Teachings with Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II
Serkong Rinpoche on A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life
Shantideva Center is thrilled to welcome Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II for teachings on the celebrated work A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Bodhicaryāvatāra) by Shantideva—our center’s namesake. As a monk at the great Nalanda monastic university in the 8th century CE, Shantideva was taken to be lazy and unaccomplished until one day when he delivered the perfectly-formed and complete teachings that would be transcribed as A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. Over the course of three sessions, Serkong Rinpoche teaches from this famous work, which describes in poetic verse the path of spiritual development of the bodhisattva, from ordinary person to fully awakened buddha.
Serkong Rinpoche on Shantideva's Wisdom Chapter (Ch. 9) & the Three Principal Aspects of the Path
Though they lived six centuries apart, the philosopher-monk Shantideva and the great Buddhist scholar Lama Je Tsongkhapa composed works that clarified and organized the Buddha’s teachings. In this three-session course, Serkong Rinpoche brings together two of their famous texts to show how they illuminate each other, and the path to enlightenment: the 9th chapter examining wisdom from A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Bodhicaryāvatāra) by Shantideva and The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Je Tsongkhapa.
Born in 1984, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II is a recognized reincarnation (tulku) of one of the fourteenth Dalai Lama’s main teachers and master debate partner. Having earned the highest degree within the rigorous Tibetan monastic university system, Serkong Rinpoche also spent some years in Canada learning English and getting acquainted with life in the west. His approach to teaching is down-to-earth and warmly humorous, making connections between the Buddha’s teachings and the modern challenges to applying them today. Though he has been known to call the attractions of the west “nothing special!” he is most impressed by the sincere interest westerners have in engaging with the Buddha’s teachings.
Recordings
To jump to a particular session on the playlist, click the playlist icon (near the top-right corner) of the video frame to select video.
More Information about Serkong Rinpoche II
Modern-Day Dharma: Interview with Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II
Modern-Day Dharma: Interview with Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche IIIn this article, Rinpoche talks about how Dharma teachings could evolve and how parties and Instagram might even fit in.
Yoda and Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche
Yoda and Tsenshap Serkong RinpocheWas Yoda based on this famed Buddhist master? Learn about one scholar’s view and Rinpoche’s life and personality.
What is the Dharma?
What is the Dharma?In this short video clip, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II talks about how Dharma addresses the root of all problems in our lives.
Additional Materials
Prayers:
Prayers for Teachings – Serkong Rinpoche II – September 2023 (Standard PDF) (Mobile-friendly PDF)
Long life Prayer for Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II (PDF)
Texts:
Selected Verses from Śantideva’s Guide in Topical Arrangement by Rime Geshe Tenzin Gyurme (PDF)
The Three Principal Aspects of the Path (PDF)
Chanting the Names of Manjushri (PDF)
Meditation on the Selflessness of Persons (PDF)
Ritual for taking Bodhicitta vow (PDF)
A Discussion Between Self-Grasping and the Wisdom Realizing Selflessness by Panchen Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen
Commentary: Chöden Rinpoche and Yongdzin Losang Jinpa
Happy Monks Publication: downloads available here
About the Teacher
Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche was born in the Spiti valley, in India, in 1984. At the age of two, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II (1984 – present) pointed to the photo of the recently deceased Assistant Tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama and said, “That’s me!” When he was about three years old he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Kyabje Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche (1914-1983), who was one of the seven master debate partners to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Rinpoche began his Buddhist studies and training at Ganden Jangtse Monastery in South India. After deciding to continue his work for the Dharma as a lay person, he completed his education at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. On the advice of the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche completed three years of intensive study of English in Canada.
Rinpoche teaches at Dharma Centers around the world, combining his experience of the study and practice of Buddhism with his acquaintance with the Western world. His fascinating teachings are full of wisdom, grace and humor. Rinpoche feels privileged to continue the responsibilities of Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche to teach and benefit people as much as he can.
Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche I (1914-1983)
Kyabje Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche was born on July 27, 1914, in the area of Loka in southern Tibet. His father was one of the most outstanding masters of the previous century, the great Serkong Dorjechang, the incarnation of Marpa the translator, his mother the incarnation of Marpa’s wife Dagmema and Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche the incarnation of Marpa’s son Darmadodey.
Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche studied with masters from all the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and in 1948 was appointed as one of the seven Tsenshap or Master Debate Partners to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche served His Holiness in this capacity for the rest of his life and imparted to His Holiness many lineages, initiations and oral transmissions. He accompanied His Holiness to China in 1954 and came in exile to India in 1959.
As a master of both sutra and all four classes of tantra, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche traveled extensively throughout India and Nepal to give teachings and initiations and help the monasteries restart their rituals. He made five trips to Spiti, where, in the manner of Atisha, he reformed and revitalized the monasteries and the Buddhist tradition of that remote mountain region. He also made two tours of North America and Europe.
Taking on all obstacles to the welfare and works of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche passed away in full control and in accordance with his intentions, in the manner of the Buddha Shakyamuni, on August 20th, 1983 in Kyipar, Spiti, India. In memorial, His Holiness praised his former Master Debate Partner as a “real Kadampa Geshe”, someone who always remained humble in the truest sense.
Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche, one of the main teachers of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, was also Dr. Alexander Berzin’s principal teacher. His down-to-earth manner, practical approach and great sense of humor endeared him to both Tibetan and Western students alike. A master of all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, he combined the highest qualities of being a learned scholar, an accomplished practitioner, and a skillful, compassionate teacher. In “A Portrait of Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche”, Dr. Berzin shares his personal memories of the nine years he spent as his close disciple, interpreter and English secretary.
