Young Choeze Kuchen Rinpoche- 2 years of age

Kunchok Thrinley Lhundup Namgyal was born in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1984 as the eldest son of yogi Lama Jorjel and Yangchen Dolkar from Kham, Tibet. Lama Jorjel is the direct descendant (6^thgeneration sons of the eldest son) of Terton Geru Chogyal Dorji one of the 108 treasure discoverers prophesized by Guru Padmasambhava. By birth, Kunchok Thrinley is the eldest son of eldest sons of each generation of Terton Geru Chogyal Dorji. Yangchen Dolkar is the descendant of Atitsang family who was one of the ministers in King Gesar’s court. In the history of Ati family, many high enlighten masters and leaders were born.

At the age of two, the 37^th throne holder of Drikung Kyagudpa, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chestang Rinpoche recognized him as the 11^th reincarnation of Choeze Kuchen. At the age of 10, Rinpoche visited Choeze Monastery at Kham Dzachukha. All the personal items (like thangkas, mala, text) of 10^th Choeze Rinpoche were in the possessions of senior lamas and close disciples of the 10^threincarnation. Each and every item was identified by the 11^th reincarnation and the days of Rinpoche’s visit had numerous auspicious signs. All the lamas, disciples and people were overjoyed to be reunited with their master once again.

The present incarnation of Choeze Kuchen Rinpoche began his studies on Buddhist philosophy from a young age of five. He underwent studies in monasteries in South India, North India and Kham, Tibet. Throughout the process, he was personally guided by H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and his father yogi Lama Jorjel.

He has also received many precepts, oral transmissions, initiations of entire Kyagudpa teachings from H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche and entire teaching of Nyingmapa order from H.H. Penor Rinpoche. Rinpoche also received lamrim teachings of Je Tsongkhapa from H.H. Dalai Lama.

Besides, Rinpoche has stayed in personal retreat and meditation under the guidance of H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche especially on the Hevajra tantra. Rinpoche emphasizes that retreat is not a time bound project but one should experience the essence of retreat throughout ones’ life.

At the age of 21, Rinpoche built the 1^st retreat center in Choeze Thupten Dhargyeling Monastery in Kham, Yushu, Qinghai province, China. The monastery suffered damages during the earthquake in 2010 in Qinghai. Rinpoche worked towards building a new Monastery in the same area of Dzachukha. The new monastery also has a clinic which caters not only to the monks of Choeze Monastery but also to the people of the area.