Talk:Tai Situpa

message: I've tried to move most of the info on the current incarnation to its own article. Secretlondon 00:41, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

message: I know the subject of the article is quite commonly referred to simply as "Tai Situ" or "Tai Situpa" but, in the interest of accuracy and avoiding confusion, this article should probably be re-named "Palpung Situ Rinpoche" or "Situ Pema Dönyö Nyinje" since "Tai Situ" or "Tai Situ-pa" is simply a title of respect which was conferred on some Tibetan lamas by Chinese and Mongol emperors - and these titles were inherited by their recognized reincarnations or tulkus. 
The Tai Situs of Palpung monastery (Palpung Situ) were not the only lamas to have this title there is also a line of Tai Situpas at Kathog (Katog Situ) monastery and others. The most famous Tai Situ in Tibetan History was Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen (1302 – 1364) the Pagmodru Myriarch of Nedong who siezed control of Tibet from the Sakyapas and was given the title “Tai Situ” in the name of the Yuan emperor. He was also a holder of the Phagmodru Kagyu lineage - and unconnected to the Karma Kagyu Tai Situs of Palpung.
 
The "Tai Situ" referred to in the present article is often referred to by Tibetans as "Palpung Situ" or "Palpung Tai Situ" which is less confusing - but since there is a whole line of Palpung Tai Situ incarnations, the article title should probably include his name.  Chris Fynn (talk) 04:59, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: The Title "Tai Situpa"

message: I have proposed merging this article with Pema Tönyö Nyinje since the two articles are essentially about the same person. Though this article does also include a list of previous incarnations, IMO such a list is not sufficient to distinguish the two. I think the title of the article should refer to Palpung Situ Rinpoche's name since other well known lamas in Tibet had the title "Tai Situ" or "Tai Situpa". See my comment above.  Chris Fynn (talk) 05:53, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Proposed Merger

message: The current Tai Situ Rinpoche, as Regent for the Karma Kagyu lineage, maintains a fairly broad agenda - not the least of which has been to protect the welfare of  lineage tulkus (reincarnations) born into the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the PRC.   This is a not inconsiderable job.   
He and his predecessors have acted as co-administrators of the Karma Kagyu lineage following the death of each Karmapa; played a role in identifying the tulku of his successor; protected the successor and saw to his comfort and education until the time of his enthronement; and also administered the vast network of land holdings, monks and nuns, publishing houses, philanthropic organisations, schools and other institutions under the Karma Kagyu banner.  This job description (of the Tai Situ Regent) is similar to that of the Pachen Lama with regard to the Dalai Lama, and has been operational as such for centuries.  
[I believe this lineage position warrants its own entry in Wikipedia.]
The current-day Tai Situ finds his job complicated somewhat by the ambivalence towards organised Buddhism and in particular discomfort about His Holiness the Dalai Lama which are sometimes expressed publicly by some representatives of the government of the Peoples Republic of China.  These postures are fortunately always in the process of being reconsidered and tempered.  Because this public stance does not always filter down to particular Tibetan individuals and institutions, the Tai Situ has in many instances been able to fulfill his job of helping find and educate promising young lamas-to-be of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and to see to their safety even inside the PRC.  When the new Karmapa emigrated to India from Tibet without much warning in 1999, Tai Situ's possible role in the affair somewhat complicated India's relationship with China, as there has been some expectation on China's part that Ogyen Trinley Dorje would remain in the PRC.  
While India provided asylum-by-default, it avoided being completely at odds with China by not initially granting full asylum or residence status to the young man.  This awkward situation appears to have been resolved [citation needed].  Tai Situ Rinpoche is an excellent negotiator and statesman as well as a skilled linguist and writer.  He is definitely far more than simply an administrator.  His grasp of Buddhist principles is quite extensive, and he plays a role in the education of newly enthroned Karmapa.
Excerpt below from http://www.kagyuoffice.org/
KARMAPA ONGOING STUDY AND PRACTICE
When not touring and engaging in official duties, His Holiness Karmapa focuses on study and meditation at his temporary residence at Gyuto Monastic University. His Holiness regularly receives teachings from leading Kagyu masters, such as HE Situ Rinpoche, HE Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche (his main tutor), Ven. Tenga Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and others. This Spring, His Holiness engaged in special studies of Vajrayana with Ven. Tenga Rinpoche. In November and December 2006, Ven. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche transmitted the Rinchen Terdzo to His Holiness. Ven. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Gangkar Rinpoche were also in attendance. Last year, His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche transmitted and instructed His Holiness in the Ngedon Gyamtso (Mahamudra: The Ocean of Certainty). During the Summer and Fall of 2005, the Karmapa studied the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) with Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Earlier in 2005, His Holiness engaged in intensive studies of the Hindi language with Dr. Vishwanath Mishra, the eminent linguist and renowned Hindi scholar, formerly of Banaras Hindu University.
Editing suggestions offered by Michael Billingsley - Ngakpa K. Jigme Tonpa (...not authorised or requested by any person or institution to do so - corrections may be necessary)  Michaelbix (talk) 02:24, 15 October 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Concur with regard to "[I believe this lineage position warrants its own entry in Wikipedia]", above. Geof "Dawa" Bard Geofferybard (talk) 20:41, 28 April 2011 (UTC)
thread_title:  Tai Situ warrants section