A Brief Biography of H.H. the 9th Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche

Kunzang Rigzin Pema Namgyal

1. Birth and Ordination

His Holiness was born on December 17, 1955 (the Wood Female Sheep year), in Mangdeyphu, Nubi, Trongsa, in central Bhutan. Born to his father, Tshering Dorji, and mother, Tshering Pelmo, Rinpoche was named Jinpa Gyeltshen. His spiritual journey began early in life when he received monastic vows from the 6th Namkhai Nyingpo and entered the Trongsa Rabdey as an ordinary monk.

2. Recognition

By the age of four, Rinpoche began to recall and vividly recount stories of his previous lives. When he was five, the late Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden, received a prophetic dream in which the Menmo(a class of feminine spirits) of Samtengang Lake identified him as the reincarnation of the Gangteng Tulku. His identity was further confirmed by the most eminent masters of the era:

• At Age 12: He was unmistakably recognized as the Gangteng Tulku by Dzogchen Polo Khen Kunga Gyaltshen.
• At Age 13: His recognition was reaffirmed by H.H. Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje and H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.

3. Education, Enthronement, and Practice

At age 14, Rinpoche arrived at Tango Monastery, where he studied Buddhist philosophy under the guidance of Je Tenzin Dondrup and Je Gendun Rinchen. At the age of 18, Rinpoche was formally enthroned at Gangteng Sangnag Chöling, the main seat of the Gangteng Tulku, located in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan.

        With great effort—overcoming all hardships and embracing every challenge—Rinpoche received numerous Sutrayana and Vajrayana transmissions, empowerments, and explanations from H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. Penor Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse, H.H. Chatral Rinpoche, H.H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche, H.H. Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Khenchen Dazer, and other great masters. Following his studies, Rinpochey completed a traditional three-year retreat at Kunzang Chöling (located in Wangdue District), meditating deeply on the Dharma cycles of Pema Lingpa (1450–1521).

4. Enlightened Activity for the Dharma and Beings

Rinpoche is one of the primary lineage holders of the Peling tradition. At the age of 30, he established the Gangteng Buddhist University to promote the Buddha’s teachings and preserve the Peling lineage. Since then, he has tirelessly established and restored numerous colleges, nunneries, Dharma centers, and retreat centers across Bhutan and the world—work that continues to this day.

        Beyond these structural contributions, Rinpoche travels the globe to share the profound wisdom of the Sutrayana and Vajrayana. He earnestly grants sacred transmissions, such as the Peling Dzogchen Kunzang Gongdu, serving as a compassionate guide for both monastic and lay practitioners at every level of their spiritual journey.