Khenpo Tsewang Rigzin Rinpoche, a master of Buddhist philosophy and psychology of the Nyingma tradition, was born in 1958 in Ngari in western Tibet to Samdup Tsering and Choying Sangmo. At the age of five he received ordination from Golok Sertha Rinpoche Lungtok Gyatso. At 13 he entered Buddhist religious studies as a monk for a period of 12 years. He received and practiced mainly the Dudjom Tersar tradition at Namkha Kyundzong and Dundul Rabten Ling monasteries in Orissa, India. He received initiations, teachings, oral transmissions and pith instructions from Repkong Lama Sherab Dorjé Rinpoche, Kham Riwoche Lama Dorjé Namgyal Rinpoche and other learned and accomplished masters.
During that time he also underwent many retreats. Under the guidance of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche he studied Buddhist doctrine, Tibetan literature and philosophy. He received instruction in many important Sutras, Shastras, Tantras and Upadeshas as well as teachings on the Longchen Nyinthik lineage cycle from Khetsun Zangpo Rinpoche and Mewa Khenpo Thupten Rinpoche at Ngagyur Shedrup Dodjo Ling and at Thekchok Namdrol Shedrup Ling. He also received innumerable initiations, oral transmissions and pith instructions on Kama, canonical teachings, and Terma, revealed treasure teachings, of the Nyingma tradition from Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, Kyabje Minling Trichhen Rinpoche and Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche.
After having been enthroned as Khenpo, the equivalent to a university professor degree, he taught at Ngagyur Shedrup Dodjo Ling and Samye Jeden Shedrup Gatsal Ling in Nepal for 10 years, and in Mindroling monastery in India for 15 years. For the benefit of future generations, he has composed many books on Buddhist philosophy as well as other subjects, including the origins of the Buddha Dharma, Buddha Shakyamuni's life story, Guru Rinpoche's biography and explanations on Dharmapalas. He has written commentaries on the Thirty-seven Practices of the Bodhisattva, Mipham Rinpoche’s Ancient Buddhist Prayer, a text on the Vajrayana approach, as well as a Pilgrim’s guide to Buddhist holy places in India, Nepal and Tibet, The History of Tibet, The History of the Bon Tradition, and explanations on the La Bap Stupa. He had also written on rituals, prayer flags, astrology, art, thangka paintings and many other texts.
Khenpo Tsewang Rigzin Rinpoche holds the complete lineages of Sutras, Shastras, Tantras and Upadeshas that constitute the entire Buddhist canon. He is one of the greatest scholars and most highly realized masters of the Nyingma tradition. He is known to be a humble monk, one who always takes the lowest seat and keeps away from the eight mundane concerns, always reciting mantras and prayers and practicing meditation, never looking for comfort, having only a few changes of clothes, never distracted or wasting from practice and living his life like the mahasiddhas of the past.
TEACHING SCHEDULE
Since January, Khenpo Tsewang Ripoche has bestowed upon on a wonderful set of teachings and meditation guidance on Thursdays and Saturdays. This coming Thursday, March 17, Khenpo Rinpoche will be teaching the meditation class one more time. This is his last teaching before his departure for California, so please come if you would like to express gratitude by offering a kata (ceremonial scarf) or by making a donation.
Thursday, March 17, 7:00PM - 8:00PM Sitting Meditation Khenpo Rinpoche will teach for about 30 minutes, followed by a practice session Cost for these teachings will be $20 per day.
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