Recognized by HH Dudjom Rinpoche and HH Karmapa at a very young age as the reincarnated tulku of Chhoje Rinpoche VII, Chhoje Rinpoche is lineage holder of both the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche has studied and trained under the personal guidance of HH Dudjom Rinpoche and Venerable Soktse Tulku Rinpoche, and has received extensive teachings from Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Khenpo Thubten Rinpoche, Khenpo Dazer and Khetsun Zangpo Rinpoche.
Chhoje Rinpoche first travelled to the West in 1983 to follow HH Dudjom Rinpoche to New York City and in 1988, founded Padma Shedrup Ling (Padmasambhava Study and Practice Centre) in California. Since that time, Rinpoche has given teachings on the Vajrayana path of Tibetan Buddhism throughout the United States — primarily in California, as well as in Colorado, Oregon, New York, Texas and Nevada. In addition to his North American students, Rinpoche has students in India, Nepal, Japan, Israel, Mexico, Malaysia and Europe.
Three years ago, Rinpoche began a strict retreat which he completed this summer. In July, 2010, Rinpoche returned to Chumur Monastery, the monastery he had founded in his previous life, for the consecration of new prayerwheels, statues and construction. About 1,000 people gathered at Chumur to participate in a week of practice, to receive teachings and to celebrate Rinpoche’s return. Two weeks later, Rinpoche was in Leh when the catastrophic flash flood claimed over 1,000 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes. Distributing funds raised by the PSL sangha, Rinpoche has been giving critical aid and support to many families and individuals, providing food, supplies and medicines and enabling survivors to quickly rebuild their homes.
Rinpoche’s familiarity with Western culture, his ready command of English and his delightful humor have made his teachings readily accessible to Western students. AWAKENING MIND a Teaching on the Heart Sutra, was Rinpoche’s first teaching in North America after accomplishing his three year retreat in the summer of 2010.
Padma Shedrup Ling 