Foreword
BY HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

I AM PLEASED that the autobiography of my late tutor, Kyabjé Trijang Rinpoché, is being made available in English. Rinpoché was celebrated for his erudition and eloquence, and his autobiography stands as a testimony to his remarkable skills as a writer and keen observer of human experience.

Born in 1901, in Gungthang near Lhasa, Trijang Rinpoché was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor when he was barely three years old. He studied at the Shartsé College of Ganden Monastic University, the seat of the great scholar and accomplished practitioner Tsongkhapa, and obtained his geshé lharam degree before reaching the age of twenty. He then joined Gyüto Tantric College, where he completed his formal education. Rinpoché’s interests were varied and his field of mastery wide, ranging from classical philosophy to literature and poetry, and from traditional Tibetan healing sciences to the visual arts. The collection of his writings reflects his broad command of Tibetan cultural traditions.

In 1940 Trijang Rinpoché was appointed one of my debating assistants (tsenshab), and in 1952 he became my junior tutor; my senior tutor was Ling Rinpoché. I have fond memories of Rinpoché’s kindness throughout my childhood.

Since his predecessors had close ties to the practice, as did his root lama Phabongkha Rinpoché, it is understandable that my late tutor followed them in propitiating Dölgyal (Dorjé Shukden). Nevertheless, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama was unequivocal in describing Dölgyal as “an oath-breaking spirit born from perverse prayers . . . harming the teachings and all living beings.” Therefore I was deeply grateful to Rinpoché for his steadfast support when I began to express my strong objections to Dölgyal practice. He once remarked to me that the investigative procedures I had followed with regard to this issue, including my consultations with the Nechung oracle, had been consistently reliable at critical junctures for Tibet and had stood the test of time.

Trijang Rinpoché died in November 1981. The moment I received news of his imminent demise, I rushed to his residence in Gangchen Kyishong. When I arrived, sadly Rinpoché had already passed away, but I was able to pay my respects. Soon after, at the request of Rinpoché’s personal staff, Ganden Shartsé Monastery, and Rinpoché’s many devotees, I composed a prayer for the swift return of his reincarnation.

I feel fortunate to have been among the students of this great Tibetan master. I am profoundly grateful to Rinpoché for his kindness, for his teaching and transmissions, and for his personal friendship. It is a joy for me to add these few words of appreciation to the English translation of Trijang Rinpoché’s autobiography.

10 April 2018