Gelek Rimpoche
Tibet·Geluk·Male·20th century
Kyabje Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist lama, recognized as a tulku (incarnate lama) at the age of four. He is known for his intellectual insight, familiarity with modern culture, and effectiveness as a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, teaching in English without a translator. He played a significant role in preserving Tibetan texts and oral histories, and founded the Jewel Heart organization.
Key Facts
- ›Recognized as a tulku at age four, the incarnation of an abbot from Gyuto Tantric College.
- ›Received the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to a PhD, at age twenty from Drepung Monastic University.
- ›Led a group of Tibetans into exile in India in 1959, suggesting a route that became vital for many.
- ›Founded Jewel Heart in 1988, a spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian organization.
- ›Known for his exceptional memory and ability to teach complex Buddhist philosophy in English.
- ›Preserved over 170 volumes of rare Tibetan manuscripts and compiled an oral history of Tibet's fall to Communist China.
Important Relationships
- 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
- Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
- Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche
- Denma Locho Rinpoche
- Song Rinpoche
- Allen Ginsberg
- Philip Glass
- Robert Thurman
- Joe Liozzo
- Glenn Mullin
- Cyndi Lee
- Lodi Gyari Rinpoche
- Venerable Thubten Chodron
- Michael Imperioli
- Aura Glaser
- Sandra Finkel
- Melvyn C. Goldstein
- Gini Alhadeff
- Mark Magill
- Brenda Rosen
- Lobsang Phuntshog
- Gyaltsen Yeshey
- Nicholas Ribush
- Trisha Donnelly
- Ribur Rimpoche
- Khyongla Rato Rimpoche
- Francesco Clemente
- Anne Waldman
- Patti Smith
- Demo Rinpoche
- Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom On Reincarnation
- the Tara Box: Rituals For Protection and Healing From the Female Buddha
- Essentials of Modern Literary Tibetan: A Reading Course and Reference Grammar
- How the Mind Works
- Perfection of Wisdom: An Essential Explanation of the Mantra and the Five Paths
- the Three Principles of the Path: A Brief Explanation
- Shantideva's Guide To the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 3; Full Acceptance of the Awakening Mind
- 37 Wings of Change
- Shantideva's Guide To the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 6; Patience
- the Four Mindfulnesses: On the Basis of A Poem By the Seventh Dalai Lama With Commentary By Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
- the Four Noble Truths
- Shantideva's Guide To the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 7; Enthusiasm
- Gom: A Course In Meditation
- Lam Rim: Foundations of the Path
- Transforming Negativities
- Catalogue : First Exhibition In New Tibet House
Lhasa, Drepung Monastic University, Buxa, New Delhi, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Chicago, Cleveland, Nebraska, New York, Malaysia, the Netherlands
Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo
English, Tibetan
Monastic Vows, Tulku Vows
About Gelek Rimpoche
Kyabje Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche
Kyabje Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche, commonly known as Gelek Rimpoche or Nyakre Khentrul Rinpoche, was a prominent Tibetan Buddhist lama born in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1939. Recognized at the age of four as a tulku, an incarnate lama, he received a rigorous traditional education, culminating in the Geshe Lharampa degree from Drepung Monastic University at the young age of twenty. His early education was overseen by esteemed Tibetan masters, including Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who later encouraged him to teach in the West.
Following the Chinese takeover of Tibet, Rimpoche led a group of Tibetans into exile in India in 1959. While in exile, he continued his studies and later relinquished his monastic vows, though he was encouraged by his teachers to continue carrying the banner of Buddhism. He played a crucial role in preserving Tibetan culture by reprinting numerous Geluk texts and compiling oral histories. In 1965, he was appointed director of Tibet House in New Delhi.
In 1987, Gelek Rimpoche moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to teach Buddhism in the West. He became known for his ability to teach effectively in English, engaging with modern culture and drawing inspiration from sources like the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." In 1988, he co-founded Jewel Heart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Tibetan Buddhist wisdom accessible in contemporary life. Jewel Heart has since expanded to multiple locations and has attracted a diverse following, including notable figures from the arts and academia. Gelek Rimpoche passed away in Ann Arbor in 2017, leaving behind a significant archive of teachings and a lasting legacy as a bridge between Tibetan Buddhism and the Western world.
Key Contributions and Legacy
Rimpoche's contributions include the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist texts and oral histories, his founding and leadership of Jewel Heart, and his influential role as a teacher to Western practitioners. He is remembered for his sharp intellect, his deep understanding of both Buddhist philosophy and modern life, and his compassionate teaching style. The Gelek Rimpoche Archive, established online by the Gelek Rimpoche Foundation, makes hundreds of his teachings freely available, continuing to benefit students worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Gelek Rimpoche born?
Gelek Rimpoche was born in Lhasa, Tibet, on October 26, 1939. His personal name was Gelek.
What was Gelek Rimpoche's religious education?
He received the highest scholastic degree of Geshe Lharampa, equivalent to a PhD, at the age of twenty from Drepung Monastic University. He was tutored by many of Tibet's greatest teachers.
What significant role did Gelek Rimpoche play during the Tibetan exile?
In 1959, he led a large group of Tibetans out of Tibet into exile in India. He suggested a route across the Himalayas that became a major passage for tens of thousands of Tibetans.
What is Jewel Heart?
Jewel Heart is a nonprofit spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian organization founded by Gelek Rimpoche in 1988. Its mission is to translate the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism into contemporary life.
What are some of Gelek Rimpoche's notable publications?
Notable publications include 'Good Life, Good Death: Tibetan Wisdom on Reincarnation' (2001) and 'The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection and Healing From the Female Buddha' (2004). He also assisted in 'A History of Modern Tibet'.
When and where did Gelek Rimpoche pass away?
Gelek Rimpoche died on February 15, 2017, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after undergoing surgery the previous month.
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