A battery of rinpoches guns for China

Tsemonling Rinpoche

In an article for The Statesman, I mentioned that the atheist Communist Party of China (CCP) seems more and more interested in spiritual matters. 
For example, the Party has started promoting reincarnated Lamas, known in China as ‘Living Buddhas’, in a big way.
In my earlier posting, I had forgotten one lama: Tsemonling (or Tsemon Ling) Rinpoche.
He is one of the Four Lings who from time to time acted as regents of Tibet, (mainly during the periods of weakness of the Tibetan State, during the 19th century particularly). 
The Four Lings (Ling Shi) were Kundeling, Demoling, Tsemonling and Tsechokling. They had their estates in Lhasa and around Lhasa.
Like his colleagues Reting, Phagphala or Dorje Phagmo, Tsemonling Rinpoche guns from time to time for the Party.
It is why I believe that the 'tulku tradition', at least in the political field, is outdated.

Eminent Rinpoche talks about Chinese Dream
March 20, 2013    
Source:tibet.cn
Tsemon Ling Tenzin Trinley was born in 1950 in Lhasa. In 1955 he was identified as Tsemon Ling living Buddha, a high-ranking Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism. He has been a deputy from the 7th (1988) to the 12th (2013) National People’s Congress.

Tsemon Ling Tenzin Trinley, an eminent Tibetan Buddhist Rinpoche, said that monks should obey Buddhist doctrines and behave themselves in the society on March 9, when the group discussion of the 12th National People’s Congress was wrapped up.
Buddhist monks should be patriotic and observe the law and monastic rules
Tsemon Ling Tenzin Trinley has been a deputy from the 7th (1988) to the 12th (2013) National People’s Congress. He said that he would grasp every opportunity to learn on each occasion. And this time, he got most impressed by Premier Wen’s Government Work Report. "It is inspiring and truth-reflecting."
"Over the past five years, China has encountered and overcome many difficulties and challenges, from harsh international situation to the devastating natural disaster. But the government behaved and honored its commission. Without stability, there will be no development and innovation,"said Tenzin Trinley Rinpoche.
Then he took Tibet as an example. "Social security system has become officially accessible for the monks and nuns in Tibetan monasteries since the beginning of 2012. With a comprehensive medical care and pension system guaranteed and life greatly improved, there is every reason for the monks to support the government's efforts."

Government funds cultural heritage protection
Thirty years ago, when Tsemon Ling Tenzin Trinley was vice President and general secretary of the Tibet branch of the Buddhist Association of China, he began to undertake the project of re-carving the Kangyur, masterpiece of Tibetan Tripitaka with the permission of the 10th Panchen Lama.
Tenzin Trinley Rinpoche said that the government was very supportive.
"This project was launched in 1990 and officially started one year later with 0.5 mln special fund allocated by the government. So far, 180 have been finished out of the 225 volumes in total and in several years we will wrap up this project."
Then he added that the project was labor, money and time-consuming, as the special wood material had to be transported from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Tibet in northwest Gansu Province. However, it was worthwhile and meaningful.
Kangyur is the part of the Tibetan Buddhist canon that contains the discourses attributed to Buddha Shakyamuni, and it contains a large number of original sutras and tantras translated from Indian sources. Thus it is a masterpiece of Tibetan Tripitaka.

Self-immolation is insane and violates Buddhist doctrine
Buddhism is a cultural and religious phenomenon as the society develops. Thus it should be compatible with the social system. Buddhists in religious field and followers therefore are expected to abide by the law, said Tenzin Trinley Rinpoche.
The Rinpoche sighed that the self-immolations in Tibetan inhabited areas were plotted and silly. "Torching oneself misreads the essence of Buddhism, and doesn't contribute to reincarnation."

"My Chinese Dream"
"Everyone bears a dream, but the point is how to realize it," said Tenzin Trinley Rinpoche.
The Rinpoche paid much attention to how to improve people’s livelihood, saying that it is closely related to everyone. He hoped for joint efforts on maintaining social stability, steady economy development and raised livelihood. "That is my Chinese dream."

Tsemon Ling is one of the four famous residing places of Rinpoche of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism.