H.H. Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche

H.H. the fourth Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche was born to father Dechen and mother Penzom in Bylakuppe, South India. H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa and H.H. Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, all agreeably recognized him as the authentic reincarnation of the third Gyangkhang Rinpoche.

At the age of four, he was invited to Namdroling Monastery by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, who became his root master and celebrated his enthronement as an incarnation in a grand way.
In 1986, he enrolled into Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and studied general Buddhist Philosophy as well as the unique Nyingma Teachings. Though young, he was brilliant and excelled over other students in his studies. He received the empowerments, oral transmissions and pith instructions on the Kama and Terma teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Dodrubchen Rinpoche, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and so on. H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche bestowed upon him all the empowerments, instructions and transmission of distinct Namchö Cycle; and numerous Kama and Treasure teachings in the mode of pouring them from one vessel to another.

In 1994, under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, H.H. Gyangkhang Rinpoche received the vows of full ordination from His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche and was named 'Thupten Mrawai Nyima Jigme Singye Chogle Nampar Gyalwai De' (the Sun Who Speaks Buddha Dharma and Fearless Lion Who is Victorious Over all Enemies).
In 1995, he has completed the nine-year course in the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. For many years he taught the students of the Institute and also served as the Vice President of the Institute for three years, and later shouldered the burden of President of the same academe for many years.

In 1999, considering his high level of knowledge, H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche enthroned him as 'Trulku Khenpo' and conferred him the certificate of Doctorate on Buddhist Philosophy in recognition to his worthy of being an authentic dharma teacher, who can guide others towards the path of enlightenment.

Since then, he has been shouldering the general responsibility of the monastery. On many occasions, he has travelled to overseas where he represented H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche and guided numerous disciples on the path to maturation. In accordance with the intention of H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche and as requested by all the members, he became the Chief of Namdroling Monastery.