Kyabje Choegon Rinpoche

His Eminence the 9th Kyabje Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche Tenzin Choekyi Gyatso, son of Tashi Chotob and Drukkyid Wangmo, was born in 1968 at Sonam Ling, the first Tibetan settlement in Ladakh.

The identity of Kyabje Choegon Rinpoche was confirmed by His Holiness the Dalaï Lama and His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. His Holiness the Dalaï Lama’s confirmation was based on the concurring predictions and observations of Nechung Chogyal (the official oracle) and of Gadong (second oracle).

At the age of 7, Rinpoche was led to the Hemis monastery, Jangchub Choeling, and was enthroned there. He was then again enthroned at Gaden Choekhor, the monastery of Sonam Druk Gye (Rarang monastery) in Kinnaur. From His Holiness the Dalaï Lama, he received the refuge vows and the name of Ngawang Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso.

In 1976, he received the Upasaka vows and the name of Thutop Dorje Gocha Gyurmey Thrinley Gyatsoi De from His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa.

Since 1980, Rinpoche is in charge of Druk Thubten Dhargey Ling at Nyoma and undertook its renovation. There, he gave to the monks oral transmissions and teachings of the Drukpa Lineage.

In August 2008, he started giving teachings abroad. He helped Drubpön Pagsam Yongdu to organize the coming of His Holiness the Dalaï Lama at Drukpa Plouray. The European followers who met him and attended to his teachings keep a wonderful memory of his humility, his honesty and his sincerity.