H.H. Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche
Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche ‘Thupten Mrawai Nyima Jigme Singye Chogle Nampar Gyalwai De’ (the Sun Who Speaks Buddha Dharma and Fearless Lion Who is Victorious Over all Enemies) was born on the 15th of July, 1971, to father Dechen and mother Pezom in Bylakuppe, South India. As a child he was named Yeshi Choephel.
H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa Rigpai Dorji Rinpoche and H.H. Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, all agreeably recognized him as the authentic reincarnation of the third Gyangkhang Rinpoche.
He was invited to Nandroling Monastery by His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, and celebrated his enthronement as an incarnation in a grand way. He learnt reading and writing from His Holiness Drubwang Rinpoche. Under the guidance of tutor Lama Sonam Tenzin, etc. he completely learnt the ritual arts of Palyul tradition. He received the teachings on Nyingthing Preliminary Practice from his root guru H.H. Drubwang Rinpoche and also practiced the Five Hundred Thousand Accumulations. Later, he enrolled into Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and successfully completed the studies on Buddhist Philosophy on the sutra and tantra.
Along with the Namche Ngondro, Tsalung and Dzongchen, His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche bestowed upon him all the empowerments, instructions and transmission of distinct Namchö Cycle. He also received the empowerments, oral transmissions and pith instructions on the Kama and Terma teachings of Ngagyur Nyingma from His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Dodrubchen Rinpoche, His Holiness Khenchen Jigmed Phuntsog Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, and so on.
Rinpoche received the novice and full ordination vows from His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche and was named ‘Thupten Mawai Nyima Jigme Singye Chogle Nampar Gyalwai De’.
In 1995, he has completed the nine-year course at the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. For many years he taught the students of the institute and also served as the Vice President and the President of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute for many years.
In 1999, considering his high level of knowledge, H.H. Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche enthroned him as ‘Tulku Khenpo’ and conferred him the certificate of Doctorate on Buddhist Philosophy.
Rinpoche newly built Palyul Thubten Shedrub Choekhor Dargyeling Monastery in Bodhgaya under the kind instruction of His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, and built the relic stupa of His Holiness Drubwang Rinpoche each at Palyul Thubten Shedrub Choekhor Dargyeling Monastery and Tsogyal Shedrub Dhargyaling Nunnery.
Rinpoche travels to Nepal, Bhutan, and overseas benefiting numerous sentient beings through the bestowing of empowerments, transmissions and instruction.
Since His Holiness Drubwang Rinpoche attained into mahaparinirvana, he has been shouldering the general responsibilities of Namdroling Monastery as the chief and carrying forward the supreme legacy of His Holiness by benefiting everyone connected; thus remaining as a guidance of the Buddha-dharma and the sentient beings.