The Venerable Drubpön Dechen Rinpoche is a prominent figure in the Tibetan Buddhist Karma Kagyu lineage. Recognized as a tulku from an early age, he was born in Nangchen, Tibet.
To survive the threat of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the late fifties, Rinpoche escaped to India -Sikkim where he joined the 16th Karmapa, His Holiness Rangjung Rigpa’i Dorje.
In the early 1980s, following the reopening of the Tibetan-Nepalese border the Gyalwang Karmapa entrusted him with overseeing the reconstruction of Tsurphu Monastery- the traditional seat of the Karmapas.
Rinpoche from then onward assumed the responsibilities of being the abbot of Tsurphu, conducting its monastic community as well as teaching the nomad population of Chantang, a high-altitude plateau in western and northern Tibet extending into southeastern Ladakh. There, Rinpoche taught and supported the Changpa semi-nomad population living in the vast highlands and giant lakes.
Rinpoche also played a key role in the search for and recognition of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, ensuring the continuity of the Karma Kagyu lineage. In addition to his administrative and restoration work, he is highly regarded for his teachings and leadership, having guided numerous rituals, ceremonies, and educational efforts within the community.
The current ཡངསྲིད།- Yang Srid Drubpön Dechen Rinpoche, currently completing his education at the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, demonstrate already to be a figure of command, exuding much calm, loving kindness and compassion.
In the late eighties, Lama Sangyay Tendzin aka Norbu Repa, met several times Rinpoche’s previous incarnation at Tsurphu monastery in Tibet. This connection led him to seek the approval of His Holiness Karmapa to invite Rinpoche to preside the celebrations of THEG-CHOG NORBU LING’s 25th anniversary this year. This will be the first visit of Rinpoche to Europe.
