“The name of Gyaltsab (Regent) is not only a mere name. It is necessary that the name matches its meaning. So one does not need to introduce the meaning of the name with long, wordy explanations, but that it is clear by itself inherently…Nowadays, I deeply feel that it is so rare to have a teacher’s body, speech and mind without any affectation like Gyaltsab Rinpoche, I feel great reverence for him and believe in him deeply. The reason we are able to receive teachings from him in person, is due to eons of karmic accumulation. It can never be just some sheer good luck. ” –17th Gyalwang Karmapa
“Knowing that the purpose of dharma is to dispel negative emotions and the dharma centre is established to serve that purpose, we should understand that even if we can dispel the negative emotion of one being by establishing this dharma centre, it has served the purpose.” –12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche (4th May 2024)
Turning from the Malaysia pilgrimage visits (more on those continued soon), a new page and chapter for the Karma Kagyu began in Indonesia, SE Asia, yesterday with the opening of a new Dharma centre, Goshri Chogar Ling, by the great Karma Kagyu master, 12th Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche, which I was fortunate to attend in person.
As written about in previous articles, I have attended several teachings and empowerments of 12th Goshri Gyaltsab at Ralang and Zurmang Monastery Sikkim, India and at Bokar Monastery, Mirik, and witnessed his giving the red hat ceremony there and in Bodh Gaya. However, the last time I was able to attend his teachings in person was in 2018 at the Kagyu Monlam Bodh Gaya, just before the COVID lockdown. Thus, it was a great joy to be able to attend these events, and also as a first-time visitor to Indonesia, a country that Rinpoche explained has great significance as a place where many great masters visited:
Since last year, Rinpoche looks fragile and much thinner, and he is now 70 years old, so it was inspiring and moving to see him traveling such long distances and still engaging in Dharma activities, despite his age and ill-health. Sharing the blessings and merit!
Goshri Chogar Ling – Batam Island
The new Dharma centre, Goshri Chosgar Ling is located in Batam Island, Indonesia, a short ferry ride of one hour from Singapore, and is led by one of Gyaltsab Rinpoche’s students, Tulku Rinjung Rinpoche (who 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche explained was picked by the 17th Karmapa in a detailed letter he wrote for his discovery). I traveled there alone from Malaysia to Singapore overland by bus and then ferry to Batam.
The main shrine room where Rinpoche conducted purification and aspiration rituals with several monks from Ralang and Rumtek monasteries in attendance, was lovely with a whole set of thangka images on the surrounding walls of the Goshri Gyaltsab lineage (see a selection of photos I took of these below).
Waiting for Rinpoche to arrive outside the centre, it started raining and visions of a huge Vajravarahi appeared covering the whole centre. After Rinpoche arrived, people went upstairs to the main shrine room following Rinpoche. At first, two volunteer staff members (whom I did not know and vice versa) refused to let me go upstairs, stating that only people with VIP passes could enter (which I did not have and had no idea how to get one!). When I told the volunteers that I had travelled a long way to see Rinpoche and that the Dharma should be for everyone, not just VIPs, they still refused. Finally, one of the main organisers (whom I had briefly met) saw the obstacle I was facing and kindly requested they immediately give me one of the VIP passes. Guru Rinpoche to the rescue! 🙂
Finally, once inside during the purification rituals for the centre, with Rinpoche leading, a secret mandala seemed to appear from both the 17th Karmapa and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche’s mind with visions of myself as secret consort, in union with 17th Gyalwang Karmapa surrounded by the yidam deity, Vajravarahi, the Dharma protectors Remati and Mahakala Bernagchen with 12th Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche and the whole lineage of the Goshri surrounding them, gazing at their blissful union and dance/presence with great love, reverence and devotion. Tears of joy and heart-breaking grief started pouring from my eyes as I felt the incredible love, devotion of Gyaltsab Rinpoche for the 17th Karmapa, and a deep sadness that he could not travel and teach freely as before.
For a transcript of the short teaching 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche gave for the opening ceremony (translated into English by Khenpo Lek Thong), see here.
Rinpoche also gave the oral transmission of an Avalokiteshvara practice, in which the great Lord of Compassion fills the whole of space.
In the afternoon, a Mahakala Bernagchen in union with consort, Rangjung Gyalmo ritual was performed by the monastics and devotees, during which the two united Dharma Protectors of the Karmapa and the Karma Kagyu, filled the entire space firmly rooting themselves throughout the whole Dharma centre.
The importance of the Goshri Gyaltsab lineage for the survival of the Karma Kagyu and his unbreakable connection and devotion to the Karmapas
Recently, I wrote the biography of 2nd Goshri Gyaltsab, Tashi Namgyel for Treasury of Lives and it goes without saying that his liberation story is inspiring indeed. He was a key figure in the dispute at that time regarding the recognition of the actual 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (one of the most prolific scholars and masters in the Karmapa lineage) due to an impostor candidate being put forward.
Also, in a moving oral tribute by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa explained (with English and Indonesian subtitles here) without the Goshri Gyaltsab tulku lineage during the time of the 10th Karmapa onwards, when the devastating plundering and destruction by the Mongolian army and violent takeover of Tibet headed up by the Gelugpas caused ‘almost all the Karma Kamtsang monasteries in central Tibet disappeared..and at that time’, the Goshri Gyaltsab was central in importance in ‘governing all the monasteries in central Tibet’ keeping the Dharma alive there with his ‘gentle ‘delicate’ methods. Constantly governing, protecting and propagating the Dharma when the lineage suffered from the ‘calamity’.
Also, in terms of the current 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, the 17th Karmapa explained how he had been the key person in protecting the Dharma teaching halls and retreat centres of Rumtek Monastery during the attempted violent and forceful takeover by 14th Zhamarpa and his followers with the Indian army. This takeover using the Indian military without the permission or knowledge of the Sikkim state, caused Sikkim officials to go on strike for two days (for more on that see Mick Brown’s book and my interview with him here. The 17th Karmapa explained how to this day Gyeltsab Rinpoche has looked after Rumtek monastery well and is without doubt the ‘body, speech and mind’ of the Karmapa and that:
“The name of Gyaltsab (Regent) is not only a mere name. It is necessary that the name matches its meaning. So one does not need to introduce the meaning of the name with long, wordy explanations, but that it is clear by itself inherently….Nowadays, I deeply feel that it is so rare to have a teacher’s body, speech and mind without any affectation like Gyeltsab Rinpoche, I feel great reverence for him and believe in him deeply. The reason we are able to receive teachings from him in person, is due to eons of karmic accumulation. It can never be just some sheer good luck. “
The 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche’s long-time translator-scholar, Khenpo Leg Thong (who kindly assisted me with a translation of Lion-Faced Dakini sadhana by Karma Chagme, which Gyaltsab Rinpoche bestowed to us at Bokar Monastery, Mirik in 2018) wrote a moving tribute in July 2022 to Rinpoche for his 69th birthday in which he described the incomparable devotion he had to the 17th Karmapa, whom he saw as ‘no different in any way physically or mentally’ from his former teacher, 16th Karmapa. Also, here is a teaching 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche gave several years ago in which he explains the meaning of the word devotion (mogu).
Written and compiled by Adele Tomlin, 4th May 2024. Dedicated to the long-life and flourishing Dharma activities of the 12th Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche and the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. Music? Praise to 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche by 17th Karmapa in 2014 (made into a song by Bhutanese singer, Phubzam in 2022).
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