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.

Brief Biography of Gangteng Truku Rinpoche and successive Incarnation Line.

 

9th Gangteng Trulku
Kunzang Pema Namgyal.

H.E Kunzang Pema Namgyal commonly known as Gangteng Trulku was born in 1955 at Trongsa from mother Tshering Pelmo and father Tshering Dorji of Bonbi Choje, one of the descendent of King Trisong Detsen. While Rinpoche is in the womb of mother, she had a dream of boiling water turn to milk and she has also dreamt that the sands and stones on the bank of nearby stream were turned to white pearls. Moreover, the two flowing water turns to milk in her dream and also had numerous auspicious signs rainbow filled sky, flowering trees and so on were witnessed during his birth. Furthermore, while mother was giving morning bath, everyone was surprised by the five colour rainbow shines from east directly to his bath tub.

While Azhi Phuntsho Choden residing at Sha Samtengang, she had a dream of a girl carrying a bowl of milk and asking Azhi to offer this milk to Gangteng Trulku. She also said she is a Tshomen of Luedtso Lake and offered song which clearly talks about rebirth of Gangteng Trulku. Hence Azhi sent an order that the monks of Gangteng Goenpa to be told that they must look towards source of Mangdue Chu for the incarnation of Trulku. Rinpoche was admitted to Trongsa Dzong as a monk at the age of seven and started learning the basics of reading and writing. Meanwhile, Dzogchen Polo Khenpo recognize him as 9^th Gangteng Trulku and the trulku was also confirmed by H.H Dudjom Rinpoche and H.H 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorji.

Gangteng Goenpa
- the main seat of successive Gangteng Truelku

While trulku was enrolled in Tango Buddhist College, he received complete Sarma and Dzogchen Teaching from Je Tendzin Dondrup and Je Geduen Rinchen. Moreover, Trulku Received complete Peling Teachings, empowerments, transmission and instruction from H.H Dudjom Rinpoche and also received complete Treasure Teaching of Dudjom Linage. Furthermore, Trulku received important teachings such as Rinchen Terdzoed, Dam Ngag zoed, Nyingthig Yazhi, Ngelso Korsum, Gyud Gyal Sangwa Nyingpo and so on from numerous great masters such as H.H Jadrel Rinpoche, H.H Penor Rinpoche, H.H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H Dodrup Rinpoche, Polo Khenpo Rinpoche, Sakya Khenchen Rinchen, Khenchen Khedrup, Khenchen Dampa Noryang, Khenchen Dazer, Nyoshu Khen Jamyang Dorji and Yanglop Shakya Dorji. Trulku studied in Buddhist Ngajur Nyingma College at Mysore and complete strict three years’ meditation and retreat at Kunzang Choling where the signs of accomplishments were also seen. Trulku has also bring out three sacred water at Banjar Community under Mongar Dzongkhag

Rinpoche currently resides at Gangteng Goenpa, under Wangdue Dzongkhag and also instituted 35 new and old subsidiary meditation and learning centres of Gangteng in the country such as Ugyen Thegcholing in Karzhong, Anim Gonpa Pema Choling at Tang, Samdrup Choling at Chasilakha, Ugyen Thegchokling at Tingtibi, Kunzang Choling at Gangteng, meditation Centre at Aja and so on. Besides of Bhutan, Rinpoche is also conferring empowerment, transmission and instruction to the devotees of USA, Canada, Europe, Taiwan, Singapore, India and so on.

Successive incarnation of Gangteng Trulku:

1^st Gyalse Pema Thinley

2^nd Gangteng Trulku Tenzin Legpai Dondrup.

3^rd Gangteng Trulku Kunzang Thinley Nangyal.

4^th Gangteng Trulku Tenzin Sizhi Namgya.

5^th Gangteng Trulku Ugyen Geek Namgyal.

6^th Gangteng Trulku Tenpai Nyima.

7^th Gangteng Trulku Tenpai Nyinje.

8^th Gangteng Trulku Ugyen Thinley Dorji.

9^th Gangteng Trulku Kunzang Rigdzing Pema Namgyal.

 

References

Trulku, G. (2008). The Jewel Rosary of the Successive Incarnations of Gangteng Tulku.

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.

Brief Biography Thuksey Rinpoche - 10th Peling Thukse Thekchok Tenpey Gyeltshen

10th Thuksey Rinpoche.

10^th Peling Thuksey Thekchok Tenpey Gyeltshen popularly known as Thuksey Rinpoche is 10^th incarnation of Peling Thuksey Dawa Gyeltshen (the heart son of Terton Pema Lingpa). Thuksey Rinpoche has natural talents in all 13 traditional arts and crafts which is said that the Peling Thuksey’s successive incarnations will have natural inborn talent on traditional arts and crafts.

Thuksey Rinpoche was born in 1951, corresponding to the Iron Rabit year at Danang, in south Tibet from Father Kelsang Thrinle and Mother Dechen Tshomo. At an age of five, Rinpoche left foot print on the stone at Lhalung monastery and also foresaw the monks coming to his house lead by his previous life attendant Pema Thrinle. So Rinpoche said his parents that the monks and horses will arrive to their house. Moreover, at Lhalung monastery Rinpoche as little boy has directly went to his predecessor’s throne and sat.

He was formally recognized as 10^th incarnation of Thuksey Dawa Gyeltsen in 1957 at the age of seven by H.H 14^th Dali Lama Tenzin Gyatsho and enthroned at Lhalung Techok Rabgay Ling in Tibet. Further, H.H Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Choki Lodro also confirm the trulku and gave name Theckchok Tenpey Gyeltshen and also wrote lifelong prayer. In 1971, H.H Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji also confirm the 10^th Peling Thuksey and gave name Jigdral Kuenzang Pema Dorji.

Foot Print left at age of 5 and boot of that time.

Thuksey Rinpoche started learning how to read and write from his personal tutor Lopen Tsheltrim at Lhalung monastery but in 1959, Rinpoche is forced to leave his monastery in Tibet due to Cultural Revolution and move towards Bhutan along with groups of Monk. On the way Rinpoche stayed one year at Paksamlung- one of the sacred place of Guru Rinpoche and where the 9^th Peling Thuksey has built monastery. Similarly, Rinpoche also stayed few months at Tang Ugyen Choling palace and later went to Tamshing monastery which is main monastic seat of successive incarnation of Peling Sungtrul and Peling Thuksey.

Successive incarnation of Peling Yabsey Sum.

Thuksey Rinpoche Received empowerment, transmission and Instruction on Lama Norbu Gyamtso, Tsedrup Norbu Lamkher and Chimi Kusum Rigdue from Khedrup Jigme Rangdrol Dorji popularly Known as Peling Lam Phuentsho, who is main disciple of 8^th Rigzin Khamsum Yongtrul (who received Peling Linage from Omniscient Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo). Teaching on Shey Tring and Chen-Jug were received from Khenchen Ngawang Thrinle and empowerments and transmission of Rinchen Terzod and complete teaching of Peling Chokhor from H.H Dodjom Rinpoche (who received Peling choekhor from Terton Dudjom Namkhai Dorji). Moreover, Pal Dugkhor Wangchen was received from 14^th Dali Lama and Nyingthig Yazhi from Dzogchen Khenpo Polu Dorji.

Furthermore, Thuksey Rinpoche has also received many empowerments, transmissions and instructions on Kagyur, Nyingma Gyubum, Yonten Dzoe Nagyur Karma Chokhor, Ngyal khorsum, Nyingthig Yazhi, Suldap Lue Dunpa, Ratma Tsedrup Sangdue, Lama Gongdue, Tsa Pey of Longchen Nyingthig and so on from many great masters such H.H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H 4^th Dodrupchen, H.H Drubwang Penor Rinpoche and 36^th Zhinchen Baro Trulku. Later, Rinpoche has spent many years for meditations at various places such as Kuenzangdrak, Tharpaling, Shukdrak and so on.

Rinpoche while Confering Peling Chokhor.

In 1980, three Peling Yabsey sum performed Drubchen together at Gangtey Gonpa with initiative of 9^th Gangtey Rinpoche. Thuksey Rinpoche has performed countless deeds for the benefits of sentient beings such as various arts and crafts in numerous monasteries and confer many teachings, empowerments, transmissions and instructions for the devotees. While Rinpoche was conferring empowerment of Peling Chokhor to Dudjom Yangsey of Bhutan, 11^th Peling Sungtrul and thousands of devotees, the rainbow was also appeared. Thuksey Rinpoche has many devotees ranging from humblest person to Royal family in and outside of the Bhutan. After benefiting a lot for the sentient beings, Thuksey Rinpoche left for pure realm on 18^th April 2010, corresponding to the 3^rd month of the 4^th day of the Iron Tiger, at the age of 59 in Thimphu. Moreover Purjang held on 16^th July 2010, coinciding with first sermon of Load Buddha and appeared rainbow along with flower rain fall in Purjang area.

Kudung Choeten of 10th Thuksey Rinpoche.

* Please bear with me if I made any mistake on 10th Peling Thuksey Thekchok Tenpey Gyeltshen as I am blogging based on oral transcript.

Brief Biography of Khenpo Karpo- The heart son H.H Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorje Rinpoche.

Khenpo Karpo (mkhan po dkar po) was born on 10^th day of the fourth month of Fire Rat Year, 1934 at Zhongmey under Lhuntse District. First phase of his life was spent as a villager and itinerant trader till the age of 26. Meanwhile he has also started studying how to read and write traditional Bhutanese alphabets. Latter he had attended H.H Dudjom Rinoche for more than 30 years till 1990 during which he had received complete Buddhist teachings covering empowerments, oral transmission and instructions of the Nying, kama and Terma linages. In 1974 he had completed the three years retreat of Mahayoga, Anu Yoga and Atiyoga at Darjeling and undertook many meditative retreats in almost all the scared places in Bhutan and Nepal.

5th King of Bhutan and Khenpo Karpo

H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche has awarded him with title of Dorji Lopon in 1962 and also awarded title of Khenpo in 1970. Beside of H.H Dudjom Rinpoche, Khenpo Karpo has also received teachings from Dzogchen Polo Khenpo including Madhyamika, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, Khejug, Yeshe Lama Longchenpa’s Sangnying Chochu Munsel, Dzogchen Nyengyud of Khenpo Ngakchung, the hearing Linage of  Trekchoe and Thoegel, Astrology, Grammar Literature and poetry. He had also received complete Nyingthig empowerment and transmission from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dodrup Rinpoche. Moreover, he has also received teachings from other great masters such as Chatral Rinpoche, 11^th Minling Trichen Rinpoche, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche.

Guru Stature Built by Khenpo at Takila

Later for the benefit of sentient beings, Khenpo has founded Retreat Centre at his native land of Zhongmey and also built giant statue of Guru Rinpoche at Takila under Lhuntse Dzongkhag. Finally, Khenpo Karpo entered into Buddha field on February 19, 2017 with meditative sadhana and left ringsels after cremation.

Brief biography of Khoma Rinpoche Lama Namdrol Zangpo- one of the heart son of Dudjom Rinpoche.

Lama Namdrol Zangpo commonly known as Khoma Rinpoche was born in 1945 corresponding to 25^th day of the 11^th lunar month of wood female bird year at Ganglapong village in Tsamang Gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag. He was born from father Tsampa Tshewang Rigzin and mother Dondrup Zangmo with numerous auspicious sign and started learning how to read and write traditional Bhutanese alphabets under guidance of his father from age of five or six.

Latter he started receiving spiritual teachings from his root master Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji and shown numerous signs and significance of attainment after receiving complete empowerments and instructions from root teacher. Beside is root teacher, he also received teachings from other great masters such as Taglung Tsetrul Rinpoche, H. H Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Polo Khyenchen, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and so on. Rinpoche has mediated at various places and later he was appointed as Lama of Gonpa Karpo or Kabab Choeling Gonpa which is founded by Lama Choying Rangdrol. Rinpoche has served as lama at Gonpa Karpo for several years and later he was resigned from the post of lama of Gonpa Karpo and founded Lungten Choeling Gonpa at Khoma village where Nagtsang of Gyab Hamra was Located. People of Khoma Believes that the Gyab Hamra is a father of Monmo Tashi Khewdron and having rich historical reasons as well.

Later in 2014 to 2015, Rinpoche has founded two retreat centers at Khomo dung and named as Rigzin Samtenling drubdey for monks on top of Khomo dung and Wogmin Sangchenling drubdey for nuns litter below Khomo dung. Moreover Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche one of main disciple of Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji who has founded Guru Point in Kurtoe Takela was passed away and his followers requested Lama Namdrol Zangpo to take over the head of Ugyen Dongag Yoesel Choeling until reborn of Khen Rinpoche. Hence Lama Namdrol Zangpo is acting as head of both Shedra and Drubdey of Ugyen Dongag Yoesel choeling at Kakela beside his own Drubdey of Khomo dung.

Brief History of Zham Gyaltsen Marpo aka thrulzhik lama Gyaltsen Marpa Rinpoche.

Thrulzhik Lama Gyaltsen  Marpa (khrul zhig bla ma rgyal mtshan dmar pa) aka Kunzang Pema Dechen Tsal, commonly known as Zham Gyaltsen Marpo Rinpoche (rgyal mtshan dmar po rin po che) was born in 1857 at Eastern Bhutan.  He work as local farmer until age of eighteen and at the age of 18 he entered at Karpo Chöling Monastery (dkar po chos gling dgon), where he received his basic education and learnings. Latter in 1892, age thirty-five he went to Kham, Eastern Tibet where he met with his root master Drubwang Togden Shakya Shri (grub dbang rtogs ldan shakya shri, 1853-1919) and received complete teaching of Dzogpachenpo - the great perfection and also studied the Six Yogas of Naropa (nA ro chos drug) and Mahamudra (phyag rgya chen po).

He returned to Bhutan after his root master was passed away and established a small retreat place in Zham, Eastern Bhutan (current Zham Goenpa is located). He was passaway at age of 93 in 1950 with numerous auspicious signs.  Latter Lopön Sönam Zangpo (slob dpon bsod nams bzang po, 1888-1982) one of the main disciple of Shakya Shri has recognized the tulku (sprul sku) of Trulzhik Lama Gyaltsen Marpa (Gyaltsen trulku).