Dzongsar Khyentse

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (1961 – )

The present Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Thubten Chökyi Gyamtso, was born in 1961 in eastern Bhutan. He was recognized as a tulku by H.H. Sakya Trizin, and received empowerments and teachings from many of the greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism, including H.H. the 16th Karmapa; H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Zangpo (his paternal and maternal grandfathers); Chatral Rinpoche; Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Khenpo Appey, and many others. His root guru was H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who began training Rinpoche from the age of 7.

While still a teenager, Rinpoche built a small retreat center in Ghezing, Sikkim and soon began traveling and teaching around the world. In the 1980s, he began the restoration of Dzongsar Monastery in Derge, the responsibility of which he had inherited from his previous incarnation, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. He established Dzongsar Institute in Bir, India, (now DKCLI in Chauntra), which has grown to be one of the most respected institutions for advanced dialectical study. He also oversees two monasteries in Bhutan and has established dharma centres in Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. He has written several books and made award-winning films. Rinpoche continuously travels all over the world, practicing and teaching the Dharma.

Rinpoche has taught Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara five times: in Vancouver (1995), Dordogne, France (1996-2000), Taiwan (1996-2000), San Francisco (2003-2006) and Australia (2005-2008). He has given many teachings on other Mahayana texts such as the Heart Sutra and the Vajracchedika Sutra, and also on how to apply the Madhyamaka view in practice and everyday life.