Lama Yeshe Ling has invited Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Delek to teach here in person, in the new year.
It is not yet certain that Khensur Rinpoche will receive a Canadian visa, although he has received a Canadian travel visa in the past. We are requesting help from all our community to create the karmic causes for Rinpoche to visit us. Geshe la has suggested we recite the mantra of Hayagriva (a forceful form of Chenrezig the compassion Buddha, who helps to subdue obstacles). We can dedicate the merit to meeting Khensur Rinpoche soon, in person here at Lama Yeshe Ling.
The mantra of Hayagriva:
HRIH VAJRA KRODHA HAYAGRIVA HULU HULU HUM PHAT
Khensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Delek was born at Khantse Pantso (Karze) Tibet in 1939. In 1956 (age 17) he traveled from the local monastery to Sera Jey Monastery near the capital Lhasa, to continue his studies there. After the failed uprising in 1959 Khensur Rinpoche followed the example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and became a refugee in India, where he continued his studies and practice, initially at Buxa (a repurposed old British prison camp) in West Bengal, and in 1965 he received the Gelong ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. In the 1970’s he joined a group of 200 Sera Jey monks to re-establish Sera Jey Monastery in Bylakuppe, southern India. He there accomplished the highest educational degree, the Geshe Lharm which is equivalent to a Ph.D. cum laude in 1987, after-which he became a treasured teacher, rising to the role of Chief Disciplinarian first at Gyumey Tantric Monastery, and then at Sera Jey Monastery.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given Khensur Rinpoche many leadership roles in the past two decades:
- In 2002, he was appointed Lama Oze (the highest position except Abbot) at Gyumey Tantric Monastery, and he became Abbot there in 2005.
- In 2011, he was appointed Abbot of Sed-Gud Monastic Institute of Buddhist Studies – Salugra (West Bengal).
- He was enthroned to the seat of Abbot of Sera Jey Monastery in 2012.
His successive appointment to eminent positions marks a very special significance within the monastic tradition. He is deeply revered for his vast knowledge of the Sutras, his years of practice, his simple demeanor and unique, warm personality.
As a Buddhist scholar and teacher and as the former abbot of the monastery, he has traveled far and wide to share and guide devoted communities on the knowledge and wisdom of Buddha’s noble philosophy.