V. Master Choygyen Gawang
Who is Venerable V. Master Choygyen Gawang?
“Lama” refers to a person who demonstrated spiritual qualities and the ability to lead others in their spiritual life and path. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions the title Lama will only be given to someone who had practice doing a certain amount of retreat and Buddhism study.
In Tibetan cultures, names were not given by their parent but from a high monk. For Venerable Master Gawang, his root guru Venerable Tenga Rinpoche had given him his name Lama Dondub Namgel. But he was widely known as Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang. In Tibetan “Ga” gives the meaning of Joyfulness, True Happiness and Compassion of the Heaven while “Wang” refers to Empowerment
Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang had completed 4 years practice of Tantric Healing practice in the jungle up in the Himalaya Mountain and 3 years retreat practice in Benchen Clear Light Meditation Center in Pharping under the spiritual guidance of Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and the late Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche.
He is a senior practitioner in Meditation and Tantric Healing Master
Read more about his life story below
Birth and Early Years of V. Master Choygyen Gawang
His Life and Journey in Benchen Monastery
V. Master Choygyen Gawang (Dundob Namgel or “Happy Sun”) was born in Okhreni Nauling of Sindhupalchok region of Nepal in 1985. He was the eldest child in his family and an elder brother to 6 sisters (unfortunately 1 of his sister died at the age of 3 years old ) and 5 brothers. When he was in the womb of his mum, a high monk from Drukpa Kagyu lineage Venerable Sendak Rinpoche shared that the child is destined to be a high monk, popular and endowed with great powers.
At the young age of 5 1/2 years old, he was sent to a Gelupa lineage Techchen Monastery school, during his time in the monastery school he have obtain excellent result. Master Gawang was later sent to Ganden University Monastery ( 3 Years 5 months ) and Derahdun Sakya Ritual Monastery (1 Year) both situated in India where he studied logic, arts and Buddhism philosophy. During his learning he has a deep concern to understand “What is Samsaric life ?”
At a point of time Master Gawang was feeling unhealthy and had decided to return back to Nepal where he stayed in his layman ( a person who is not Buddhist trained ) house for 3 – 5 months. During his stay he was feeling very unhappy and his parents were concern that he did not receive proper guidance and education. He was later arrange to return back to his village with the help of his Uncle who is also a monk. After returning to his village he worked as a farmer for 1-2 years. During the difficult period he was feeling very unhappy and his parents were upset and disappointed that his son was no longer following the right path to buddhism.
At the age of 11 years old, he had met His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and had planned and went ahead to enroll into Nyigma Monastery (1 Year) in India. He had faced multiple obstacle such as financial difficulties and was almost denied entry into India by police. After he left Nyigma Monastery he had worked as a helper in a restaurant called ‘Patna’ in Bodh Gaya. Depress and felt the need to find out, learn the right path of Buddhism and understand “What exactly is Samsaric life? ” he left for an isolated place, somewhere around Assam located south of the eastern Himalayas to practice alone for 5 years. During the time he had met a powerful tantric yogi healing master and had received teaching such as good magic and healing technique from him. Upon receiving the teaching he continued his practice and trained in cemeteries and jungle.
During his years of practice, his parents had though they had lost their son and was delighted to see him back in the village 5 years later. His parents was then determine to search for a suitable monastery for his son. They had later found the Benchen Monastery following under the Kagyu Lineage.
Helping Venerable Master Gawang to work on the preservation and flourishing of the teachings of the Buddha
Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang was en-tasked to complete a mission given by his spiritual Guru Tenga Rinpoche that he is to build a Monastery for the Orphans. His work of providing a place of study and practice to young people of the Himalayan region, and to preserve the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet.
During his time in Benchen Monastery and under the spiritual guidance from his Guru Venerable Tenga Rinphoche and His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche , he received extensive explanation in protector rituals , drawing and construction of mandalas, literature , arts and painting of deities , consecration ceremonies , preparatory and main empowerment and burnt-offerings and traditional medical knowledge. With his commitment and handwork he obtain great results in successful understanding the various teachings that he has received.
There is a sudden calling to head out to the to take practice at a refuge for 3 years and 9 months. With minimal knowledge and experience he head to retreat with only one blanket. During that time he had received Special Instruction, Transmission , Empowerment and Prophecy from Venerable Tenga Rinphoche , His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Great Abbott Venerable Khenchen Tsültrim Gyamtso where he later diligently continued his practice on various Deities , Angels and Protectors. While practicing in retreat Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang had learnt that “Life is not so Easy” and sometimes wonder ” What is Life?” . His Guru Tenga Rinpoche would often visit him in retreat center where he share and advise the young Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang on how to be a good monk and what is meaningful life.
After the end of his practice, he realised a lot has change in the environment and when he visited his village he come to know that many friends and relatives whom he once knew had already passed away. Feeling unhappy he left for India , North of Delhi for 1 years and met Khyentse Rinpoche and was granted with 103 Buddhist commentary oral transmission. He further on received 800 different Empowerment , Oral transmission and Prophecy from His Holiness Khentin Tai Situpa Rinpoche which Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang is very thankful and respectful towards them.
He later serve as a teacher in Benchen Monastery for 3 years teaching monks from age 15-19 years old. After which , he requested to his Guru Venerable Tenga Rinpoche if he can continue his practice in an isolated place . However, Venerable Tenga Rinpoche did not approve and had advise him to go to a mediation place in Pharping to practice . After 7 days , he decided to return to Benchen Monastery. On 30 March 2012, Venerable Tenga Rinpoche had obtain enlightenment and passed away at the age of 81 years old. Keeping his Guru deeply in his heart he continue with his practice and power meditation .
Over the years, Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang had visited many Europe and South-East Asia countries such as France, Poland , Austria, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia. He had travel tirelessly, with the sole objective of benefiting many people around the world. He conduct teaching and lectures such as “Understanding human life” and “Leading a Meaningful Life”. He is also a Tantric yoga Master and Meditation Master.
Presently Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang is mostly based in Nepal and continue his travel to different countries sharing his precious and valuable teaching to all walks of people in life . He spends his rest of the time in retreat practicing . Information about Venerable Master Choygyen Gawang activities and his upcoming and current schedules are also available on this website.
