Biography

The present, third Dupseng Rinpoche was born in 1981, the Iron Bird Year in the Tibetan calendar, during the sacred month of Lhabab Duchen. Rinpoche was recognized by H.E Shamar Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche as the reincarnation of 2nd Dupseng Rinpoche. 

At the age of two and a half, Rinpoche began telling his parents and family that he had many students and two monasteries—one in Tibet and the other in Nepal. Although his family did not fully understand what he meant, they noticed that he was always eager to visit and stay at the small Kagyu monastery in his village. The abbot of the monastery, Lama Dupgyud Rinpoche, had been a colleague of Dupseng Rinpoche in his previous life.

Rinpoche entered monastic life when he was nearly four years old and began his studies under the guidance of Lama Dupgyud Rinpoche. During his time at the monastery, he demonstrated remarkable abilities, learning ritual practices and sacred arts much more quickly than ordinary monks. Recognizing his exceptional qualities and perceptive nature, Lama Dupgyud Rinpoche regarded him as a particularly special child.

Meanwhile, recognizing the unique qualities of the young Rinpoche, Lama Dupgyud travelled to Rumtek to consult with His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, who was residing there at the time. Situ Rinpoche recalled having had a special dream of a bright moon shining in a clear sky and suggested that the dream might have been a sign of this extraordinary child. Subsequently, His Holiness the 14th Shamar Rinpoche formally recognized the boy, whose monastic name was Karma Thrinley Chokyong, as the reincarnation of the previous Dupseng Rinpoche.

Around the same time, the late Lama Sherab Rinpoche, revered as the Second Milarepa, arrived at Jangchub Choeling Monastery. Having spent his entire life in the caves of Milarepa in Tibet, he declared that the reincarnation of Dupseng Rinpoche had been found and that the child needed to be brought back to his monastery.

To further confirm his identity, two senior lamas, Lama Dupten and Manager Dakpa, representatives of the monastery in Pokhara, travelled to meet the child. Upon seeing them for the first time, Rinpoche addressed both of them by name and recounted numerous details from his previous life. Despite their apparent unfamiliarity, he interacted with them as though they had known one another for many years. His remarkable familiarity and natural connection with the two visitors deeply impressed them. They subsequently requested his parents' permission to bring him back to his monastery in Pokhara at the appropriate time, and the family graciously agreed.

Under the leadership of Shangpa Rinpoche and other senior lamas, Rinpoche's former students began making arrangements for his return to the monastery and the ceremonial celebration of his recognition. Once all the preparations were complete, they set out to welcome him. During the journey back to Nepal, Dupseng Rinpoche and Sabchu Rinpoche were officially enthroned at Rumtek Monastery in a ceremony marking their recognition.

When Dupseng Rinpoche finally arrived at the monastery in Pokhara, the monks and local villagers gathered to meet him and ask questions. He responded to their questions with remarkable familiarity and understanding, further reassuring his former disciples of his identity. His arrival brought great joy and satisfaction to the monastic community, whose members warmly welcomed him as the genuine reincarnation of their beloved guru.

Dupseng Rinpoche received extensive Buddhist education and training under numerous respected masters in Nepal, India, France, and elsewhere. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Buddhist Philosophy from Vikram Shila Buddhist Institute in 2001, he pursued further studies in England, graduating with a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Cambridge University in 2007. Throughout his life, Rinpoche received numerous teachings, initiations, and empowerments from eminent masters, including Bokar Rinpoche, Trulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. 

Furthermore, the 2nd Dupseng Rinpoche and Bokar Rinpoche were related, with Bokar Rinpoche addressing Dupseng Rinpoche as “Awo,” meaning “uncle.” Bokar Monastery and Mendong Monastery in Tibet also share a close historical and spiritual association. In a later generation, the 3rd Dupseng Rinpoche met the late Bokar Rinpoche on numerous occasions. During their meetings, Bokar Rinpoche frequently advised him, saying, “In both your previous incarnations, you served as a Drubpon (retreat master). It would therefore be most beneficial for you to undertake the traditional three-year, three-month retreat in this lifetime and regain the status of Drubpon.” Following this guidance, Dupseng Rinpoche received numerous teachings, transmissions, and empowerments from Bokar Rinpoche. Following the advice of Bokar Rinpoche, he completed the traditional three-year-three-month Karma Kagyu retreat from 2008 to 2011 under Lama Sherap Gyaltsen Rinpoche in Pokhara, Nepal.

Today, Dupseng Rinpoche serves as a vajra master, guiding monastic and lay students in Buddhist practice. He oversees traditional meditation retreats, supports several monasteries and Buddhist institutes, and leads retreat programs adapted for modern lay practitioners. Having taught the Buddhadharma in more than 100 countries, he continues to dedicate his life to sharing the teachings and guiding beings toward lasting happiness and spiritual awakening.

May Rinpoche enjoy a long, healthy life and continue to benefit countless beings.

The 2nd Dupseng Rinpoche (1912-1979) was born in Mendong village as according to HH Karmapa’s prophecy.

In late 1936, HH Karmapa made a pilgrimage to Mt Kailash, and on his way, he visited Mendong monastery and decided to bring the young Dupseng Rinpoche to Tsurphu monastery and have him go into retreat.

After Rinpoche completed the traditional three year and three month retreat, HH Karmapa sent him back to Mendong to take the responsibility of the Monastery. Rinpoche took care of Mendong monastery until 1959 and after that rinpoche left Tibet with a small entourage and reached Nepal.

At first, HH Karmapa sent Rinpoche to Kirtipur to benefit the Nepali Buddhist community residing there. After a few years, a Tibetan settlement in Pokhara requested HH Karmapa to send Dupseng Rinpoche to Tashi Palkhel Tibetan Settlement Camp and thus Dupseng Rinpoche went to Pokhara at the request of HH Karmapa.

Rinpoche and some of his disciples settled down there with a small monastery and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama blessed the monastery with the name of Jangchub Choling Monastery. Gradually, it has expanded and developed into a permanent monastery with about 33 monks that included the young Tulku, Shangpa Rinpoche.

The 2nd Dupseng Rinpoche passed away in 1979, at which point the Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche took the responsibility of Jangchub Choling Monastery. Dupseng Rinpoche stayed in deep meditation (Tib: Thug Dam) for three days, even after his physical death. During the cremation ceremony of Rinpoche’s Kudung, which was led by late Venerable Tenga Rinpoche, many auspicious signs occurred, like a rounded rainbow over the cremation place and relics appearing in front of a large group of disciples. 

One very unique and auspicious sign that occurred was that one of the four silk victory banners located in the middle of the fire never burned. Buddhists believe that this was a very auspicious sign indicating the flourishing of dharma in the future of Jangchub Choling monastery. Thereby the lineage from Mendong monastery where the 1st Dupseng Rinpoche was lineage holder is also being preserved. Today, the victory banner and relics that were given to every monk, each pill and all the rest, are preserved in the monastery. One can still get blessings from them through special request.

The 1st Dupseng Rinpoche (1838-1902) was born in western Tibet. He was known as Retreat Master (Tib: Dubpon) Karzang Rinpoche and was the main Lama for Zuru Village. He took care of the spiritual needs of the people of Zuru village from the 14th Karmapa through to the 15th Karmapa’s time. Thus they affectionately named him Zuru Rinpoche (Rinpoche of Zuru).

Later, Zuru Rinpoche also took care of the spiritual needs of 

Mendong village after Mendong Tsampa Rinpoche, the founder of Mendong monastery, passed away. Zuru Rinpoche became the 2nd lineage holder of the Mendong monastery, a role he held until he passed away in 1902.

After passing away of Zuru Rinpoche, Damcho Rinpoche became the 3rd lineage holder of Mendong monastery. After a few years he sent some monks and villagers to Tshurphu monastery to request information about the incarnation of Mendong Tsampa Rinpoche. 

His Holiness Karmapa replied them that "Mendong Tsampa Rinpoche’s reincarnation would not come, but the incarnation of Zuru Rinpoche would be found in the area of Mendong."