included fifty monks, travelled for a month over the Himalaya Mountains. Upon reaching the Indian town of Dalhousie, he completed his Buddhist studies at Gyuto Tantric College. He earned the rank and title of Geshe, which has been described as a "doctorate of Tibetan Buddhism", while living in a refugee camp in West Bengal. Gyeltsen went to England in 1963, where he spent more than a decade educating Tibetan refugee children in Tibetan language, culture, and Buddhist philosophy in the United Kingdom. In 1970, Gyeltsen undid his vows and married Jennifer Humphries. While married, Gyeltsen continued teaching Buddhism. In 1976, his wife gave birth to their only child; a boy they named, Tsewang Gyeltsen.
United States
Gyeltsen immigrated to the United States from the United Kingdom in 1976. Shortly after, he and his wife mutually divorced. Gyeltsen then reinstated his vows as a monk and began teaching Tibetan language, meditation and religious studies as a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Los Angeles. Gyeltsen founded the Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist Center in Los Angeles (later Long Beach) in 1978. Gyeltsen also founded Tibetan Buddhist centers throughout North America, including Texas, Colorado, [[Alaska, Mexico, the Grass Valley in northern California, as well as Europe.
Gyeltsen hosted the Dalai Lama on visits to Los Angeles on six separate occasions. The most recent visit by the Dalai Lama was in 2006.
He served as a member of the board of directors of the International Campaign for Tibet, an independence group founded by actor Richard Gere. Gyeltsen wrote the books Mirror of Wisdom and Compassion: The Key to Great Awakening.
Death
Geshe Gyeltsen died on February 13, 2009, at his home at the Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist center at the age of 85 after a short illness. Gyeltsen cremation ceremony was held in southern India. His relics were then returned to the center. Gyeltsen is survived by a son, Tsewang Gyeltsen of Long Beach; a sister and several nieces and nephews.