Brief Biography of 7th Namkhai Nyingpo and Namnying Incarnation Line.

Seventh Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche

His Holiness Seventh Namkhai Nyingpo Jamyang Yeshi Tenpai Gyeltsen Pelzangpo a.k.a Jigme Thinley Namgyal was born from father Tshering Gyaltshen and mother Sherabmo in 1966 at Tongshang Thrichu Goenpa under Tashi Yangtse Dzongkhag. His birth was accompanied by many auspicious signs such as turning steam water into milky colour, appearing rainbow in the sky and showering flowers.

As child, Rinpoche uttered his first word “Kharchu” which is his Monastery called Lodrak Kharchu in Tibet and also remembered the names of his old attendants and past incidents. Rinpoche was recognized as seventh Namkhai Nyingpo by H.H 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorji and also confirmed by the disciples and Royal Government of Bhutan by examining various traditional manner. While examining the trulku, they showed various rosaries, reliquaries, bells and vajras which belongs to previous Namkhai Nyingpo mixed with others. However, Rinpoche has picked his objects without any doubt and he was confirmed as undisputed 7^th Namkhai Nyingpo. At the age of six, Rinpoche was enthroned at Pema Shedrup Cholling the second Kharchu Monastery in Bumthang. Rinpoche started studying basic reading and writing as early as 1970 under his grandfather Geshe Pekar and Khenpo Namdrol. However Rinpoche has picked up instantly and had natural ability to learn how to read, write and memorize prayers.  

Namkhai Nyingpo

Rinpoche Received monastic ordination from 16^th Karmapa and named as Karma Rigzin Jurme Tenpai Gyaltsen. Thereafter, Rinpoche has received complete empowerment, transmission and instruction from many great masters such as 14^th Dalai Lama, Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Trulshik Rinpoche and Minling Trichen Jurme Kunzang Wangyal. Rinpoche also received complete teachings, empowerments, transmissions and instructions on rediscovered Northern Treasures (byang gter) of Terton Rigdzin Godem from Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. Moreover, Rinpoche also established Kharchu Dratsang and other retreat centres for study and practice of dharma emphasizing on Northern Treasure. Rinpoche has also benefited to the sentient beings by providing many empowerments, transmissions and instructions as per his teachers.

The successive Reincarnation Line of Namkhai Nyingpo are as follows:

-          Nub Namkhai Nyingpo.

-          First Incarnation Rigzin Lobzang Lhachog.

-          Second Incarnation Kelzang Pema Wangchuck

-          Third Incarnation Jampel Ngawang Drukdrak

-          Fourth Incarnation Kunzang Ngawang Tenzin

-          Fifth Incarnation Kelzang Sangnga Thekchog

-          Sixth Incarnation Pema Tenzin Namgyal

-          Seventh Incarnation Jamyang Yeshi Tenpai Gyeltsen Pelzangpo aka Jigme Thinley Namgyal.

References

Wangdi, S. (2009) A Brief Account of Namkhai Nyingpo and his Reincarnations, Journal of Bhutan Studies, 21 (Winter 2009), pp.1-6.

Tshokey Dorji Foundation (n.d). The Lineage of Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche.