Tenga Rinpoche

Tenga Rinpoche (1932-)

Previous incarnations

One of the students of the 7th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was the highly realised Lama Samten. He was also known as "Gönkhen Samten", signifying that he was a specialist of protector practices (Gönpo means Protector in tibetan). He spent most of his life in retreat, meditating on his yidam Karma Pakshi and on the main Kagyupa protectors.

At the time of the 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Lama Samten had grown old and sometimes displayed sickness. However, one day he seemed to be very well and happy and told Sangye Nyenpa that he felt very happy because soon he would be going to a wonderful peaceful garden. Among other things, he gave his thigh bone trumpet to Sangye Nyenpa and asked him to take good care of it until he came back. Soon afterwards he died.

Some years later, the 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche went on a pilgrimage to Lhasa in Central Tibet and was invited by a local government official called Drungpa. He spent some days in Drungpa's house where the youngest son of the family asked him whether he still had his thigh bone trumpet as he would like to have it back soon. The 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche realised that he had found the incarnation of his former teacher Lama Samten. A few years later, when the 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was on his return journey to Kham, he went to see the family again that agreed him to take the young son with him to Benchen Monastery.Back in Benchen Monastery, the boy was enthroned as the incarnation of Lama Samten and the 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche gave him the name Karma Tendzin Chögyal. He soon started the traditional monastic education and also practised extensively. After some years, the 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche told him that it was time to do the traditional 3 year retreat and advised him to go to Palpung Monastery, in Derge - the seat of the Tai Situpas and of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, also know as Jamgon Kongtrul The Great. Tendzin Chögyal went there and eventually was admitted to the retreat center, Tsamdra Rinchen Drag, which was situated a few miles away from Palpung Monastery.

Tendzin Chögyal did his retreat under the guidance of Jamgon Kongtrul himself. Having reawakened his former propensity for practice, he did a second 3 year retreat. He completely realised all the practices and after the completion of the retreat, Jamgon Kongtrul declared: "Now you are equal to me in realisation". While in pilgrimage to central Tibet, he asked Tendzin Chögyal to take charge of the retreat centre. When Jamgon Kongtrul returned to Palpung he told Tendzin Chögyal that now was the time to return to Benchen Monastery. The 8th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche had died. Tendzin Chögyal returned to Benchen Monastery and spent most of his time teachings. The later part of his life was devoted to the education of the 9th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche.

Current incarnation

The 3rd incarnation of Tenga Tulku was born in 1932 in Kham. At the request of the 9th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Situ Pema Wangchuk Gyalpo (11th Tai Situpa) profesized the name of the parents, his birthdate and birthplace. The present Tenga Rinpoche was found at the age of 7, whereupon he began his studies. He was given the name Karma Tenzin Thrinle Pal Sangpo at the age of 19, when he received his full ordination vows. He received extensive and thorough Buddhist training and education in Benchen and Palpung Monasteries from the 9th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Gelek Drubpe Nyima, and the former Tai Situpa and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoches respectively.

He studied all the tantric rituals and philosophy with many different masters. From his uncle he learned about traditional Tibetan medicine. He completed his studies with a 3 year retreat.In 1959, after the Chinese invasion, he left Tibet as part of the 16th Karmapa's traveling party. After spending one and a half years in Kalimpong he settled in Rumtek Monastery (Sikkim), the main seat of the 16th Karmapa. There he served him for 17 years, the last 9 years of which he acted as Dorje Lopön (Vajra Master). In 1974 he accompanied the 16th Karmapa on his first tour to America and Europe.Since 1976, Tenga Rinpoche has been living in Swayambhu, Nepal, where he founded Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery and a retreat centre in Pharping. Since 1978, he's been touring Europe extensively. Tenga Rinpoche is one of the few living meditation masters who hold the still unbroken lineage of the Karma Kagyupa Tradition.

External links

* [http://www.benchen.org/tenga_bio.shtml Brief biography]
* [http://www.karmapaxvi.com Recalling a Buddha (documentary on the Sixteenth Karmapa)] , includes commentary from Tenga Rinpoche describing Vajradhatu's preparation and support of Karmapa's American tour.