Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche
 The Venerable Gyetrul
Jigme Rinpoche was born at sunrise on October 15, 1970. His father, Namkha
Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche, is the supreme head and lineage holder of the
Ripa Monastery. His mother, Chimed Dolkar, also descends from a noble
family.
From his early childhood, Jigme Rinpoche displayed spiritual tendencies. Jigme
Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, the Head of the Nyingma School,
as the reincarnation of Gyetrul Pema Yonten Rinpoche, the lineage holder and
head of the largest monastery Ogmin Ogyen Mindolling, in the Pedmakod region
of Tibet, who was a reincarnation of Padma Lingpa. Among the Great Tertons,
or spiritual treasure finders, five are particularly prominent - known as the "Five
Kings of the Tertons"- of whom Padma Lingpa was one.
At the age of 5 years, Jigme Rinpoche was ceremoniously enthroned on the seat
of the Ripa Thupten Mindolling Monastery in the presence of Anzing Rinpoche
and His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche. When he was 6 years old, he
went to the local school and later attended High School in Darjeeling where
he acquired his knowledge in the practical modern studies. Jigme Rinpoche excelled
in his studies and was able to do well in school even with his spiritual duties
and commitments to his monastery. At the age of 17, Jigme Rinpoche studied
at the Buddhist College Institute of Ngagyur Dodjoe Ling, which was founded
by Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche. At the Institute, Jigme Rinpoche studied and practiced
the teachings of Tantra and Sutra. Jigme Rinpoche graduated from the Institute
with a Doctorate of Philosophy, 1993. At the conclusion of his Doctorate, he
also received the major transmissions of the Nyingma tradition. His masters
include: H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,
H.H. Drukchen Rinpoche, Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Lama Kalu Rinpoche,
Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche and his Uncle Anzing Rinpoche.
After completing his studies at the Institute, Jigme Rinpoche returned to the
Ripa Monastery to receive the unique and profound teachings from his father,
Namkha Drimed Rinpoche. From these teachings, Jigme Rinpoche was able to receive
the complete cycle of "Tagsham Nudan Dorjee", which is the main body
of the spiritual practices of the Ripa lineage. Jigme Rinpoche also received
the rediscovered teachings of H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, called the "New
Treasures Cycle", which consists of the complete Enlightened Warriors
Path, based on the life and teachings of the Enlightened Tibetan King Gesar.
Under the guidance of H.E. Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, Jigme Rinpoche successfully
put into practice the "New Treasures Cycle" and became highly accomplished.
He therefore was initiated and authorized to begin teaching these practices
for the benefit of others.
At the age of 23, Jigme Rinpoche began a teaching tour of Europe, America and
Japan. During his tour, his teachings benefited many people and he established
new Dharma centres in these countries. In the Tibetan settlement, at the Ripa
Monastery, Jigme Rinpoche organizes the annual "nyungne" ceremony,
which is a great opportunity for lay practitioners to accumulate merit. Jigme
Rinpoche also gives Dharma teachings to the younger generations to help guide
them so they will a clear understanding of the purpose and meaning of life.
Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche is the 7th Successor to the Ripa family lineage throne.
His father is the living Terton Namkha Drimed Rinpoche. In this way, several
lineages and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are united in the person of Gyetrul
Jigme Rinpoche. As the Abbot of Rigon Thupten Mindrolling Monastery in Orissa,
India, Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche is the supervisor of the monastery's retreat
centre as well as the initiator and supervisor of several worldly developmental
projects concerning the welfare of the Tibetan Refugee camps in the area. For
instance, these projects include the Phuntsokling-Water Project in Orissa,
which has been very successful and now provides water to approximately 4,000
families. Jigme Rinpoche's huge commitment to the health of the people in his
community inspired him to improve the state of the water condition of the Tibetan
settlement. Realizing that the poor water quality was the main source of illness
in his community, Jigme Rinpoche tirelessly engaged his European, American
and Asian students to help contribute funds, knowledge and materials to help
build a process for purifying the water in the settlement. Other compassionate
projects of his also include grants for gifted students, monk sponsorship program,
child sponsorship program, and many more.
He has founded several Padma Ling centres in Europe (Switzerland, France, Germany,
Spain, Luxembourg, United Kingdom), as well as a centre in Japan.
Rinpoche's openness and humour make his teachings and instructions a lively
experience, connecting the timeless truth of Buddhism with a contemporary understanding
of modern life
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