H.E. Choktul Tenzin Gyaltsen Ngawang Mawai Nyima
H.E. Choktul Tenzin Gyaltsen Ngawang Mawai Nyima was born amidst
auspicious signs in 1940, the Iron Dragon Year of the 16th Rabjung
Cycle, to the lady Dolma Lhamo and Zilnon Gonpo from the noble Bonkar
Tsang family. The 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rigpai Dorje recognized him as
the sixth incarnation of H.E. Tenzin Tulku. He received teachings on the
general and particular teachings from the 6thTibet in 1959, he was
imprisoned for more than twenty years, during which time he suffered
immense physical hardships from hunger, cold and fatigue due to hard
labor. He later said that this proved to be a better purification
practice than other virtuous activity such as prostrations or
circumambulations.
He was also able to improve his spiritual practice by
mixing the four activities with deity, mantra and Dharmakaya, together
with the sublime motivation of relative and absolute bodhicitta. During
his time in prison, he recieved the wonderful opportunity to share his
spiritual experience regarding Dzogchen, Mahamudra and other Lojong
practices with many great masters. Hence, instead of getting discouraged
by his hardships, he even led a happy and meaningful life in prison.
After being released from prison, he took his religious freedom in
stride and received the full ordination vow from Khenpo Batse Lama
Drakpa Zopa from Riwoche Monastery.
Later, he entered Drepung Nekyong Chode monastery in Lhasa where he studied and perfected the common and
uncommon fields of education under Gaden Trichen Rinpoche. There he was
respected and revered by everyone for his scholarship. The first prize
of the trophy inscribed with the white conch was conferred upon him
twice and the second prize once. The Panchen Lama and other respected
scholars and masters praised him, and asked him repeatedly to take the
Khenpo's post at Trungyang Nangten Lopdra Chenmo. Concerned only with
the welfare of the teachings and sentient beings, he accepted this post.
Both the lay and ordained people of Riwoche appealed him to return to
Taklung Riwoche, the sacred placed blessed by Buddha. H.H. Phakchok
Rinpoche Ngawang Thupten Namgyal and Khenchen Pema Rangdrol. Without
much difficulty he understood what he studied.
Due to the political
upheaval in He returned in 1985 and has remained at Riwoche until the
present. Panchen Lama and other great masters have also highly
recognized Riwoche Monastery, owing to its rich cultural heritage. There
Tenzin Tulku has selflessly worked for the construction of new temples
to support spiritual practice. After the completion of the new temple,
Tsuglak Tra Khyilma, on the day of sixth Tibetan month of the Water
Monkey year, 17th Rabjung Cycle, he grandly inaugurated it with a
ceremonial celebration. Gradually, he also constructed dormitories for
the monks. Hence, his kindness is unsurpassable.
Just as the
Bodhisattvas enthusiastically work to fulfill the aspirations of
sentient beings, he also has put great effort to accomplish the wishes
of others, disregarding his own physical well being. He has also
remained impartial to all, regardless of whether they are high or low,
wise or foolish. Therefore, he exhibits the nine qualities of noble
beings that include scholarship, kindness and morality. As he was taken
care of by the previous H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche who put great hope in
him, this noble being has been very kind to the teachings of the Taklung
tradition when it was under the threat of extinction. Particularly, he
has taken utmost care of the seventh H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche Ngawang
Kelsang Nyima with great love, providing him with the entire teachings
of sutra and tantra, as well as the profound teachings of the Taklung
School.
At present, even though he is old and seriously ill, he is
taking care of his health and courageously working hard for the greater
benefit of the teachings and sentient beings.