Tibetan Buddhists: Becoming a Spiritual Leader
Revered Tibetan Buddhist teachers reminisce about their humble origins and how they began their journey to becoming spiritual leaders.
By Tibet Oral History Project
Tibetan Buddhists: Becoming a Spiritual Leader
Standing Buddha Shakyamuni in Varada-mudra (Probably 8th century - 10th century) by Unidentified ArtistHarvard Art Museums
Image of the historical figure, Gautama Buddha, whom the Buddhist tradition is founded upon.
Padmasambhava (first half of the 18th century)Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Padmasambhava was a renowned Indian tantric master. He taught Buddhism in Tibet in the late 8th century.
Atisha (982-1054) Kadam Order Founder; beginning of Sarma (New) Orders (17th century - 18th century) by Unknown artistThe Newark Museum of Art
Atisha was a an Indian Buddhist master who is known for reintroducing pure Buddhism in Tibet during the 11th century.
Finding a Reincarnated Lama
Remembering a Past Life - interview with Lama Kunga Thartse by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Lama Kunga Thartse was born in 1937 in Utsang, Tibet. At the age of 10 he was recognized as a reincarnation of a previous lama. He arrived in the United States in 1962 and established the Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center.
Watch his entire interview on YouTube or read the transcript.
"Torma" - Buddhist ritual offerings made of flour and butterTibet Oral History Project
These "torma" are handmade from flour and butter and placed on religious alters as offerings.
Skullcup with Lid (18th century) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Recognizing a Reincarned Lama - interview with Professor Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Professor Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche, was born in 1939 in Kham, Tibet. He was recognized as the 5th reincarnation of Samdhong Rinpoche at the age of 5. He served as the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile from 2001 until 2011.
Watch his entire interview on YouTube or read the transcript.
Asia Tibet VariousLIFE Photo Collection
Tibetan MonasteryTibet Oral History Project
Privileges and Challenges of Being a Reincarnated Lama - interview with Arjia Rinpoche by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Arjia Rinpoche, was born in 1950 in Amdo, Tibet and was recognized as a reincarnated lama at the age of 2. He is now the director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana.
Watch his entire interview on YouTube or read the transcript.
Tibetan Buddhist Monks Performing Prayers with Ritual InstrumentsTibet Oral History Project
Tibetan Buddhist monks chant prayers while using the bell and thunderbolt ritual instruments.
Thunderbolt (Vajra; Tibetan: Dorje) (circa 18th century) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Vajra Bell (Ghanta) (circa 18th century) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Becoming the “Throne Holder” of the Sakya Tradition - interview with the 41st Sakya Trizin by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin was born in 1945 in Utsang, Tibet into the noble Khon family, which founded the Sakya Buddhist Order. He was nominated as the Trizin ‘Throne Holder’ of Sakya by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1950. His Holiness served as the head of the Sakya Order until 2017, when the throneholder duties were handed over to his son.
Watch his entire interview at YouTube or read the transcript.
Rel Orie Budd TibetLIFE Photo Collection
Young Buddhist Monks in NepalTibet Oral History Project
A Woman's Perspective on Religious Life
Special Religious Training for a Young Nun - interview with Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding was born in 1938 in Utsang, Tibet. Her younger brother is the head of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism and any daughters of that family must become nuns. She founded the Sakya Thubten Tsechen Ling dharma center in Vancouver, Sakya Dechen Ling in California and Sakya Kalden Ling in Germany.
Watch her entire interview on YouTube or read the transcript.
Ritual Conch (18th century) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Ritual Pellet Drum (circa 18th century) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Female Buddhist Teacher in a Male-Dominated Tradition - interview with Jamyang D. Sakya by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Jamyang D. Sakya was born into a very religious family in 1934 in Kham, Tibet. She married His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, head of the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang lineage and later she helped him to establish the Sakya Monastery in Seattle, Washington.
Watch her entire interview on YouTube or read the transcript.
Photograph of Geshe Jampa Chonphel (2013-12-30) by Tibet Oral History ProjectTibet Oral History Project
Learn more about Tibetan Buddhism from the elders.
Visit the Tibet Oral History Project website.
TIBET ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
www.TibetOralHistory.org
Interviewer: Marcella Adamski
Transcriber: Tenzin Yangchen
Photographs by Marcella Adamski, Martin Newman, Jennifer OBoyle.
Videos created by Jennifer OBoyle.
Videographers included Kerry Rose, Pema Tashi, Tony Sondag, Tenzin Choenyi
