In early August 2014, in the isolated region of Kham in Tibet, a boy of

seven years old sat on the throne for the first time in front of 100 000
disciples who recognized him as the reincarnation of one of the most
extraordinary tibetan buddhist masters of our time Denma G o n s a r R
i n p o c h e . Q u i e t a n d w i t h a determination that is not common
for a child his age, he distributed his first blessings: a ritual that will be
repeated until the end of his life.
Tsering Dorje was located through specific instructions left by former
Denma Gonsar Rinpoche, who died in 2005 in the city of Chatren,
Tibet. Coincidentally or not, the same city where Trijang Rinpoche, the
principal master ( teacher ) in his past life was born. Treated with the
honors of a head of state and surrounded by tight security, the small
Tsering Dorje was the center of attention during the grand event in the
remote region of Yushu at 4800 meters. The event lasted seven days.
Approximately 100.000 Tibetans and 4000 monks came from the
different regions of Tibet to participate in traditional ceremonies and
festivities of the Tibetan culture.
According to Tibetan Buddhism, reincarnation occurs for all living
beings. When a child is recognized as the reincarnation of a lama
(teacher) he receives the title of Tulku, in Tibetan, or Rinpoche in
Sanskrit.
Only great masters are able to choose where and how they will be
reborn., before they die. This ancient tradition is still alive today among
Tibetan lamas, an art which allows them to maintain the lineage of
their teachers. "A Tulku is an apparently normal child, yet they have an
incredible inner wealth. If this extraordinary inner energy of wisdom,
compassion and power is able manifest and is channeled properly, the
child Tulku may perform in the future, commitments made in past
lives; as explained by Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, one of the main
Ttibetan Bbuddhist masters present at the ceremony.
Throughout the Sino-Tibetan conflict, the previous Denma Gonsar
Rinpoche worked tirelessly for the good of all people, both
Chinese and Tibetan, with complete impartiality void of any personal
and political agendas and that won the trust and respect of the
Chinese Government. It is from great works such as that of Denma
Gonsar Rinpoche that will lend credence and substance to the Tibetan
peoples hope to return to their homeland.
Born in 1930 at three years of age, he was recognized as a Tulku by
13 Dalai Lama. At the age of 10 years he was able to memorize about

ten pages of sacred texts per day, his process of learning was
exceptionally fast.
At the age of 20, Denma Gonsar Rinpoche received the title of Geshe
Lharampa - PhD in Buddhist philosophy. He was one of only two people
known to have achieved this title so early in life. Normally it requires a
minimum of 18 years of study. In 1959, during the communist
revolution in China he was arrested and forced to perform jobs such as
cleaning sewage and the loading of large concrete slabs. Because he
did not submit to the communist re-education sessions, the great
master was held in solitary confinement in darkness for several
months.
In 1961, after two and a half years in prison, he was released, and
gradually resumed his duties as the popular leader until receiving the
position of deputy representative in different administrative areas
inside Tibet.
Now, the young reincarnation of Denma Gonsar Rimpoche will have a
rigorous education that includes Buddhist philosophy, memorizing long
sacred texts, ethical training and learning about the behavior and
protocol expected of a spiritual leader. His studies in Buddhist
philosophy are expected to be completed in 15 years.
T h e f e s t i v a l t h a t s u r r o u n d e d t h e enthronement
ceremony gathered families from different parts of the Tibetan
territory.
The Tibetan culture is partially nomadic and based largely based on
agricultural resources. Pilgrims traveled with their families for many
days to reach the distant monastery, where they set up their tents and
celebrated with prayers, blessings, dances, music and festivities typical
of the Tibetan culture. The style of costumes, all very colorful and
contrasting, mixes traditional clothes with other modern items such as
sunglasses, necklaces, hats. It is interesting to note however, that
while ancient values are preserved,, smartphones and modern cars are
already part of this new era in the history of Tibet.
T h e c e l e b r a t i o n , r e c o g n i z i n g t h e reincarnation of a
Lama of such great importance, brought an opportunity for thousands
of people to express the spiritual values which they hold in common
and their hope that in the future, the young reincarnation of Denma
Gonsar Rimpoche may leave an even greater legacy than of his past
life.