Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche: Difference between revisions

The unbroken line of the Gharwang Tulkus begins in the 14th century with the great siddha Trang Mase, the first Gharwang Tulku and founder of the [[Surmang|Zurmang]] Kagyu tradition and Zurmang Monastery. He was identified by the Fifth Gyalwa Karmapa, Deshin Shegpa as the omniscient emanation of the Indian mahasiddha [[Tilopa]]. This was the fulfillment of Tilopa’s prediction made after he received teachings directly from Vajrayogini in the Western land of Uddiyana, in which he had pledged to return to spread these teachings widely, after they had been transmitted through thirteen successive lineage holders. Before Tilopa’s return this set of teachings was to be limited to a one to one transmission from each lineage holder to the next, and only upon Tilopa’s later emanation as the first Gharwang Tulku were they opened up to a larger audience. These teachings form the core of the Zurmang Ear Whispered Lineage (zur mang snyan rgyud) also known as the Dakini Hearing Lineage (mkha’ ‘gro snyan rgyud).

A few months later, the Royal Princess delivered her predicted son at her residence in Gangtok. At dawn Rinpoche’s parents had dispatched a messenger to go to Rumtek 24km away to inform H.H. the Karmapa of the new arrival. However, before the messenger could leave the house, the late Saljay Rinpoche, the Karmapa’s emissary, with a party of monks was already at the door, bearing gifts and a letter containing the Karmapa’s blessings for the newborn child. Even more bewildering was that at the time when the new tulku was born, the mother of the previous Gharwang, living in Tibet, was heard joyously announcing that, "Rinpoche had returned. He is born in a warm country where fruits and flowers grow in abundance, and in the midst of bird song." Her description of the environment surrounding the birth of the new incarnation aptly befitted Sikkim. 



In 1976, shortly after his eleventh birthday, Gharwang Rinpoche was installed on the Lion Throne as the Twelfth Zurmang Gharwang. The ceremony took place in the Assembly Hall of the Dharma Chakra Center in the presence of His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa. It was well attended by many incarnate tulkus, monks, and state dignitaries. Hundreds of well-wishers and devotees came from far and wide to witness the auspicious event. 
During During the ceremonial installation, His Holiness the Karmapa gave Gharwang Rinpoche his name, "Karma Gharwang Chochung Tenpa Namgyal Thinley Kunkhyab Pal Zangpo," which means The Victorious Protector of Buddha Dharma With Excellent Qualities and All-Pervasive, Auspicious Activities. In addition, His Holiness the Karmapa also predicted the founding of a new Zurmang Kagyu monastery outside Tibet which would become an important center for the teaching and practice of the Buddha Dharma. 


Among his many illustrious teachers were the late Kaly Rinpoche, the late H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the late Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the late Khenchen Pema Pedtse Rinpoche, Sharmapa, Situpa, and Gyaltsapa. In addition, he studied under the guidance of renowned Buddhist scholars such as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso, as well as Khenchen Chodak Tenphel.