Born: 1967, Sichuan Province, China
Birth name: Tsering Wangyal
Also known as: Jiang Trungpa; Toho Zhongba Living Buddha
Names in Chinese:
仲巴仁波切 (zhòngbā rénbōqiè)
东宝·仲巴·白玛塔清 (dōngbǎo zhòngbā báimǎ tǎqīn)
东宝仲巴呼图克图 (dōngbǎo zhòngbā hūtúkètú)
Roles:
Dongbao Zhongba is a religious civil servant holding integrated political and religious functions in China’s ethnically Tibetan regions of Yunnan and Sichaun, particularly in the former district of Zhongdian (renamed “Shangri-La” in 2001 in what has been referred to as “the most audacious tourism re-branding exercise of all time”). He is an Executive Director of the state-run Buddhist Association of China (BAC) and the official representative of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism to China’s legislature, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Between 1983-89 he served in the 35101 Division of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), stationed in Chengdu, which was responsible for the Eastern Tibetan border with India. In previous times, this division had been actively engaged in the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
Zhongba’s career took a remarkable turn in 1991 when he was officially certified as a "Living Buddha" (活佛; huófó, the Chinese term for a state-approved reincarnated Buddhist master) at age 23 by Tai Situ in Palpung Monastery, Sichuan (which means that when the Chinese Authorities imposed him on Tai Situ as the correct choice, Zhongba was already on government duty). This status was later affirmed by Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and he received formal accreditation by the Yunnan branch of the State Council Religious Affairs Bureau.
After his accreditation, Zhongba made a number of journeys outside mainland China to Himalayan areas. In September 1995 he gained entry to the sensitive Indian border state of Sikkim and was received by Gyaltsab Rinpoche. In 1998 he was pictured at Tai Situ’s Sherabling monastery in Himachal Pradesh during the meeting of Tai Situ and the infant Jamgon Kongtrul III, who had then recently entered India unlawfully from China. In 2000 Zhongba came to Kathmandu and connected with Miao Rong and other representatives of the Hwayue Foundation founded by veteran Taiwanese politician Chen Li-an.
His Mainland duty has been to execute the policies Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to “adapt the Buddhist religion to society,” i.e. to harness Buddhism in support of a strong socialist state. In 1999, to “better implement the management of the temple monks,” the Religious Affairs Bureau appointed Zhongba as abbot of the Bangpo and Zhuojie Temples in Daocheng County and gave approval for him to fundraise intensively for the reformation and reorganization of temples e.g. in Garzê, Dêqên, Nujiang and Lijiang. In 2001 he was installed in Lijiang’s Zhiyun Temple by the municipal government.
It is a fact that the Chinese authorities were in need of a religious leader for the Lijiang region. In her book “Religion and Media in China,” Stefania Travagnin describes: “The Old City (Gucheng Qu) of Lijiang (Yunnan), where its temple is located, [is] advertising its link with 17th Karmapa... through free CDs, posters, etc.” Actually, Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje not only confirmed Zhongba Rinpoche’s status, but in 2005 also gave him power of attorney to manage his assets in China during his absence from Tibet, giving him his seal.
Travagnin continues: “One of these postcards is particularly noteworthy, as it outlines the lineage connections of current head of the temple [Zhongba], which includes empowerments in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism as well as Bön and most surprisingly, Chinese Chan Buddhism.” It is actually not a surprise at all when understood that this is precisely one of the counterparts required by Beijing for the revival of the Buddhism in China, Tibet included.
Regarding his Han Buddhist credentials, Zhongba Rinpoche took vows from the famous Chinese abbot Ben Huan (本煥) (1907-2012), who was a guardian of the Mainland religious policy in his capacity as BAC Honorary President. In 2007, in an unprecedented and well-publicised event, he was certified in the Hongfa Temple in Shenzhen by Ben Huan. Zhongba (a layman) posed in the red jiasha (cassock) of an ordained Han monk and made obeisance to Ben Huan. The event was broadcast via state media with the accompanying explanation “Chinese Buddhism is a complete system, consisting of three parts: the Chinese Buddhist transmission, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism” and that “this mutual cultural exchange has made outstanding contributions to maintaining national unity and national development.”
In line with the practical steps to merge Han Mahayana and Tibetan Vajrayana, Zhongba teamed up with the famous Taiwanese Master Chin Kung (淨空) (b. 1927) in 2012, empowering Chin Kung as a tantric teacher, even without any proper formal previous training.
Zhongba’s official biography extols his familiarity “with every religious policy of the state” and explains how he visits Tibetans living in the “badlands of cultural and economic backwardness” in order “to listen to their needs and aspirations and impart teachings and the government’s latest policies to them.” He offers suggestions to local authorities on facilitating “economic and cultural advancement” and advises against “ethnic isolationism.” On an official inspection of the Zhiyun Temple in 2008, United Front Work Department (UFWD) Chief Du Qinglin commended Zhongba’s “innovative mode of temple management” and thanked the temple’s representatives for adhering to requirements by interpreting Tibetan Buddhism to “better fit with socialism.”
Zhongba was very much appreciated by Jia Qinglin, former No.4 rank in the Politburo during Hu Jintao’s leadership. His guanxi also includes Chen Li-an, Hai Tao, and the late Akong Tulku.
Zhongba’s duties include the inspection of remote areas, such as the monasteries around Mount Kailash. His first pilgrimage visit was in 1999, but his return in 2017 was more discreet.
The following is the full text of an interview given by Dongbao Zhongba at a meeting of the CPPCC in Beijing, 2013.
I am a living Buddha from the Kagyu sect, affirmed by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje as Red Karmapa. After being approved by the government, I became the 17th Toho Zhongba Living Buddha. I am the only Hutuketu from the Kagyu sect and Yunnan.
Since the founding of the PRC, none of the living Buddhas from the Kagyu sect had joined an organization like the CPPCC. I am very excited and very proud to be selected for the CPPCC committee by the United Front Work Department and the State Administration for Religious Affairs. The Kagyu sect is one of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In the past there have been thousands of temples and centers for meditation. As the 17th Karmapa is abroad due to educational administration, the government is very tolerant and selected me as a member of the CPPCC so I can play the role of a bridge and reflect the opinions of Kagyu believers to the central government, in order to continue the survival of the Kagyu sect. My personal practice is not enough, and I still need to learn more, thus I am currently studying at the China Advanced Institute of Tibetan Buddhism.
Nowadays, the leaders of the Buddhist Association of China care very much about young Buddhist masters. As a new generation of Tibetan Buddhist monks, we should love our religion, love our country, and do a good job for the unity of the nation. All different religions, Buddhism, and Buddhists should be harmonious and work together toward the country’s great goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. As a CPPCC National Committee member, one should offer advice and suggestions for the country’s development, make good use of this channel to reflect to the central government our thoughts, what the people want to say, and what needs to be done.
The Party and the Government has not forgotten our Kagyu sect, moreover putting me in the position of Executive Director of the Buddhist Association of China, is new in Kagyu history. Buddhism stresses four kinds of kindness, and one of them is “repaying the country’s kindness,” thus to maintain national unity we cannot engage in splittism at any time.
By participating in the CPPCC and the Buddhist Association of China, I have a strong sense of responsibility. I want to be a qualified monk, and to live up to the expectations of the Party, Government and Buddhist community. I will strive to promote the Humanistic Buddhism advocated by Zhao Puchu and carry it forward into Tibet to make a contribution to Tibet’s economic growth, national unity and stability in border areas.
In today’s world, we talk about keeping up with the times, exploration and innovation. We must convey the spirit of the second session of the 16th Party congress to Tibet. In the past, my practice is not enough so I still need to improve. Buddhist practice is to cultivate the mind and regulate our heart. We should propagandise the idea of love for one’s country and love for one’s religion everywhere we go. We should also bring the BAC’s “Voice of Dharma”’ magazine into Tibet to promote right beliefs, and resist cults. “Voice of Dharma” is a good teaching material, in favour of Buddhism’s self-construction, and is beneficial to guide believers who have lost direction, especially those in poor mountain areas. At the moment, the cultural levels of our educators are not as high as foreign educators, thus I wish for more articles on aspects of national unity and resistance to cults to be published in “Voice of Dharma.”
