Lama Michel Rinpoche

Lama Michel Rinpoche was born in 1981 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is said that Lama Michel chose to be born in Brazil not only to benefit the whole country and South America, but the whole of contemporary society.

In 1987, His Eminence Lama Gangchen Rinpoche visited Brazil for the first time, invited by Lama Michel’s parents, Bel and Daniel. From this first encounter, a strong connection with the whole family was created. Lama Michel’s family founded the first of many Dharma centres under the guidance of Lama Gangchen. The first was known as the ‘Shi De Choe Tsog’ Centre. Lama Michel’s connection with Tibetan Buddhism would also be clearly evident from this point.

Lama Michel as a young boy with his Guru, the great Mahasiddha Gangchen Lama

At the age of twelve, Lama Michel spontaneously decided to leave the trappings of lay life behind and began his monastic education in Southern India, where the great Gelug monasteries are now located.

Great Lamas such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dagyab Rinpoche and Gelek Rinpoche have confirmed that Lama Michel is the reincarnation of Drubchok Gyalwa Sandrup, a 15^th Century Lama who was a great yogi and master who gave various philosophical teachings. Originating from Gangchen Choepel Ling, a monastery in Tibet, he lived during the time that Lama Tsongkhapa’s Gelug school was founded, and was a contemporary of the 1^st Dalai Lama.

It was one of Lama Gangchen’s previous lives, Panchen Zangpo Tashi, who founded Gangchen Choepel Ling Monastery and his successor, the second regent of the throne, was none other than Drubchok Gyalwa Sandrup.

Lama Michel’s yearly pilgrimage to Borobudur with Lama Gangchen

Since an early age, Lama Michel has traveled the world with Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, repeatedly visiting various sacred sites in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia and Tibet. During these pilgrimages, this special young man had many intuitions, dreams and special visions. Lama Michel’s character and his altruistic attitude then began to manifest themselves in traditional Buddhist ways.

Many people have noticed his pure energy which is akin to the energy of Maitreya, the future Buddha of Love, and his speeches and teachings are delivered in a very loving and kind manner. This is no surprise given that Lama Michel’s Tibetan name is Jangchub Choepel Lobsang Nyendrak which means the ‘Wise and famous Mind of Enlightenment, who spreads the peaceful message of Dharma successfully’. His young, dynamic and charismatic demeanour has enabled people from all walks of life to connect with the Dharma more effectively.

From left to right: Lama Michel with his Guru Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, H.E. Domo Geshe Rinpoche and the Venerable Oracle of Dorje Shugden

Under the close mentorship of Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, in 2006 Lama Michel began studying at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas, in Shigatse, Tibet. There, he devoted himself to studying philosophy, Tantra, medicine and astrology, completing his training in Buddhist Philosophy, meditational practices, Lam Rim and Lojong.

He continues to spend two months a year there, under the guidance of the Abbot, Kachen Losang Puntsok Rinpoche, one of the prominent living masters in Tibet. It is through Lama Michel’s devotion to his Guru and dedication to his studies that he is able to present the Dharma fluently in English and Italian, and even quote from the Tibetan scriptures from memory.

Today, Lama Michel continues to serve his Guru, Lama Gangchen Rinpoche by spreading Lama Tsongkapa’s tradition in the ten directions. He lives in Italy with Lama Gangchen Rinpoche and is currently the Vice-President of the Lama Gangchen International Global Peace Foundation.

With twelve years of study in Buddhist Philosophy under his belt, Lama Michel also imparts his knowledge and experience to others in different parts of the world, especially at the centres of the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation in Sao Paolo, Brazil and Albagnano, Italy.