His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche

The XI Mindrolling throne holder, Trichen Jurme Kunzang Wangyal was born to the 10th Mindrolling Trichen Jurme Dondrub Wangyal and his spiritual consort Dawa Drolma on 18th of the first lunar month of the iron sheep year. His Holiness received extensive teachings and empowerment from many exceptional Tibetan masters. Dzongsar Khyentse Choekyi Lodroe, Shechen Kongtrul, the great Minling Chung Rinpoche, Minling Khen Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Dorzin Namdrol Gyatso, Dorzin Dechen Choezin and Gelong Kunzangla are some of the renowned masters with whom he studied. His Holiness’ root guru was Dzongsar Khyentse Choekyi Lodroe from whom he received the precious instructions on the Guhayagarbatantra and its various commentaries. Dzongsar Khyenste Rinpoche then proclaimed His Holiness as having greatly excelled in the understanding and practice of these precious teachings and instructed him to henceforth teach it eleven times to fortunate and worthy beings in future. After studying many years with great Tibetan Buddhist masters, Rinpoche then spent more than 14 years in retreats, and accomplished many practices. Among wondrous signs he composed many teachings and discovered the terma of The Compassionate One, ‘Jigten Wangchuk Pema Garwang.’

After the parinirvana of his father, the 11th Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche began to shoulder his responsibilities as the next throne holder until the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. The invasion and its consequent circumstances couldn’t make possible his official enthronement. At the request of many of his Sangha and family members, His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen escaped from Tibet at the age of twenty nine. Rinpoche then stayed in Bhutan for several years and traveled on to India. In the meantime, he met His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, who had been a close friend to the 10th Mindrolling Trichen and stayed with him.

In 1962, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche along with many renowned masters and dignitaries, formally enthroned him as the XI Trizin or throne holder of Mindrolling lineage. While working closely with H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. the 16th Karmapa, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and others, Rinpoche actively participated in establishing the Dharma in India. He bestowed numerous initiations and teachings, and organized many spiritual gatherings. In 1976, Rinpoche moved to Dehra Dun and took his seat as the head of the Mindrolling Monastery in exile, where he continued to benefit sentient beings by turning the wheel of Dharma. His presence in the world inspired others to maintain the selfless and compassionate pure path. He devoted all his efforts and energy to fulfill the vision and advice of the great Dharma King Choegyal Terdak Lingpa- that is to ensure the purity of the teachings, maintain the samaya, and benefit the sentient beings by turning the wheel of Dharma. Renowned as an emanation of Guru Padmasambhava among the Tibetan community, His Holiness was revered and respected throughout the Buddhist world as a great Mahasiddha and one of the great accomplished masters of this century.