His Eminence Rongtha Kyabgon Rinpoche

Born 10 July 1913 in the province of Kham in eastern Tibet, the current Rongtha Kyabgon Rinpoche Lobsang Thubten Jigme Namgyal was recognised by His Holiness the 13^th Dalai Lama and some other Rinpoches and High Lamas as the reincarnation of the previous Rongtha Rinpoche. It is said that the 9^th Panchen Lama Thubten Choekyi Nyima also sent his representatives to the home of the infant Rongtha Rinpoche.

Based on the lineage invocation, Rongtha Rinpoche’s incarnations can be traced directly back to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. His illustrious lineage of incarnations encompass many highly accomplished and erudite Lamas. To illustrate, His Eminence the 1^st Rongtha Rinpoche Kalsang Trinley Lhundrub of Ra Nyang Monastery served as an advisor to His Holiness the 7^th Dalai Lama Gyalwa Kalsang Gyatso whilst the collected works (covering four volumes) of His Eminence the 3^rd Rongtha Rinpoche Lobsang Dhamchoe Gyatso constitute the text books used for studies in Gyume Tantric College.

The 9th Panchen Lama Thubten Choekyi Nyima

Rongtha Rinpoche started his monastic life at the age of four. He was taken to the native monastery of his predecessor where he stayed until he formally entered Sera Jey Monastery at the age of 10. He received his novice ordination from His Holiness the 13^th Dalai Lama and the full ordination vows from the 9^th Panchen Lama Thubten Choekyi Nyima.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Rongtha Rinpoche studied in Sera Jey Monastery and graduated in 1950. Upon completion of his studies, Rongtha Rinpoche pursued further studies in Tantra according to the curriculum of Gyume Tantric College.

Rongtha Rinpoche also received extensive instruction, detailed teachings on the lineage, initiations, empowerments, practical guidance and mentoring in hundreds of practices related to the Sutras and Tantras that are outside the scope of the formal monastic curriculum from esteemed erudite Lamas including Kyabje Khanser Dorje Chang, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Dagri Dorje Chang, Lhatsun Dorje Chang, Regent Taktra Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Yongdzin Lingtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama. With the blessings of these unique masters, Rongtha Rinpoche subsequently undertook extensive retreats.

Rongtha Kyabgon Rinpoche

Upon completion of his studies at Gyume Tantric College, Rongtha Rinpoche returned to his native monastery, Ra-Nyag Monastery, in Kham whose residents comprise some 700 monks. In August 1958, Rongtha Rinpoche left for India to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy Buddhist sites and subsequently settled there. Based on records, Rongtha Rinpoche steadfastly propitiated Dharmapala Dorje Shugden throughout his life and never wavered in his practice.

Rongtha Rinpoche is one of the few and rare reincarnate Lamas who are fully qualified to undertake the most powerful and complex Tantric rituals to benefit sentient beings. In addition, Rongtha Rinpoche is also known to be very skilled in the accuracy of his divinations and many travel great distances to his residence in Ladakh Budh Vihar, Delhi in order to seek divinations from him.