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The enthronement of the 20th Denma Gongsa Rinpoche 31 July 2014 marks a day of rejoicing as the world celebrates the return of the great Dharma master, H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, and his enthronement in Gonsa Monastery in Tibet. The previous Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was a highly respected Lama who chose to remain in Tibet during difficult times. Through his great efforts and sincerity in spreading the Dharma, the previous (19th) Denma Gonsa Rinpoche became one of the most respected Lamas, by both Tibetans and Chinese. Readers' Comments
The previous Denma Gonsa Rinpoche entered clear light in 2005, but the local populace have not lost faith nor forgotten the great deeds of this master. attended the enthronement ceremony of the 20th Denma Gonsa Rinpoche on 31 July 2014. The pomp and grandeur of the ceremony was especially moving in the light of the fact Tibetans are not wealthy. For them to offer so much towards their lama and his enthronement ceremony, which was held in the traditional manner, indicates that Tibetan culture and faith in their religion remains strong in Tibet. It is indeed a joyful occasion that Dorje Shugden practitioners in Tibet are allowed to welcome the new incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, one of our lineage’s lamas. We rejoice that yet another Dorje Shugden lama has been officially enthroned. Through the blessings of the lineage masters and pure aspirations from previous lives, may this incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche continue his previous lives’ works to preserve and spread the holy teachings of Je Tsongkhapa, bring benefit to the people of Tibet and China, and remain with us for a very long time. An enthronement of a Rinpoche is the formal recognition of a particular child or adult to be the incarnation of a particular lama or Rinpoche from a previous life. This unmistaken child is found by a search party that is formed by the close students of that lama, who are usually part of the Labrang private office) of that lama. The selection process is a particularly arduous task of examining prophesies, dreams and divinations of greatly clairvoyant masters like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the Dorje Shugden oracle and sometimes close disciples of that particular lama who have very clean samaya (guru-disciple relationship). Then, based on those observations and conclusions, candidates are shortlisted, interviewed and observed. During the interview, one of the tests involves the candidates identifying personal objects that used to belong to their previous life. These personal objects are displayed along with other items, and the candidate is asked to pick out his personal belongings. The candidates are shortlisted based on behavioral observations and if he picks out the right objects. The unmistaken incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was recognized by four great masters of the Gelug lineage:
Below are images and videos of the enthronement ceremony contributed by the public. We hope you will rejoice with us in the return of this lama who will no doubt grow up to become a strong proponent of Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition and Dorje Shugden’s practice.
Pre-EnthronementThe crowd arrivesThousands of people, many travelling great distances, made their way to the monastery grounds a few days ahead of the actual enthronement. The number of white tents increased daily, covering the plains like a small city. Because of the sheer volume of people wishing to pay homage to and receive blessings from the new incarnation of Denma Gonsar Rinpoche, the monastery had to hold the ceremony in the open air in order to accommodate everyone. Remember that the number of people in attendance – 200,000 Dorje Shugden practitioners – grossly outweighed the total number of Tibetans in exile… A grand temporary entrance was built specially for Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s enthronement ceremony People from all over Tibet, China, and other parts of the world travelled to Denma Monastery as early as one week before the enthronement date Traditional Tibetan tents erected as a temporary living space. Being nomadic in nature, this was a very simple process for most Tibetans Much credit has to be given to Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s Labrang (personal household and office) who held the ceremony, for their organizational skills. Sangha members came from all over Tibet, to witness this historic occasion – the return of their lama, and the enthronement of his new incarnation Cars queued for kilometres and kilometres, full of Dorje Shugden practitioners and devotees wishing to get a blessing from this holy lama In the distance on the left is the yellow pavilion tent set up for Denma Gonsa Rinpoche The authorities were aware of this event (as indicated by this police vehicle) and allowed the enthronement ceremony to take place In the distance is Denma Gonsa Monastery. The monastery houses the world’s largest Tsongkhapa statue, at 101ft tall and the largest Dorje Shugden statue in Tibet, at 18ft tall. In his previous life, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche was a strong proponent of Dorje Shugden’s practice, a fact which clearly has not harmed or prevented his incarnation from returning The monastery is no stranger to elaborate festivals like this. They had previously hosted a Grand Prayer Festival which was attended by 40,000 to 50,000 Dorje Shugden devotees and students of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche The numbers of tents increase by the day, covering the field like a small city The grandly decorated vehicle which will transport Denma Gonsa Rinpoche on enthronement day
The Arrival of Denma Gonsa RinpocheDenma Gonsa Rinpoche with Gangchen Rinpoche. At such a young age and surrounded by so many people, his unperturbed, serious nature indicates this boy is not an ordinary being Denma Gonsa Rinpoche makes his way to the monastery Like many vehicles, the one pictured here bears an image of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s main protector, Dorje Shugden Posters of the previous Denma Gonsa Rinpoche (left) and his heart practice, Dorje Shugden (right) Massive crowds greet the reincarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche as he toured the town The entourage of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, comprising over 150 cars. Wherever the cars went, crowds lined the streets hoping to capture a glimpse of their teacher who has returned The lay people are all prepared to receive their Guru’s reincarnation Tibetan men carry placards bearing the pictures of the previous Denma Gongsa Rinpoche (right) and Dorje Shugden (left) in joyful proclamation of their allegiance to their lama and protector Denma Gonsa Rinpoche arrives in the monastery Every available space is filled with a devotee trying to catch a glimpse of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche. Faith and guru devotion remains strong in this part of Tibet, and especially amongst Shugden practitioners. Clearly the CTA’s illogical ban and ridiculous edicts have no influence here The crowd is cleared as Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s vehicle approaches and the monks rush to lay out the carpet to welcome their lama Thousands of people, both ordained and lay, greet Denma Gonsa Rinpoche. Notice the police presence in the foreground, providing protection for the young lama and crowd control. His security and personal safety was taken very seriously, considering his status as a Dorje Shugden lama Denma Gonsa Rinpoche walks through the crowd (under the yellow parasol) The crowd strain to catch a glimpse of their teacher who has returned to turn the wheel of Dharma Lama Gangchen Rinpoche was also present for the enthronement ceremony The young incarnation is invited back to the monastery with incense, khatas, traditional music and adulation as befitting a grand lama of his incarnation status A mandala is offered directly to the young incarnation to create the cause for wealth and resources so that the lama can benefit many beings in the future The young incarnation reads from old Tibetan texts easily, once again displaying openly that he is the unmistaken incarnation Large portraits of the 10th Panchen Lama Gendun Chokyi Nyima (left) and the current 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu (right) grace the prayer hall to represent the blessings of the lineage lamas Denma Gonsa Rinpoche sitting on the throne prepared specially for Him
Video: Devotees arrive for Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s enthronement ceremony{hwdvs-player}id=316|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} Watch the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htgKl5zsMcw
Enthronement DayGathering in the early morning for the enthronement ceremony Crowds lined the road to greet their teacher Crowds lined the road to greet their teacher Crowds lined the road to greet their teacher Crowds lined the road to greet their teacher Crowds lined the road to greet their teacher Many more placards held by many people declaring their undying faith and allegiance to the lama, Denma Gongsa Rinpoche (second from the left) and protector, Dorje Shugden (first, third, fourth and fifth from the left) Denma Gonsa Rinpoche is ushered into the ceremonial location with traditional pomp and circumstance Ordained and lay people come bearing khatas, offerings and statues like this Amitayus in a symbolic gesture of requesting him to live long and spread the Dharma far and wide Many high lamas with close connections with Denma Gonsa Rinpoche were present, among them Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
Video: Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s Enthronement in Tibet{hwdvs-player}id=317|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} View the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0e87cfotWw
Video: Over 200,000 people attended Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s enthronement ceremony{hwdvs-player}id=318|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} View the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETujeMa987w
Video: Denma Gonsar Rinpoche Reincarnation’s Enthronement Ceremony (Full){hwdvs-player}id=319|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} View the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLMXp0YCgOU
Update March 2, 2015Here are some recent photos and videos of an event held at Denma Gonsa Rinpoche’s monastery. The young Rinpoche is seen confidently leading thousands of Dorje Shugden devotees in prayers.
Video: Denma Gonsar Rinpoche Reincarnation’s Leads Devotees in Prayers{hwdvs-player}id=320|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} View the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtfgwH7kXn4
Video: Devotees Queue to Be Blessed By Denma Gonsar Rinpoche’s Reincarnation{hwdvs-player}id=321|height=450|width=600|tpl=playeronly{/hwdvs-player} View the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg23ahaxeIs
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