Kalu Rinpoche (1904-1989) The Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche was an extraordinary teacher of our time. He was a lineage teacher in the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions. His fame as a wisdom teacher spread far and wide. Learned Lamas and disciples all over the world were immediately attracted to him. His ability to teach Buddhism to Westerners is legendary. Because of this, he was able to inspire and benefit many beings by opening nearly one hundred dharma centers around the world. Along with the many dharma centers that he established, Kalu Rinpoche also opened numerous Three-Year Retreat Centers, built monasteries, stupas and authored many dharma books before passing away at his monastery in Darjeeling at the age of 85. His reincarnation, Yangsi Rinpoche, was born in the fall of 1990 and resides in Darjeeling, India.
It was a grievous time in the history of the Maui Dharma Center when The Venerable Lama Tenzin was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the start of the new millennium. He passed away in February, 2001, after 20 years as resident teacher. Lama Tenzin was well known and highly respected in the community. As a spiritual leader, he worked tirelessly in creating a firm foundation for Tibetan Buddhism on Maui. His magical qualities enabled him to establish friendships with a diverse cross section of the community. Reflecting the virtues of a Bodhisattva, Lama Tenzin will be remembered for his gentle nature and equal kindness to everyone. As a young monk, Lama Tenzin studied in the Gelupa tradition in the great Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet. He met Kalu Rinpoche in India, and as his disciple trained in the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions. Appointed by Kalu Rinpoche to come to Maui in 1982, Lama Tenzin was among the first generation of teachers challenged with the awesome responsibility of establishing Tibetan Buddhism in the West. Lama Tenzin left a legacy of disciplined practice. His message to practice virtue and help others was clear. His life was a pure example of what can be accomplished through spiritual practice in everyday life.
The Venerable Lama Gyaltsen Tamang arrived on Maui on the full-moon day of June , 2003 to begin work as the Maui Dharma Center’s new resident teacher. Lama Gyaltsen was chosen by the late Lama Tenzin as his successor. Lama Gyaltsen was born in Darjeeling, India in 1968. He is the only child born to parents who had deep faith in the Buddha Dharma. Lama Gyaltsen’s father sought the advice of his teacher, the great Nyingmapa Tibetan Buddhist master, Chadral Rinpoche, on the spiritual education of his son. Rinpoche advised that the young boy should become a monk and study under the tutelage of Kalu Rinpoche. At the age of five, Lama Gyaltsen became one of Kalu Rinpoche’s first fifteen monk students. Lama Gyaltsen is young, bright, speaks English and is enthusiastic about leading the Maui Dharma Center into the challenges of the next generation. |
Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche
Lama Tenzin 