Saturday, February 16, 2013

One of My Mentors

In order to ensure my readers that I am not spouting faulty information, and that I am being taught by people of credibility when it comes to Buddhism, I would like to introduce one of my Buddhist mentors. This man is the founder of the Emaho Foundation, has received extensive teachings from the Dalai Lama himself, and is very skilled in communicating Buddhism to Western audiences. I am very lucky to be taught by this man! Without further ado, allow me to introduce ZaChoeje Rinpoche.


Here is a short biography of the Rinpoche, taken completely from the Emaho Foundation's website (http://www.emahofoundation.org/rinpoche.html).
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Za Choeje Rinpoche Tenzin Lobsang Dhamchoe was born in 1968. Rinpoche grew up on a small farm with his grandparents. The local village Lama presented Him the birthname of “Choejor Dhondup (Accomplished Spiritual Abundance)”. As a young boy, Rinpoche discovered a love for Tibetan folk tales and spent many hours reading ancient stories to elders in the neighborhood. His enthusiasm of Tibetan literature inspired him to join the Tibetan Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, Varanasi, India in 1982. 

A year into His studies, at the age of 16, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama recognized Him as the 6th reincarnation of Hor Choeje Rinpoche of Eastern Tibet. He was formally enthroned in 1983 as the 6th Za Choeje Rinpoche at Tehor Khamtsen in Sera Monastery. Under the guidance of His Holiness and Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, He received extensive training in the traditional Tibetan Buddhist method of listening, contemplation and meditation.

In 1985, Rinpoche joined Drepung Loseling Monastic University, in South India, and studied the “Five Major Buddhist Treatises” under the supervision of: Master Khensur Rinpoche Yeshe Thupten, Venerable Shakor Khen Rinpoche Gen Nyima, and Tehor Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Nyima. Graduating first of his class, he received the Geshe Lharampa degree in 1996, after completing the full monastic curriculum.

In addition to Rinpoche’s monastic training, He received hundreds of empowerments and initiations in the Vajrayana tradition from the great Masters Kyabje Lochoe Rinpoche and Kirti Tsenshap Rinpoche.

He also received the entire oral transmission of Kan-gyur and Ten-gyur scriptural texts from Master Kyabje Pannang Rinpoche. In 1997, Rinpoche joined Gyumed Tantric College to further his training of highest Yoga Tantra and its ritual practices.

Rinpoche came to the United States for the first time in 1998 to lead the Mystical Arts of Tibet Tour sponsored by Richard Gere Foundation. During summer semester he taught Tibetan Culture and Philosophy at Emory University, in Atlanta. Rinpoche was further invited to speak at many other universities throughout the country.

In 2001, Rinpoche, together with some well wishers and Dharma students, founded Emaho Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he currently resides. Emaho's main mission is to assist with individuals’ spiritual development, and to support humanitarian projects. Rinpoche has taught in the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and many other countries. His style of conversing, with laughter and openness, generates a comfortable environment for all people. One of most simple yet profound pieces of advice he often gives is “stop struggling against the struggles in life.” His unique skill of teaching, and his ability to apply these teachings into daily lives, has helped many spiritual practitioners throughout the world.

Together with co-author Ashley Nebelsieck, he wrote the book “The Backdoor to Enlightenment”, which is available in multiple countries and several different languages.

In 2006, Rinpoche made a historical visit to Tehor Region in Eastern Tibet. Thousands of people with 400 horsemen greeted him with a traditional welcome ceremony. The whole village filled with joy as they celebrated his homecoming with several days of picnic and dances. Although his main activity is teaching Dharma, Rinpoche also supports the Monastic and Lay community of the Zakhog region in Eastern Tibet. He travels extensively, teaching throughout the world doing humanitarian projects and supporting individual spiritual growth.
The 6th ZaChoeje Rinpoche:
"Since I hold the title of ZaChoeje Rinpoche, it is my responsibility to look after the people of Tehor and give them guidance for their future and their children's future. Some of the monasteries in the Tehor region, that were founded by my previous, are rebuilt from the outside, but are still in need of much more work to make them complete. Healthcare in that region is severely outdated with common illnesses resulting in death or permanent damage. Educational facilities are sparse and many families are unable to afford to send their children to school. It is my goal to continue, as my predecessors have, to provide assistance to the people of Tibet, especially now in these difficult times when the future of Tibetan culture and heritage is on the verge of collapsing."

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