Brief Biography of Sungtrul Rinpoche and successive incarnation Line.

HE Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche

His Eminance Jigdrel Kunzang Dorji popularly Known as Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche is 11^th incarnation great Terton Pema Lingpa. Sungtrul Rinpoche was born in 1968 at Chumey Bumthang from father Dasho Thinley Namgyel and mother Aum Rinchen. In 1969, Rinpoche was recognized as 11^th incarnation of Terton Pema Lingpa by many great masters such as H.H Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and H.H 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa. Rinpoche started early education at Tharpaling monastery at the age of seven under the guidance of H.H Kathog Rinpoche and Lopen Tsheten. At the age of 10, Rinpoche started receiving teachings from H.H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and also received empowerments, Transmissions and Instructions from H.H 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorje at Rumtek Shedrup Chokorling in Sikkim. Sungtrul Rinpoche completed his MA in Buddhist Philosophy from Namdroling Monastery, Mysore in India and went to retreat at Gangtey Retreat Centre. Sungtrul Rinpoche Currently resides at Drametse monastery which is founded by Ani Choten Zangmo the granddaughter of Terton Pema Linga.

Linage of Sungtrul Rinpoche – Before the birth of Terton Pema Lingpa.

In 8^th century, Princess Pema Sel (daughter of King Trisong Detsen) has received Khandro Nyingthig from Guru Padma Sambhava and she took several rebirths before being born as Terton Pema Lingpa.  One of the famous rebirth was great scholar Longchen Rabjam (1308-1364) who equaled the realization and knowledge of Vimalamitra and he was latter rebirth as Terton Pema Lingpa. Some of the rebirth of Princess Pema Sel before being born as Longchenpa are Rikma Sangye Kyid, Pema Drolma, Ngagchang Rinchen Drakpa and Terton Pema Ledreltsal.

Sungtrul Incarnation Line – Rebirth after Terton Pema Lingpa.

1^st Terton Pema Lingpa (1450-1521).

2^nd Peling Sungtrul Tendzin Drakpa (1536-1597).

3^rd Peling Sungtrul Tsultrim Dorji (1598-1669).

4^th Peling Sungtrul Ngawang Kunzang Dorji (1680-1723).

5^th Peling Sungtrul Kunzang Tsewang (1725-1762)

6^th Peling Sungtrul Kunzang Tenpe Gyaltsen (1763-1817).

7^th Peling Sungtrul Pema Tendzin (1819-1842).

8^th Peling Sungtrul Kunzang Dechen Dorji (1843-1890)

9^th Peling Sungtrul Tendzin Chokyi Gyaltsen (1894-1925).

10^th Peling Sungtrul Ngwang Chokyi Gyaltsen or Thubten Chokyi Dorji (1930-1955)

11^th Peling Sungtrul Jigdrel Kunzang Dorji or Kunzang Rinchen Namgyal (1968-current)

 

References

Pema Lingpa Foundation (n.d). Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche. Pema Lingpa Foundation.

University of Cambridge (n.d). The Peling Sungtrul Line. Mongolia and inner Asia Studies Unit.