About the Author

by Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

TULKU PEMA RIGTSAL RINPOCHE was born in 1963 to his wise father, the second

Degyel Rinpoche, Pema Jigme Namgyel, and his mother, Kyama Tsering. At the
age of three, he was recognized by His Holiness Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche as the
reincarnation of Chimme Rinpoche, the head lama of Ngari Pureng She Pheling
Monastery, which is Riwo Gedenpa. Chimme Rinpoche was one of the best
qualified disciples of the first Degyel Rinpoche and was recognized as one of the
successive rebirths of the great Indian saint Pha Dampa Sangye. Until the age of
nineteen, Tulku Pema Rigtsal studied Tibetan reading, handwriting, composition,
and so forth, and the sadhana practices of the Dudjom Tersar (New Treasure
Teachings), under his father, Degyel Rinpoche.
For more than a decade after turning nineteen, Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche,
accompanied by Khenchen Dawai Wozer, received the teachings from Khenchen
Choying Khyabdal Rinpoche. While studying under Khechen Choying Khyabdal
Rinpoche, he studied and contemplated the Zhungchen Chusum and the teachings
of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, Mipham Rinpoche, Jigme Lingpa, and Ngari Panchen.
In 1985, in Phurba Chen, in Humla Yolwang, in the far northwest of Nepal, he
established Namkha Khyung Dzong monastery, building its exterior structure and
inner supports (altars, libraries, and so on) for worship. About 150 monks now
reside there. Besides continuously teaching sutra and tantra, the Zhungchen
Chusum in particular, with a special emphasis on the wisdom views of Mipham
Rinpoche, he also stayed in retreat to read the Kangyur and Nyingma Gyubum. He
has completed a closed three-year and a six-month retreat as well.
In general, he gives teachings on the Tersar Preliminary Practices, the Kunsang
Lamai Zhalung, Bodhicharyavatara, and the Richo, Nangjang Neluk Rangjung, and
other Dudjom Tersar teachings, to the people of Humla and those from the Ngari
part of Tibet, and especially to those among them who are sincere in their practice.
He continues to teach and spread the profound teaching of this tradition.
He has mainly received empowerment, transmission, and teachings from his
root gurus such as Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,
Kyabje Dodrup Rinpoche, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, and Khenchen Dawai Wozer. He
also mentions my name among his lamas; I am thankful to him for very
generously including me on this list.
So, in his present situation and circumstances, Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche does not
lack the noble qualities of learning and sincerity. In my own experience of him,
however, the presence of such noble qualities depends upon the absence of the
demon of pride.
May sublime vidyadharas and all those with the eye of wisdom constantly watch
over him with compassion. I pray with whatever prayers I know that the great