Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935 - 1984) was born in a small mountain village called Tolung in Tibet. At six years old Lama Yeshe began his studies at Sera Monastic University in Tibet. At 25, he was forced to flee Tibet during the Chinese Communist invasion. Leaving behind his family, friends and the other monks at Sera, he walked over the Himalayas to a refugee camp in Buxaduar in northeast India.
Lama Yeshe said, “Actually, China was very kind they forced me to meet the outside world and truly test the Dharma. I could have spent the rest of my life meditating, but that’s not good enough. A monk’s life should be used for others.”
It was at Buxaduar that Lama Yeshe taught himself English and met his heart disciple, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. In 1975 the lamas founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) which has since grown into a worldwide network of Buddhist retreat centres, hospices, clinics and related projects.
Lama Yeshe passed away at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, USA, on 3 March 1984. Within 11 months his reincarnation, Osel Hita Torres, was born in Spain. “Osel” means “Clear Light”. He was recognised by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe.
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