A young Tibetan boy named Tsering Dorje was recognized as the reincarnation of Denma Gonsar Rinpoche, an important Tibetan Buddhist master who passed away in 2005. In a ceremony attended by over 100,000 people, the 7-year-old boy sat on the throne and distributed his first blessings, taking his place as the new Denma Gonsar Rinpoche. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, great spiritual masters can choose how and where they will be reborn to continue their spiritual work. The young boy will now undergo a rigorous education to prepare him for his role as a spiritual leader.

1. 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.
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.. 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 Tibetan Buddhist 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 people’s 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

2. 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.