A book review by Amelia Choon:
"TRIUMPH"- Shangpa Rinpoche's story on overcoming adversity.
This touching auto-biography details how 2nd Shangpa Rinpoche triumphed through adversities particularly in his childhood and eventually took on the role of abbot at Jangchub Choeling Monastery and embarked on his various projects.
The tragic tale of how he lost his father, the horrific bullying encountered by his mother and himself and the destitute state they were reduced to on their journey to Pokhara was gripping and moving.
The story of his youth and training included honest admissions to mistakes and shortcomings and the learning from these, which are relatable and endearing.
The story peppered with interesting anecdotes, has at the end of each chapter, insightful reflections by Shangpa Rinpoche on certain incidents that occurred, which are lessons on how to augment our thinking through Buddhist teachings. For example, instead of bearing ill-will towards the bully and thief Dawa Pura, who almost caused him to die, Shangpa Rinpoche instead views what transpired as purification of his past life karma, as well as the propelling force for his progress in life towards the Dharma. Such magnanimity and fortitude is praiseworthy and leads the reader to think of why we cannot forbear our own sufferings which are small and insignificant in comparison and forgive those who have caused us unhappiness.
I trust reading this story would direct the reader to also reflect on their own actions and thoughts and guide the reader to assimilate the Dharma teachings through his/her direct experience in life.
A book review by Ched Lee:
This timeless voice that speaks in Triumph led me to imagine what it’s like to see through the eyes of Shangpa Rinpoche – a renowned teacher and tulku.
I have heard that among the Buddha’s teachings is the tantric tradition of using emotions as the path of enlightenment. This intimate glimpse into the life of little Penpa Tsering on his maturing into Shangpa Rinpoche, evoked many waves of emotions. And no matter how imaginary my experience was, this timeless voice led me, “without hiding, fabricating, beautifying or exaggerating” <italics>, to recognise yet a little more of raw tenderness and clarity.
What if the story of the outer teacher, is none other than part of the path to experience the inner teacher?
A book review by Gina Chan:
Over the years travelling with Rinpoche, I’ve been fortunate to have heard some stories and is aware of his childhood and early years. Rinpoche’s early years was rough and tough, but I never knew it was deeply infused with so much physical pain, emotional anguish and metal stress.
This book was an eye-opener for me. Reading it, it felt like I was given the privilege of being The Eye on a drone, looking on at all the experiences Rinpoche went through. I enjoyed the journey and the events unfolding. It was hilarious when his parents had to gently shove him into a bag of tsampa and he later emerged looking totally white. And the part where Rinpoche could not resist buying balloons and blowing them up, only to have them burst in his face, twice! Such little snippets made Rinpoche feel so ‘real’. I loved these little stories so much and was very excited for the part where Pokhara was mentioned. I could see myself waiting and walking around the airport, at and around JCM and making sense of the monastery that grew from just a small room to what it is today.
BUT I also had steam coming out of my ears and nostrils. Some moments into the book, I was so fuming mad, I was ready to GO. Go to where Rinpoche was and do something about all the injustice that I felt he was going through. I was ready to slap someone or, even fight to keep Rinpoche and Mayum safe.
