Kyabje Yongey Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, one of the greatest living masters of the Kagyu lineage and the Ninth Incarnation of the Thrangu Tulkus, visited the hidden valley of Tsum in 2018 for the consecration of the newly built Tsum Monastery. Recognized as an emanation of Guru Padmasambhava’s disciple Shudpu Palgyi Senge, Rinpoche has carried out vast activities for the preservation of Dharma throughout his life and is deeply connected with the people of Tsum. Hundreds of monks, nuns, and students from Tsum have studied in his monasteries and schools, benefiting from his immeasurable kindness in both spiritual and worldly matters.
Although the Tsum community had long aspired to invite Rinpoche, his advanced age and the difficult journey delayed the plan. With the building of the new Tsum Monastery by Dungse Pema Rinpoche, the opportunity finally ripened. A special committee of lamas and leaders was formed, and extensive preparations were made to welcome Rinpoche. Monks from Thrangu Monastery arrived weeks in advance to prepare the consecration, while Dungse Rinpoche personally supervised the arrangements.
On October 15, 2018, Rinpoche arrived in Tsum by helicopter, accompanied by his attendants. His arrival was greeted with auspicious signs, a clear blue sky, and radiant morning light. A magnificent procession of lamas, monastics, laypeople, and cultural groups escorted him to the monastery with music, offerings, banners, and songs. At the monastery, he offered butter lamps before the main statue of Guru Rinpoche, blessed the new temple, and was honored with mandala offerings, statues, and auspicious tributes.
The next day, seated on the golden throne in the monastery courtyard, Kyabje Rinpoche bestowed the Konchok Chidü Tshewang (Life Empowerment of the All-Gathering Precious Ones) to the gathered assembly. He gave profound teachings on karma, urging people to adopt virtue and abandon harmful habits, especially warning against the dangers of alcohol. Deeply moved, many devotees pledged to give up alcohol from that time on. Leaders and people of all the Tsum valleys made heartfelt prayers for his long life, offering symbols of auspiciousness and gratitude. In return, Rinpoche gifted White Tara statues for the monastery as relics and to each Labrang family, as well as his own robes, leaving precious blessings for future generations.
The event was also marked by joyful cultural performances from Tsum communities and students of Thrangu School. Following the consecration, Rinpoche made a pilgrimage to Milarepa’s Pigeon Cave (Phukron Phug), one of the yogi’s four sacred caves, where he offered prayers and prostrations. He also visited Khangsar Labrang, delighting the local family and disciples with his presence.
After completing the consecration and pilgrimage, Rinpoche returned to Kathmandu. The Tsum community expressed profound gratitude, describing the visit as the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream and likening their joy to reaching the first bhumi of realization. The entire event was remembered as a deeply auspicious and transformative occasion, brought about through the blessings of the guru and the dedication of the disciples.