Geshe Thubten Phelgye
Encyclopedia
Geshe Thubten Phelgye is a Tibetan Buddhist
lama
who is known for promoting vegetarianism
and humane treatment of animals, and for his work as a peace activist. Geshe Pelgye represents the Gelug
tradition in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
.
of the traditional Tibetan province of Kham
, China. In 1959, three-year old Dorje and his family fled. He attended school in India at C.S.T. Changlang
and S.F.F. School Dehradun.
He became a monk in 1973, at age 17, at Seraje College, Sera Monastic University.
After completing the traditional 18-year course of study for the Geshe
degree in 1991, he received his doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy from Sera Monastic University in 1991, and went on to study at Gyumed Monastery. Starting in 1993, he spent five years in retreat near Dharamsala
in the Dhauladhar
mountains.
as a child, and as a result, he became a strong advocate of vegetarianism
. As the first President of the International Gelug Society, he helped pass the resolution for vegetarianism for all residents of Gelug monasteries and nunneries. He helped pass a 2003 bill in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
, where he is a representative of the Gelug tradition, which encouraged Tibetans to become vegetarian, by declaring 2004 the "Tibetan Vegetarian Year." He was re-elected to the Parliament in 2006.
He has also founded a charitable trust, the Universal Compassion Movement (UCM), with the mission of bringing people together to help animals who are slaughtered or suffer cruel and inhumane treatment.
His US speaking engagements have included Amherst College, Gonzaga University, Harvard University, Naropa University, North Idaho College, University of Idaho, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of San Francisco, and Wheaton College. He has given teachings at Sravasti Abbey
and other US Buddhist centers.
In 2004, the Dalai Lama
requested Geshe Pelgye to serve as "an emissary for peace." He is active in Middle East peace efforts, via the Sulha Peace Project.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
lama
Lama
Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries...
who is known for promoting vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
and humane treatment of animals, and for his work as a peace activist. Geshe Pelgye represents the Gelug
Gelug
The Gelug or Gelug-pa , also known as the Yellow Hat sect, is a school of Buddhism founded by Je Tsongkhapa , a philosopher and Tibetan religious leader...
tradition in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration
The Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, is the unicameral legislative organ of the Central Tibetan Administration. Established and based in India, it was founded in 1960, and was most recently elected to a 14th 5-year term from 2006-2011...
.
Biography
Geshe Phelgye was born as Dorje Thinley in the Riwoche DistrictRiwoqê County
Riwoqê County, or Riwoche is a county of the Chamdo Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region....
of the traditional Tibetan province of Kham
Kham
Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was...
, China. In 1959, three-year old Dorje and his family fled. He attended school in India at C.S.T. Changlang
Changlang
Changlang is a census town and headquarters of the Changlang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Its native people includes Tangsa Naga, Lisu, Nocte, Singpho and many more....
and S.F.F. School Dehradun.
He became a monk in 1973, at age 17, at Seraje College, Sera Monastic University.
After completing the traditional 18-year course of study for the Geshe
Geshe
Geshe is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks...
degree in 1991, he received his doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy from Sera Monastic University in 1991, and went on to study at Gyumed Monastery. Starting in 1993, he spent five years in retreat near Dharamsala
Dharamsala
Dharamshala or Dharamsala is a city in northern India. It was formerly known as Bhagsu; it is the winter seat of government of the state of Himachal Pradesh and the district headquarters of the Kangra district....
in the Dhauladhar
Dhauladhar
The Dhauladhar range is a southern branch of the main Outer Himalayan chain of mountains. It rises spectacularly from the Indian plains to the north of Kangra and Mandi...
mountains.
Vegetarian advocacy
Geshe Phelgye saw the inside of a slaughterhouseSlaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
as a child, and as a result, he became a strong advocate of vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
. As the first President of the International Gelug Society, he helped pass the resolution for vegetarianism for all residents of Gelug monasteries and nunneries. He helped pass a 2003 bill in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration
The Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, is the unicameral legislative organ of the Central Tibetan Administration. Established and based in India, it was founded in 1960, and was most recently elected to a 14th 5-year term from 2006-2011...
, where he is a representative of the Gelug tradition, which encouraged Tibetans to become vegetarian, by declaring 2004 the "Tibetan Vegetarian Year." He was re-elected to the Parliament in 2006.
He has also founded a charitable trust, the Universal Compassion Movement (UCM), with the mission of bringing people together to help animals who are slaughtered or suffer cruel and inhumane treatment.
His US speaking engagements have included Amherst College, Gonzaga University, Harvard University, Naropa University, North Idaho College, University of Idaho, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of San Francisco, and Wheaton College. He has given teachings at Sravasti Abbey
Sravasti Abbey
Sravasti Abbey is a Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan tradition established in October 2003 by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron. Situated on of forest and meadows; it is outside of Newport, Washington, near the Idaho state line...
and other US Buddhist centers.
Charitable activities and peace work
Geshe Pelgye is active in interfaith dialogue. With respect to the differences between Buddhism and Christianity, a student newspaper described his position as follows: "The main issue ... [is] to focus on the day-to-day practice of 'how to be nice and how to be good,'" and also noted his emphasis on practical, "every-day practice" to serve others.In 2004, the Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
requested Geshe Pelgye to serve as "an emissary for peace." He is active in Middle East peace efforts, via the Sulha Peace Project.
Writings
- Community of Faith: A Buddhist perspective on mindful eating, guest editorial
External links
- Universal Compassion Movement Website
- Tibetan Buddhist monk calls for compassion
- Peace Blessing, with the Spokane Interfaith Council, at Mount SpokaneMount SpokaneMount Spokane is a mountain located northeast of Spokane, Washington. Its summit is the highest point in Spokane County, and it is one of the tallest peaks in the Inland Northwest...
, WA - Geshe Phelgye teaches exchanging self and others