%2B%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87%2B%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87_edited.png)
FOUNDER
Potowa Temple
meaning
Potowa Rinpoche
Founder of Potowa Temple
1966~2019
Potowa Rinpoche
The life of the 17th Potowa Rinpoche was as rare and short as a shining meteor. He was born in Yunlin, Taiwan in 1966. Since his student days, he has been deeply involved in various religions in Taiwan, including Yiguandao, Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Christianity and folk beliefs, etc., and has become familiar with the classics of each religion. It was not until 1993 that he met the 25th Mahayana Dharma King of Tibetan Buddhism from Nepal, the Lotus Playing Vajra Living Buddha, and took refuge in him. Since then, he has devoted himself to the study of Tantric Buddhism with unprecedented intensity. In 2004, he was ordained as a monk, and his Dharma name is Rui. Xian Jianjian is recognized as the reincarnation of Geshe Budua Rinpoche, one of the founders of the Gadang sect hundreds of years ago. After becoming a monk, he began to demonstrate amazing secret practices, saved countless people, and overcame many obstacles. He began to build many monasteries across Taiwan to facilitate the practice and study of monks and lay disciples. In 2017, we started to build Taiwan's first Tibetan Gardang Sect Buduwa Buddhist Academy, which is expected to be completed in 2024. At the same time, we established the non-profit Chinese Buduwa Buddhist Association and the Chinese Gardang Dingshu Buddhist Association and other religious groups. The promotion of Rinpoche’s teachings not only focuses on physical construction, but also focuses on inheritance. He frequently hosts Dharma meetings and deity authorization ceremonies, and actively participates in social charity activities. He was also the first advocate in Tibetan Buddhism to use sign language to promote Dharma to deaf people, demonstrating outstanding compassion and tolerance. In just 16 years, Rinpoche has carried forward his holy career explosively and dedicated himself to the best. His bravery and eloquence are unimpeded, and deeply inspire every disciple. There should be no spare effort. [The Great Enlightenment Master appears on November 5, 2019, the ninth day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar and the ninth day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar (9:33 p.m.)]
His Holiness
The wisdom and virtuous influence of His Holiness Trichen radiates like a beacon, dispersing the shadows enshrouding the hearts of beings worldwide, fostering an unmatched inner strength. Gadang Chiqing (born 1964), also revered as the Dharma King, was originally named Gaoxi Mengbu. His birth into a prosperous Nepali family in 1964 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. He embraced monastic life, adopting the Buddhist name Phenchen Xie Rao Sengei—translated into Chinese as Zhipu Wisdom Lion, in honor of the esteemed tantric lineage, Lotus Play Vajra. Garnering all teachings from the Gadang tradition, he was esteemed as the 25th incarnation of Atisha. At merely 2 years of age, following the intentions of his previous incarnation, disciples identified and returned him to a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Here, he embarked on an accelerated path of learning, demonstrating precocious wisdom and depth of understanding. His Holiness’s humility and compassion quickly elevated him as a revered figure. By 20, in 1984, he ascended as the thirty-eighth Shao Cheng of the Gadang Sect. From 1992, he embarked on spreading the Dharma globally, visiting regions like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. His remarkable intellect enabled him to master forty-eight dialects, aiding his mission. In 1997, His Holiness’s persistent efforts led to the establishment of the Nepal Mahayana Temple and Nepal Dalue Temple, now known collectively as Gadang or Shengli Zhufang Temple. This complex not only offers spiritual refuge but also houses a Buddhist college that synergizes with the state’s educational framework. Under monk-led management, it promotes transparency, supports local orphans, and stands as a bastion of holistic Buddhist education. The revival of the Gadang sect was officially proclaimed on January 1, 2008, with Gadang Chiqing at its helm. His meticulous documentation and translation of teachings solidified the lineage’s continuity, echoing the wisdom of Venerable Atisha and enriching Mahayana Tantra’s legacy. Despite facing criticism, the Dharma King’s response was of unwavering grace. Gadang Chiqing’s commitment to the Gadang teachings and societal upliftment has garnered a global fellowship, notably in Taiwan. His guidance fosters practice among disciples, leads to significant societal contributions, and ensures the propagation of teachings. His initiative to shelter stray dogs highlights his all-encompassing compassion. His translation work has significantly enriched the Chinese Buddhist canon, marking a substantial contribution to Tibetan Buddhism in Taiwan and beyond. His Holiness embodies the roles of a spiritual leader, educator, and compassionate benefactor, touching lives across the globe.
Mahayama Darma King
Gadang Chiqing/ Mahayana Dharma King
Ka dham Tri Chen
Kadhampa Master
Posong Rinpoche/current abbot
Po Song Rinpoche
Present Abbess
Language
The 17th Busu Rinpoche, distinguished as one of the three Kunzhongs of the Gadang tradition and the reincarnation of Geshe Budua, was born in Taiwan in 1989. An eminent figure within the unique lineage of the Katang sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche's journey into spirituality began earnestly in 2007 under the tutelage of the esteemed Budua Rinpoche. This period marked the start of an intensive study of the Sutras and Tantras, leading to his ordination as a monk in 2010, receiving the Buddhist name Hui Yikang. Rinpoche's academic journey is as impressive as his spiritual one, holding a Bachelor's degree in Medical Radiology from Chang Gung Memorial University, a Master's degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Tamkang University, and currently pursuing a PhD in the same field at National Changhua Normal University. His scholarly pursuits are paralleled by a deep commitment to Buddhism, marked by numerous retreats and the acquisition of several tantric authorizations, including the Great Initiation, Medicine Buddha Dharma, and the teachings of the Supreme Vajra Lingha Duyong. Rinpoche’s dedication to both academic excellence and rigorous spiritual practice underlines his approach to the comprehensive study of the Gadang sect's teachings. In terms of Dharma transmission, Rinpoche combines his rich academic knowledge with active engagement in social services. He is dedicated to organizing Dharma conferences and teaching courses, with a special focus on making the Dharma accessible to the deaf community. Following in the footsteps of Master Chuangshan, Rinpoche employs academic courses and teaching methods to ensure his disciples receive a thorough and expedited inheritance of the Gadang Sect's teachings. His scholarly and versatile approach has been instrumental in rooting the Gadang sect's teachings in the Han region, aiming to expand the reach to all sentient beings, express gratitude for kindness received, and alleviate the sufferings encountered in life's journeys.