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Two hours away from Chatreng, on the way to Shangrila is a monastery called Radak Chopeling which practices Dorje Shugden. At the moment, there are over 300 monks registered there.
The abbot of Radak Chopeling is Laza Rinpoche, who is from Gaden Shartse. He came to Radak Chopeling at Dorje Shugden’s instructions who, via an oracle, told him to manage the monastery and make it successful. Whilst in Gaden, Laza Rinpoche lived in Trijang Ladrang which is now a part of Shar Gaden.
A close look at the Dorje Shugden statue in this chapel. In front of the statue is a picture of the previous Panchen Lama who, like Radak Chopeling Monastery, also had a close relationship with the Chinese government.
Under Laza Rinpoche’s abbotship, the monastery was relocated from the top of a hill to the bottom. In its previous location, the weather was much colder and harder to bear. As a result, many of the older monks fell ill so the decision was made for the monastery’s relocation. Not only did Laza Rinpoche oversee the construction done by the monks, but he also fund-raised and sold whatever possessions he had in order to contribute to the construction efforts.
With his good public relations skills, Laza Rinpoche has also gained government support for the monastery. The government endorsed Radak Chopeling as a tourist attraction and built roads to the area, so tourists can access it easily. As a result, the monastery now has a source of income and the monks can focus more on their studies, and less on administrative worries.
In this way, Laza Rinpoche has been fulfilling Dorje Shugden’s instructions to him to make the monastery successful. He is very dedicated to Dorje Shugden, and very devoted to his Gurus – when he received the Protector’s instructions to serve Radak Chopeling, he left without any qualms, despite having to leave his friends and his beloved Gaden behind. Because of his care for the monastic community and untiring efforts to spread the Buddhadharma, Laza Rinpoche is well-respected by the monks and people of Chatreng.
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| The exterior of the new Radak Chopeling Monastery at the bottom of the hill. It was moved here, from its original location, because the weather here is much more agreeable for the older monks’ health. |
Shuduk Chongge Rinpoche’s throne. As is traditional, a big mandala representing the universe is offered up to the throne. |
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| Laza Rinpoche, the current abbot of Radak Chopeling Monastery whose dedication to Dorje Shugden has helped to preserve and spread the Dharma in this remote region of Tibet. |
Main prayer hall (gompa) of Radak Chopeling Monastery. The monks are in the midst of Palden Lhamo prayers. Palden Lhamo is considered the principle Protectress of Tibet, and the consort of Mahakala. |
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| All Tibetan monasteries have Protector chapels dedicated specifically to their Protector practices. As Dorje Shugden practitioners, Radak Chopeling Monastery has a Dorje Shugden chapel. In the main altar of this chapel, they have statues of his main form and his entourage. |
Two of the cardinal emanations of Dorje Shugden as Shize (left, peaceful form) and Gyenze (right, increase form). Pictures of high lamas like the previous Panchen Lama (bottom left of Shize) and Gangchen Rinpoche (to Shize’s right) are placed around the statues. |
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| Dorje Shugden as Wangze (left, control form) and Trakze (right, wrathful form). Many offerings are made to these beautiful statues daily. |
As they reside in the same mandala, wherever there are statues of Dorje Shugden, there are also images of Setrab. Radak Chopeling is no different – in their Protector chapel, they also have a large Setrab statue accompanied by his entourage. |
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| Setrab statue covered with khata offerings. As the fierce form of Amitabha (whose practice is very popular throughout China), Setrab has a close connection with the Chinese. In the Chatreng area, the population are very devoted to both Setrab and Dorje Shugden. |
One of Setrab’s entourage, covered with many khata offerings. |
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| Antique thangkas of 1000-Arm Chenrezig, Yamantaka and Manjushri. |
Photos of Laza Rinpoche with top Chinese government officials. Thanks to Laza Rinpoche’s efforts, the Chinese government has contributed a lot to the establishment of the new Radak Chopeling Monastery. They built roads for easier access to the monastery and have also promoted the monastery as a tourist destination. This gives the monastery a source of income so they have fewer worries about raising funds. |
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| The new monk quarters at the bottom of the hills. Thanks to government support, Radak Chopeling can provide much better facilities for their monks. |
A typical monk’s room. Notice the thangka of Dorje Shugden hanging behind the bed, where Dorje Shugden is painted as the principle deity. |
Another of Setrab’s entourage.
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