Throughout history, in every era and time, great people are recognized by the mark they leave on the pages and course of history.
The one known as Chetsang Rinpoche, the throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is one such individual. Read the book ‘From the Heart of Tibet’ and you will know what I mean. (It sells for US14.93 at Amazon – click the picture of the book or the link in green below to get there).
From the Heart of Tibet: The Biography of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, the Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage
Through the pages of this biography, the story and life of Chetsang Holiness comes to life. Before I read this book, Chetsang Holiness was, in my mind, an ordinary monk who had been chosen to lead the lineage. He was born into it, sort of. Just like the lucky ones born with a silver spoon. Reading that book changed all that.
It was apt that I read the book while in Songtsen Library, just next to his residence, a few weeks ago. The book had just came in and was not even catalogued when I spied it on the librarian’s table. The librarian was a friend who kindly allowed me to read it – I was not allowed to take it out of the premises. In the warm winter sunshine along with a lovely hot thermos of Nescafe, I devoured the book. The words left me misty eyed many a time as I discovered so many things about this man leaving me wondering about many things. Things like circumstances, invisible protectors, fate. Even the possibility of things having a different meaning popped in my cynical mind.
To know more, you have to read this book. It details his childhood, his adventures (were there any misadventures?), his growing years during the dark and tumultuous years of the cultural revolution under communist china and Mao Tse Tung, his escape and his revival of the Drikung Kagyu Buddhist tradition.
I enjoyed most the middle part of the book which tells of his trials under the communists. Many inspirations I found and this part was read with great amazement, wonder and awe. Great individuals are rare. One may not have the qualities to be great but one can count oneself as fortunate if one have had the honour of meeting one.
A truly recommended read. And thankful for the present.
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You are most welcome. It is such a delight to share!