Nyingma monks find reincarnation of Buddhist master in 4-year-old Spiti boy
: Seven years after the death of their master Kyabjé Taklung Setrung Rinpoche, Buddhist monks of the Nyingma sect have found his reincarnation in a four-year-old boy of Tibetan origin.
Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma sect – the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug) – had passed away on December 24, 2015 at Gaya. The body of 89-year-old Rinpoche was preserved in the Dorji Dak monastery, founded by him in 1984, for 10 months and later cremated as per Buddhist traditions.
Rinpoche’s ‘reincarnation’, Nawang Tashi Rapten, hails from Rangrik, a remote village in Spiti valley, close to the Buddhist learning centre Tabo in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is believed that high-ranking monks, known as Tulkus, are reborn.
A Tulku is the fully enlightened one (Buddha) or a highly accomplished monk (Siddha), who chooses to be reborn again and again, for the benefit of all beings. Tibetan Buddhists follow the tradition of finding, recognising, enthroning, training, and venerating the revered figures. Tulkus are enlightened Lamas and are considered living Buddhas. Rapten, who was born on April 16, 2018, was inducted into religious life by the Buddhist monk Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche of the Lhodrak Kharchu monastery of Bhutan, who tonsured Rapten’s head to ordain him as the new head of the Nyingma sect. His formal religious education resumed on Monday.
The monk boy’s mother Kelsang Dolma said, “We never imagined that our son would be chosen as Rinpoche’s reincarnation. Around a year ago, monks from Dorje Drak monastery came to us. They then spoke to the Dalai Lama and Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, after which he was selected as the reincarnation.”
So, how does the family feel about their son being chosen as the reincarnation? “As a mother, to think about being separated from my son was painful. However, I am also happy that a high monk has taken birth at our home. I am glad that my younger son will guide people and work for the welfare of all. I feel privileged to have given birth to him,” his mother said.
On whether the family suspected that he was the reincarnation of a high monk, his father Sonam Chhopel said, “My son always spoke of going to Shimla, and meeting a dog there. We never knew what was in store for him. I never imagined that he will be a tulku and head monk of the monastery.”
As soon as Tashi Rapten was recognised as the reincarnate, his parents withdrew him from the kindergarten he had been studying at. “During the last three months, he has completely changed and he does not like to sit or live with us. While travelling to Shimla he was happy sitting with the monk in his separate car,” said Chhopel.
“During the last three months, he has undergone a complete change and does not like to sit and live with us. While travelling to Shimla he was happy sitting with the monk in a separate car,” said Chhopel.
A Buddhist disciple from Spiti valley said, “The reincarnation process is long and takes over a year. After the death of high Buddhist monks, the Lamas find out where the reincarnation will be born. The monks go into retreat, perform rituals and take down a list of children born during that particular period. Later, they share specific locations and some identifications.”
“His grandmother used to say that he spoke of going to Shimla and meeting his dogs. We are proud that the new Buddhist master has been chosen from the Himalayan region of Spiti,” he said.