Gar Drolma Choling Dharma Center

Drupon RINCHEN DORJE

Drupon Rinchen Dorje was born in 1967, in Tana. In 1984, he joined the
monastery there and stayed for nine years. He took novice monk's vows from
Tulku Nyendrak Gyaltsen Rinpoche, receiving many profound teachings from him
such as the Five-fold Path of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. From Tulku Thogme
Rinpoche he received wang, (empowerment,) transmission and pith instructions
on Five-Deity Chakrasamvara in the tradition of Drilbupa.

In 1990, at Drithil Ogmin Jang Chub Ling monastery, he received Kyobpa
Jigten Sumgon's Five-fold Mahamudra wang, transmission and teachings from
Master Gelong Tenzin Nyima. He went on pilgrimage to Dhaglha Gampo temple
and did retreat there for several weeks. In 1993, he made a pilgrimage to
Mt. Kailash and then joined the Drikung Kagyu Institute - Jang Chub Ling
monastery near Dehra Dun, where he studied Buddhist logic, philosophy, etc.
From great masters such as Khenpo Khonchog Gyaltshen and Khenpo Thogdrol he
received teachings on Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon's Gong Chik, the Uttaratantra and
more.

In 1995, during his stay at the Drikung Kagyu Institute, he accomplished the
preliminary practices to Mahamudra and the recitation of Chakrasamvara in
group retreat under His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, and was ordained as a
full bikshu by him. In 1996, in Almora, he received wang on the Six Yogas
of Naropa, Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra, Chakrasamvara/Vajarvarahi and the
symbolic whispered lineage from H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche, and accomplished a
three year retreat in the Drikung Thil tradition under Gelong Yeshe
Rinpoche. In 2000, he received Snake Year teachings form H.H. Chetsang
Rinpoche and H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.

In 2001, he went to Lapchi in Nepal, the site of many sacred caves where the
great yogi Milarepa practiced. In a cave there, he accomplished another
three-year retreat on Rechungpa's whispered lineage of Chakrasamvara and
Vajravarahi, the Six Yogas of Naropa and the naked instructions of the
bardo. In 2004 he was enthroned as a Drupon - Accomplished Retreat Master.

In 2005, he received wang and transmission on the five deities of Hevajra in
Marpa's tradition from H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche, and in 2006 he accomplished a
retreat on it at Almora. Thus, our precious teacher has completed over
seven years of retreat!

Currently, Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche is the Resident Lama for both the
Drikung Kagyu Dharma Circle - Madison, Wisconsin and their sister sangha, Chicago Ratna Shri. His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, Venerable Khenchen Khonchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche, Khenpo Sherab Odzer Rinpoche and Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche all recommended him because of his high degree of realization and his gentle, understated presence. He arrived in Chicago from India in October of 2006, accompanied by a member of Chicago Ratna Shri, after a grueling but successful Visa-getting mission, and much hard work by the Drikung Kagyu Dharma Circle of Madison, Wisconsin, also.