Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche (name in wylie)
A Short biography of Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche was born at sunrise on October 15, 1970. His father, Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, is the supreme head and lineage holder of the Ripa Monastery. His mother, Chimed Dolkar, also descends from a noble family.
From his early childhood, Jigme Rinpoche displayed spiritual tendencies. Jigme Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, the Head of the Nyingma School, as the reincarnation of Gyetrul Pema Yonten Rinpoche, the lineage holder and head of the largest monastery Ogmin Ogyen Mindolling, in the Pedmakod region of Tibet, who was a reincarnation of Padma Lingpa. Among the Great Tertons, or spiritual treasure finders, five are particularly prominent - known as the "Five Kings of the Tertons"- of whom Padma Lingpa was one.
At the age of 5 years, Jigme Rinpoche was ceremoniously enthroned on the seat of the Ripa Thupten Mindolling Monastery in the presence of Anzing Rinpoche and His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche. When he was 6 years old, he was admitted to the local school and later attended High School in Darjeeling where he acquired his knowledge in the practical modern studies. Jigme Rinpoche excelled in his studies and was able to do well in school even with his spiritual duties and commitments to his monastery. At the age of 17, Jigme Rinpoche studied at the Buddhist College Institute of Ngagyur Dodjoe Ling, which was founded by Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche. At the Institute, Jigme Rinpoche studied and practiced the teachings of Tantra and Sutra. In 1993, Jigme Rinpoche graduated from the Institute with a Doctorate of Philosophy, 1993. Simultaneously, at the conclusion of his Doctorate, he also received the major transmissions of the Nyingma tradition. His masters include: H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Drugchen Rinpoche, Dungsay Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Lama Kalu Rinpoche, Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche and his Uncle Anzing Rinpoche.
After concluding his studies at the Institute, Jigme Rinpoche returned to the Ripa Monastery to receive the unique and profound teachings from his father, Namkha Drimed Rinpoche. From these teachings, Jigme Rinpoche was able to receive the complete cycle of "Tagsham Nudan Dorje", which is the main body of the spiritual practices of the Ripa lineage. Jigme Rinpoche also received the rediscovered teachings of H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, called the "New Treasures Cycle", which consists of the complete Enlightened Warriors Path, based on the life and teachings of the Enlightened Tibetan King Gesar. Under the guidance of H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, Jigme Rinpoche successfully put into practice the "New Treasures Cycle" and became highly accomplished. He therefore was initiated and authorized to begin teaching these practices for the benefit of others.
At the age of 23, Jigme Rinpoche began a teaching tour of Europe, America and Japan. During his tour his teachings benefited many people and he established new Dharma centers in these countries. In the Tibetan settlement, at the Ripa Monastery, Jigme Rinpoche organizes the annual "nyungne" ceremony, which is a great opportunity for lay practitioners to accumulate merit. Jigme Rinpoche also gives Dharma teachings to the younger generations to help guide them so they will a clear understanding of the purpose and meaning of life.
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche is the 7th Successor to the Ripa family lineage throne. His father is the living Terton Namkha Drimed Rinpoche. In this way several lineages and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are united in the person of Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche. As the Abbot of Rigon Thupten Mindrolling Monastery in Orissa, India, Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche is the supervisor of the monastery's retreat center as well as the initiator and supervisor of several worldly developmental projects concerning the welfare of the Tibetan Refugee camps in the area. For instance, these projects include the Phuntsokling-Water Project in Orissa which has been very successful and now provides water to approximately 4,000 families. Jigme Rinpoche's huge commitment to the health of the people in his community inspired him to improve the state of the water condition of the Tibetan settlement. Realizing that the poor water quality was the main source of illness in his community, Jigme Rinpoche tirelessly engaged his European, American and Asian students to help contribute funds, knowledge and materials to help build a process for purifying the water in the settlement. Other compassionate projects of his also include grants for gifted students, monk sponsorship program, child sponsorship program, and many more.
He has founded several Padma Ling centers in Europe (Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg), as well as a center in Japan.
Rinpoche's openness and humor make his teachings and instructions a lively experience, connecting the timeless truth of Buddhism with a contemporary understanding of modern life.