Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche has accepted the appointment as the advisor to the First ADC. For this reason, he has so kindly postponed his teaching programs in Europe. He is presently residing on Druk Amitabha Mountain, helping out actively with the organization and arrangements. Thank you, Rinpoche, for joining us!!

Below is an abridged biography of Rinpoche

Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche was born in India in October, 1970. He is the son of the renowned Terton, His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche, holder of the Ripa lineage. His mother Khandro Chime Dolkar also descends from a noble family of Bhutanese descent. Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche inherits two spiritual lineages, including both the Ripa Dungyud Lineage, or hereditary line, into which he was born, and which he will hold in future as heir, as well as head of the Pema Lingpa lineage of Gyeling Orgyan Mindrolling monastery in the hidden land of Pemako, which he carries forward from his previous life, as tulku.

The Ripa Lineage originates in Tibet around the 13th century with the founding of the Barom Kagyu tradition, one of the four principle schools of the Kagyupa, by Dharma Senge Wangchuk. It was in the 18th century that the lineage became more prominent, with the birth of Ripa Pema Deje Rolpa. Ripa Pema Deje Rolpa met his future root guru, Tagsham Samten Lingpa, a principle Terton of the time, and became the perfect vessel or holder of the Tagsham cycle, a vast treasury of terma teachings. He practiced in strict retreat, and mastered the view, meditation and conduct of Trekcho, and the four visions of Togal, of the Great Perfection tradition, attaining ultimate realization. Terton Tagsham Samten Lingpa made him the holder of his vast terma treasures, and in this way, the Ripa tradition also became established in the Nyingma School. “Ri” signifies mountain or isolated area, and “pa” signifies wearer of the white robe, or yogi. Thus the Ripa lineage represents the ascetic yogic tradition of both the Nyingma and Kagyu, as practiced in the mountains of Tibet.

Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche was recognized at the age of three by His Holiness Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma School, as the reincarnation of Gyeling Yonten Lhundrub Gyatso Rinpoche. At the age of eight, understanding that times had changed, Jigme Rinpoche went to study for six years at a modern school in Darjeeling, outside the monastery, so that he could both learn English and have contact with the outside world. During these six years, he led a normal boy’s life. Jigme Rinpoche attended the Nyingma Institute of Superior Studies and Research, Ngagyur Dojo Ling in Boudhanath, Nepal, founded by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, and in 1993 he received his master’s degree in Buddhist Sutric and Tantric Studies, where he studied with Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche.

Jigme Rinpoche’s primary spiritual teachers have been: H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and his father and root teacher, His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche. H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche was also Jigme Rinpoche’s root teacher in his previous life. In addition Jigme Rinpoche is the great, great grandson of the renowned sage Shakya Shri, who was considered to be the greatest Siddha of his time. He has studied with and received transmissions from the Dongyud Pelden Drukpa  tradition teachers, especially those of the Shakya Shri lineage: His Holiness the present Gyalwang Drukpa and Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche.

In addition to fulfilling his role as a spiritual teacher, Jigme Rinpoche began in September 1993 in Orissa, to fulfill his humanitarian role as a socially engaged Buddhist, a term he is happy to known by, and which has become a central part of his life’s work. Born in India, Jigme Rinpoche has firsthand experience of the plight of Tibetan refugees and local villagers alike in finding and retrieving potable water. This inspired him to found the Pure Water Project, for which he received great admiration and a citation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. Other projects he also directs include the setting up of a malaria prevention and treatment program, as well as directing programs to support orphans, schoolchildren, monks and the elderly.

Jigme Rinpoche first came to the West in 1996, giving his first teachings in Europe. Jigme Rinpoche has since established Padma Ling centers, a network of dharma organizations, in Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, as well as a center in Japan. Jigme Rinpoche is known for his fluency in English and his lively, direct, fluid, humorous and down to earth teaching style. His clear and fresh outlook very quickly cuts through cultural and personal misperceptions about the Buddha dharma.
Jigme Rinpoche travels between the East and the West. In the East he oversees the continuation and work of the sacred tradition in exile, including leading and caring for the Ripa monasteries in both Nepal and India. In the West he continues his teachings through Padma Ling, Ripa foundations and is actively building the community and its foundation.

Shortest by By-line of Ripa Dungsey Gyetrul Jigme Norbu Rinpoche
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche is a meditation guide, author, a reincarnate lama, contemporary Buddhist teacher, known for his clear and fresh teachings, as well as a socially engaged Buddhist, whose work on the Pure Water Project has won him widespread recognition.

For more information about Ripa Dungsey Gyetrul Jigme Norbu Rinpoche, his schedule and activities, please visit the Ripa Labdrang's website: www.ripaladrang.org