Dru-gu Choegyal Rinpoche

Early Years in Dru-gu, Tibet:
While still in his mother's womb Choegyal Rinpoche was recognized by H.H.16th Gyalwa Karmapa as Choegyal Yonten Gyamtso, the present and 8th Dru-gu Choegyal incarnation in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. Choegyal Rinpoche took refuge with the Most Venerable Sonam Tenzin and Kathog Getse and was enthroned at the age of four. He spent the subsequent years of his childhood in the Dru-gu region of Tibet, where, he says, "art, spiritual training and meditation practice were inseparable."

Choegyal Rinpoche began his training at the age of five.
He memorized many religious texts and studied the 9 yanas. He was trained for twenty-four years by H.H. 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche (an accomplished artist as well as meditation master) and received teachings and continual personal guidance from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He became the lineage holder of a number of unique teachings. Other root teachers were H.H.16th Gyalwa Karmapa, H.E. Tsentul Logan Sotan Rinpoche, H.E. the 8th Dorzong Rinpoche, H.E. Adi Rinpoche, Tokden Choelek, Tokden Ajam, and Most Venerable Sakya Khenpo Rinchen. Rinpoche also received important teachings from Nubgon Khen Lekshe, Zigar Khen Choedar, Dru-gu Gegan Dechen, Khenpo Gedun of Kathog, Khenpo Tsondue, Khenpo Thubchoe, Sogchen Khenpo Tsega, Nangchen Yangwen Khen Chen, and Khenpo Tipa of Chakzam Gelugpa Monastery.

Life in India:
In 1959, Choegyal Rinpoche went to India to join his root guru, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, and a group of highly realized disciples and Tokdens (a special group of tantric yogis). An increasing number of monks and lay followers from Eastern Tibet gathered around Khamtrul Rinpoche, forming a refugee community in Kalimpong. Later, the community moved to the Kangra Valley in the high country of Himachal Pradesh, first to Dalhousie, then to their present location at Tashi Jong. Here, under the snow-capped Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas, Khamtrul Rinpoche acquired land for his followers to rebuild their lives and to continue the rich heritage they brought from Tibet. Choegyal Rinpoche served the Tashi Jong community from 1988 to 1994, first as vice-president, then as president.

Recent Years and Activities:
Like most of his previous incarnations, Choegyal Rinpoche is a highly gifted
and well known artist. His paintings, which have been widely exhibited, are remarkable for their vibrant immediacy of expression. They display a mastery over a broad range of styles, from the ornate precision of the traditional thankas to impressionistic evocations of meditative experiences.
His creative work also includes sculpture and carpet designs. Rinpoche founded Dru-gu Unique Tiger and Snow Leopard Carpets in cooperation with a Tibetan artisan community of carpet weavers near Tara Bhir. His high quality limited edition carpets can now be found in museums and private collections. Please See Art Page for more information.

Since 1994 Rinpoche has directed his efforts towards the restoration of the traditional art and culture as well as the improvement of social welfare and environmental integrity of the Dru-gu region of Tibet. Rinpoche has travelled extensively throughout the world to teach the Dharma, exhibit his art and promote his projects. Rinpoche divides his time between Tashi Jong, the Jangchub Jong Buddhist Institute of H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche, and the Tara Bhir Dru-gu Retreat Center.

Each of these places is special in its own way: Tashi Jong is now the seat of H.H. 9th Khamtrul Rinpoche, the reincarnation of his root guru, towards whom he has unshakable devotion and gratitude; Jangchub Jong Buddhist Institute is the seat of H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche, one of his most highly respected Dharma brothers and his most revered living Drukpa Kagyu teacher; and Tara Bhir Dru-gu Retreat Center is a sacred sanctuary of the goddess Tara. Tara Bhir serves as Rinpoche's refuge, both as a place of retreat and a base for the coordination of his many projects.

More information about Choegyal Rinpoche’s activities and positions can be seen on the overview page.