Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk confers novice vows to young monks, with the assistance of Trichen Lama (right)

Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk (1928 – 1997) from Sera Mey Monastery was one of the greatest Dorje Shugden masters of our time, tirelessly working to transmit the teachings of the pure Gelugpa lineage within Tibet and beyond.

Geshela entered Sera Mey Monastery when he was 16, and soon became an unexcelled scholar and debater with countless students across Tibet and India.

Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk (left) with Trichen Lama (right). Trichen Lama also received the initiations of Heruka and Vajrayogini from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and the Yamantaka tantras from the late Kyabje Ling Dorje Chang

With unparalleled mastery of the Indian treatises and the Tibetan commentaries, it is no surprise that in 1986, Geshela became the first to be awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree within Tibet since the Dalai Lama fled in 1959. Geshela was also one of the few lamas who chose to remain in Tibet after the civil unrest of 1959, working hard against all odds to preserve the Buddhist literary tradition in his homeland.

Geshela had spent the later part of his life giving Praktimoksha vows and teachings to the younger generation of Buddhists, both lay and ordained. Geshela also passed all the lineages he held to his heart disciple, Trichen Lama, thus ensuring the continuity of the pure Tantric and Sutric teachings of the Ganden tradition.

Having observed Geshela’s actions, many of his close students felt that Geshela had foreseen and was preparing for the final years of his life. This is highly plausible given proof of Geshela’s clairvoyance and attainments – on the fateful day of his death, Geshela insisted on traveling alone in his car without his usual attendants, and after the car careened off the cliff, Geshela climbed out of the wreckage, sat on the ground and entered clear light meditation (Tugdam) for eight days.

Trichen Lama has since become a highly respected teacher in greater China, transcending the borders of Tibet and gathering many disciples. Now 85 years old, Trichen Lama spends most of his time sharing the Buddha Dharma according to Lama Tsongkapa’s tradition, particularly the teachings of Dorje Shugden, and travels yearly to various parts of China such as Yunan and Hangzhou, giving teachings and initiations to thousands.

With full devotion to his own Lama, Trichen Lama continues to keep the legacy of the late Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk alive, fearlessly bringing Dorje Shugden’s practice to others. We rejoice in the sacred deeds of both these Lamas, and pray for the swift return of Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk and for the long life and continuous turning of the Dharma wheel by Trichen Lama.