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| The 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche (1954 - ) |
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 The 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche, Pema Tonyo Nyinje is a reincarnation of one of the oldest lineages of tulku's in the Kagyu tradition. The Tai Situpa is one of the highest ranking lamas of the Karma Kagyu sect. [1] Tai Situpa is said to be the emanation of the bodhisattva Maitreya, who will become the next Buddha, and who has been incarnated as numerous Indian and Tibetan yogis since the time of the historical Buddha. The Tai Situpa possesses the Red Vajra Crown, a gift to the 5th Tai Situ from the Gyaltwa Karmapa to symbolize their inseparability. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa was in Beijing to discuss the affairs of Tibet when he had a vision of the 12th Tai Situ’s rebirth. The vision accurately foretold the signs and the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche was found at the age of eighteen months. The Dalai Lama performed the hair cutting ceremony and gave him the name Chime Pema Donyo Nyinje Chogle Gyalway De. At the age of 5 he escaped to Bhutan with some other high ranking officials. There he was cared for by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk a former disciple of the 11th Tai Situ. Once the 16th Karmapa was settled in the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim the young Tai Situ moved there to receive instruction from the 16th Karmapa. In 1976, Situ Rinpoche founded his own monastic seat Sherab Ling in Himachal Pradesh. In 1981, he made his first visit to the West to teach at the Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. In 1983, he founded the Maitreya Institute, a non-sectarian forum for inter-religious dialogue which has grown into a global organisation. The 12th Tai Situ has been instrumental in recognising the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje [2] and the Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. [3] |
Date of Birth: 02 Jan, 1954
Location: India
State: Himachal Pradesh
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Summary
The 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche was born in 1954, in the Palyul area of the Derge province, in eastern Tibet. It was claimed that on the day of his birth, all people in the area saw two solar orbs light up the sky. He was enthroned at the age of 18 months, by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. The ceremony took place at Palpung Monastery in eastern Tibet and the event drew high officials from Tibet, Nepal, China, Bhutan, and Sikkim. His Holiness the Dalai Lama performed the hair cutting ceremony and named the Tai Situpa, Chime Pema Donyo Nyinje Chogle Gyalway De. Fear started to increase in Tibet with the ever growing presence of Communism power, so the Tai Situpa went to stay with the Karmapa. The Karmapa realized that there was more trouble to come, so he alerted many Kagyu gurus to leave as soon as possible. It was for this reason Tai Situ left at the age of five for Bhutan. He eventually settled in Sikkim. He eventually was able to go to school with the Karmapa and other Kagyu masters. He received transmission from the 16th Karmapa as well as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He received the Kalachakra initiation and instructions from the Dalai Lama. Dorjechang Kalu Rinpoche taught him Rinchen Terdzo transmission, amongst others. He also got to study poetry, grammar, astrology, sculpting, painting, sacred dancing, and medicine. He was taught alongside Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. In 1975, at the age of 22 he assumed all his responsibilities as a regent. In 1981, during the cremation ceremony for the passing of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the heart relic of the Karmapa rolled out of the stupa and into the hands of Tai Situ Rinpoche while he was making offerings into the burning fire. Advice was immediately sought from Kalu Rinpoche. Most surely, such an auspicious sign indicated that Situ Rinpoche was to be the principle heart-son of the 16th Karmapa. [4] In 1983, he founded the Maitreya Institute, a nonsectarian forum for inter-religious dialogue. In 1984, he was able to return to Tibet where he ordained over 2,000 people. He has made this trip to Tibet a common thing. He has re-established the Palpung Monastery and other monasteries. In 1989, he became the leader for Pilgrimage for Active Peace and also recognized the reincarnation of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He built a new Palpung Monastery in India called Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery, where he would take up his new seat. Tai Situ Rinpoche used his great artistic skills to come up with the design for the architectural structure of the monastery. In 1992, Tai Situpa recognized the reincarnation of Dorjechang Kalu Rinpoche. That same year, he and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche would find and enthrone the 17th Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorje. After the 17th fled Tibet 2000, Tai Situpa has been one of the 17th Karmapa's primary teachers.
References:
1. His Eminence the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche – Website - http://www.simhas.org/taisitu.html
2. His holiness the 17th Karmapa http://www.kagyu.org/
3. Harry Oldmeadow (2004) Journeys East: 20th Century Western Encounters with Eastern Religious Traditions ISBN 0-94153-257-7 P. 2803. His Eminence the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche – Website - http://www.simhas.org/taisitu.html
Related Links:
www.dharmafellowship.org/biographies/contemporarymasters/khentin-tai-situ.htm
www.samadhiworldwide.com/ourteachers.htm
www.simhas.org/taisitu.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5yph8tri9k
www.personal.u-net.com/~samye/taisitu.htm
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