Ringu Tulku is a Tibetan Buddhist master of the Kagyu
Tradition. He was born in the region of Rigul and was
recognised as the reincarnation of the Abbot of Rigul
Monastery by HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. His family, and
many of the people of Rigul, had to leave the area
following the Chinese takeover. Rinpoche (Ringu Tulku) was
just under five years old when he left and he has been
unable to return since. For more information about Ringu
Tulku and his work please visit Bodhicharya.
Where is Rigul and how
many people live there?
Rigul is a region situated in Kham, South Eastern Tibet,
about 40 km (25 miles) south-east of Nangdo on the right
bank of the Za-chu (Yalong) river. The altitude is 3,900
meters (12795 feet).The population is made up of 150 to 200
people over a large region, as well as 90 monastery and 40
shedra monks. The local people make a living out of cattle
(yaks) and crops (barley, potatoes and some other
vegetables).
What was Rigul like
before Ringu Tulku left?
In many ways it was the same as can be seen in photographs.
It was a simple life where Buddhist values were a way of
life. The people were proud Khampas who loved horses and
being free. Rigul always had a close relationship to nearby
Dzogchen Monastery and was fortunate to have access to many
renowned Buddhist teachers.
What happened in Rigul after he left?
We dont know for sure what happened, but it is understood
that the people suffered severe hardships and many did not
survive. Most of the teachers and monks left or were killed
or imprisoned. The remaining villagers moved into the
monastery which prevented the Chinese from destroying it
completely and they were able to save a number of precious
relics, thangkas (religious paintings) and rupas (statues),
by hiding them. They were told that Ringu Tulku and his
family were dead.
What help has been sent so far?
Until relatively recently, little news had been heard from
Rigul since the 1960s. But in 1992 Ringu Tulku was able to
start sending money to enable the people to restore the
monastery and to build a shedra, a teaching college for the
monks. A generation of Buddhist teachers had been lost
following the Chinese takeover and it was Rinpoches wish to
help restore the teachings in the area. The monastery was
repaired and the shedra built. Teachers from Dzogchen
Monastery came to give teachings to the monks and help them
in their studies. A Health Clinic was also started in 2001
by a young nun, Ani Choden, a relative of Ringu Tulku, and
more funds were sent to help her and pay for the doctor.
Rinpoche also wanted to encourage a lay school for the
local children and sent money to help pay for teachers.
In 2003 a monk from Rigul travelled to India to see Ringu
Tulku. He was a newly qualified Khenpo (professor in
Tibetan studies), a product of the Rigul Shedra, and he
explained that much of the Shedra had fallen into
disrepair. Rinpoche asked him to return to Rigul to build a
new Shedra and he would provide the necessary funds. We
also learned that the Health Clinic had become a great
success and quite famous in the region. Many people had
benefited from the traditional herbal medicines as prepared
by Ani Choden and the doctor was very skilled in both
Tibetan and Chinese medicine. But the clinic was housed in
one room in the doctors residence and needed more space.
Rinpoche promised to send enough money to build a small
building for the clinic. In 2004 funds were sent to start
the construction of the new shedra as well as the clinic.
What help is needed
now?
In July 2004 Francois and Arnaud were able to visit Rigul
and brought back the first photographs we have had in many
years as well as more news. The building of the Shedra is
ongoing but proving more expensive than the Khenpos first
estimate, in fact three times as much. We also need
sponsorship for all the monks and teachers and money to pay
for their books. As well as the Shedra, the Monastery needs
help, especially for the roof. The precious thangkas and
rupas that have been kept safely all these years also need
restoring. We already have sponsorship for Ani Choden, but
need sponsorship for the doctor as well as enough funding
to run the clinic. We also need to build a lay school! The
children are currently being taught in the open air. The
teachers need paying and the children need books, pencils
etc.
Why is the Shedra so
important?
The Dharma (the Buddhas teachings) is the heart of Tibetan
people. The monks and teachers help keep this alive. A
whole generation of teachers was lost to these people and
we are now helping to educate the young monks and give the
area back its teachers. The Shedra will ensure a
traditional training for the monks and produce enough
teachers for the region and beyond.