1930–2002
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Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche belonged to the last generation of teachers to have been fully trained in Tibet in the vast wealth of Vajrayana teachings and methods. He held superb teaching lineages, primarily in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Vajrayana, which he taught unceasingly throughout his life. Born in eastern Tibet, he was recognized at a young age as the reincarnation of the Chagdud tulku. He was trained according to tradition by qualified teachers and entered his first three-year retreat at the age of eleven. After this retreat, he received numerous teachings, empowerments, and oral transmissions from various spiritual masters, including from Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodro and from Sechen Rabjam Rinpoche who told him that Tara meditation would be one of his major practices. He entered his second three-year retreat in 1946, after which he returned to Chagdud Gonpa, went into pilgrimage, and conducted other extensive retreats. |
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Fleeing the Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche went into exile with his root teacher, Khenpo Dorje, to India and Nepal, where he formed a strong connection with Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and where he served for the next twenty years as a lama who administered to the Tibetan refugees’ spiritual, medical, and organizational needs.
Rinpoche travelled to the United States in 1979, where he settled and successfully established numerous centers and meditation groups in the United States and other places, such as Whitehorse where he came twice. He later relocated to Brazil where he built an extensive network of centers, including the first traditional Tibetan temple in South America. He taught the traditional aspects of Vajrayana precisely, according to his lineages, insisting on foundational preliminary practices prior to more advanced transmissions. He emphasized developing a pure motivation in spiritual practice and in all activities. The combination of his warm personality, his depth of knowledge, and his meditative realization magnetized thousands of students. As a result, he left a legacy of diligent teachers and practitioners who carry on his activities and beneficial intentions.
This text borrows from material published by the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and the Buddha Dharma Education Association. |
Chagdud Rinpoche's tulku has been recognized in Tibet by Khenpo Ngagchung. Known as Chagdud Yangsi, he is the focus of the prayers and deep aspirations of sangha members around the world.
Chagdud Rinpoche's autobiography can be purchased here to support his foundation and here to also sample a preview of the book. |
Chagdud Gonpa Rigdzin Ling, California, the North-American seat of Chagdud Gonpa Foundation
Chagdud Gonpa Lamas
We are extremely fortunate to be guided by lamas that warmly and steadfastly carry out Rinpoche's vision and legacy. Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigme Rinpoche, studied with many great masters of our time and offers the advanced teachings of Dzogchen. Chagdud Khadro married Chagdud Rinpoche in 1979 and was ordained by him as a lama in 1997. She is the president of the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and the Spiritual Director of Chagdud Gonpa Brasil. Rinpoche ordained a number of his Western students as teachers and gave them specific authorizations to teach; Lama Tsering, Lama Padma, and Lama Inge each have their own centres. All these lamas have taught in Whitehorse and Whitehorse students have travelled abroad to study and practice with them. We fondly look forward to future visits and retreats. A biography of our teachers is listed here.
Jigme Tromge Rinpoche
Lama Padma Yontan Gyatso
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Chagdud Khadro
Lama Inge Sandvoss
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Lama Tsering Everest
Rinpoche’s work is maintained by Chagdud Gonpa Foundation in North America, by Chagdud Gonpa Brasil in Brazil, and by Chagdud Gonpa Hispanoamerica in Spanish-speaking Latin America. The Mahakaruna Foundation administers support for Chagdud Gonpa and associated monasteries in Tibet and Nepal.
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