Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, this well-known meditation master and teacher has been teaching students around the world for many decades. Characterized by warmth, humor and wit, his teachings provide a unique opportunity to connect directly with Buddhism in a fresh, lively and timely manner. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche was born in 1951 as the eldest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche in eastern Tibet. While still a young child he was recognized as the seventh incarnation of the Drikung Kagyu master Gar Drubchen, a Tibetan siddha, as well as the emanation of the great 2nd century Indian philosopher Nagarjuna. Shortly before the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche left with his family for Sikkim. From the ages of 13 to 24, he studied in the Karma Kagyü, Drikung Kagyü, and Nyingma traditions under the guidance of such eminent masters as the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and his father Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. He achieved the degree of khenpo at a very early age. In 1974 he left Rumtek to join his family in Boudhanath, Nepal, where, at the command of the 16th Karmapa, they established the monastery Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling. Installed as the monastery's abbot in 1975 by the Karmapa, Rinpoche followed the Karmapa's advice to turn his efforts towards instructing Western practitioners. In 1991 he founded the Rangjung Yeshe Institute for Buddhist Studies. This internationally recognized university offers students from all over the world the opportunity to formally study Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan language and culture, as well as Sanskrit and Nepali at an academic level. (Quelle Bild und Text: RANGJUNG YESHE GOMDE)