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H. E. 7th
Lho Kunsang Chöchog Dorje Rinpoche
| Brief Biography
H.E. Lho Kunsang Rinpoche was born in the
sheep water year (1942) in Anchung Phuk of Bumzong, a holy place in the
Eastern Tibet. His father was Bon Yungtrung Gyaltsen of the Dorong
family lineage, and his mother was Lhamo, the cousin of Khyen-trul
Kunsang Drodul (a great Lama). At the time of Rinpoche's birth, there
were many auspicious signs accompanying it such as bucket of water
transforming into milk, bright celestial light hovering above and many
others.
When he was five years old, His Holiness
The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Khyentril Kunsang Drodul and many others
recognized Rinpoche as the successive eighth reincarnation of previous
famous Lho Konchog Trinlay Namgyal Rinpoche. The origination of
Rinpoche's successive incarnation is traced back to Palgyi Yeshe, one of
the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche. |
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Successive reincarnation;
Emanation of Palgyi Yeshe (one of 25 disciples
of Padmasambhava)
1. Lho Drak Phuntsog Namgyal
2. Lho Chokyi Gyalpo
3. Lho Konchog Tinlay Namgyal (one of the
foremost disciple of Drikung Dharmakirti)
4. Lho Nangchen Kunsang (who was born into the
family of the Nangchen King)
5. Lho Dzerbong Kunsang
6. Lho Sertsa Kunsang
The present 7th incarnation was enthroned when
he was nine at his previous monastery Palme Gonpa and re-established his
commitment and continue to guide all his previous followers. Many
representative from different monastery participated the auspicious event
including the King of Nangchen. All the abbots, monks and local folks
celebrated joyously for many days.
Rinpoche studied under the guidance of many
great masters. At the age of 11 to 16, Ripoche attended the Buddhist Shreda
(Collage) where he studied the vast knowledge of Buddhist philosophy in both
the Sutra and Tantra systems. To name a few of Rinpoche's spiritual guidance
namely; Khenpo Khyenrab, Khenpo Lektse, On Acho, Khenpo Kungo Namgyal,
Dzurmang Khenchen Sangye Gyatso, 2nd Jamgon Kongtrul, Khyentse Özer, and
many others. During this time Rinpoche also studied many other subjects such
as astrology, poetry, art, ritual performance and appropriate placement of
religious structures.
The next chapter of Rinpoche's life was a
difficult transition. During the Cultural Revolution in China, a highly
learned and skilled in the Dharma individual were put in labor camps while
many others were imprisoned and subject to harsh treatment. Rinpoche endured
great hunger and physical hardship like many other inmates in the prison.
During the day he was forced to work as a blacksmith, carpenter and tailor.
But at might he would forego sleep and continue his Buddhist studies and
practice.
With great care and without concern for his own
welfare and safety, Rinpoche would hide relics from destroyed monasteries,
Buddhist texts, statue of devotions and stupas. At the end of the cultural
revolution, Rinpoche retrieve those hidden sacred items and brought them to
Palme Gonpa Monastery. One of the most precious hidden item was a Buddha
Statue which was warm at the heart area, also the is the collected teachings
of the Drikung Dharmakirti consisting of about 15 volumes in total and many
stupas including the Stupa of Enlightenment. Were it not because of Rinpoche,
these precious and rare relics and scriptures might be lost forever but
instead it survive the ripples of life and stayed in Palme Gonpa Monastery
till this date.
Rinpoche's family had for generations been a
distinguished tradition of Tibetan Medicine practitioners. Rinpoche studied
the 4 Tantras of Tibetan Medicine under the guidance of great medical doctor
Bon Thupten. Rinpoche became an expert in the practice of healing and
medicine having been trained in all aspects of medicinal treatment including
acupuncture, cupping, bloodletting and so forth. Being a revered master of
Tantric Buddhist practice and is renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of
Tibetan Medicine. Through His accomplishments, his daily practice of
Buddhism and His all-encompassing benevolence and compassion He has become a
beacon for all sentient beings. Today wherever Rinpoche travels, many are
benefited from Rinpoche's expertise in medicine and healing with great
compassion and loving kindness.

Now Rinpoche's main concern is to reconstruct
Palme Gonpa Monastery in Chinghai, China. Reconstruction began in 1979 when
Rinpoche was 37 years old. The lower portion os the temple is a two storey
structure that includes a large Buddha Statue, a bronze statue of
Padmasambhava, and many other deities. There is also 25 meditation rooms and
at the basement of the monastery is a school with 16 rooms. In the entire
complex mandala are seven monasteries and three retreat centres. In one
retreat centre there are 16 nuns undergoing their 3 years retreat program
studying the teachings of The Very Venerable Khyentrul Kunsang Drodul
Rinpoche. Reconstruction effort continues today.
Stories Told by devotees.
Mute Boy
One proven case where Rinpoche's healing power
occurred when a group of religious pilgrims including Rinpoche was
travelling to one of Sikkim's mountain monastery. They by chance meet upon a
father and his son who were also performing their pilgrimage to sacred
Buddhist places. They came to learned that the son was mute and his speech
problem wasn't a birth defect in which he became mute for unknown reasons.
Many doctors had treated this boy but to no avail. On meeting Rinpoche who
felt all-encompassing compassion for the boy. When walking Rinpoche always
placed His arm on the boy's shoulder. On one occasion during a rest while on
pilgrimage, Rinpoche took out a bottle of mineral water and chanted some
mantra over it, gave it to the boy and asked him to recite the mantra of
Manjushri. Miraculously, the mute boy suddenly was able to recite the mantra
and began talking again. Miracles of this nature are not uncommon with
Rinpoche.
Seeing celestial lights and beams
Rinpoche spent 3 months on a pilgrimage to the
holy places in Nepal and India and on the request of his disciples Rinpoche
had visited Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. These travels further
generate recognition of Rinpoche's qualities. Another example was when
Rinpoche is in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, his students requested Rinpoche to
lead them in a Chöd practice in the cemetery. There were about 50 person
participating and in the practice everyone were either contemplating,
meditating or simply listening to the chant and sound of Damaru and Bell.
The group notice some kind of unusual circle of bright lights over the sky,
some saw it with 3 colors while others saw 5 different colors. There was
this monk amongst the group who saw the circle of lights and became so moved
and devoted until he wasn't able to give any explanation to the vision. From
this point move devotion were planted within those who saw and no long the
news spread through words of mouth and more are seeking Rinpoche's spiritual
advise and instruction as well as healings. More and more disciples gather
around Rinpoche and words of accomplishment spread to Europe and North
America too. |