Pictured - from Left to Right:
Gegan Dilowa Hutukhtu, Thubten Jigme Norbu, recognised as Taktser Rinpoche, Brother of the Dalai Lama and who was a frequent visitor to Rashi Gempil Ling, Rabjampa Sandjiew known as Shar Emche (Yellow Doctor, Herbalist) - circa 1952.
This is also a very interesting article by Wesley Needham that we found regarding Gegan Dilowa Hutukhtu, that mentions the history & consecration of our temple: http://www.studiesincomparativereligion.com/public/articles/Dilowa_Gegen_Hutukhtu_.aspx
Gegen Dilowa Hutukhtu and monks Ender Baksha and Shar Emche
at Rashi Gempil-ling Buddhist Temple, Howell, N.J. (Circa 1952)
Basang Gelung, Ender Baksha, Gegan Dilowa Hutukhtu, Shar Emche
History
Rashi Gempil Ling is the first Kalmyk Buddhist Temple in the USA and was founded by Kalmyk Americans - people of Mongolian descendent who immigrated to the United States in the mid-1900's, as displaced people from Germany and other countries in Western Europe—having fled there after being dispossessed by the Soviets.
Prior to that, they were one of several nomad tribes from Mongolia, originally from the Altai Mountains of Asia; and eventually settled in the plains of Southern Russia.
Our first monks were all Kalmyk Mongolian monks who arrived along with other immigrants from Russia, via Germany, to the USA. These founding monks were Shar Emje, Ender Baksha, Basang Gelung, and Zunguruw Gelung.
The first temple was a small garage that we used as a church, around 1952. After many years, we decided to build a new temple. An entire temple was available from another state we would have to disassemble it and transport the parts to our town. The cost of this though was so high that we weren't able to use this option.
And so we decided to build our temple here in Freewood Acres, New Jersey, in 1968. This project was led by Hongor Sochorow, who at the time only had about five years of experience in building houses. He enlisted the help of some of the parishioners, including some of the older women, who helped to dig the footings for block work.
One of the biggest contributors to the new temple was Dan Parrish from Asbury Park, New Jersey. Hongor had met him at a construction site, and after hearing about how Hongor and a small group of people wanted to build a temple, Dan decided he would like to help.
Dan was a masonry contractor who donated his time and some material for the foundation. He and his crew of 10 men completed the brick fascia of the temple in evenings and weekends, after their regular work days. Sandy Sochorow and Nancy Schick made sure the crew always had food and beverages, since the work was being done in the evenings. We couldn't thank these wonderful people enough.
We have also been honored to have very highly esteemed head priests residing at our temple. These have including both Dilowa Hutukhtu, in the 1950's, and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin who served as the temple abbot from 1972 to 2004. Khen Rinpoche had many students over the years, including Geshe Michael Roach.
Today, at the temple, Kalmyk members regularly gather for services, weddings, funerals and holidays many of which are live-streamed on our Facebook page. The temple also offers classes in Buddhism led by our monk teacher, Geshe Thupten Wangdu who can be reached at (732) 533-8819.