Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche
Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin took his monk's vows at the age of 14 and a few years later was selected from his home monastery to began his study Buddhist philosophy at Samyé Monastery, the first monastery ever built in Tibet. While there, he studied theThirteen Major Texts with Khenchen Nawang Gyalpo Rinpoché and other khenpos. Because of the strong Sakya and Nyingma influence at Samyé, he also received the entire Lamdré-cycle of empowerments of the Ngor-Sakya lineage from Khensur Khenchen Rinpoché and from Amdo Lama Togden Rinpoché and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoché he received many Nyingma empowerments and teachings. In 1987, Khenpo Rinpoché arrived at Drikung Kagyu Institute at Jangchub Ling in Dehra Dun and there met His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoché. The spontaneous devotion he felt for His Holiness resulted in his request to His Holiness to join the monastery there and continue his education.
Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche,
In 1984 Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche entered Tana Monastery, receiving his vows as a novice (getsul) monk from Tulku Nyendrak Gyaltsen Rinpoche.
While helping with the reconstruction of the Monastery, he received teachings on the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra and Kunsang Lama's Words of Profound Instruction, Dzogchen's Great Completion Parting from Samsara and Nirvana, Pointing Out the Nature of Mind, and other teachings from Tulku Nyendrak Gyaltsen Rinpoche. Rinpoche has also received Chakrasamvara according to Drilbupa, including the empowerment, scriptural transmission, and pith instructions from Tulku Thogme Rinpoche. In 1993 he made a pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Kailash. Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow', and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog (also known as Chakrasamvara) and his consort, Dorje Phagmo. Drupon Dorje joined the Drikung Kagyu Institute in 1993, and has received instruction in philosophy, Gongchig, Theckchen Tenying, Dhagpo Thargyan, and Uttaratantra from Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen and other profound teachers of the Lineage.In 2005, he received the five-deities Hevajra according to Marpa's tradition of empowerment, transmission and instructions from His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, and in 2006 he completed the grand mantra recitation of glorious Hevajra's fire puja at the Almora retreat center. Hence for his accomplishments he was awarded the title, Drupon, meaning "Retreat Master." We are very blessed to have him visit and teach here @ KDC
Khenpo Rinpoché was ordained as a monk by Vajradhara Pachung Rinpoché at a young age and thus has been a monk most of his life. While at Drikung Thil, he received many teachings and instructions first from Pachung Rinpoché and later from Pachung Rinpoché's successor, Gelong Rinpoché, Vajradhara Tenzin Nyima. Aside from having received extensive teachings in Mahamudra from these two great masters, he is also a master in the ritual-traditions of Drikung Thil Monastery and has also received training in debate and philosophy at Drepung Monastery in Tibet. Before he left Drikung Thil for Nepal, Khenpo Rinpoché served as the chant-master of the monastery.
In 2007, he was appointed "Khenpo" by Drikung Thil Monastery and sent as its representative to TMC. Quiet, gentle and unassuming in nature, Khenpo Rinpoché's teachings are incisive, direct and heart-felt. His teachings on the Gongchig at TMC recently demonstrate his ability to not only present the philosophical import and significance of the points in the Gongchig but also expound on the direct relevance of those points to one's training on the path.
HE Nyatak Thubten Wangpo Rinpoche
-Head of Katsel Monastery in Tibet
Nyidak Rinpoche, is the head of Katsel Monastery. An interesting account of Nyidak Rinpoche appeared in Dr. Hun Lye's Blog, Hun's Summer of 2007
"When he [Lobsang] got to the bus he related to us that he had gone to see Rinpoche [Nyidak Rinpoche] with a specific problem/question that he needed advice on. But when he finally found Rinpoche, Rinpoche was already surrounded by many pilgrims and thus he thought he had lost the chance. But he pushed his way through the crowd (it's acceptable here) to offer Rinpoche the katag and offering. When he finally got close to Rinpoche, Rinpoche turned around, looked at him and gave him the answer to his question! Lobsang was so shocked and awed that he just put the katag and offering on a table and ran off! As the prayer says, Lama Khyenno or The Lama Knows!"
Lama Gursam
At the age of six, Lama Gursam entered Drikung Kagyu Monastery in Tso Pema, India, where he completed his basic education and studied Buddhist philosophy, practice, ritual and conduct. In 1981 he began his college education at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (University) in Sarnath, Varnasi, India. In 1990 he received his Master's degree in advanced Buddhist philosophy. Upon graduation he also received a special award from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.After graduation, Lama Gursam was requested by His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche to come to the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Dehra Dun, India, at a critical time where there was a great lack of teachers and funding for education. There he served as a volunteer for five years, teaching Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and history. He also held the posts of Instructor, Head of Examinations, and Assistant Director while serving as secretary to His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the head of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. During this time, he also did a one-year meditation retreat and received Dzogchen teachings and empowerments from Khenchen Thupten Rinpoche and other lamas of the Nyingma lineage. He also studied with Dr. Pema Gyaltsen, a specialist in the Tibetan language.