His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche
His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was born in the Kham region of Eastern Tibet in 1922 and entered monastic life at the tender age... His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche

His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was born in the Kham region of Eastern Tibet in 1922 and entered monastic life at the tender age of 10 upon being recognised as the incarnation of the great practitioner Gongkar Rinpoche.

At the age of 15, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was enrolled in Gaden Shartse Norling College in Central Tibet, one of the most prestigious and renowned monastic universities in the country. In 1959, after 19 years of intensive study and training, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche sat for the Geshe examinations at the summer palace of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, located in the capital of Tibet, Lhasa.

Kyabje Lati Rinpoche achieved the second highest distinction amongst all the other candidates of this major examination, which included various scholars and top students from the three main Gelug monasteries, and was officially conferred the title of “Geshe Lharampa” (which is a qualification equivalent to a PhD degree in Buddhist Philosophy).

A year after such official conferment, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche enrolled in Gyutö Tantric College in Lhasa where he undertook the intensive training and study of Tantra. During this period, he also served as tutor to many young reincarnate masters and gave numerous public teachings.

Following the Tibetan Uprising of 10 March 1959, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche went into exile with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to escape the oppression of the Communist occupation and in 1964, was appointed the Spiritual Assistant to His Holiness.

Despite being in exile, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche steadfastly continued to spread the Dharma by teaching at various monasteries and schools including Namgyal Gompa, the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama, and was known for giving illuminating Dharma discourses to both Sangha and laypeople alike.

H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche

H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche

In 1976, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche accepted invitations to teach on a wide range of Buddhist subjects in the United States including at the University of Virginia and other centres of higher learning. After teaching in the United States for over a year, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche returned to India to serve as the Abbot of Gaden Shartse for eight years, from 1976 to 1984. During his tenure, he not only managed the administration, discipline and order of the Sangha, but also personally taught extensively on all aspects of Buddhism. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s contribution to Gaden Shartse Monastery is widely recognised by all, and he is deeply respected by many devotees all over the world.

An erudite Dharma teacher, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche is the Root Guru of many attained Gelugpa masters and scholars today including His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche.

H.E. Lati Rinpoche with H.E. Tsem Rinpoche (left)

H.E. Lati Rinpoche with H.E. Tsem Rinpoche

It was Kyabje Lati Rinpoche together with His Eminence Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche who instructed His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche to travel to Southeast Asia in order to raise funds for much needed hostels for the monks of Gaden Monastery. This started a chain of events which culminated in Tsem Rinpoche establishing a permanent base in Malaysia and the founding of the Kechara Buddhist organisation.

Kyabje Lati Rinpoche has authored many important books on Tibetan Buddhism, including Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth, Mind in Tibetan Buddhism, and Meditative States in Tibetan Buddhism.

On 12 April 2010 at the age of 88, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche entered clear light in his residence after manifesting slight stomach trouble. Just prior to his passing, Lati Rinpoche had circumambulated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s temple.

Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s body was respectfully escorted to Gyutö Tantric College in Dharamsala before being flown to Gaden Monastery in South India, where the traditional funerary rites for a high Lama were performed. Upon opening the funeral pyre, the monks discovered the unburned heart, eyes and tongue; an auspicious sign that indicates the perfection of body, speech and mind.

Kyabje Lati Rinpoche's long-time attendant pays his respects to Rinpoche's ceremonial robes and holy relics

Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s long-time attendant pays his respects to Rinpoche’s ceremonial robes and holy relics

All ceremonies were done in accordance with tradition in order to create the causes for Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s incarnation to return to continue his unexcelled deeds. It is also a testament to Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s tremendous contribution to the Buddhadharma that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama deemed it necessary to compose a prayer for the quick return of Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s incarnation.

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  • Fong

    Posted on July 25, 2016 #1 Author

    From reading this article about His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, we can see that he is a very highly attained lama who is beloved by his students. Despite his hectic schedule being the abbot of Gaden Shartse, he has found time to teach as well ensuring the next generation of teachers.

    It is thanks to His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche that we have Kechara Buddhist organisation in Malaysia.

    May the reincarnation of His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche be found soon to benefit sentient beings.

    Reply

  • Alice Tay

    Posted on September 28, 2016 #2 Author

    H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was one of the gurus who requested H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche to go abroad to teach dharma and fundraise to build the hostel for the monks of Gaden Monastery. As such, I strongly believed that H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche already knew H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is qualified and capable to achieve the goals.
    Because of H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche followed the advice given by H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, Kechara Buddhist organization was founded in Malaysia and become popular especially for online dharma teaching.

    Reply

  • Jacinta Goh

    Posted on August 12, 2017 #3 Author

    With deep appreciation, thanks to Kyabje Lati Rinpoche who firmly insisted that H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche should stay in Malaysia. Otherwise, we would not have Kechara today. The video on the His cremation was incredible, to say the least.

    Reply

  • Jacinta Goh

    Posted on October 19, 2018 #4 Author

    Coming back to read about H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche ‘s short biography here again only inspired more faith than ever. Thank you

    Reply