Lamas at Kathok Gonpa
Khenchen Munsel Rinpoche (1916-1994) of Wangchen Topa, Golok; was a highly accomplished and respected Dzogchen Master and scholar who in turn instructed some of the greatest living and present-day Lamas. A student of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, he was imprisoned by the Chinese for many years, during which he taught the Dzogchen teachings. He is Lingrul Rinpoche and Karzang Rinpoche's beloved root teacher.
Lingtrul Rinpoche is our main teacher and the one who established this retreat center. He is the head of Tra Ling Monastery in Tibet and is an emanation of Longchenpa and Vimalamitra.
A Brief Biography of H.E. Ven. Lingtrul Kadak Chöying Dorje (Lingtrul Rinpoche)
Lingtrul Rinpoche is the reincarnation of Ling Lama Chökyi Dorje, and thus is an emanation of Vimalamitra and Longchenpa. He is the 8th head of Tra Ling, a Kathok Monastery in Golok, Tibet.
He was born in Amdo-Golok in 1955 to a well-endowed family. At the age of 3 he was recognized as the incarnation of Ling Lama Chökyi Dorje by many great lamas in the Golok area. But due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, his identity was kept secret.
As a young tulku, Lingtrul Rinpoche was forced to work in labor camps and hide any sign of interest in Buddhism. In 1983 the Chinese government lifted the restrictions on religious practice, and Lingtrul Rinpoche was able to meet with his root teacher, the great Khenpo Munsel.
The lineage of the Clear Light Great Perfection teachings began with the Dharmakaya Buddha and was passed gradually from teacher to disciple, through Khenpo Munsel to Lingtrul Rinpoche. As one of Khenpo Munsel’s closest heart sons, Lingtrul Rinpoche received all the transmissions of the Clear Light Great Perfection over a period of 3-4 years. In retreat he practiced all the development stages of the Vajrayana from the preliminary practices through Trekchöd and Todgyal. He also received all of the Longchen Nyingthig transmissions as well as many other empowerments.
At the age of 37, Lingtrul Rinpoche journeyed to central Tibet, Nepal and India to visit the great power spots in these holy lands. While in Sikkim he was imprisoned for 6 months and then rescued by H.H. Dodrubchen Rinpoche. Shortly thereafter he was invited to the United States.
Lingtrul Rinpoche presently maintains residences at Tra Ling Monastery in Golok, at Kathok Gonpa in Oakland, California and at Kathok Gonpa in Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada.