THE FIRST WANGTHANG RINPOCHE
Wangthang Rinpoche was born as Dorje Sonam in the family of Mugrig Deshak (smug rigs sde shag) Zampakha of Mai-nyag (me nyag) village, to father Palzang Mugrong, a descendant of Mugpo family, and mother Drenkar Godtshang (sgron dkar rgod tshang), a descendant of Godtshang family, with wonderful signs in 1930.
At the age of three, when he could remember his previous life, Tulku Jamyang, the mind emanation of Terchen Guru Choewang, and then spiritual master of the Mai-nyag Drakar Monastery, recognized him as immediate reincarnation of Jigme Kundrol, the heart son of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
The master gave him the name Yeshe Dorje right after performing his hair cutting ceremony. In the beginning, his master bestowed novice monk vow upon him followed by the basic teachings on reading and writing. Moreover, he received the teaching on one of the profound Dharma texts from his master.
Since he could understand it without any difficulty, the master praised him saying that even I, your teacher, cannot compete with you, and you are wonderful! With this, the master smiled at him.
He lived together with his master until he was fourteen years old. One day, having developed a very strong interest in the field of studying sutras, tantras and sciences, he shared his interest with his master, but he was not granted permission to do so.
Thus, remembering the tradition of Kham that nobody can ever deny the right to seek blessing from Jowo of Lhasa, he seek permission from his master for a pilgrimage to Lhasa. His master said, “Will you come back? “He replied, “Yes I will come back.” Then the lama stated that I don’t have confident that you will come back, but you can still take oath water for the benefit of comforting my mind. With this, he had to take oath water from his master.
Vajra and Bell which was given by Rinpoche’s Master
The master gave him his personal bell and vajra along with great prayers, where they could hardly bear the pain of separating from each other. He carried Dharma texts and foodstuffs himself and visited Tsari, Lhasa and other great holy places and made great aspirations. Then, having realized that the right time has come for him to be mendicant ascetic, he left for Bhutan, a prophesied land, through Kurtoe, along with his elder brother Gelong Jampal Zangpo. He lived at Ura, Shingkhar and Sumthrang Gonpa in Bumthang for few years. Due to the support of devoted benefactors Dasho Ngedrup Namgyal and Sonam Jamtsho from Ura, Bumthang,
Wangthang Rinpoche resided at Ura Chagthang Gonpa, where Rinpoche received and studied the Thirteen major philosophical texts perfectly from his elder brother within three years.
In due course of time, by the power of the aspirations of the past lives, the people in that land became his supporters. Then very shortly, Rinpoche married with a lady named Pema Dechen and had one daughter. But, due to the interference from envious people, he had to part ways with her.
Then Rinpoche married with a lady named Pema Lhazin, from Tsaka Ling under Mongar District in eastern Bhutan. She was a descendant of Pema Lingpa, one of the five great treasure revealers, prophesied by Guru Padmasambhava. They had three sons and four daughters, but the eldest daughter could not survive. Rinpoche’s most special masters are Kyaje Kathog Rinpoche, Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche (previous and present), Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and so on, from whom Rinpoche received many profound Dharma teachings. Particularly, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, the lord of the seven transmissions, accepted him as his heart son and Rinpoche received the profound mind introduction according to the Great perfection.
Residing in his winter residence at Tsaka Ling in Mongar and the summer residence at Wangthang Gonpa in Ura Bumthang, Rinpoche carried out spiritual activities for the welfare of the Dharma and beings. But, due to the degeneration of the virtue of beings, Rinpoche developed illness and eventually passed away into mahaparinirvana leaving behind final words at his residence in Tsaka Ling in 1983.
THE SECOND WANGTHANG RINPOCHE
In 1984, on the tenth day of the fifth lunar month with various portents and signs, Venerable Tulku Ngawang Gelek Pelzang was born at Chali, Mongar to a Yap Kelzang Namgyal and Yum Tshewang Chodron. Wangthang Rinpoche is said to be a reincarnation of Mon Jigme Kundrol who is a prominent disciple of Rigzin Jigme Lingpa.
When Rinpoche was 3 years old, Rinpoche repeatedly pledged his parent that he wanted to go to Wangthang, Ura saying he have monastery there ,but Rinpoche’s parent ignored that a child must be the rebirth of Wangthang lay-monk( Gomchen) and didn’t bother on what he says. Then Rinpoche was so exasperated as no one listens to what he says and as he angrily step his foot on the stone and imprint his footprint, people then astounded and believe him to be a real incarnation of one higher Lama. He persistently tells his parent and people that he have one elder brother Lama. People misunderstood his own brother and Predecessor brother. The one which Rinpoche talks about was his predecessor brother and recognized him as his predecessor brother Lama.
Gomchens of Wangthang Gonpa heard that their Rinpoche was reincarnated at Chali, Mongar. The Gomchen upon hearing the excited news, they requested venerable Lama Dabab who was a great saint in Chagchen Practice of Kagyu Tradition to prognosticate whether a child is an authentic reincarnation of Wangthang Rinpoche. Lama Dabab remain silent for a moment and then folded his hand saying our Rinpoche is now reincarnated at Chali,Mongar. After prophesying about the true incarnation,Lama Dhabab Confirmed the recognition as a true reincarnation of Wangthang Rinpoche and later, further confirmation was made by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The certificate of recognition (the prophecy letter),was handed over to a daughter of Rinpoche Predecessor by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and named him as Pema Kunzang.
Lama Dabab in ecstasy ask Gomchens to prepare for Rinpoche’s Enthronement at Ura Lhakhang. Everyone rejoice with great exultation and that was indelible great news for Gomchens and people of Ura and Wangthang community. In 1988, At the Age of Five, coinciding the Descendent Day of Lord Buddha, Rinpoche was enthroned as 2nd Wangthang Rinpoche at Ura Lhakhang by Venerable Lama Dabab. Meantime, during enthronement Rinpoche recognize his predecessor brother saying it’s his brother when his brother was carrying at the back side of his mother. After Rinpoche’s Enthronement, he intreat imploring saying he want to go to Wangthang Gonpa and upon reaching Wangthang Gonpa, Rinpoche instantly recognized all his predecessors things. People who are close disciple of Rinpoche’s predecessor are happy and rejoiced gracefully to have Rinpoche Yangsi.
At the age of seven Rinpoche joined Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery under the great guidance of Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche. Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche perform a hair cutting ceremony and gave preliminary Vows of taking refuge and Rinpoche was named as Ngawang Gelek Pelzang. Ever since Wangthang Rinpoche was the first ever Tulku at Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery.
Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche’s reverend tutor namely Yongzin Choying Namdrol guided Rinpoche in various spiritual skills such as reading, writing, grammar, memorizing spiritual text and many other basic skills of ritual performing and so on.
Around the Age of Nine, Wangthang Rinpoche was invited over for Kanjur Recitation at Ura by Lama Neten, during the lunch hour, Rinpoche went to play near the small stream at Ura and when he was playing with his friends, he stamp his foot on the stone and imprint a footprint where his attender and playmates are startled and astonished to see Rinpoche leaving footprint on a stone. When they resume back to Kanjur recitation, Rinpoche’s attender narrated an anecdote of imprinting footprint on a stone to the people. Lama Neten upon hearing that, he went carrying white scarf (khadhar) to the location promptly and Dasho Minjur who resides at Leeksingma, Ura too reached at the spot simultaneously, Lama Neten and Dasho misapprehended claiming that Dasho will take that footprint as he was the first to reach at the location and Lama Neten will take that footprint as he was the one to invite over for Kanjur recitation. However Dasho took that footprint and kept as a sacred object at Leeksingma, Ura gewog. At Present, we can see Rinpoche’s footprint at Leeksingma,Ura.
Rinpoche since childhood loves to perform Mask Dances and Perform many mask dances during Tsechus and other occasions.One propitious Day, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche visited Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery, on that day Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche sent Wangthang Rinpoche to Visit Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Wangthang Rinpoche after visiting offered Manjushri Prayers (Praise to Manjushri) ,at that instant Rinpoche was so little Recited Manjushri Prayers adeptly as a gesture of offerings. Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was then so gratified and stared at Wangthang Rinpoche and gave a delightful Smile. Before Wangthang Rinpoche return, He bow to Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s feet and got an indelible Blessings.
In 2001 Rinpoche started buddhist schooling at Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery and completed his studies in 2009. In 2002, Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche supported financially to sent Wangthang Rinpoche towards Tashi Yangtse to Receive all the revealed teaching of Terton Dorji Lingpa from Aja Lama Dorji Tenzin. In 2004, Rinpoche along with few monks went to Shimla( Dorji Drak) to study Northern Treasure ritual Tradition and Mask Dances for more than Eight Months. When Rinpoche return to Kharchu Monastery, Rinpoche Continued to serve Dorji Lopen(Vajra Master) until 2013. In 2013, Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche sent Wangthang Rinpoche to Kalingpong to receive rare and precious oral Transmission on collected works of Bopa Tulku Dongak Tenpe Nima from Nyejang Rinpoche. In 2014,Under the guidance of Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche, Wangthang Rinpoche went to three long years retreat with Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche.
In 2021, Wangthang Rinpoche renovated a stupa at Chali,Mongar which was once built by 3rd Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche and 3 feet of 3rd Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche Statue was offered near the stupa by Wangthang Rinpoche in order to bring peace and harmony to the people.The only auspicious holy sites for people to accumulate merits by circumambulating and making offerings and Prayers. Rinpoche mainly innovated holy activities for the benefit of all sentient beings. In 2022, Kyabje Namkhai Nyinpo Rinpoche did an extensive Consecration ceremony and all the devotees was blessed to witnessed with various special signs and significances where the Stupa grew by 8 inches and Sprinkle cleansing water (dhuetse) oozing out from Stupa.
Rinpoche received various teachings from many learned Khenpos and teachers such as Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk, Khenchen Jampel Dorji, Khenchen Pema Sherab and many more. Further Rinpoche received special and sacred teachings from Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, Trulshik Rinpoche, & Rabjam Rinpoche.
A petal of scholarly accomplishment fully blown and erecting a considerable height of realization, the illuminator of Buddha Dharma, Chogtul Wangthang Rinpoche served as a regent to Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche in Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery. The loyal followers of his direct predecessor have earnestly requested the present successor to promptly take over the monastery for years. Local people from Ura present for a grand ceremonial reception at Evening.
In 2021 Coinciding with the auspicious 10th day of the 5th Lunar Month the second Wangthang Rinpoche, formally takes the seat of his earlier predecessor the first Wangthang Rinpoche at Wangthang Gonpa in Ura. People of Ura and devotees from near and far gathered to offer felicitations and prayers to Rimpoche’s long life and continued dharma activities.
Treldha Tsechu (Religious Festival) was conducted for three days since 7th day of the fifth lunar month, ending with the formal ceremonial enthronement of 2nd Wangthang Rinpoche to the seat of his predecessor at Wangthang Lhakhang. Now Rinpoche is shouldering the major responsibility in development of infrastructure of Wangthang Gonpa.