12th H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche
His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche Thupten Tsultrim Norbu Wodzer Kuenkyab Palzangpo was born on the 28th August 1970. His mother is Tsam Chod, and his father Dorje Namgyal is a descendant of Anag Pon, a religious Lord of Gonjo in Kham province, Tibet. His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and His Holiness the 4th Dodrubchen Rinpoche recognized him as the unmistaken reincarnation of Karma Thegchog Nyingpo. His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche enthroned him with an elaborate celebration at Namdroling Monastery.
Under the guidance of tutors like Lama Sonam Tenzin, etc. His Holiness learnt the ritual arts of Palyul tradition, and so forth. His Holiness then enrolled into the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and excelled in all the knowledge of the vast and profound Sutra and Tantra teachings of Buddhist Philosophy. He received the novice vow and full ordination from His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche and was named Thubten Tsultrim Norbu Wodsal Thinley Kuenkhyab Palzangpo (the Great Glorious of All-pervading Activities and Radiant Jewel Precept of Buddha Dharma).
He practiced the Bum-Nga (Five Hundred Thousand Accumulations of Preliminary Practice) by receiving ‘The Words of My Perfect Teacher’ from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. He also received numerous empowerments, transmissions and instructions of Nyingma and Namcho Teachings, especially the Dzogchen, Tsalung and Nyondro from His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche. Likewise, he received various empowerments, oral transmission and instructions from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Dodrubchen Rinpoche, Ngonsul Khenchen, H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche, Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok, Khamtrul Choekyi Nima, Khamtrul Gyurmed Dorji, and so on.
In 1994, His Holiness arrived in Palyul Namgyal Jangchub Choling Monastery in Tibet. His Holiness Chogtrul Thubten Palzang enthroned him as a Palyul Linage holder.
He established a great four-storey temple and built a new retreat centre, etc. and renovated the old ones. All the sanghas are gifted with monthly allowance.
Yangsi Rinpoche of His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was enthroned. He bestows the Getsul and Gelong vow to the monks and nuns of Namdroling Monastery and Tibet. He takes care of the education and well-being of His Holiness Yangsi Rinpoche. His Holiness bestowed the empowerments on Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Magical Net Tantra, Three Roots of Nyingthig tradition, and so forth, at Namdroling Monastery. He bestowed the Terzod Empowerment in Gonjo Gyara Monastery. At Palyul Namgyal Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Tibet, His Holiness bestowed empowerment and oral transmission on Mipham Rinpoche’s Collected Works, Namchoe Cycle empowerments, instructions on Namchoe Ngodro and Tsalung, empowerment on Manjushri Tantra System, and so on.
In a nutshell, His Holiness has been carrying the paramount legacy of H.H. Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche selflessly and tirelessly by benefiting everyone who are connected with the Dharma and also the Palyul lineage.