The Living Masters
His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche
Namkha Drimed Rinpoche is the supreme head of the Ripa lineage of Nyingma Vajrayana Buddhism and a living Tertön. The Ripa Lineage has its historical roots in the supreme head, Glorious Master Ripa Pema Deje Rolpa, the leader of both the family and dharma lineages of Rigon Tashi Choeling Monastery.
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Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche was born in India at sunrise on the 15th of October, 1968, the tenth day of the sixth month of the year of the Earth Monkey, on the anniversary of Guru Rinpoche’s birth. He is the son of the renowned Tertön, or treasure revealer, His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche, holder of the Ripa lineage.
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Dungse Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurme Rinpoche
Dungse Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurme Rinpoche was born, in keeping with Guru Rinpoche’s prophecy, in 1976 as the son of Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche and Sangyum Chime Drolkar. He was recognized as the reincarnation of Jigme Tempay Gyeltsen, the 3rd Tamdrin Lhunpo Chogtrul.
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The Early Lineage Holders
Ripa Pema Deje Rolpa
The glorious master Ripa Pema Deje Rolpa who was the supreme head of both the family and dharma lineages of Rigon Tashi Choeling, was born in the end of the 17th Century, in the 13th Tibetan Rabjung cycle. He was recognized by the thirteenth Karmapa, Dudul Dorje as being the reincarnation of Ripa Pawo, a student in the lineage of Tishi Repa, the direct student of Dharma Wangchuk who belonged to the lineage of Barom Kagyu, on of the Four Great among the renowned Four Great and Eight Lesser Kagyu Lineages descending from the Translator Marpa during the Later Spread of the dharma in Tibet.
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Drubwang Ngedon Rinpoche
The Second Ripa Lineage Holder
The second Ripa family lineage holder, Drubwang Ngedon Rinpoche, was born in the Wood Rabbit Year 1844. He followed sublime spiritual teachers such as his honorable father, the master Drubwang Tsoknyi, and others.
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Drubwang Jigme Tsewang Chokdrup Rinpoche
The Third Ripa Lineage Holder
The third Ripa familial lineage holder, Drubwang Jigme Tsewang Chokdrup was born in the 15th Tibetan Rabjung, the Iron Rabbit Year 1891. He followed as his masters, his honorable father the Drubwang Bhyo Rigdzin. Renowned as an emanation of Dorje Drolo, he had great compassion and incredible power of speech.
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