ClaudiaChilds56: added some post w/ sources

2026-04-17T06:29:31Z

added some post w/ sources

New page

{{Short description|Buddhist monk (born 1956)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Geshe Thupten Phelgye
| image = Geshe-La Thupten Phelgye.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Geshe Thupten Phelgye teaching at the Buddhist Institute of Universal Compassion.
| birth_name = Dorje Tinlay
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1956}}
| birth_place = [[Riwoqê County|Riwoche District]] the traditional [[Tibet]]an province of [[Kham]]
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| other_names =
| education = Seraje College, Sera Monastic University
| occupation = [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] [[lama]]
| years_active = 1973-present
| known_for =
| notable_works =
}}
'''Geshe Thupten Phelgye''' (born 1956)<ref name="shabkar">{{cite web | url=http://www.shabkar.org/teachers/tibetanbuddhism/geshe_thupten-phelgye.htm | title=Teachers, Geshe Thupten Phelgye (1956 - ) | publisher=Shabkar.org | date=September 19, 2011 | accessdate=September 19, 2011}}</ref> is a [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] [[lama]] who is known for promoting [[vegetarianism]] and humane treatment of animals, and for his work as a [[List of peace activists|peace activist]]. Geshe Thupten Phelgye represents the [[Gelug]] tradition in the [[Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration|Tibetan Parliament in Exile]].

==Biography==
Geshe Thupten Phelgye, born 1956, was from [[Riwoqê County|Riwoche District]] the traditional [[Tibet]]an province of [[Kham]] and was named Dorje Tinlay. In 1959, three-year-old Dorje and his family fled.<ref name="shabkar"/> 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.<ref name="universalcompassionbio"/>

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,<ref name="BuddhistChannel"/> and went on to study at Gyumed Monastery. Starting in 1993, he spent five years in retreat near [[Dharamshala]] in the [[Dhauladhar]] mountains.<ref name="shabkar"/><ref name="BuddhistChannel">{{cite web | url=http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=65,7234,0,0,1,0 | title=Geshe Thupten Phelgye to speak about nonviolent activism during a presentation at North Idaho College | publisher=The Buddhist Channel | date=Oct 9, 2008 | accessdate=September 19, 2011}}</ref>

Over the years, he has been tirelessly giving talks and teachings around the world, advocating vegetarianism and Universal Compassion for world peace. His message is simple: all beings deserve equal compassion like ourselves. The Universal Compassion Movement is his agenda.
[[File:H.H. Dalia Lama with Venerbale Geshe Phelgye Buddha Statue.jpg|left|thumb|500x500px|His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Venerable Geshe Thupten Phelgye]]
He took a leave from his political service in the Tibetan Parliament in 2011; he was brought to the United States in 2012 to serve as a Global Scholar in Residence at Gonzaga University and later at Eastern Washington University.<ref>Eastern Washington University</ref><ref>[[Eastern Washington University]]</ref> In 2017 he founded [https://www.universalcompassion.org/buddhist-institute-of-universal-compassion-spokane-buddhist-temple/ The Buddhist Institute of Universal Compassion] in Spokane, Washington, USA.
[[File: Buddhist Institute of Universal Compassion.jpg|thumb]]

==Vegetarian advocacy==
Thupten Phelgye saw the inside of a [[slaughterhouse]] as a young monastic who showed up early to the market one morning while helping a sick elder. As a result, from that day forward he became a fearless warrior advocating for not only [[vegetarianism]]<ref name="Easterner">{{cite web | url=http://www.easterneronline.com/news/step-into-the-air-of-wisdom-1.1290140#.Tnfuhk-kQix | title=Step into the air of wisdom Tibetan monk clarifies Buddhism beliefs and discusses greater meaning | publisher=The Easterner | date=March 31, 2010 | accessdate=September 19, 2011 | author=Keedy, Jason | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920233406/http://www.easterneronline.com/news/step-into-the-air-of-wisdom-1.1290140#.Tnfuhk-kQix | archivedate=September 20, 2011 }}</ref> but Universal Compassion for all beings. Soon thereafter, he founded his Universal Compassion Movement (Foundation) '''UCF'''.

As the first President of the International Gelug Society, he helped pass the resolution for vegetarianism for all residents of Gelug monasteries and nunneries.<ref name="universalcompassionbio">{{cite web | url=http://www.universalcompassion.org/geshe-thupten-phelgye/ | title=Geshe Thupten Phelgye A Brief Biography of Venerable (Dr) Geshe Thupten Phelgye, Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile | publisher=Universal Compassion Movement | date=c. 2010 | accessdate=September 19, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014170626/http://www.universalcompassion.org/geshe-thupten-phelgye/ | archive-date=October 14, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="veggieheroes">{{cite web | url=http://www.purifymind.com/VegeHero.htm | title=Another Tibetan Vegetarian Hero - Geshe Thupten Phelgye | publisher=purifymind.org | accessdate=September 19, 2011}}</ref> He helped pass a 2003 bill in the [[Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration|Tibetan Parliament in Exile]], where he is a representative of the Gelug tradition, which encouraged Tibetans to become vegetarian,<ref name="shabkar" /> by declaring 2004 the "Tibetan Vegetarian Year."<ref name="veggieheroes" /> He was re-elected to the Parliament in 2006.<ref name="universalcompassionbio" />

He founded a charitable trust, the ''Universal Compassion Movement'' Now, officially known as [https://www.universalcompassion.org/ Universal Compassion Foundation]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buddhist Temple Spokane - Geshe Phelgye - Universal Compassion |url=https://www.universalcompassion.org/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Universal Compassion Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> ('''UCF''') a 501 (c)3 non-profit charity<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universal Compassion Foundation {{!}} Charity Navigator Profile |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/461444689 |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=www.charitynavigator.org |language=en-US}}</ref> registered under 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) in the United States of America.(UCM), with the mission of bringing people together to help animals who are slaughtered or suffer cruel and inhumane treatment by promoting Universal Compassion in our lives and for all beings.<ref name="shabkar" />

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.<ref name="universalcompassionbio"/><ref name="spokesmanreview">{{cite news | url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/18/one-of-a-kind/ | title=One of a kind: Famed Tibetan Buddhist monk Venerable Geshe Thupten Phelgye brings his message of compassion | date=July 18, 2009 | agency=The Spokesman-Review | accessdate=September 19, 2011 | author=De Leon, Virginia | location=Spokane, WA}}</ref> He has given teachings at [[Sravasti Abbey]]<ref name="sravasti">{{cite web | url=http://www.sravastiabbey.org/photogallery/2009/aug09phelgyeregion.html | title=Geshe Phelgye visits the region | publisher=Sravasti Abbey | year=2009 | accessdate=September 19, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> and other US Buddhist centers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theunion.com/article/20100227/NEWS/100229796 | title=International peace delegate to speak in Nevada City | publisher=The Union.com, Serving Western Nevada County, California | date=Feb 27, 2010 | accessdate=September 19, 2011}}</ref><ref name="mountshasta">{{cite web | url=http://www.mountshastafriendsoftibetanculture.org/thuptenphelgye-gif.html | title=Venerable Geshe Thupten Phelgye Returns to Mount Shasta | publisher=Mount Shasta Friends of Tibetan Culture | date=Feb 2, 2010 | accessdate=September 19, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402162716/http://www.mountshastafriendsoftibetanculture.org/thuptenphelgye-gif.html# | archive-date=2012-04-02 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Charitable activities and peace work==
Thupten Phelgye 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, "{{sic|every-day}} practice" to serve others.<ref name="Easterner"/>

In 2004, the [[14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]] requested Thupten Phelgye to serve as "an emissary for peace."<ref name="Easterner"/> He is active in Middle East peace efforts, via the [[Projects working for peace among Arabs and Israelis#Nonviolent struggle|Sulha Peace Project]].<ref name="spokesmanreview"/>

In May, 2012, Thupten Phelgye began his annual Animal Blessing. He blessed around 100 pets that day, mostly dogs, at [[Marymoor Park]] to promote compassion and peace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/153264265.html |title=Buddhist monk blesses pets at Marymoor Park event |date=23 May 2012 |accessdate=May 28, 2012 |publisher=Redmond Reporter }}</ref> He has since blessed countless animals and pets alike at various parks, [[Animal sanctuary|sanctuary’s]], and [https://www.universalcompassion.org/outreach-buddhist-institute-of-universal-compassion/ temples].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanctuary News |url=https://www.riverswishanimalsanctuary.org/sanctuary-news.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Welcome to River's Wish Animal Sanctuary |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Geshe Phelgye with Cow.jpg|thumb|Venerable Geshe Phelgye lays down with a rescue cow from River's Wish Animal Sanctuary]]

Every year, he blesses food offerings for [https://www.facebook.com/events/2162266970757440/ River's Wish Animal Sanctuary] annual Thanksgiving of Compassion with a Harvest for the Animals. He then blesses each animal with special prayers for their long life and future spiritual journeys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=October news from the sanctuary |url=http://www.riverswishanimalsanctuary.org/3/post/2021/10/october-news-from-the-sanctuary.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Welcome to River's Wish Animal Sanctuary |language=en}}</ref>

==Film==
In 2002, the Geshe acted as a senior monk in an [[India]]n [[Hindi film]], directed by [[Shaji N. Karun]], ''[[Nishad (2002 film)|Nishad]]'' ([[English language|English]] title: ''Octave'').

==Writings==
*[http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/article_4dce776a-391f-11df-9154-001cc4c002e0.html Community of Faith: A Buddhist perspective on mindful eating], guest editorial

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111014170744/http://www.universalcompassion.org/an-appeal-for-compassion/ Universal Compassion Foundation Website]
*[http://www.thefigtree.org/may10/050110geshe.html Tibetan Buddhist monk calls for compassion]
*[https://sulustu.blogspot.com/2009/07/peace-blessing.html Peace Blessing, with the Spokane Interfaith Council], at [[Mount Spokane]], WA
*[https://archive.today/20130415212241/http://www.sravastiabbey.org/gallery/2008/oct08phelgye.html Geshe Phelgye teaches exchanging self and others]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phelgye, Geshe Thubten}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Buddhist vegetarianism]]
[[Category:Buddhist pacifists]]
[[Category:Tibetan pacifists]]
[[Category:Gelug Lamas]]
[[Category:Buddhist monks from Tibet]]
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhists from India]]
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration]]
[[Category:Geshes]]
[[Category:Tibetan activists]]
[[Category:20th-century lamas]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chinese Buddhists]]
[[Category:Chinese vegetarianism activists]]

Thupten Phelgye - Revision history

ClaudiaChilds56: added some post w/ sources