6th Living Buddha Angyas Enthroned in Tar Monastery
Cehua Dainzin, born on July 3, 1986, or the Year of the Tiger, in Guide County. His father Lhagya Cerang, born in 1961, was a college graduate who became a Teacher and later an employee of Guide County Taxation Office.
His mother, Dorje Zholma, born in 1964, used to work for the Hainan Prefectural Textile Mill. Cehua Dainzin attended kindergarten, primary and middle schools in the county. He loved mathematics and his Parents wished he would go to college for advanced study. They never expected their child would be determined as a Living Buddha on the 8th day of the first lunar month.
Tar Monastery, in Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province, was built in 1577 in memory of Master Zongkapa, founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. On April 13, 2000, the 6th Living Buddha Angyas was enthroned in the Residence of the Living Buddha Angyas there.
SEARCHING FOR THE SOUL BOY. In response to public demand, efforts began in 1994 to look for the soul boy of the late 5th Living Buddha Angyas. This won the care, support and aid of the prefectural government. Tar Monastery set up a Search Group operating in accordance with the stipulations of the Qinghai provincial people's government and the set Rituals of Tibetan Buddhism. According to the divination practiced by the eminent Monk Ngake Bejim, the soul boy would be located east of Tar Monastery, north of the Yellow River, and was born in the year of the cow, monkey, sheep or tiger. Members of the Search Group found more than 300 children with intelligent signs. They were of the Tibetan, Han, Tu or Mongolian ethnic groups. In one year, the three most intelligent soul boy candidates were chosen, and the reported to the local department in charge of Religion. It was then decided that the reincarnated soul boy of the late 5th Living Buddha Angyas would be determined on an auspicious day.
At the soul boy selection ceremony, which took place on the 8th day of the first lunar month, the names of the three soul boy candidates were written in Tibetan on three pieces of paper, and inserted into three pieces of zanba (roasted highland barley flour) dough placed in a silver bowl. The bowl was wrapped up in a hada scarf, and left in front of the statue of Master Zongkapa enshrined in the Gold-Tiled Hall. Lamas chanted Sutras and prayed for bliss from Master Zongkapa. The Living Buddha Qoixi lifted the hada, and held the silver bowl in both hands. He closed his Eyes, chanted Sutras, and shook the bowl slowly, and again slowly. Amid the Chanting of Sutras, one of the three pieces of dough fell onto an unfolding square of yellow silk. All present on the occasion held their Breath when the Living Buddha Qoixi unfolded it, took out that piece of paper and announced: "Cehua Dainzin!"Cehua Dainzin, born in the Year of Tiger in Guide, was thus determined as the reincarnated soul boy of the late 5th Living Buddha Angyas. He was told the news early in the second lunar month, when the Living Buddha Zhaxi and several representatives of Tar Monastery presented him with hada in Guide. Traditionally, the Monastery had to pay a huge amount of redemption funds for a soul boy. The present government, however, advocated abolition of the bad tradition as it proved to be a heavy burden for the Monastery, which won wide support from religious circles. When Tar Monastery lamas met the new soul boy, they presented him with hada, silks, gifts and gift Money, and offered him their congratulations. The 12-year-old soul boy was given the religious Name of Lobsang Huadain Dainbai Gyaincain.
ENTHRONEMENT CEREMONY. On the morning of April 13, a huge crowd gathered about the Eight-Treasure Pagoda. Directed by the Living Buddha Zhaxi and the Living Buddha Benba, Monks of Tar Monastery lined up holding the treasure umbrella and victory stream, which fluttered in the gentle breeze. Onlookers included foreign visitors. At 10:30, when a motor vehicle reached Tar Monastery, Buddhist Music was played, Sutras chanted, and the 12-year-old soul boy in yellow robe reached the gate to the Monastery accompanied by his Parents. Living Buddha Zhaxi and Living Buddha Benba went to greet them, and escorted the soul boy into the Monastery. Monks and lay people present on the occasion prayed and chanted Sutras. A new generation of Living Buddha Angyas was thus born!
In the heyday of Tar Monastery, in Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province, it was home to more than 80 Living Buddhas, including the Living Buddha Angyas, who introduced the Reincarnation system in the 18th century. 1st Living Buddha Angyas. In the early 18th century, Norsang Gunggar was born in Angyas (present-day Ping'an County, Qinghai Province), headquarters of the Chigya Tribe, which was one of the six major tribes under the jurisdiction of the Tar Monastery. He passed examinations for the highest Buddhist academic degree of Geshi when young, and became famous for his rich Knowledge about the open and secret schools of Tibetan Buddhism. When the Chigya Tribe had a Monastery built later, Angyas Geshi Norsang Gunggar was invited to lecture on Buddhist doctrines there. He remained until 1730, when he became the 19th Abbot of the Chuba Zhacang (Tantra School) of Tar Monastery. He then devoted himself to training his disciples.
2nd Living Buddha Angyas. After his Death, his followers worked hard to locate his reincarnated soul boy, later enthroned as the 2nd Living Buddha Angyas Norsang Qoizha. This marked the beginning of Reincarnation in the Living Buddha Angyas system. In 1787, the 2nd Living Buddha Angyas settled down in a place to the south of Shanchogya Village, which evolved into the present-day seat of Ping'an County in 1787. Ten years later, the 2nd Living Buddha Angyas became the 33rd Abbot of the Chuba Zhacang (Tantra School) of Tar Monastery.
3rd Living Buddha Angyas. The 3rd Living Buddha Angyas Jamyang Dainzi Nyima was steeped in Pancavidya (Five studies), and was promoted to be the 60th abbot of Chuba Zhacang in 1843. When serving as the 68th abbot of the Shaqoin Monastery, the birthplace of the Gelug Sect, he won favor from the Monastery Monks. He died while giving lectures on Buddhist Doctrine.
4th Living Buddha Angyas. He was born in Zhizha Town in present-day Hualung in 1874, and was enthroned six years later. He was promoted to be the 60th tutor of the Mangba Zhacang at the age of 21, and later, the 79th abbot of Tar Monastery.
5th Living Buddha Angyas. He was born in 1913 in Ashigung, Guide County (now Hainan Prefecture). He was promoted to be the 89th abbot of Tar Monastery, and later hailed as a patriotic Living Buddha. He died of illness in 1958.
