A short Biography of H.E. Thrangu Rinpoche
(1933–2023)
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was born in 1933 in Ralungda, Kham, eastern Tibet. At the age of five, he was recognized as the Thrangu Tulku by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and 11th Tai Situ Rinpoche, and enthroned at Thrangu Monastery by Traleg Kyabgön Rinpoche. Beginning his studies at age seven, Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from many great lamas, including the Karmapa, Second Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, and Tertön Rolpay Dorje. In 1943, he undertook a White Tara retreat at Tsurphu Monastery under the Karmapa’s guidance and later entered a period of retreat and advanced study.
From 1948, Rinpoche studied Buddhist philosophy intensively, receiving key transmissions from Shechen Kongtrul Pema Drimey and studying with Khenchen Lodrö Rabsel. In 1954, he received full monastic ordination and major tantric empowerments. In 1957, Khenpo Gangshar gave him dzogchen and mahamudra instructions.
Following the 1959 Tibetan exodus, Rinpoche fled to India and joined the Karmapa at Rumtek Monastery, helping to build the monastery and train young monks. In 1967, he earned the Geshe Lharampa degree and was named Khenchen (Great Abbot) of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Later, he was appointed tutor to the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Fulfilling the 16th Karmapa’s advice, Rinpoche established monasteries and retreat centers in Nepal (notably Thrangu Tashi Yangtse at Namo Buddha), India, and Tibet. He also founded Thrangu Tara Abbey for nuns, Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath, and schools and clinics serving Himalayan communities. His sangha grew to nearly 1,000 monks and nuns, all given opportunities for education and retreat.
Globally, Rinpoche taught extensively in Asia, Europe, and North America, founding dharma centers in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Asia. He authored many books and facilitated the publication and translation of Buddhist texts. His Vajra Vidya Library and Thrangu Dharmakara publishing initiatives have made vast teachings accessible.
In 2018, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche visited Tsum Valley at the repeated request of Dungse Lama Pema Rinpoche and senior monks of Thrangu Monastery from Tsum. It had long been Dungse Rinpoche’s aspiration to invite Thrangu Rinpoche to Tsum Valley. However, fulfilling this wish was highly challenging due to the valley’s remote location and lack of infrastructure and connectivity.During this visit, Rinpoche consecrated the newly built Tsum Monastery and bestowed teachings and the Medicine Buddha empowerment to the assembled monastics and laypeople. In a formal offering ceremony, Dungse Rinpoche and the villagers presented an elaborate mandala offering, along with symbolic representations of Body, Speech, and Mind.
Rinpoche also visited the nearby Milarepa’s Cave, a site of great historical and spiritual significance, where he offered prayers. The people of Tsum, known as Tsumpas, have long shared a deep spiritual connection with Rinpoche, and this visit further strengthened and affirmed their Dharma bond. During the visit, Rinpoche expressed to Dungse Rinpoche his happiness and heartfelt gratitude for being able to visit Tsum Valley in his later years, remarking that it was a meaningful and fulfilling experience for him.
From 2020, Rinpoche entered retreat at Namo Buddha, using this time to transmit and edit his collected works, culminating in a 32-volume Tibetan edition to be published in 2025. In June 2023, Rinpoche passed into parinirvanaon the sacred Saga Dawa full moon. Cremation ceremonies were held at Namo Buddha with participation from major masters and disciples worldwide.
Though he has passed, Thrangu Rinpoche’s legacy endures through his teachings, disciples, and the global monastic and lay communities he nurtured.