RigDzin Dharma Foundation
Tibetan Buddhist Center
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche
His Eminence was born in 1936 in Nangchen Kham. The King of Nangchen personally took
responsibility for searching for the reincarnation of the 7th Gar Tinley Yonkyab.
Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned by His Holiness the late Drikung Kyabgon Shiwei Lodoe.
At the age of seven, Rinpoche was brought to Lho Miyalgon, where he was offered ceremonial clothes
and other items. He pointed to a painting of the Drikung lineage's founder, Jigten Sumgon, and
proved his authenticity as the reincarnation by saying, "He is my Guru." This made people around
him confident that he was the true reincarnation. From that time until the age of 22 Rinpoche
lived at and administered this monastery.
Under the tutelage of Chime Dorje, Rinpoche received many teachings. At the age of 13 he received
the Drikung Kagyu lineage teachings from Lho Thubten Nyingpo Rinpoche of Lho Lunkar Gon.
He received oral transmission, explanation and empowerment for Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa.
He completed Ngondro practice and went into a three year retreat. He later did twenty years of retreat,
during which time he met Khenpo Munsel, a great disciple of the renowned Nyingmapa Khenpo Ngagchung.
From Khenpo Munsel he received Dzogchen teachings and practiced secretly.
Khenpo Munsel was astonished at Rinpoche's great achievement and commented of him:
"He is an emanation of a Bodhisattva."
Since 1979, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche has been looking after the welfare of his monastery.
He has been gracious and kind to poor people. He has given all the offerings he received to the
monastery and has decided not to use anything for himself, his relatives, or his mother.
In recent years, Garchen Rinpoche has shouldered responsibility for rebuilding all of the
Drikung Kagyu monasteries in Eastern Tibet, while at the same time wholeheartedly giving profound
teachings of the lineage to others. In addition, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
received the empowerment and transmission (lung) of Yamantaka (Jampel Shinje) from Garchen Rinpoche,
and composed a long life prayer for him. In this prayer His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
regards Garchen Rinpoche as a great Drikung Kagyu yogi of the present time.
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche is very considerate and humble to all people regardless of
their position, age or gender. His advice for people who drink, smoke, gamble and engage
in other negative actions has been very effective in correcting their behavior.
By nature he is able to work for the benefit of others and has earned great respect
from the public. His Eminence has never betrayed the expectations of his disciples or others.
He is extraordinary in this age of degeneration.
(Adapted from www.drikung.org/bio8.html)