Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
the 7th Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche Ngedon Sungrab Tenpe Gyaltsen (rdzogs chen dpon slob rin po che)
The first Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is said to have been an emanation of, among others, the great yogis Repa Shiwa Ö (Twelfth Century C.E.) and Melong Dorje (1243-1303). The former was one of the eight heart sons of Milarepa. He worked together with the 1st Dzogchen Rinpoche, Pema Rigdzin, to establish Dzogchen Monastery in 1685. After the death of the latter, the 1st Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche then became abbot of Dzogchen Monastery. Since that time, the succesive Dzogchen Rinpoches have been the abbots of Dzogchen Monastery along with members of the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche line, and members of the Kushok Gemong Rinpoche line.
The current Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche was born in Sikkim, Northern India and was raised from a young age by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rikpey Dorje. As a heart son of the Karmapa, he is one of the highest ranking lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu tradition. He is also a highly esteemed Nyingma master who received many of the Nyingma tranmissions from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and others.
Ponlop Rinpoche graduated from Shri Nalanda, the shedra of Rumtek Monastery, and is widely recognized of one of the most brilliant scholars of his generation. In addition, he is also an acknowledged meditation master, poet and artist.
He currently resides in Seattle, USA, where he directs the Nalandabodhi sangha and a yearly shedra program, Nitartha Institute, which takes place in Canada.
Main teachers
- 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rikpey Dorje
- Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
- Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
Published Works
- Wild Awakening. Boston: Shambhala Publications.
- Penetrating Wisdom: The Aspiration of Samantabhadra. Vancouver: Siddhi Publications (New edition forthcoming from Snow Lion Publications)
- Mind Beyond Death. Forthcoming from Snow Lion Publications
Previous Incarnations
- 1st Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche Namkha Osel
- 1st Dzogchen Ponlop Namkha Osel
- 2nd Dzogchen Ponlop Pema Sangngak Tendzin
- 3rd Dzogchen Ponlop Nmakha Chokyi Gyaltso
- 4th Dzogchen Ponlop Jigme Choying Osel
- 5th Dzogchen Ponlop Konchok Tenpe Nyima
- 6th Dzogchen Ponlop Jigtral Tsewang Dorje
Alternate Names
- Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (rdzogs chen dpon slob rin po che)
- Ponlop Rinpoche (dpon slob rin po che)
- Karma nges don gsung rab bstan pa'i rgyal mtshan
- rje dpon rin po che
Websites
Nalandabodhi - the Sangha of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Nalandabodhi Canada - the Sangha of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in Canada
Nitartha Institute - A yearly academic program held in Canada
- Website for Dzogchen Gompa [1]
- Website for Dzogchen Rinpoche and Dzogchen Monastery India [2]
- Website for Dzogchen history and Dzogchen Monastery Tibet [3]
Alternate Names
- Ponlop Rinpoche (dpon slob rin po che)
- Dzogchen Ponlop (rdzogs chen dpon slob)
- Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (rdzogs chen dpon slob rin po che)