Who is "lama" Jigme Gyatso "rinpoche"?
Who is Jigme Gyatso?
2610 W Clark Ave, Suite A
Burbank, California, 91505
United States
My fraud sensors go off almost immediately if I sense a presenter or a self-proclaimed spiritual guide is a bit too enthusiastic or is trying a bit too hard to impress. The question then arises of “Where is humility in all of this?” or “Where is the sublime peace?” Usually both are missing as the showman continues his circus act.
In Sanskrit we call such an exhibitionist parapravādin (परप्रवादिन्) or a “false teacher,” or in the Bhuddist
tāntric tradition, phas kyi rgol ba, the “enemy.” And so it is: he is truly an enemy
because he is misrepresenting himself and his vocation, while spreading erroneous
and false teaching, which can result in nothing less than injuring those who trust
him.
A follower on LinkedIn recently started reposting video “teachings”
presented by a man calling himself “Lama Jigme Gyatso, Rinpoche.” Those are in some
schools of Tibetan Bhuddism some very impressive honorifics or titles.
Lama (Tibetan: བླ་མ་, [b]la-ma; "chief")
is a title for a teacher of the Dhārma (धर्म) in Tibetan Buddhism. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term
guru (गुरु), meaning "heavy one," endowed with qualities the student will
eventually embody. The Tibetan word "Lama" is frequently used also to
mean "highest principle", and less literally "highest parent"
to show close relationship between teacher and student. Anyone with even the most
basic familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism would be aware that the title “lama” historically
was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries. Today the title
can be used as an honorific title conferred on a monk or, in the Nyingma, Kagyu
and Sakya schools, on an advanced tantric practitioner to designate a level of spiritual
attainment and authority to teach. Note: the title “lama” is conferred by a higher
authority; it is not a title that anyone can or should assume in self-agrandizement.
Similarly, the honorific or title “rinpoche,” also spelled rimboche
and rinboku (Tibetan: རིན་པོ་ཆེ་, rin po che), is used in
the Tibetan language, and it literally means "precious one", and may refer
to a person, place, or thing —l ike the words "gem" or "jewel"
(Sanskrit : Ratna, (रत्न)),
and connotes anything the best or excellent of its kind. The word consists of rin(value)
and po(nominative suffix) and chen(big).
Titles are conferred on the student
by his or her teacher according to the lineage, such as Lama, Rinpoche, Geshe, Bhante,
Roshi, and so on.
The word is used in the context of Tibetan Buddhism as a way of
showing respect when addressing those recognized as reincarnated, older, respected,
notable, learned and/or an accomplished lamas or teacher of the Dharma. It is also
used as an honorific for abbots of monasteries.
Ordination or initiation (dakṣiṇā, दक्षिणा), as in most traditions,
is the elevation of a novice following the prescribed period of study and discipline,
and after having demonstrated fitness to be a member of a monastic community or
saṅgha (सङ्घ). In Buddhism there is “lower” and “higher” ordination, and it usually
takes place in the context of a monastery. Preparation leading up to ordination
occurs under the guidance of a teacher
or master, and is set within a particular lineage of training, practice and study.
Today in the West, there is an increasing
number of lay practitioners (non-monastic students or sangha leaders) being authorized
to teach or lead meditation in practice communities. Authorization to teach is here
too conferred by one’s teacher and can involve completion of various lengths of
long-term meditation retreats and courses of study designed by the teacher and deemed
necessary for the laity to guide others on the path
After visiting the individual’s
various web sites, blogs, and self-published teaching material, I could find no
hint of answers to quite a number of very important questions, including: The individual
in question here claims to be a Buddhist monk of a tāntric tradition, but does not
provide the tradition nor his lineage. He further claims that he has been ordained
but does not give details of who ordained him or where. Neither does he give details
of where he completed his studies or when. He assumes the titles “lama” and “rinpoche”
but provide no details as to the manner in which the titles were conferred, nor
by whom.
Some examples of his self-descriptions
read like some adolescent’s role-play backstory:
As a young child born into a disabled body and a dysfunctional family I saught spiritual teachings as a kind of practical magic to deal with the physical and emotional sufferings in my life.
(https://holistictherapiesdirectory.com/featured-interviews/jigme-gyatso-buddha-joy-meditation-school-346, last accessed on 2/18/2021)
As a contemplative health-nut and fitness-freak, I could be described as the love child of a hippie and a Sci-fi geek. You see, as a young Jew, I was so impressed with George Lucas’ depiction of “Holy Man as hero” in "Star Wars" that I spent years becoming a Buddhist: Monk, Yogi, Healer and Teacher... yet I could relate so closely to Kirk’s libido in "Star Trek," that I chose a lineage that explored Sexual Tantra.
(https://www.theflamingvegan.com/bloggers/3604, last accessed on 2/18/2021)
Ordained as Lama Jigme Gyatso, this Buddhist and Taoist: Monk, Teacher and Healer is the Spiritual Director of the "Buddha Joy Meditation School" who's aim is to teach individuals and groups the profoundly empowering Mindfulness-meditation system that Buddha taught - as well as found, nurture, guide and support, Monasterys and Meditation Centers across this country and around the world. Specialties: personal growth, self improvement, and meditation.
(https://contactout.com/TertonLama-JigmeGyatsoRinpoche-2463233, last accessed on 2/18/2021)
My name is Lama: Jigme Gyatso and I'm a monk, yogi, counselor and teacher of both Buddhist and Taoist meditation and philosophy. I prefer yin to yang, matriarchy to patriarchy, flexibility to rigidity, peace to fear, love to hate, and rationality to superstition. Whether counseling one-on-one or teaching groups I treasure pragmatism over tradition and am a fan of the well timed joke.(https://holistictherapiesdirectory.com/california/burbank/alternative-therapies/lama-jigme-gyatso, last accessed on 2/18/2021)
Ordained in the tradition of Longchen Rabjampa and Jigme Lingpa, as Lama Jigme Gyatso: Rime Manipa Tantrika, which translates as "Ocean of Courage Teacher;" he is a Jewish-american born, Tibetan-buddhist: Monk, Teacher, Healer and Tantrika.
Lama Jigme was taught to be devoted to the Buddha of Compassion {Manipa} in a NON-sectarian manner {Rime} that practices Sutra's union of compassion and insight as well as the union of Tantra's paths of devotion, imagination and sensuality {Tantrika}.
In an age when many are content to hide behind tradition, hearsay, dogma and circular reasoning this controversial and unconventional teacher insists that a true Lama's resume, credentials and letters of recommendation are the vastness of his Compassion, the profundity of his Insight and the power of his Effectiveness.
Lama Jigme Gyatso has had the very good fortune to receive teachings from every major Buddhist lineage of the Theravada, Mahayana and Tantric traditions. [Editorial Note: Why this is written in the third person is bizarre!]
(https://ezinearticles.com/expert/Lama-Jigme_Gyatso/65630, last accessed on 2/18/2021)
Ordained as Lama Jigme Gyatso: Rime Manipa Tantrika,* he is a Jewish-american born, Tibetan-buddhist: Monk, Teacher, Healer and Tantrika. The Dalai Lama's late teacher, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, encouraged us to practice devotion to the Buddha of Compassion as the synthesis of all Buddhas {Manipa}, in a NON-sectarian manner {Rime}, while practicing the Essence of all the Sutra and Tantra teachings and practices {Tantrika}, And that is why our teacher's full name is, Lama Jigme Gyatso: Rime Manipa Tantrika {which translates as} Ocean of Courage Teacher: the NON-sectarian Devotee of Chen-re-zig who practices the essence of all Sutras and Tantras.
* He's picked up yet another title along the way.
(https://www.blogger.com/profile/17550807161104938699, last accessed on 2/19/2021)
If you overlook the poor grammar and spelling, there is something
going on beneath the surface with this guy, and it’s not Buddhist or Taoist mysticism, of that I’m certain.
(Image: https://bbsradio.com/tobeguest/guest-name-lama-jigme-gyatso, last accessed on 2/19/2021)
In my practice, I have read and
listened to the teachings of some very powerful authorities in the Buddhist and
Hindu traditions and, to be honest, some of the writings and some of the oral presentations
are vague and ambiguous but I expect there is a reason for that. I am no neophyte
when it comes to spiritual teachings and can hold my own with such characters as
Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, the Church Fathers, Abhinavagupta (अभिनवगुप्त),
Patañjali (पतञ्जलि), Ramakrishna, Krishnamurthi, Śri Ramanaharsi, Bhagavad Gītā
(भगवद्गीता), Purāṇa (पुराण), Upaniṣad (उपनिषद्), and many others. In other words, I can discern
the difference between mysticism and esoterism and pure bullshit.
In response to my initial email
to him, reads:
Namasté,
A follower of mine has been sharing your "guided meditation" clips on LinkedIn and I have visited your Internet site to satisfy my curiosity.
I was just wondering where you received your training, since you have a hybrid of Buddhist-Daoist tradition and use the title "lama". Where did you receive your training in Buddhism (you claim Tibetan tradition, but which one?) and Dao. When and where were you initiated?
Thank you in advance for providing that information.
The “lama” responded with:
Pointed questions
pointed questions
it's all fun and games
until you put an eye out
here, watch this video
The video is basically a diatribe
in response to a question about the “Lama’s” ordination and credentials, and the
questioner was one of the facilitators of the Buddhism for Beginners group on FaceBook.
I can only describe the “Lama’s” response as defensive, beat-around-the-bush, and
self-promoting. In the end, he did not answer the question but did prove that he
is an exhibitionist, a bombast, and a narcissist. Hardly the qualities of a “lama”
or a “Rinpoche.”
He refused to respond to my second
email inquiring about whether he had any publications, books, etc. that were not
self-published. Given his refusal to respond, I must assume he has none.
After having read “lama” Jigme Gyatso’s
self-descriptions and after having reviewed and endured several of the so-called
Lama
Jigme Gyatso, Rinpoche’s weekly video teachings on YouTube I would characterize
his teachings as confused. But am I being too kind? Yes.
But then, the “lama” is, after all
is said and done, practicing in Burbank, California, which may explain a lot.
ADDENDUM
Buddhist Training Terton Lama? Buddhist Training Terton Lama: Jigme Gyatso, Rinpoche is skilled in: Meditation, Healing, Reiki, Teaching, Wellness, Treatment, Public Speaking, Coaching, Writing, Blogging, Healthcare, Personal Development, Holistic Health, Yoga, Wellness Coaching
"The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. / An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, / A goodly apple rotten at the heart. / O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”― The Merchant of Venice
My life’s work has been reverse-engineering Tibetan Tantra in an effort to free Buddhism from the minions of orthodoxy, the fundamentalists of patriarchy; and place this powerfully transformative spiritual technology in the hands of everyday folks, like you and me.
The quest for enlightenmentneed not be mysticalcryptic or even piousbut simply as pragmatic as resolving:I would like to be less of a dick-head,I would like to be less stressed,I would like to be less cranky, and contrived,and rigid, and frightened.I would like to be happy, and loving and peaceful,and resourceful and creativeI would like to be the personmy dog already thinks I am.
What inspired Jigme, to follow the path of enlightenment when he was just a twelve year old little Jew? Star Wars! George Lucas’ depiction of “Holy Man as hero” changed his life, driving him to become a Buddhist and a Taoist, spending years earning the distinctions of Monk, Yogi, Healer and Teacher.
Comments
Post a Comment