Our current Resident Teacher is His Eminence 14th Dungyud Tulku Rinpoche. His Eminence is head of the Bir Monastery called The Bir Sakya Lama Society in India, and Dirru Monastery in Kham province of Tibet. Since completing his own studies at Sakya College, Rinpoche has given teachings in many countries in Asia. He also maintains responsibility to support his monks and the monastic activities in the monasteries in India and Tibet.
A Brief Biography of His Eminence Dirru Dungyud Tulku Rinpoche
The present Dungyud Rinpoche is known as the 14th reincarnation of Dirru Dungyud Rinpoche and is head of the Bir Monastery called The Bir Sakya Lama Society in India, and Dirru Monastery in Kham province of Tibet.
After the passing away of the 13th Dungyud Rinpoche, His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin (head of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism) made the prediction on the rebirth of his incarnation. With this prediction, the late 14th Gyalsay Rinpoche (joint head of Bir monastery) and his monks searched for the fourteenth reincarnation of the Rinpoche.
Finally, in 1979 at the age of five he was recognised as the 14th Dungyud Rinpoche. He was offered ceremonial dharma robes at his home in Swayambhunath (Kathmandu, Nepal), in front of His Eminence Tarig Rinpoche. Thereafter he left for His Holiness Sakya Trizin's palace in Dehra Dun, India and was given the name Ngawang Lodoe Tenpe Gyaltsen. After that he proceeded to Bir Monastery which is located in the northern part of India.
He was enthroned upon his arrival at Bir, after which he went to Puruwala (India) for three months to receive the teaching of Lamdre Lobshe bestowed by His Holiness Sakya Trizin.
From 1980-1990, Dungyud Rinpoche was engaged in monastic training and tantric ritual training under the supervision of his personal tutor, the great Vajra Master Chundu Lama Kalsang Gyaltso. His root guru was Ngawang Lodro Shenpen Nyingpo, also root Guru of His Holiness Sakya Trizin. He was head of a Ngor monastery in Central Tibet prior to the communist invasion. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 89. When he passed away in Dharamsala, at Delek Hospital, he had gone for general treatment without any specific illness. When he passed away they kept his body three days because of his special meditation condition, which he stayed in without losing any heat in his heart area. He was then taken to Bir Monastery, where he remained in the meditation state for 21 days. After 21 days, at the cremation of his body, relics came out of his bones, found by his very close students who had good samaya with him.
From l987-1989, Dungyud Rinpoche learned Buddhist philosophy under Khenpo Lungrig Senghe, such as monastic vows, Letter to a Friend composed by Nagarjuna, Shantideva's Bodhicharyavatara, Madhyamika, Division of Three Vows composed by Sakya Pandita, etc.
In 1990, at the age of sixteen, under the guidance of the late Khenpo Migmar, Dungyud Rinpoche commenced the study of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy such as Paramana and Prajnaparamita, General Presentation of Tantra and also the root text of Hevajra, and Trees of Realisation, etc, at Sakya College (Higher Institute of Tibetan Buddhism). He completed all his philosophical studies which were equivalent to a Bachelor of Art degree. His combined level of study is equivalent to a Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy.
At one point Gyalsay Rinpoche suggested that Rinpoche come to Australia, but due to his young age (eighteen years old), his tutor and family felt it was not a suitable time. Again in 1993 after Gyalsay Rinpoche's passing, it was requested that Rinpoche come to Australia to look after the centre, but as he had not completed his studies he did not come.
In 1997, Rinpoche completed all his philosophical studies including English and returned to his monastery. He made his first visit to Australia with His Holiness Sakya Trizin in 1997 for the Lamdre Lobshe held at Vajradhara Gonpa in Kyogle.
Presently Rinpoche visits many overseas countries in Asia, including Taiwan and Malaysia where he has centres, in which he teaches the Buddhadharma. At present he is the joint spiritual director of Sakya Tharpa Ling, with Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche, and is also the Resident Teacher, which includes teaching for the Manjushri Shedra. He also maintains responsibility to support his monks and the monastic activities in the monasteries in India and Tibet.
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