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Khedrup Jigme Kundrol
b. 1730 — d. 1793 · Wang DarLungkha, Thimphu, Bhutan
Principal student of Jigme Lingpa. Established Yongla Monastery. Completed an 18-year solitary retreat and conducted Vajra Kilaya rituals to protect Bhutan.
About
A 1,200-year-old monastery, a young Rinpoche, and the lineage between them.
The Khedrup Foundation was officially established on 6 October 2017 and certified by the Government of Bhutan’s Commission for Religious Organizations under registration number CRO/RC-24/2017/104. We provide sustainable support for Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in Trongsa — entrusted to the 5th Khedrupchen Rinpoche by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2009 — and for the two retreat centers, the Buddhist Academy, and community initiatives that surround it.
Photo: Scott A. Woodward
Founder
Khedrupchen Rinpoche
Ugyen Tenzin Thinley Lhendrup · 5th reincarnation of Kyabgon Monla Khedrup Jigme Kundrol
Khedrupchen Rinpoche, the 5th in an unbroken lineage of Khedrup tulkus dating to 1730, was born in 1990 on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Shingkhar Lauri, eastern Bhutan, to Yum Tshewang Paldron and Yab Tenzin Dorji. His birth was attended by traditional signs — circular rainbows above his parents' home and the blooming of a rare multi-colored flower.
He began his monastic education at age 13 at Phagchok Monastery under Lama Kunzang Namdrol, then continued his advanced studies at Mindrolling (Ngagyur Nyingma) College in Dehradun, India, from 2006 to 2015, graduating with an Acharya degree. From 2016 to 2018 he served on the teaching faculty at Mindrolling.
His root teachers include the late 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. He has completed extensive solitary meditation retreats in the Longchen Nyingthik tradition.
Current roles
- ·Founder & President, Khedrup Foundation (Bhutan)
- ·Supreme Head, Rephel Mebar Lhakhang (1,200-year-old temple, Trongsa)
- ·Founder, Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery (Trongsa)
- ·Founder, Phajo Gonpa Gomde retreat center (Samdrup Jongkhar)
- ·Founder, Drupdey Pelchen Khang retreat center
Selected teaching engagements
- 2017Xiamen University, China — Diamond Sutra
- 2017Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, Bhutan
- 2019Stanford University — Mindfulness meditation
- 2022University of Pennsylvania — Turning the Wheel of Dharma
- 20224th International Conference on Vajrayana Buddhism
- 2023Explorers Club, New York — Guru on the Flying Tigress
The Khedrupchen lineage
Five incarnations, since 1730.
An unbroken lineage of recognized tulkus stretching from the original Khedrup Jigme Kundrol — a principal student of Jigme Lingpa — to the present day.
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Jampel Dewai Nima
b. 1796 · Toe, Tibet
Original name Jigme Phendey Woezer. Connected to the Pha Dampa Sangye lineage from Dingri. Killed during a journey to Kham at a young age.
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Khedrup Jampel Dewai Nima
· Descended from Drubwang Dongag Drakpa and Tibetan prince Lhasey Tsangma
Founder of the Phagjud Gonpa retreat center. Master of the Longchen Nyingthig and Peling traditions; held the title of Tshampa (retreat master).
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Phajo Sangye Dondub
b. 1904 — d. 1978 · Momring, Eastern Bhutan
Descendant of Terton Pema Lingpa. Studied under Geshe Tshewang Jamtsho. Traveled to sacred meditation sites and performed rituals for the poor. Prophesied the next incarnation.
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Khedrupchen Rinpoche — Ugyen Tenzin Thinley Lhendrup
b. 1990 · Shingkhar Lauri, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan
The current Khedrupchen. Founder and President of the Khedrup Foundation. Trained at Phagchok Monastery and Mindrolling (Ngagyur Nyingma) College, Dehradun.
The current Khedrupchen Rinpoche received custodianship of Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in 2009. To support him in that work, the Khedrup Foundation was registered with the Government of Bhutan in 2017.