ORIGIN & WORKING PRINCIPLES
Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa
is a for-impact organization founded by the Supreme Dharma King of
Bhutan, His Holiness Trulku Jigme Choeda Rinpoche in July 2002
to preserve Buddhist tradition in the Land of Sacred Medicine,
Kingdom of Bhutan. To the country, Buddhism is not merely a
religion to practice in spiritual sense rather it is more of an
age-old tradition to embrace in all aspects of everyday life.
The aim of this Bhutan's nationwide
organization is to pass down the idealism of universal peace and
equity to benefit global generations regardless of creed, age,
gender, and race. By preserving
traditionLearn more in the Memorandum and Articles of
Association. in our communities, we attempt to build
society that overflows with a sense of loving-kindness and a
mindset of abundance-mentality.
We begin by fortifying spiritual fundamentalsLearn how this is possible. (the Bhutanese tradition) through the Buddha Dordenma ProjectDiscover The Uniqueness before carrying on with higher educational projects (Buddhist and secular).
We begin by fortifying spiritual fundamentalsLearn how this is possible. (the Bhutanese tradition) through the Buddha Dordenma ProjectDiscover The Uniqueness before carrying on with higher educational projects (Buddhist and secular).
As this project is a huge undertaking that
requires perpetual care, a foundation under the Menjong
Choethuen Tshogpa has been established in 2004, with a local name as the Buddha Dordenma Image
Foundation while in Hong Kong as the Buddha Dordenma
Foundation Limited (which has been acknowledged a tax exempt
statusYou'll be performing a search in the website of Inland
Revenue Department (Hong Kong). Input: "Buddha Dordenma Foundation Limited"), by His
Eminence Trizin Tsering Rimpoche, a disciple of His Holiness of
Bhutan.
OTHER PROJECTS
After the completion of Buddha Dordenma Project, subsequent
projects to be undertaken are:
Higher Education Project — Major Priority, Incrementally Started
The plan is to set up international Buddhist and secular universities respectively. For Buddhist universities, a total study length of at least ten years will cover the Bachelor's until the Ph.D. degree level. Another optional three years three months three days long retreat will be held additionally based on students' own preference.
Currently, three Buddhist-universities-to-be monasteries are already under construction in east Bhutan: Namdolling, Oesel Dzong, and Sherab Choeling (nunnery)—all are serving about 1,000 monks. Within fifty years of time, our target is to accommodate to at least 60,000 laypeople for secular universities and 5,000 monks and nuns for Buddhist universities, preferably inclusive of Buddhist national library and boarding schools.
There are two reasons to set up a number of universities in Bhutan. The growing number of inadequately served graduates and the overwhelming length of transportation time from region to region.
From east to the west, it will take about two days' drive; from south to central, it will take about one and a half days' drive; and from north to central, it takes around five days' walk.
Higher Education Project — Major Priority, Incrementally Started
The plan is to set up international Buddhist and secular universities respectively. For Buddhist universities, a total study length of at least ten years will cover the Bachelor's until the Ph.D. degree level. Another optional three years three months three days long retreat will be held additionally based on students' own preference.
Currently, three Buddhist-universities-to-be monasteries are already under construction in east Bhutan: Namdolling, Oesel Dzong, and Sherab Choeling (nunnery)—all are serving about 1,000 monks. Within fifty years of time, our target is to accommodate to at least 60,000 laypeople for secular universities and 5,000 monks and nuns for Buddhist universities, preferably inclusive of Buddhist national library and boarding schools.
There are two reasons to set up a number of universities in Bhutan. The growing number of inadequately served graduates and the overwhelming length of transportation time from region to region.
From east to the west, it will take about two days' drive; from south to central, it will take about one and a half days' drive; and from north to central, it takes around five days' walk.
Although education has long been provided free in Bhutan, to this country, education is not a luxury but rather it is still a necessity. Every year as many as 5,000 students are graduated from secondary schools yet the only public institute (financed by the government) that provides tertiary education in Bhutan is underserving them by nearly 95 percent. To solve this problem, more universities need to be established, which also mean more resources are required in the process.
Health and Kidney Foundation — Upcoming Priority
This will be the first health foundation that addresses the pervasively endemic kidney problems in Bhutan.
National Buddhist Library of Bhutan — Upcoming Priority
The library will serve to house indigenous Buddhist scriptures of the Himalayan region, Bhutan.
Arts, Culture & Tradition —
Running
Beginning 2006, free classes on arts and crafts have been set up; as many as seven voluntary artisans (teachers) are in charge of the approximately 30 students. Every day two hours of theoretical knowledge is given before another two for practicing skills. To reach a professional level, nine years of training is required.
Generally the module is set to three years to progress from the basic to the advanced level—drawing, painting, molding, sculpting, finishing. This activity can help preserve Bhutanese culture and improve the people's well-being by cultivating potential artisans.
Sutra Reprinting Project — Running
☸ A complete set of printing machines were shipped to Bhutan in November 2003.
☸ The Monastic Printing Press was inaugurated in April 2004 by His Holiness.
☸ Sponsors for laser printing, papers and inks/toners are still being actively sought to fulfill its virtuous goals.
Beginning 2006, free classes on arts and crafts have been set up; as many as seven voluntary artisans (teachers) are in charge of the approximately 30 students. Every day two hours of theoretical knowledge is given before another two for practicing skills. To reach a professional level, nine years of training is required.
Generally the module is set to three years to progress from the basic to the advanced level—drawing, painting, molding, sculpting, finishing. This activity can help preserve Bhutanese culture and improve the people's well-being by cultivating potential artisans.
Sutra Reprinting Project — Running
☸ A complete set of printing machines were shipped to Bhutan in November 2003.
☸ The Monastic Printing Press was inaugurated in April 2004 by His Holiness.
☸ Sponsors for laser printing, papers and inks/toners are still being actively sought to fulfill its virtuous goals.
FOUNDER'S BIOGRAPHY
His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rimpoche is the
mastermind for all the activities of Menjong Choethuen
Tshogpa as well as Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation.
Rimpoche (meaning precious), Lam (meaning master/root/his holiness/rimpoche), Master, and His Eminence are ways how people call His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rimpoche. Rimpoche's name is Tsering Wangdi while the name Trizin Tsering, meaning Precious Chairman, has been conferred after his enthronement as the chairman of Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa since 2003.
1955 - 1964 (0-9 years old)
Rimpoche was born in Khendaksa Goenpa, Bhutan in 1955. As a child he had displayed an extraordinary level of wisdom that his father, an accomplished yogi, intentionally exposed him to the Buddha's Dharma teachings since he was five.
His father prided on Rimpoche's inherent determination to devote life to the Buddha's Dharma in that Rimpoche entered the Drukpa Kargyu monastery in Bhutan at a tender age of nine and studied under His Holiness Je Yishi Sengay of the Drukpa Kargyu lineage.
1964 - 1986 (9-31 years old)
Rimpoche studied under five major masters from the Drukpa Kargyu, Nyingma, Dzokchen, Tekcho Tersar Treasures, Shangpa Kargyu and Karma Kargyud lineages: His Holiness Je Yishi Sengay in 1964; His Holiness the 16th Karmapa in 1969; His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in 1974; His Holiness Dujum Rinpoche in 1975; His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche in 1982.
1976 (21 years old)
Rimpoche successfully completed a one-year-long Wisdom Manjushri retreat followed by another four-month-long Padmasambhava retreat.
1982 (27 years old)
Rimpoche outstandingly passed the Buddhist Philosophy examination, based on his understanding of relinquishing samsara. He also began his three-year-three-month-three-day-long retreat in the late November to early December.
1986 (31 years old)
Although the name of the retreat indicates an approximate of three years long, the actual period is three and a half years. Rimpoche also learned the Six Yogas of Naropa and Niguma under his root guru, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche and therefore he is qualified to teach the practice of the Marpa Kagyu, the Shangpa Kagyud and the Nyingma Dzokchen lineage.
Moreover, Rimpoche has received transmissions and empowerments of the Rinchen Terzok (Over Thousands Traditional Treasures lineage of Main Point), Dujum Tersar (All Treasures), Buddha Shakyamuni Spiritual Kangyur (145 volumes) and Padmasambawa Spiritual Nyingma Gyubuum (100 volume sutras).
As soon as Rimpoche completed the retreat, he decided to spend his entire life on spiritual practice in caves. However his root guru, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, counseled him otherwise to share the benefits of Buddha's Dharma with all beings and that was when Rimpoche began the Buddha's Dharma activities.
Whatever offerings made to Rimpoche have always been dedicated by him to Buddha's activities. Even ordinary stones that are the only precious jewels that can be offered by a person, as long as one is fully devoted to Buddhas, Rimpoche invariably keeps them safe with him as he incessantly tries to bridge all beings with the path to enlightenment.
Rimpoche (meaning precious), Lam (meaning master/root/his holiness/rimpoche), Master, and His Eminence are ways how people call His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rimpoche. Rimpoche's name is Tsering Wangdi while the name Trizin Tsering, meaning Precious Chairman, has been conferred after his enthronement as the chairman of Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa since 2003.
1955 - 1964 (0-9 years old)
Rimpoche was born in Khendaksa Goenpa, Bhutan in 1955. As a child he had displayed an extraordinary level of wisdom that his father, an accomplished yogi, intentionally exposed him to the Buddha's Dharma teachings since he was five.
His father prided on Rimpoche's inherent determination to devote life to the Buddha's Dharma in that Rimpoche entered the Drukpa Kargyu monastery in Bhutan at a tender age of nine and studied under His Holiness Je Yishi Sengay of the Drukpa Kargyu lineage.
1964 - 1986 (9-31 years old)
Rimpoche studied under five major masters from the Drukpa Kargyu, Nyingma, Dzokchen, Tekcho Tersar Treasures, Shangpa Kargyu and Karma Kargyud lineages: His Holiness Je Yishi Sengay in 1964; His Holiness the 16th Karmapa in 1969; His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in 1974; His Holiness Dujum Rinpoche in 1975; His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche in 1982.
1976 (21 years old)
Rimpoche successfully completed a one-year-long Wisdom Manjushri retreat followed by another four-month-long Padmasambhava retreat.
1982 (27 years old)
Rimpoche outstandingly passed the Buddhist Philosophy examination, based on his understanding of relinquishing samsara. He also began his three-year-three-month-three-day-long retreat in the late November to early December.
1986 (31 years old)
Although the name of the retreat indicates an approximate of three years long, the actual period is three and a half years. Rimpoche also learned the Six Yogas of Naropa and Niguma under his root guru, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche and therefore he is qualified to teach the practice of the Marpa Kagyu, the Shangpa Kagyud and the Nyingma Dzokchen lineage.
Moreover, Rimpoche has received transmissions and empowerments of the Rinchen Terzok (Over Thousands Traditional Treasures lineage of Main Point), Dujum Tersar (All Treasures), Buddha Shakyamuni Spiritual Kangyur (145 volumes) and Padmasambawa Spiritual Nyingma Gyubuum (100 volume sutras).
As soon as Rimpoche completed the retreat, he decided to spend his entire life on spiritual practice in caves. However his root guru, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, counseled him otherwise to share the benefits of Buddha's Dharma with all beings and that was when Rimpoche began the Buddha's Dharma activities.
Whatever offerings made to Rimpoche have always been dedicated by him to Buddha's activities. Even ordinary stones that are the only precious jewels that can be offered by a person, as long as one is fully devoted to Buddhas, Rimpoche invariably keeps them safe with him as he incessantly tries to bridge all beings with the path to enlightenment.
When the time has come, the offered stones
are subsequently placed into the construction of holy objects, such
as monasteries, stupas and the Buddha statues.
1988 (33 years old)
The Building of a 110-foot-tall Dharmakaya Stupa in West Bengal
With the intention of benefiting beings that were inflicted in mass killings, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche gave instructions to Rimpoche to build a 110-foot-tall Dharmakaya stupa in West Bengal. When the stupa was midway completed, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche passed on to parinirvana. This is the first stupa built by Rimpoche of which its building took one year to complete.
1990 (35 years old)
The Building of the Eight Holy Stupas of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni
The eight Holy Stupas of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni were built by Rimpoche along the Northen India border, they comprised of: the Siddharta Lotus Stupa, the Enlightenment Stupa, the Dharma Wheel Stupa, the Miracle Stupa, the Reconciliation Stupa, the God Realm Stupa, the Long-Life Blessing Stupa and the Nirvana Stupa. Approximately 500 smaller stupas were built in between these eight stupas.
1990 (35 years old) - Present
Rimpoche has been actively teaching the Buddha's Dharma in many countries apart from Bhutan including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Canada, USA, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The ultimate aim of Rimpoche is to propagate the timeless principles of the Buddha's Teachings impartially to worldwide Buddhist followers so that anyone can attain enlightenment.
Rimpoche strongly encourages the embracing of a devoted faith of Buddha's Dharma that is free from any prejudice toward differences (colors/sects) among Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Often when people ask Rimpoche which sect of Vajrayana he belongs to, Rimpoche simply answers, "Buddha sect."
Obviously Rimpoche explicitly intends to emphasize the importance of the same ultimate destination to which all sects are aiming, i.e. liberation and enlightenment.
1995 - 2000 (40-45 years old)
The Dharmakaya Stupa Scripture Translation and The Stupa-Building
Rimpoche managed to translate the Dharmakaya Stupa Scripture from the Gubta Nagara Dharma language to English assisted by an American professor, Mr. Ives Waldo. The scripture was published in 1998 and as many as two thousand copies were shipped to Ohio, USA. The proceeds were then allocated to build a 19-foot-tall Dharmakaya StupaView online illustration (an external link). in Ohio in 2000.
As a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom and compassion, the Dharmakaya stupa arises to facilitate all beings to accumulate both virtues and wisdom for enlightenment.
1995 - 2004 (40-49 years old)
The Mani Kabum Scripture Translation
Mani Kabum Volume I & II expound on the prophecies and teachings of the Great Compassion Chenrezig (Guanyinpusa). Rimpoche had been meticulously working hard to translate them from the Gubta Nagara Dharma language to English in America, assisted by the same American professor.
1988 (33 years old)
The Building of a 110-foot-tall Dharmakaya Stupa in West Bengal
With the intention of benefiting beings that were inflicted in mass killings, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche gave instructions to Rimpoche to build a 110-foot-tall Dharmakaya stupa in West Bengal. When the stupa was midway completed, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche passed on to parinirvana. This is the first stupa built by Rimpoche of which its building took one year to complete.
1990 (35 years old)
The Building of the Eight Holy Stupas of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni
The eight Holy Stupas of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni were built by Rimpoche along the Northen India border, they comprised of: the Siddharta Lotus Stupa, the Enlightenment Stupa, the Dharma Wheel Stupa, the Miracle Stupa, the Reconciliation Stupa, the God Realm Stupa, the Long-Life Blessing Stupa and the Nirvana Stupa. Approximately 500 smaller stupas were built in between these eight stupas.
1990 (35 years old) - Present
Rimpoche has been actively teaching the Buddha's Dharma in many countries apart from Bhutan including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Canada, USA, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The ultimate aim of Rimpoche is to propagate the timeless principles of the Buddha's Teachings impartially to worldwide Buddhist followers so that anyone can attain enlightenment.
Rimpoche strongly encourages the embracing of a devoted faith of Buddha's Dharma that is free from any prejudice toward differences (colors/sects) among Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Often when people ask Rimpoche which sect of Vajrayana he belongs to, Rimpoche simply answers, "Buddha sect."
Obviously Rimpoche explicitly intends to emphasize the importance of the same ultimate destination to which all sects are aiming, i.e. liberation and enlightenment.
1995 - 2000 (40-45 years old)
The Dharmakaya Stupa Scripture Translation and The Stupa-Building
Rimpoche managed to translate the Dharmakaya Stupa Scripture from the Gubta Nagara Dharma language to English assisted by an American professor, Mr. Ives Waldo. The scripture was published in 1998 and as many as two thousand copies were shipped to Ohio, USA. The proceeds were then allocated to build a 19-foot-tall Dharmakaya StupaView online illustration (an external link). in Ohio in 2000.
As a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom and compassion, the Dharmakaya stupa arises to facilitate all beings to accumulate both virtues and wisdom for enlightenment.
1995 - 2004 (40-49 years old)
The Mani Kabum Scripture Translation
Mani Kabum Volume I & II expound on the prophecies and teachings of the Great Compassion Chenrezig (Guanyinpusa). Rimpoche had been meticulously working hard to translate them from the Gubta Nagara Dharma language to English in America, assisted by the same American professor.
The
Mani Kabum Volume I & II were launched in Singapore in November 2007. The
proceeds are allocated to the Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation.
2001 (46 years old)
Rimpoche gave an eighty-four Mahasiddhas empowerment, attended by more than 100,000 people in Bhutan. During the same year, Rimpoche provided financial support for the building of 108 Jangchub Chortens in Autsho, Lhuentse, paving the way for the fulfillment of prophecies by renowned Buddhist masters: Terton Dorje Lingpa, Terton Pema Lingpa, Terton Samten Lingpa, and Lam Sonam Zangpo.
Furthermore, a three-story-tall monastery, the Kunphen Oesel Dzong, with a capacity to accommodate 100 monks has been built in traditional architecture style by the local people in Bhutan. To date, it is still under construction. Rimpoche, along with His Holiness of Bhutan, was in charge of providing the financial support.
2002 - 2007 (47-52 years old)
The Building of One-thousand-armed Chenrezig Temple
Rimpoche has built a 1000-armed Chenrezig Temple with a cost of
around
US$1 million. It is located at Potala Lhakang, Tshanghka
Trashiling, Trongsar District, Central Bhutan. The exact location
of the temple was pointed out by Longchenpa, a Dzogchen master. The
31-foot-tall standing Chenrezig had been applied gold leaf by the
end of July 2007.
2003 (48 years old) - Present
Sutra Reprinting Project & Enthronement as Chairman
Being aware of the paramount importance of the Kangyur Sutra (consisting of the teachings of Theravada, Mahayana, & Vajrayana Buddhism), Rimpoche has been actively seeking support to reprint it. To date, as much as Nu4,7 million has been fundraised by the Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa for the Sutra Reprinting Project.
In November 2003, a complete set of printing machines were shipped to Bhutan by a sponsor. Subsequently in April 2004, the Monastic Printing Press was inaugurated by His Holiness. By reprinting these holy scriptures, they are made available to all temples and monasteries in Bhutan for annual recitation, thus invoking blessing, healing, natural happiness and world peace.
Rimpoche has been enthroned as the chairman of Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa and conferred the title His Eminence Trizin by His Holiness Trulku Jigme Choeda Rinpoche 70th Jekhenpo of Bhutan since June 2003.
2004 (49 years old) - Present
Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation has been founded by Rimpoche for the construction of a 169-foot-tall Buddha Shakyamuni at Changri Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan. Upon its completion, it will be a major pilgrimage center for worldwide Buddhists to converge, practice, meditate and hold spiritual retreats, serving primarily as a karma-restructuring meansDo you ever think of restructuring your own karma? to all beings.
2001 (46 years old)
Rimpoche gave an eighty-four Mahasiddhas empowerment, attended by more than 100,000 people in Bhutan. During the same year, Rimpoche provided financial support for the building of 108 Jangchub Chortens in Autsho, Lhuentse, paving the way for the fulfillment of prophecies by renowned Buddhist masters: Terton Dorje Lingpa, Terton Pema Lingpa, Terton Samten Lingpa, and Lam Sonam Zangpo.
Furthermore, a three-story-tall monastery, the Kunphen Oesel Dzong, with a capacity to accommodate 100 monks has been built in traditional architecture style by the local people in Bhutan. To date, it is still under construction. Rimpoche, along with His Holiness of Bhutan, was in charge of providing the financial support.
2002 - 2007 (47-52 years old)
The Building of One-thousand-armed Chenrezig Temple
Rimpoche has built a 1000-armed Chenrezig Temple with a cost of
around
US$1 million. It is located at Potala Lhakang, Tshanghka
Trashiling, Trongsar District, Central Bhutan. The exact location
of the temple was pointed out by Longchenpa, a Dzogchen master. The
31-foot-tall standing Chenrezig had been applied gold leaf by the
end of July 2007.2003 (48 years old) - Present
Sutra Reprinting Project & Enthronement as Chairman
Being aware of the paramount importance of the Kangyur Sutra (consisting of the teachings of Theravada, Mahayana, & Vajrayana Buddhism), Rimpoche has been actively seeking support to reprint it. To date, as much as Nu4,7 million has been fundraised by the Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa for the Sutra Reprinting Project.
In November 2003, a complete set of printing machines were shipped to Bhutan by a sponsor. Subsequently in April 2004, the Monastic Printing Press was inaugurated by His Holiness. By reprinting these holy scriptures, they are made available to all temples and monasteries in Bhutan for annual recitation, thus invoking blessing, healing, natural happiness and world peace.
Rimpoche has been enthroned as the chairman of Menjong Choethuen Tshogpa and conferred the title His Eminence Trizin by His Holiness Trulku Jigme Choeda Rinpoche 70th Jekhenpo of Bhutan since June 2003.
2004 (49 years old) - Present
Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation has been founded by Rimpoche for the construction of a 169-foot-tall Buddha Shakyamuni at Changri Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan. Upon its completion, it will be a major pilgrimage center for worldwide Buddhists to converge, practice, meditate and hold spiritual retreats, serving primarily as a karma-restructuring meansDo you ever think of restructuring your own karma? to all beings.