Kham, Tibet

This is H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche's personal monastery in the Chatreng district in Kham, Tibet. Dorje Shugden is the special Protector of this monastery.

Hundreds of monks and thousands of lay people from this region have been very devoted to Trijang Rinpoche and the practice of Dorje Shugden for hundreds of years. They continue to preserve and uphold the practices and lineage very closely to this day.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said: "Trijang Rinpoche's reliance on Gyalchen is not something he had begun in this life, for he has relied on him since his previous incarnation and there is no need for him to stop now".

Current exterior of Sampheling Monastery on the hill, with a view of Chatreng town.

The monastery was destroyed and left in smoking ruins during the Cultural Revolution of the 1950s but has since been restored and reconstructed.

Background

Sampheling was built in 1669 at the advice and support of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. It was not until 1881 when the monastery grew in fame – its Abbot Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was enthroned as the Gaden Tripa and appointed the tutor of the 9th Dalai Lama.

As the Gaden Tripa, Trijang Rinpoche became the head of the Gelugpa lineage. Sampheling therefore became known as the monastery which had produced a master so erudite, he was considered Tsongkhapa’s representative on this earth.

Originally located in the town area, Sampheling was moved to the hills of Chatreng in 1995. As of 2011, this renowned monastery has over 700 monks registered with them.

Thus, with the exception of a brief period during the 1950s, Sampheling has been an active monastery for over 350 years, keeping Tsongkhapa’s tradition alive in this remote region of Tibet.

Main Buildings

As the home and school of over 700 monks, Sampheling’s main buildings comprise of:

Main Gompa

Another view of Sampheling’s main gompa.

There are usually many ways to access a monastery’s main gompa but the main gate is often the most elaborate. This is the main gate leading into Sampheling’s main gompa and courtyard. The whole gate was handcrafted by the local people in Chatreng.	A side entrance of gompa. As you can see, whilst still elaborately decorated, this gate is less ornate than the main gate.
A closer look at the main gate leading to the main gompa.	As the founder of their lineage, Gelug monasteries will always have a statue of Lama Tsongkhapa on the main altar of their gompa.
Exterior of the main gompa of Sampheling.	Another view of Sampheling’s main gompa.
This was taken from the side of the gompa. To the right of the gompa is Tsongkhapa Hall.	Entrance to the main gompa.
On the main altar of their gompa, they have large statues of Tsongkhapa, Maitreya and Shakyamuni Buddha.	In Sampheling, their main image of Lama Tsongkhapa in their gompa is three-stories high.
As with all statues in Sampheling, Lama Tsongkhapa is covered in rich silk brocade and surrounded by richly-carved, ornate pillars and beams befitting of an offering to the Buddhas.	Being a real monastery practicing the authentic Buddhadharma, Sampheling also pays the highest respects to their teachers. On the main altar of their main gompa is a 5ft statue of their former abbot Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
A 10ft statue of Heruka Chakrasamvara in their main gompa.	A life-sized statue of Yamantaka, also 10 feet in height.

In the centre of the gompa is a throne for Trijang Rinpoche, ready for his current incarnation to come back to give teachings. People come from all over the Kham region to make khata offerings to his throne and be blessed.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche also has a throne in Sampheling’s main gompa. As instructed by Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche spent 12 years teaching in Sampheling.

The reason for Zong Rinpoche’s stay at Sampheling is one of great interest. Prior to his arrival at Sampheling, Zong Rinpoche was previously the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery. In the monastery, there were some items being kept that, in order to be used, required the permission of the Tibetan government.

As the abbot, Zong Rinpoche objected to this. Zong Rinpoche believed that since the items were used by the Sangha, therefore as head of the Sangha, the abbots should be the ones who make the decision on when the items can be used.

Unhappy with what Zong Rinpoche said, the Tibetan government moved to dethrone Zong Rinpoche from his position as abbot. His Guru Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche compassionately did a divination. It showed that if Zong Rinpoche were to go to Sampheling to teach, he would benefit countless sentient beings and his fame would grow far and wide.

As a result, Trijang Rinpoche instructed his student to travel to remote Chatreng. For 12 years, Zong Rinpoche remained in Sampheling, tirelessly spreading the Dharma. He became renown for his ability to teach and touch all levels of minds.

He is also remembered for his healing abilities, and for the many miraculous signs he showed whilst he was there. Thus his Guru’s prediction would prove to be very accurate.

The main gompa of Sampheling Monastery also has a throne for Dagom Rinpoche, and for the Oracle to take trance of the Protector Dorje Shugden.	Whenever possible, all monasteries in Tibet will fill every space available to them with something related to the Dharma. Sampheling is no different, with its extensive wall paintings and murals covering every inch of the monastic walls. In the main gompa, there is a wall painting of HH Kybaje Zong Rinpoche, HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and HH Lakar Rinpoche.
The monks of the monastery are particularly fond of this detailed painting of Trijang Rinpoche and his previous incarnations.	In the main gompa are wall paintings of Dorje Shugden and his entourage.

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it is considered extremely auspicious to have a painting of your Guru and his previous incarnations in any place that has religious activities. It is believed that when such images exist, the students create the causes for all of their Guru’s good works in his previous life, to continue into this life.

There is a story behind this thangka which the Sampheling monks like to tell. The artist commissioned to do paintings in Sampheling refused to paint anything other than a mural of Trijang Rinpoche and his previous lives. On the day he finished this very painting, on his way home, the artist met with a car accident and died.

The monks and laypeople of Chatreng say this was incredibly auspicious for the artist, because last thing he ever did was paint images of Trijang Rinpoche. That is to say, the artist died doing Dharma work. The monks of Sampheling speak of this incident in such a way that indicates they too wish they may be able to pass away in the same manner as the artist (doing Dharma at the time of death).

As they are from the same mandala, both Dorje Shugden and Setrab are the Dharma Protectors of Sampheling Monastery. In this wall painting, Setrab is depicted together with his entourage.

Old Protector Chapel

The Old Protector Chapel in the main building of Sampheling.	The main statue of Dorje Shugden in their chapel. For over 300 years, Sampheling has prayed to and invoked the blessings of this powerful Dharma Protector.
Dorje Shugden as Gyenze (increase form).	Dorje Shugden as Shize (peaceful form).
One of Setrab’s entourage.	Kang dze offering to the Protector. As a wrathful offering of implements to the Protector, this wall painting only has an outline of the Protector’s accoutrements, and not the Protector himself. Kang dze offerings are made to generate the causes for the Protector to do his work smoothly and swiftly. That is, we offer the things the Protector needs in order to accomplish his tasks.

Setrab and his entourage.

High Lama's Private Rooms

An ornately carved frame decorates the entrance to Trijang Rinpoche’s private room.	Wall Painting of Trijang Rinpoche’s previous lives in his private room.
Trijang Rinpoche’s private bedroom, kept ready for when his current incarnation is able to come back to visit (due to his previous incarnation’s status as the Dalai Lama’s tutor, the current Trijang Rinpoche cannot visit Tibet).	Trijang Rinpoche’s bedchamber, painted in pure gold as an offering to their lama. Notice the number of khata offerings still being made in his private bedroom, long after his previous incarnation passed into clear light. Aware of how highly attained he is, and grateful for the benefits and Dharma he has brought to this remote region of Tibet, the people of Chatreng have strong faith in and devotion to Trijang Rinpoche and his personal Protector Dorje Shugden.
Sampheling also keeps prepared a special, private room for HH Denma Gonsa Rinpoche. Under the previous abbot Kensur Jampa Tharlam, Denma Gonsa Rinpoche visited Sampheling many times to give extensive teachings.	Zong Rinpoche also has a private room in Sampheling Monastery.

The monastery has a private room for another high lama, HH Lakar Rinpoche.

Trijang Rinpoche's Stupa

HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s holy stupa which contains relics of his previous incarnation. As Trijang Rinpoche is considered to be an emanation of Vajrayogini, this stupa is worthy of making offerings and prostrations to.	Holy signs have appeared on the stupa, indicating the presence of a great being who practiced compassion.

Trijang Rinpoche’s image spontaneously began to form on one of the precious stones made as an offering on the stupa.

Amitabha Hall

Amitabha Hall which can fit over 2000 people.	In any monastery, the monks and artists will paint and include Buddha images wherever possible. Every inch of the monastery will also be ornately carved and decorated, as an offering to the Buddhas.

New Tsongkhapa Hall

Exterior of Tsongkhapa Hall which, like the Amitabha Hall, can fit over 2000 people.	All Buddhist traditions have a custom of building as large statues as possible. They do this so that beings from very many miles away can see the image and plant seeds of enlightenment in their minds. At 33 metres and located in the hills of Chatreng, Tsongkhapa’s serene gaze looks over the region to bless the population.
The main image in the Tsongkhapa hall is a 33-metre statue of Je Tse Zin Ma (Long Life Tsongkhapa). Hand-built by devoted people of Chatreng, they have also offered their jewellery and other precious items to be inserted into this statue. Upon its completion, it will be the tallest Tsongkhapa statue in the world. Incredibly, this statue of Tsongkhapa (and Sampheling Monastery of course), has been built on little more than the people’s devotion. Chatreng is one of Tibet’s poorer towns, where the majority of the population earns a living harvesting truffles and wheatgrass for three months out of the year.	Chatreng is also not popular with visitors, being in a remote region, and therefore Sampheling does not benefit from tourist-generated income. Understanding this makes the rebuilding and continued operations of the monastery so much more impressive, given their lack of regular funding and government support.

New Dorje Shugden Chapel at Tsongkhapa Hall

In their Tsongkhapa Hall, they have another Dorje Shugden statue. It contains a 15ft Dorje Shugden statue with statues of his entourage. It is a sign of the people of Chatreng’s continuing devotion in Dorje Shugden, and an indication that the ban does not affect their faith in their Protector.

People from all over Chatreng and the neighbouring towns come to seek the blessings of Dorje Shugden, just as they have done for hundreds of years. Their faith in Dorje Shugden and Trijang Rinpoche is such that they continue to build and make images of him, despite knowing that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has banned the practice. In Chatreng however, there is no sign that the practice is waning and in fact, there is a reversal of the situation whereby anti-Dorje Shugden practitioners are seen as having failed in their devotion of Trijang Rinpoche.	Dorje Shugden in the form of Shize, his cardinal emanation representing peace. Sitting astride a white elephant, Shize’s practice is particularly efficacious for pacifying negative karma and for healing.
Dorje Shugden in the form of Gyenze, his cardinal emanation representing increase. Riding on a horse, Gyenze’s practice results in the increase of anything, including wealth, wisdom, lifespan, generosity and other virtuous qualities.	Carrying a noose and sitting on a turquoise dragon, the control form of Dorje Shugden known as Wangze helps us tame and subdue difficult minds, so we can apply the teachings with more focus. Wangze is helpful for overcoming very difficult situations that we cannot control by ordinary means.

This is the most wrathful form of Dorje Shugden’s emanations, known as Trakze. He is very swift in helping us overcome the strongest of negative obstacles, maras and evil sprits that harm practitioners. His practice is given to those only in the most dangerous, life-threatening situations where swift compassionate fierce energy is needed to quickly tame the situation.

Activities in Sampheling Monastery

Umze (chant leader) during the puja. The monks are reciting texts written by great masters that have been recited in Sampheling for hundreds of years. Pujas like these are a regular part of their monastic schedules, alongside the study of texts by masters like Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose works still form the core curriculum of institutions like Gaden right up to this day.

As a stronghold of Dorje Shugden practitioners, the Sampheling monks hold regular Grand Pujas propitiating Dorje Shugden’s blessings.	The Vajra Dance is performed in Sampheling every year during Losar (Tibetan New Year) and takes place over a period of three days. The dance was taught by the previous Trijang Rinpoche and before he passed away, he instructed his students to continue to do the dance well every single year, because it will clear obstacles for the monastery. Every year during the dance, an eagle will be seen circling the courtyard three times. It is said that the eagle is an emanation of Trijang Rinpoche himself, observing the dance from above. After the eagle has completed circling three times, it will fly away. The eagle only appears once a year, during the dance.
Since obstacles can be cleared by the recitation of mantras (verbal), doing Dharma work (physical) and mental transformation, it is definitely possible that they can be cleared through cosmic dance.	The annual Vajra Dance at Sampheling is a spectacular event, and attracts an audience from all over Chatreng and its neighbouring towns.

Everyone packs into the monastery, standing on the rooftops and filling every available space, to catch a glimpse of this spectacular event.

Current Great Masters of Sampheling Monastery - Kensur Lobsang Chojin

Kensur Lobsang Chojin is the ex-Abbot of Sampheling (before Kensur Jampa Tharlam, see below), and a student of the previous Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. It was during his tenure that Sampheling was relocated and under his abbotship, he was in charge of planning and ensuring the completion of the new Sampheling.

Kensur Rinpoche also organised the escort that would guide and guard His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his escape out of Tibet. At just 20 years old, Kensur Rinpoche received instructions from Dorje Shugden to see the Dalai Lama safely to exile. With full faith and trust in his Dharma Protector, he organised the Chushi Gangdruk warriors and together, they risked their lives to be the front-liners paving the way for the entourage to escape.

Kensur Rinpoche said that he is not surprised the Dalai Lama carried a Dorje Shugden thangka with him out of Tibet into India. He said that Trijang Rinpoche had given a lot of Dorje Shugden items to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Now that the Dalai Lama has banned the very Protector who instructed these brave monks to keep him safe. Such an act hurts Kensur Rinpoche very much but he does not bear ANY ill feelings towards the Dalai Lama.

Interview with Kensur Lobsang Chojin

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View video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5cwPrlc6g

Current Great Masters of Sampheling Monastery - Kensur Jampa Tharlam

In 2002, Kensur Jampa Tharlam was chosen by Dorje Shugden to become abbot. During his term, Kensur Rinpoche invited many highly attained lamas to Sampheling to give extensive teachings, including Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche and Pabongkha Rinpoche. They gave Dorje Shugden teachings and initiations to the monks and people of Chatreng.

Interview with Kensur Jampa Tharlam

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View video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FzUVK13KUg

An Inspirational Layperson: Ajeka

If Kensur Lobsang Chojin was the planner of the new Sampheling, then Ajeka was the one who ensured everything went according to plan. Being the main person in charge of the project, Ajeka was responsible for everything from fundraising to the building of statues.

Ajeka was a former County Head, and the former Minister of Transport in Chatreng. Despite being a layperson and having a family, Ajeka has also worked full-time for Sampheling for over 30 years. He brings his own lunch and dinner to ‘work’ and has always refused a stipend. According to all Buddhist traditions, if it is meritorious to offer to the Sangha, then taking from the Sangha will generate demerit. It is on this basis that Ajeka says he only wants to offer to the Sangha…he will not even take a piece of bread from them!

As a student of the previous Trijang Rinpoche, Ajeka carries on his Guru’s legacy and work. He was entirely in charge of building the new Sampheling – all of the beautiful photos and information that we’ve had the privilege of presenting above is due to Ajeka’s hard work and pure devotion to his teacher. He oversaw everything, including:

Consider how many of us have the merits for a close connection with our lamas, and the opportunity to receive teachings. Consider how many of us are turning such a precious opportunity into positive results towards the spread of the Dharma and our Protector practice. Consider how many of us are able to offer an entire monastery to the Sangha, as the result of our life’s work and the immeasurable amounts of merit that Ajeka has generated as a result of his deep devotion.

Ajeka is very highly respected in Chatreng, for his devotion to his Guru, Protector and the Dharma. His dedication is so apparent through his works, and the way in which he has spent his whole life serving the Dharma. Ajeka is an inspiring example of a person who does not need to wear robes in order to command respect – in Chatreng, Ajeka is a layperson who is treated with the same respect as a high lama. The people are well aware of his devotion and dedication to the cause of spreading the Dharma.

Interview with Ajeka

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View video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27S-yPNWTB8