Melong with Gyangkhang Rinpoche

Melong has been in Taiwan, and this past week had the opportunity to spend time with Gyangkhang Rinpoche, in Taipei. Here, he has blessed the crystal bracelet Melong received from Tarthang Siddha Rinpoche in China, last year.

Long Life Prayer for Tenpa Rinpoche

Here is a long life prayer for Tenpa Rinpoche composed by one of his students:

Prayer for Long Life of Tulku Urgyan Tenpa Rinpoche

With compassionate prescience, you took rebirth
On the very day destruction violated the Tibetan border:
You, the fearless shepherd of frightened beings in flight.

As a child in a land with little Dharma
The Buddhas themselves were your teachers
Bestowing the confidence of self-arising awareness.

You greeted the wanderers when they arrived
Giving to each the symbolic seed of their future activity:
Always, you were their guardian and conductor.

Of fortunate birth and noble lineage
You kept secret the name that might have brought you comfort
And concealed yourself within the dance of wisdom.

You upheld the traditions in the most troubled hours
You were the well-placed guide for Padmasambhava’s sons:
You, the heart emanation of kings and heroes.

Those who give refuge to all beings
Themselves found refuge in you,
Disguised as a whispering mirror at our side.

With perfect devotion we pray for your long life
Moreover, we beg you to look quickly upon us with mercy:
Urgyan Tenpa Rinpoche, Guardian of Nyingma in the West,
Look quickly, for we are suffering!
Cast your ocean eyes upon us all
From the azure blue sky of intelligence that is emptiness.

Torma at Kurukulle Empowerment

This is a snapshot from the recent Kurukulle empowerment, mentioned in previous posts.

Kurukulle Empowerment

Rigzin Dorje Rinpoche, son and successor of the late Terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa (pictured above), gave the first full empowerment in the U.S. to his father's Kurukulle cycle of practice in El Cerrito, California this afternoon. Three nuns and a monk, the lotsawa, the patron and his friend, and nine others attended.

Protective Amulet for Earthquakes

You can copy this image, print it out, paste it up on the wall, and consider it empowered for use. This may be helpful for the earthquake that will hit China around May next year.

Latest News On Chinese Tulku Regulation

National religious affairs administrators revealed a new regulation regarding the reincarnation of the Living Buddha in China's Tibet Autonomous Region yesterday. The regulation will enter into force as of September 1.

The regulation by the State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) contains 14 articles, stating the principles, conditions, and procedures concerning the reincarnation as well as the penalties for those who disobey regulations, according to SARA's website.

This move indicates that China will increase legal support toward the administration of the Living Buddha. The head of SARA, Ye Xiaowen, said in his statement that the regulation was passed on July 13, and will enter into force as of September 1.

There are three principal conditions for the Living Buddha. Most local religious followers and Lama temple administrative organizations should require his reincarnation; the reincarnation system should be valid and passed on up to date; the temple requiring Living Buddha's reincarnation must be a unique and legal temple suitable for nurturing and supporting the Living Buddha.

The regulation also states that the Living Buddha has to be initially approved by the religious affairs department of the autonomous region or province. If the Living Buddha has great impact on Tibetan Buddhism, he will be examined and approved by the government of the autonomous region or province. If his influence is significant then he has to be approved by the SARA and the State Council. The regulation also states that upon approving such an application, governments should solicit opinions from relevant Buddhist associations.

If there is any self-claimed Living Buddha without government and religious affairs department approval, this said reincarnation would be illegal and invalid, the regulation states.

The Living Buddha, also known as tülku or sprul-sku, is a Tibetan Buddhist lama who has consciously decided to be reborn many times in order to continue his or her religious pursuits. The most powerful tülku lineages by far for the past several hundred years have been the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Since Tibet became one of the administrative regions of Yuan Dynasty (1279 -1368) in the 13th century, China's central governments have paid great attention to the administrations and approvals of the living Buddha of various lineages in Tibet. Emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) recognized both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama nationwide.

A preview article posted on the SARA website yesterday welcomed the new regulation, stating that the regulation was made in accordance with the demands of Tibetan Buddhists. The article said that the SARA had done in-depth research during past years. They took into consideration the various suggestions from diverse parties and totally respected the foundation of the Tibetan Living Buddha systems. The article said that regulating the reincarnation would influence how China will protect religion freedom, specifically regarding Tibetan Buddhism.

SARA said that governments would only intervene in religious issues related to national and societal interests. They will not intervene in any internal affairs of a religion. According to the administration, the Tibet Autonomous Region and the provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan have approved almost 1,000 Living Buddhas since 1991, including the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama in 1995.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui, August 3, 2007)

[Breaking News] Tulkus to be Regulated by China

Reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas must get government approval

20:48, August 03, 2007

All the reincarnations of living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism must get government approval, otherwise they are "illegal or invalid," China's State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) said Friday.

The SARA has issued a set of regulations on reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas, which will take effect as of September 1.

"It is an important move to institutionalize management on reincarnation of living Buddhas," the SARA said in a statement issued Friday.

The regulations require that a temple which applies for reincarnation of a living Buddha must be "legally-registered venues for Tibetan Buddhism activities and are capable of fostering and offering proper means of support for the living Buddha."

All the reincarnation applications must be submitted to the religious affairs department of the provincial-level government, the provincial-level government, SARA, and the State Council, respectively, for approval in accordance with the fame and influence of the living Buddhas in the religious circle, the regulations said.

"The selection of reincarnates must preserve national unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups and the selection process cannot be influenced by any group or individual from outside the country, " SARA said.

Tibet became an administrative district directly under the central authorities of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) in the 13th century. Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty conferred the title of living Buddha on Vphag-pa, a religious leader in Tibet at that time. Since then, people began to call eminent monks in Tibet living Buddhas.

SARA said the regulations are favor of guaranteeing normal religious activities of Tibetan Buddhism and protecting the religious belief of Tibetan Buddhism followers according to law.

"The government only administrate religious affairs related to state and the public interests and will not interfere in the pure internal religious affairs," SARA says.

The regulations are composed of 14 articles, including the principle, conditions, approval procedures, the duties and responsibilities of religious groups for reincarnation as well as punishment for those violating the regulations.

Source: Xinhua

More on Chinese Tulku Regulation

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- All the reincarnations of living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism must get government approval or the approval by the religious affairs department of the government, according to the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA).

The so-called reincarnated living Buddha without government approval or the approval of religious affairs departments are illegal and invalid, says SARA.

SARA issued a regulation on reincarnation of living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism recently, stressing that it is an important move to institutionalize management on reincarnation of living Buddha. The regulation will become effective on Sept. 1.

The regulation is composed of 14 articles, including the principle, conditions, approval procedures, the duties and responsibilities of religious groups for reincarnation as well as punishment for those violating the regulation.

The regulation requires that temples which apply for reincarnation of living Buddha must be legally-registered venues for Tibetan Buddhism activities and are capable of fostering and offering proper means of support to the living Buddha.

All the reincarnation applications must be submitted to the religious affairs department of the provincial-level government, the provincial-level government, SARA, and the State Council, respectively, for approval in accordance with the fame and influence of the living Buddha in the religious circle, the regulation says.

Tibet became an administrative district directly under the central authorities of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) in the 13th century. Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty conferred the title of living Buddha on Vphag-pa, a religious leader in Tibet at that time. Since then, people began to call eminent monks in Tibet living Buddha.

SARA says the regulation is favor of guaranteeing normal religious activities of Tibetan Buddhism and protecting the religious belief of Tibetan Buddhism followers according to law.

Chinese Government to Regulate Tulkus

This just in from BBC:

From 1 September, all reincarnations of "Living Buddhas" would need government approval, Xinhua news agency said, citing the State Administration for Religious Affairs [Guójiā Zōngjiào Shìwùjú].

"Living Buddhas" - the most senior example of which is the Dalai Lama - lead Tibet's religious communities and can have great influence.

Their selection should "preserve national unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups", rules posted on the administration's website said.

"The process cannot be influenced by any group or individual from outside the country," they said.

Chenrezig, Orgyen Dzambhala, Kurukulle Empowerments

The schedule and venue are still being confirmed, but it looks like His Eminence the Fourth Gyangkhang Tulku Rinpoche, of the Palyul Nyingma lineage, will be in San Gabriel Valley, California on August 24, 25, and 26, 2007, to confer empowerments. The Gyangkhang Tulku is the heart son of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, current throne-holder of the Palyul lineage, who until 2003, held the largely ceremonial post of Supreme Head of the Nyingma Sect. The empowerments will be for Chenrezig, Orgyen Dzambhala, and Kurukulle. Venue for the events will likely be in Rosemead, California. You can make reservations to attend by email to susan[@]nyingmapa[.]us

Samye Statue Incident: What To Do

The statue at Samye is no longer there. That does not prevent us from placing statues of Padmasambhava in other places. For a base cost of USD $10,000., we can have a thirteen foot statue cast. The photograph above depicts one such statue in place in California. If anybody wants to help me with the statue, I will provide the land. Instead of sitting around bemoaning fate, vowing reprisal, and generally encouraging negativity, why don't we really embrace Guru Rinpoche's teachings and do something positive?

Theos Bernard in Tibet

I am so very, very pleased to see increasing notice of Theos Casimir Bernard (1908-1947), whose life's work so profoundly changed my life, and the lives of so many others. The books he collected in Tibet, in 1937, are now housed (in the main) at Yale and U.C. Berkeley. I cannot overstate the importance of these, nor of what he attempted. If you are ever in Santa Barbara, be sure to visit Lotusland (once intended as Tibetland). If you are ever in Berkeley, visit here.

Tibetan Calligraphy Site

Here is an interesting Tibetan calligraphy exhibition, and site. You can also find a thoroughly entertaining and informative discussion of 'Phags-pa script by clicking here.I enjoy 'Phags-pa because it lends itself to carving seals.

Tibetan Policy Act

Few people are thoroughly familiar with the following provisions of United States law:

Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, and other provisions

107th Congress, 2nd Session: House Resolution 1646. January 23rd, 2002

An Act

To authorize appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal year 2003, to authorize appropriations under the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for security assistance for fiscal year 2003, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act may be cited as the 'Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003'.

Sec. 115. Migration and Refugee Assistance

(c) Tibetan Refugees in India and Nepal - Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a), $2,000,000 for the fiscal year 2003 is authorized to be available for humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, clothing, and medical and vocational training, to Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal who have fled Chinese-occupied Tibet.

Sec. 222. Extension of Requirement for Scholarships for Tibetans and Burmese.

Section 103(b)(1) of the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-319; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended by striking 'for the fiscal year 2000' and inserting 'for the fiscal year 2003'.

Title VI - Miscellaneous Provisions

Subtitle B - Tibet Policy

Sec. 611. Short Title.

This subtitle may be cited as "Tibetan Policy Act of 2002".

Sec. 612. Statement of Purpose.

The purpose of this subtitle is to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity.

Sec. 613. Tibet Negotiations.

1. Policy.--
   
   
   1. In General.--The President and the Secretary should encourage the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives leading to a negotiated agreement on Tibet.
      
      
   2. Compliance.--After such an agreement is reached, the President and the Secretary should work to ensure compliance with the agreement.
      
      
2. Periodic Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
   
   
   1. the steps taken by the President and the Secretary in accordance with subsection (a)(1); and
      
      
   2. the status of any discussions between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.

Sec. 614. Reporting On Tibet.

Whenever a report is transmitted to Congress under section 116 or 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151m, 2304) or under section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b)), Tibet shall be included in such report as a separate section.

Sec. 615. Congressional-Executive Commission On The People's Republic of China.

Section 302(h) of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-286), relating to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China, is amended--

1. by striking "shall include specific information" and inserting the following: "shall include--
   
   "(1) specific information";
   
   
2. by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
   
   
3. by adding at the end the following:
   
   "(2) a description of the status of negotiations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives, and measures taken to safeguard Tibet's distinct historical, religious, cultural, and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights.".

Sec. 616. Economic Development In Tibet.

1. Declarations Of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to support economic development, cultural preservation, health care, and education and environmental sustainability for Tibetans inside Tibet. In support of this policy, the United States shall use its voice and vote to support projects designed in accordance with the principles contained in subsection (d) that are designed to raise the standard of living for the Tibetan people and assist Tibetans to become self-sufficient.
   
   
2. International Financial Institutions.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director of each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to support projects in Tibet, if the projects are designed in accordance with the principles contained in subsection (d).
   
   
3. Export-Import Bank and TDA.--The Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Trade and Development Agency should support projects proposed to be funded or otherwise supported by such entities in Tibet, if the projects are designed in accordance with the principles contained in subsection (d).
   
   
4. Tibet Project Principles.--Projects in Tibet supported by international financial institutions, other international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the United States entities referred to in subsection (c), should--
   
   
   1. be implemented only after conducting a thorough assessment of the needs of the Tibetan people through field visits and interviews;
      
      
   2. be preceded by cultural and environmental impact assessments;
      
      
   3. foster self-sufficiency and self-reliance of Tibetans;
      
      
   4. promote accountability of the development agencies to the Tibetan people and active participation of Tibetans in all project stages;
      
      
   5. respect Tibetan culture, traditions, and the Tibetan knowledge and wisdom about their landscape and survival techniques;
      
      
   6. be subject to on-site monitoring by the development agencies to ensure that the intended target group benefits;
      
      
   7. be implemented by development agencies prepared to use Tibetan as the working language of the projects;
      
      
   8. neither provide incentive for, nor facilitate the migration and settlement of, non-Tibetans into Tibet; and
      
      
   9. neither provide incentive for, nor facilitate the transfer of ownership of, Tibetan land or natural resources to non-Tibetans.

Sec. 617. Release of Prisoners and Access to Prisons.

The President and the Secretary, in meetings with representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China, should--

1. request the immediate and unconditional release of all those held prisoner for expressing their political or religious views in Tibet;
   
   
2. seek access for international humanitarian organizations to prisoners in Tibet to ensure that prisoners are not being mistreated and are receiving necessary medical care; and
   
   
3. seek the immediate medical parole of Tibetan prisoners known to be in serious ill health.

Sec. 618. Establishment of a United States Branch Office In Lhasa, Tibet.

The Secretary should make best efforts to establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet, to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in Tibet.

Sec. 619. Requirement For Tibetan Language Training.

The Secretary shall ensure that Tibetan language training is available to Foreign Service officers, and that every effort is made to ensure that a Tibetan-speaking Foreign Service officer is assigned to a United States post in the People's Republic of China responsible for monitoring developments in Tibet.

Sec. 620. Religious Persecution In Tibet.

1. High-Level Contacts.--Pursuant to section 105 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6414), the United States Ambassador to the People's Republic of China should--
   
   
   1. meet with the 11th Panchen Lama, who was taken from his home on May 17, 1995, and otherwise ascertain information concerning his whereabouts and well-being; and
      
      
   2. request that the Government of the People's Republic of China release the 11th Panchen Lama and allow him to pursue his religious studies without interference and according to tradition.
      
      
2. Promotion Of Increased Advocacy.--Pursuant to section 108(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6417(a)), it is the sense of Congress that representatives of the United States Government in exchanges with officials of the Government of the People's Republic of China should call for and otherwise promote the cessation of all interference by the Government of the People's Republic of China or the Communist Party in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people.

Sec. 621. United States Special Coordinator For Tibetan Issues.

1. United States Special Coordinator For Tibetan Issues.--There shall be within the Department a United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues (in this section referred to as the "Special Coordinator").
   
   
2. Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the appropriate congressional committees prior to the designation of the Special Coordinator.
   
   
3. Central Objective.--The central objective of the Special Coordinator is to promote substantive dialogue between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.
   
   
4. Duties and Responsibilities.--The Special Coordinator shall--
   
   
   1. coordinate United States Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet;
      
      
   2. vigorously promote the policy of seeking to protect the distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet, and pressing for improved respect for human rights;
      
      
   3. maintain close contact with religious, cultural, and political leaders of the Tibetan people, including regular travel to Tibetan areas of the People's Republic of China, and to Tibetan refugee settlements in India and Nepal;
      
      
   4. consult with Congress on policies relevant to Tibet and the future and welfare of the Tibetan people;
      
      
   5. make efforts to establish contacts in the foreign ministries of other countries to pursue a negotiated solution for Tibet; and
      
      
   6. take all appropriate steps to ensure adequate resources, staff, and bureaucratic support to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Special Coordinator.

Environmental Issues in Tibet

Here is a brief film on the growing environmental crisis in Tibet.

Dege Printing House

Unbelievably, the Dege Printing House has an online presence.

More Tibetan Amulets

Here is an interesting and informative Polish site specializing in amulets. I hope they will keep this page up and active.

Blocked In Beijing?

Well, according to greatfirewallofchina.org, my sites are blocked in China, which I find strange, because site statistics show regular visits from China, such as this visit to http://www.nyingmapa.us from Beijing on July 12th.

New White Mahakala Book

I finished my new White Mahakala practice text and commentary back in May, and we staggered on the Chinese translation, so the decision now is to publish in English only, for release later this year. Hopefully, this one will be available by December 2007.

Tibetan Protection Amulets

Here is the link to a really splendid collection of btags grol and srung ba'i 'khorlo available for free download. You can also purchase the real thing--produced overseas by Nyingmapa lamas, and appropriately empowered-- by clicking here.