Tsewang Dechen

• Fifth Ngaktrin Tulku Tsewang Dechen Rinpoche (wylie of name)

Ngaktrin Tulku Tsewang Dechen Rinpoche

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The fifth Ngaktrin Tulku is known as Tsewang Dechen. He was born in 1941 and is now 56 years old. He was recognized by the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rikpe Dorje. In 1950, at the age of eight he was enthroned at Lachab Gompa and remained there studying until 1958. He received the New Treasures transmission from Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and the Barom Kagyu teachings from Tsangsar Lodro Rinchen. The monk ordination he received from Dabzang Rinpoche.

From 1981 he worked for six years to rebuild the Dzogchen Monastery. Then he restored Dechen Chokhor Ling, a nunnery for 80 nuns, and a retreat center. He is also rebuilding Dzong-go Ling (Fortress Peak) with a meditation center for Kunzang Tuktig.

Since 1958 Ngaktrin Tulku was unable to live at the Lachab Gompa, which disappeared during the Cultural Revolution in 1962, and didn't live there for 22 years. In 1980 he received permission for rebuilding Lachab Gompa. It is now partly restored, not as big as before, but there are 130 monks and two separate three-year retreat centers: one for Barom Kagyu and one for New Treasures.

About his plans, the present Ngaktrin Tulku says, "I have no other plans than helping the Dharma. Since I was given the name Ngaktrin Tulku and there are no one else to take care, I feel responsible. In the past, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche went to Nepal where he died. Until now the local people have helped, but they are poor. The weather is also not friendly for full-scale work - the earth is frozen from the 9th to the third month. Nevertheless, it is my wish to restore the Lachab Gompa fully."

Name of monastery: Lachab Jangchub Nordzin Choling

Address: Tso-Ngon Yul-Hru Region Nangchen Dzong District Chinyi Srib Zhang, Lachab Gon

Dictated by Tsewang Dechen, the present Ngaktrin Tulku, and translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, 1997

Added Information

Collected by BL from Thraril Chojor Rinpoche: Tsewang Dechen Rinpoche father was Tubrup Gompo an important Noble of Nangchen, his mother's name was Lhamo Yangzon and his younger brother was the Dzigar Khyentse. During the years not talked about in the above information, Rinpoche spent a number of years in prison and labor camps. During this time he studied a lot with Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche and Achen Rinpoche (the older prince of Nangchen who was a tulku and thought to be a very highly realized master), it was from these years together that Rinpoche and Achen Rinpoche became the best of friends. I was told that the only time Tsewang Dechen Rinpoche cried (not even when his father or mother passed) was when Achen Rinpoche passed.

Main Teachers

• Tsangsar Lodro Rinchen
• Achen Rinpoche
• Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche
• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Main Students

• Thraril Chojor Rinpoche

Main Lineages

• Barom Kagyu
• Chokling Tersar
• Karma Kagyu
• Ratna Lingpa

Main Monasteries

• Lachab Gompa
• Dzong-go Ling
• Tsechu Gompa

External Links

History of Barom Kagyu and Chokling Ter masters and lineage [1]