Resident Teacher – Rechungpa Rinpoche

I was born in 1973 in a Tibetan refugee settlement in Bir, Himachal Pradesh India. Many Tibetan Buddhist Masters were re-establishing monasteries and community centers in the area at that time, to preserve our ancient Tibetan Buddhist teachings, meditation and culture.

I was always interested in going to the monastery to become a monk. At the age of five, I became a monk under Khyabje Dzongnor Rinpoche in my Uncle Tso Khenpo Rabjey’s Monastery Palyul Chokhor Ling, in Bir. I learned Tibetan reading, writing, calligraphy, grammar, poetry, ritual, and Lama Dance. I was taught by a variety of masters and teachers. I received Refuge Vow and preliminary Dzochen practice transmission from Kyabje Dzongnor Rinpoche and instruction from Lama Kyemchok, while there.

When I was ten years old I met H.H. Mindroling Tichen Rinpoche from whom I received longevity Buddha empowerments and Nyingthik Dzogchen Preliminary Transmission (Nyingthik Ngondro). I completed my Nyingthik Ngondro retreat under Mindroling Tichen Rinpoche and received many spontaneous Dzogchen pith instructions from him as well.

Around that time, I met many great teachers, among them H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Chadral Sangjey Dorjee Rinpoche, Mewa Khenchen Thupten Rinpoche. I received many empowerments, as well as numerous transmissions and teachings.

I met H.H. Penor Rinpoche for the first time when I was 13 years old. From him I received many empowerments and  including Ratna lingpa’s Vajrakilaya,  Karmalingpa’s Shi-tro (One Hundred Peaceful and Wrathful Deity), Three roots of Longchen Nying-thik, and the entire Namchö (Space Treasure) for many months in Bir Palyul Chökhor ling monastery.

At twenty, I went to the great Nyingma Shedra Namdroling Monastery in South India. The monastery was flourishing through H.H. Penor Rinpoche’s activities. It was an auspicious time to be there. H.H. Penor Rinpoche was in good health and was surrounded by the greatest Khenpos of our era such as Khenchen Pema Sherap, Khenchen Namdrol, Khenchen Tsewang Gyamtso, Khenpo Katayana, Khenpo Wangchuk Sonam, Khenpo Nubri, and many more. I spent a decade at this Monastery and received teachings from approximately more than 60 text books of Vinaya, Sutra, Abhidharma, Pramana, Madhyamika, Prajnaparamita, Kriya, Upa Yoga, the three outer Tantra, and Maha, Anu, Ati, and the three inner tantras from those great Khenchens and Khenpos.

I also received from my karmic root Guru H.H. Penor Rinpoche, the Space Treasure Lineage Ngondro (Preliminary Dzogchen Practice), Tsalung Tummo (generating mystic heat), Dzogchen pith instruction on Trekcho, Thögal, Khorde’ Rushen, and pith introduction on the nature of mind along with intense retreats each time.

I have also received Rinchen Terdzö (Treasury of Precious Termas) empowerment for full days over many months from H.H. Penor Rinpoche.

From H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche I have received Rinchen Terdzö (Treasury of Precious Termas) transmission and the Northern Treasure Künzang Gongpa Zangthal transmission and empowerment over a period of many months.

From Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, I received the entire teachings on Dzogpa Chenpo Semnyi Ngalso (Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind).

After the completion of my Shedra Education and retreat practices H.H. Penor Rinpoche sent me to H.H. Dilgho Khyentse Rinpoche’s Shechen Monastery in Boudha Nepal to teach Pramana Vartika by 7th Century Master Dharmakirti, and Mula- Madhyamika-Karika by 2nd Century Master Nagarjuna.

In addition, I had the opportunity to teach in several different Buddhist Centers across United States. At the request of Gyatrul Rinpoche, I taught Tsalung Tummo (generating mystic heat), Bodhicaryavatara, and Beacon of Certainty at Tashi Chöling in Oregon.

At the request of late Khenpo Gyurmed Thinley Rinpoche, I gave public talks at Osel Dorje Nyingpo in California. I travelled to many other centers and gave teachings on both the east and west coasts. I have taught classes at the University of Denver and Naropa. I currently teach at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

There are so many other precious Teachers who shared teachings, transmissions and empowerments with me during my years in the monastery that I have not mentioned here, and for which I am deeply grateful.

I had a desire to manifest my own vision and mission in this world through passing of the teachings and practices I have received from my kind Gurus, which spans over more than 23 years as a full time monastery student. To achieve this goal, I established Mipham Shedra Buddhist Meditation Center in 2004. I have tirelessly worked since that time for the benefit of all sentient beings, especially for our own community. My commitment is to work toward this endeavor the rest of my life.