H.H. Chogtrul Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche
The third H.H. Chogtrul Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche was born to father Penpa Dorje and mother Sonam Yangzom in Nepal, on 10-04-1973, accompanied by miraculously wonderful signs.
His previous birth was the Throne Holder of Sa-Ngag Chogling Monastery, which stood at the holy site of Mugsang in the West-North of Kathog Monastery in Tibet. The holy Mugsang site is one of the twenty five prominent sacred places in Dokham sanctified by Guru Padmasambhava, Vairochana, Ma Rinchen Chog, Nub Sangye Yeshe and other numerous masters of the past. Later, this monastery was blessed by the presence of Nu Choeing Dorje, the ancestors of Kathog lineage, Serlo Tonpa Gyaltsen and Terton Migyur Dorje. Here in this sacred site, the great Terton Migyur Dorje, having accomplished the benefits for the beings and the dharma, attained parinirvana.
At the age of two, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche recognized him as the unmistaken reincarnation of the second Chogtrul Mugsang Kunzang Tenzin Rinpoche.
When second Chogtrul Mugsang Kunzang Tenzin Rinpoche had his first audience with the second Drubwang Palchen Dupa, he unmistakably recognized the eye-glasses and other personal things of his previous life. The second Dubrang Rinpoche then recognized him as the unmistaken incarnation of Ugyen Dongag Chokyi Nyima the ninth Throne Holder of Palyul monastery. He then relying upon Khenpo Rigzin Ozer of Dzogchen excelled in the extensive fields of Buddhist study. From Jamyang Khentse Chokyi Lodroe, who became his root guidance, he received complete empowerments, instructions and transmissions of Nyingma tradition.
Ugyen Dongag Chokyi Nyima had three emanations: mind, speech and body. Chogtrul Mugsang was the mind emanation, Karma Thegchog Nyinpo the 10th Throne-Holder of Palyul monastery was the body emanation and H.H. Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche was the speech emanation.
Chogtrul Mugsang Kuchen, at the age of three, was invited to Namdroling Monastery by H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche who looked after him with great compassion and care. At the age of four, he received the Rinchen Terzöd Empowerment from H.H. Drodrub Rinpoche. Beginning from the age of five, under the guidance of his tutors Lama Sonam Tenzin, Tara Lama and Aku Tsedrub, he learned to read and write Tibetan and trained in the distinct rituals of the Palyul tradition. Subsequently, he received the empowerments, instructions and transmissions on Ngöndro, Tsa Lung and Dzogchen directly from His Holiness Padma Norbu Rinpoche along with Kama initiations. When he has come of age, as directed by H.H. Padma Norbu Rinpoche, he enrolled into Ngagyur Nyingma Institute where he relied upon many experienced masters and completed thorough-study on all Sutras and Tantras, and the Tibetan Grammar in addition.
He rendered his service to H.H. Pema Norbu Rinpoche in running the monastery by shouldering the responsibilities of the Namdroling Monastery as the President. Since 2009, 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. For future development and success, he is presently visiting the Palyul Centres in overseas and accomplishing the extensive dharma activities and welfare of the disciples there.