A Brief Biography of the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche

◎ The Precious Gem of the World
◎ Dedication to Support and Promote the Lineage
◎ Benefiting All Sentient Beings with Great Compassion
◎ Propagation of Orthodox Dharma and turning of the Dharma Wheel

The Precious Gem of the World

The Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the Vajra Guru of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, is the root disciple of His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has performed several retreats at Jangchubling, India, under His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s personal supervision and received from him the pith instruction of Mahamudra and other Drikung empowerments. In April 1997, His Holiness held a grand enthronement ceremony for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and bestowed a ceremonial hat and garment upon him. In the face of all the Rinpoches and lamas at the monastery, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was officially ordained as a Drikung Guru and became the only ngakpa guru of Han lineage who has realized a certain fruition in true cultivation in the history of Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Besides His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, both the late Most Venerable Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche and the late Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage were also the root gurus of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Even though these two great Rinpoches were in long-term retreats and usually did not receive visitors, they still personally transmitted empowerments and terma teachings to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was the only lay disciple of the late Most Venerable Tenzin Nyima Rinpoche. Furthermore, in 2005, Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche confirmed and recognized Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to have attained the stage of simplicity in Mahamudra practice. In 2007, under the guidance of his Three Grace Guru, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche did a retreat on Lapchi Snow Mountain, Nepal. During the retreat practice, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche witnessed the sufferings of the sentient beings in reincarnation with his Dharma eye. Being compassionate and commiserative , Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche wept bitterly for hours. At completion of the retreat, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche reported the incident to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, who then gave verbal confirmation that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has realized Emptiness.

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been propagating Buddhism in Taiwan for years and, in 1997, established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. “Glorious Jewel” (Ratna Shri) was the ordain name of the founder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, Lord Jigten Sumgon. His Holiness Drikung Kagyu Chetsang thereby took this significant name and bestowed it upon the center. Additionally, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang personally wrote the authorization for the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center to disseminate the orthodox Buddhism on behalf of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Taking up nearly 1000 square meters and with over 1000 disciples, it has now become the biggest Drikung Kagyu center in both size and scope. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang came to Taiwan in 2004 to preside over the center’s inauguration ceremony and personally wrote a Long Life Prayer for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche at the request of the disciples. In 2006, His Holiness explicitly pronounced: “Yen (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s family name) Rinpoche is the best disciple I’ve ever had. His achievement in practice comes in a natural way. He has been learning and practicing tremendously.” During the great pujas held in recent years, judging from the seat arranged for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and the fact that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche accompanied His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang closely in procession. Such details clearly indicate the attainment accomplished by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. In addition, on the official website of the Drikung Kagyu Order, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s recognized attainment has also been made public!”

In 2006, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche an important Dharma instrument which was used by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang himself for performing Chod, symbolizing that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche now holds the lineage of Chod teaching directly passed down from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. In that same year, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang bestowed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with a uniquely customized Gampopa Hat and a rare Five Dhyani Buddhas Conch. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang also personally instructed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to mount gold-cast Drikung symbols, a sacred vase and auspicious clouds on this ceremonial hat.

On April 16, 2007, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang authorized Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to propagate Buddhism all over the world on behalf of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. The authorization letter from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang wrote: “The most venerable Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) is the founder of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Taipei. In the past 20 years, under the guidance of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) has practiced cultivation diligently. Additionally, Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) has exerted his best efforts to support various projects of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. With his outstanding experiences and capabilities, Yen Chen-How Rinpoche (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) is able to bestow the Buddhist teachings around the globe. Therefore, I hereby authorize him to propagate Buddhism all over the world on behalf of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. I pray that Yen Chen-How Rinpoche’s (Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche) Dharma activities will enable the Buddhist teachings to prosper in this world and benefit vast sentient beings!”

From May to August of 2007, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang instructed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to perform a 3-month retreat under his guidance on Lapchi Snow Mountain, where Jetsun Milarepa had performed retreats. At completion of the retreat, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang endowed Rinpoche with a new ordain name “Rinchen Dorjee” which means “Most Precious Treasure Vajra”. As it was His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon who granted this name, having the name is a great honor and a sign of respect. “Rinchen” means “the most precious jewel among innumerable treasures”; “Dorjee” means “Vajra (diamond-like)”. Thus, “Rinchen Dorjee” signifies that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s heart to uphold the Buddhist activities for the benefit of the sentient beings is just as firm and immutable as a diamond. The Yidam practiced with during this retreat was Hevajra, a Sadhana that Lord Marpa Lotsawa accomplished and has not been taught or practiced within the lineage for more than two or three hundred years. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche took around three to four years to search, collect and organize the related materials and then taught Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the pith instructions. Notably, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is the first Rinpoche in the lineage to perfect the practice of Hevajra in retreat under His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. After the perfect completion of the retreat, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang personally led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to conduct the fire puja for 3 days. (Detailed account of this retreat can be found in Latest News.)

In 2008, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche conferred the Authorization Letter (Date of Authorization: May 19): For the religious activities in Japan, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang of Tibetan Buddhism specially appointed Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to spread Buddhism and direct the Bao-Ji-Shang (Glorious Jewel) Buddhism Culture Exchange Center.

On May 29th of 2008, under the guidance of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center of Tibetan Budd in Kyoto, Japan. It is not only the first Drikung Kagyu’s center in Japan, but also the first center of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism in Japan. On May 29th of 2008, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, invited by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, presided over the center’s inauguration ceremony. In particular, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche himself earlier went to India to receive and accompany His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang on his trip to Taiwan and eventually to Kyoto, Japan, for the grand inauguration. During the inauguration, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang specially bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche a sutra and a statue of Buddha Amitayus brought from the sacred land of Lapchi in Nepal. These presents symbolized the arrival of Buddha Amitayus and the continuing propagation of the nearly 1000-year-old Drikung Kagyu lineage. After the inauguration, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang led Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in performing a sublime and auspicious fire puja in the yard of the new center and myriads of beings in the universe were benefited.

On November 10 of 2009, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led 366 disciples to Kathmandu, Nepal, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Rinchenling Monastery of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and the Empowerment of Parna Shabari, both presided by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. Prior to the inauguration and the empowerment, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche followed His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang closely while entering the venue. During the entire ceremony, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was seated on a specially-arranged single seat sofa in the middle of the first row among the attendees, directly across from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang on the mandala. As the ceremony perfectly completed, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was invited to his personal lounge in the monastery to have lunch. After the completion the empowerment, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was the only one to accompany His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to leave the venue. At the same time, at the instruction His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche entered into the His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s lounge. Besides, several Rinpoches such as Nupa Rinpoche, Rasbsang Rinpoche and Nyizong Sopa Rinpoche, lamas, and believers all met with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in his lounge.

Dedication to Support and Promote the Lineage

The development of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and the establishment of its Buddhist centers in Taiwan began with His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s first visit to Taiwan in 1988, and have been closely connected to support provided by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.

1. At the end of 1988, His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche paid his first visit to Taiwan to propagate Buddhism. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche generously donated NT$100,000 before actually meeting with His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in person. At their first meeting, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang orally transmitted the practice of Vajrasattva to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Thereafter, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sought refuge with His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and started practicing Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. In 1989, the first Drikung Kagyu center, Drikung Kagyu Mahayana & Tantra Vihara, was founded in Taipei. Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche continuously financed and supported the center while serving as the chairman of the Dharma protection committee. In 1993, the Drikung Kagyu Buddhist Center was established in Neihu. With the financial support of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, all the Buddha statues and the interior decorations of Drikung Kagyu Mahayana & Tantra Vihara were moved to the Neihu center. Since then, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been supporting all the monthly expenses of the center.

2. In 2001, Drikung Vajra Dances performance group was on an island-wide tour in Taiwan. Considering that the performing lamas would encounter many daily life difficulties as they did not speak the Chinese language, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche implored His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to assign a Rinpoche capable of speaking Chinese to lead the lamas. Hence, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang assigned Senge Tenzin Rinpoche to take on this role. At completion of the performance tour, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche further suggested that Senge Tenzin Rinpoche act as the abbot of Neihu Center because the position was still vacant then. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang accepted this suggestion and hence assigned Senge Tenzin Rinpoche to take up residence in the Neihu Center.

3. In 2001, Drubgyu Tenphel Rinpoche offered a Tibetan canopy to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in India. Subsequently, while His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and Drubgyu Tenphel Rinpoche were having lunch under the canopy, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang instructed Tenphel Rinpoche to initiate his dharma activities in Taiwan and asked Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to assist him. In accordance, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche assisted Tenphel Rinpoche in founding the Drikung Kagyu Drupgyud Buddhist Center in Taipei. Additionally, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also sponsored part of the expenses of the Buddha statuary and construction of the Chokje Monastery in Yushu, Qinghai province.

Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche takes supporting the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and propagating Buddhism as his life-long mission. Ever since Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sought refuge with His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been making offerings and practicing generosities, providing exclusive support for the Lineage without hesitation. Various projects supported by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche are listed in the section “Staunch Support to The Lineage” In 2001, during the Snake Year Teachings held in Dehra Dun, India, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang openly commended Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s unswerving devotion to the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. During the inauguration ceremony of the Songtsen Library held in 2003, in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, the representatives from other sects and the international guests, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to be the most important disciple of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. In particular, during the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment bestowed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang designated Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to offer mandala to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage at completion of the puja. At that time, the Dalai Lama held Rinpoche’s cheeks in his hands to give blessing for quite some time. In 2008, during the Winter Teachings in which teachings and pith instructions of the Chagchen Gangama (Mahamudra of Ganges) were transmitted in Dehra Dun, India, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang especially praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche publicly in Tibetan, Chinese, and English languages in front of many international guests: “Simply speaking, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the abbot of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, has been my root disciple for more than 20 years since we met in 1988. From then on, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been making contributions to the lineage devoutly. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche restored the golden roofs of Drikung Thil Monastery, the main monastery of Drikung Kagyu lineage in Tibet, sponsored the Songtsen Library in Jangchubling, India, and provided help for all the Drikung Kagyu monasteries and retreat centers in need. Therefore, I hereby praise his great support to the Lineage. Besides, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led the pious disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center to take painstaking efforts to help with many matters here. The lamps for the Annual World Peace Prayer Gathering were brought from Taiwan by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and his disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. In India, no matter what the Drikung Kagyu Lineage needs, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always provide thorough support. Therefore, I take advantage of this occasion to express appreciation and present a khata to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Amitabha!”

Furthermore, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, on many occasions, praised Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for his contribution to the restoration of the golden roofs of the Cannons Library of Drikung Thil Monastery, which was built by Lord Jigten Sumgon over 800 years ago and had undergone several restorations. His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche ever prophesied that the Drikung Kagyu Lineage would flourish upon the completion of restoration of the golden roofs. When Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received the instruction from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to restore the golden roofs, there were no sources of funds at all. Nevertheless, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, with his absolute faith in the Guru, dedicated himself wholeheartedly and accomplished this mission in 2000. Thereafter, the Drikung Kagyu centers and monasteries have been flourishing all around the world and Drikung Kagyu’s teachings have been propagated extensively. It is an auspicious accomplishment by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, who have been making concerted efforts to spread the Buddhist teachings and promote the development of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Just as what His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang announced, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche will always be together on the Buddhist path to benefit more sentient beings.

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has not only exerted intensive efforts in supporting the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and financing its various projects, but also has accomplished much towards the propagation of Buddhism and the promotion of the Drikung Kagyu lineage on his own. Examples of his prior sponsorships were the Drikung Vajra Dances performance tour in Taiwan, which raised a fund of 200,000 USD for the construction and inauguration ceremony of the Songtsen Library, the Great Amitabha Pure Land Puja – Phowa and the Yidam Lohma Jolma Curing Puja presided by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, the traditional Mani Mantra recitation that is annually conducted by 250 lamas at the Drikung Thil Monastery around the clock for 45 consecutive days, the Great Drikung Teachings in Qinghai, the Terma Empowerment of the Eight Major Herukas in Qinghai, and various pujas and prayers conducted by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and other Rinpoches within the Lineage. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has never charged any participant fees and all the expenses have been solely sponsored by the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center. Additionally, proceeds from the attendees’ donations were completely contributed to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang or the Rinpoches that presided at the pujas as construction funds for various Buddhist monasteries, Buddhist colleges, or Tibetan elementary schools. All the pujas were attended by 1000 to 2000 people. Please see “Dedication to Promote Buddhism” for Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s numerous contributions in promoting the Lineage.

This being in the degenerate age of the Dharma and in view of the fact that numerous sentient beings have lost their lives due to natural disasters, accidents, wars, and epidemics and thereby fallen into lower realms, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche vowed with great compassion to help all sentient beings from the six realms and thus has held the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness annually since 2005. This puja was approved by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang personally and was blessed by many great yogis in the Order. The Great Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness is an extraordinary tantra of Drikung Kagyu and has to be performed by a Guru who has accomplished the practice of Phowa. For the puja, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang personally bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche four secret empowerments on a one-on- one basis.

In September 2005, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided at the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness. Upon completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated about NTD4,520,000 to the Ministry of the Interior for social welfare.

In August 2006, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided at the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness for the 2nd time. Over 10,000 people attended the puja. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche contributed around NTD 4,680,000 to the Ministry of the Interior for social welfare after completion of the puja.

In September, 2007, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousness for the third time. The puja was attended by 12000 people. At completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche contributed over NTD 4,890,000 to the Ministry of the Interior for social welfare.

In August of 2008, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided at the Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness for the fourth time. The puja was attended by 14,000. Upon completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche contributed his own and all the attendees’ offerings of over NT$ 4,160,000 to the Department of Social Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior for social welfare to help the disadvantaged and the needy and to form virtuous karmic connections for the sentient beings.

In October of 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over the auspicious Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism for the fifth time at the Taipei Arena. Over 13,000 people came to the puja. During this puja, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang donated 2 million NTD in cash to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior through Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, as a part of the post-Typhoon Morakot disaster reconstruction fund. Subsequently, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche also donated another 2 million NTD in cash plus 4.23 million NTD that the attendees offered, i.e. 6.23 million NTD in sum, all as a part of post-Typhoon Morakot disaster reconstruction fund. A total of 8.23 million NTD was donated for post-disaster reconstruction. The Ministry of the Interior particularly sent an appreciation letter to express their gratitude to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.

On October 3rd, 2010, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided at the annual Great Indiscriminated Amitabha Puja for Transferring Consciousness of Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The puja was attended by 20000 people. At completion of the puja, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche contributed all the proceeds from the attendees’ offering, a total of 6 million NTD, to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior for social welfare in the presence of a lawyer, an accountant, and bank representatives.

During the 6 years, from 2005 to 2010, the venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche donated a sum of 24 million NTD and each year Ministry of the Interior would send a special letter or a letter of appreciation to thank the venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Without propaganda through any posters but merely through oral propagation by disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, the number of attendees of those 6 pujas exceeded 54000 in total, including believers who traveled to Taiwan from places such as Japan, Hong Kong, Holland, France, India, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada, the Philippines, Brazil, and Mainland China. Additionally, Ngakpas, Geshes, Khenpos, lamas of other lineages as well as monks and nuns of Exoteric Buddhism attended the pujas on their initiatives. Thereby, the pujas were congregated by the Four Groups of Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni, Upasaka and Upasika in both Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism. This signifies that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche possesses, as do all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, vast merits and virtues, as well as the profound aspiration to save all sentient beings.

Besides spreading Buddhism in Taiwan, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche traveled to India many times and even went to the Sikh region of the northern Indian state of Punjab to preside over auspicious tantric pujas and give public speeches, thereby bringing the Buddhist teachings to the Sikh region. The puja attendees, deeply touched by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s compassion, expressed their greatest joy, utmost reverence and total submission by touching Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s feet with their forehead. A Sikh elder even implored Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to guide their people with Buddhism and visit the region twice a year to propagate the teachings. One journalist praised that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was the most precious gift from heaven. Every time when Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was in the area, many people would come to seek an audience. Regardless of his fatigue, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche bestowed teachings and blessings upon them. These incidents further signify that both the selfless compassion of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and the incredible power of the Buddhist teachings can surpass the boundaries of races, regions, languages and cultures and benefit vast sentient beings.

During the time when the pujas were held in the region, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang would especially have Khenpos and lamas bring a Dharma throne, musical instruments, and a practice table to help preparing the mandala, the Dharma throne, and rituals for the pujas. Many of the items were used solely by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang during pujas.

At the end of October, 2006, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, being a Vajra Guru of Tibetan Buddhism, was invited as the chief guest to deliver a speech and give out awards at the renowned M. G. N. school, in the Sikh region of the northern Indian state of Punjab.

In late February of 2007, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, at imploration of the Sikh, led 200 disciples to North India to conduct two pujas, one to transmit the Avalokiteshvara practice and the other to perform the Great Amitabha’s Puja for Transferring Consciousnesses. 500 Sikhs attended the pujas and were filled with Dharma joy.

In November 2008, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was again invited as the chief guest of the Annual Prize Distribution Function of M.G.N Public School, a renowned school in the Punjab province of the northern India.

In November 9, 2008, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted an auspicious Chod puja in Jalandhar, which was attended by approximately 250 Indian people and 200 disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Taiwan.

On November 15, 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted an auspicious Buddha Amitayus puja at the Regent Park Hotel of Jalandhar in Punjab Province of northern India. There were four 482 attendees, including 320 local Indian believers, 20 of who were people requested to participate on their own initiatives when they knew there would be such an auspicious puja at the hotel on the same day.

Furthermore, under the guidance of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, with his unparalleled perseverance and resolution, vast loving kindness and compassion, and indescribable wisdom, established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage in Kyoto, Japan. The center has turned a new page for the propagation of Tibetan Buddhism in Japan! In addition, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has conducted numerous pujas at the center and benefited countless sentient beings with auspicious tantric practices. More and more Japanese believers have been convinced by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s great loving kindness, compassion, and wisdom and thereby came to seek an audience. Since 2009, there have been Japanese believers seeking refuge and became Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s disciples.

Before establishing the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had led 300 disciples and believers to Kyoto, Japan, in mid-December, 2007, at request of the president of the Sagano Scenic Railway, to conduct a Chod puja, which was unprecedentedly performed on a running sightseeing train. Thousands of beings that had died along the railway and innumerable sentient beings in the universe were released from purgatory.

On May 29, 2008, under the guidance of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche established the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. The center is the first venue of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism in Japan. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, at Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s invitation, personally presided over the center’s inauguration ceremony and performed a sublime and auspicious fire puja in its yard, benefiting myriads of sentient beings in the universe.

On August 16, 2008, the Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted a Chod puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, Japan, for the first time, with over 80 attendees.

On December 20, 2008, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted an auspicious Buddha Amitayus puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Kyoto, Japan, with over 140 attendees.

On January 31, 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the practices of Black Water Jambhala, in the morning, and Elephant Jambhala, in the afternoon, at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 85 attendees.

On May 29 and 30, 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted a puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, celebrating the anniversary of the center’s inauguration. On May 29, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche conducted the rituals of Lamp Offering Prayer Chapter Two, Self-becoming Jewel Lamp Offering, and Lama Chopa. On May 30, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed an auspicious and rare fire puja. There were 129 and 131 attendees respectively on pujas held on May 29 and 30.

On August 16, 2009, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche presided over an auspicious Chod puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 108 attendees.

At noon of September 9th, 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received Master Noritake Shuunan (the Abbot of Reiun-in Temple of the Myōshin-ji of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan), Minamikei Okajima (a resident nun from the Honko-ji of the Myōshin-ji of Rinzai Zen Buddhism), the Master Xuan Shu (one of Abbot Noritake Shuunan’s disciples in Taiwan), and the accompanying dignitaries at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center in Taipei. Master Noritake Shuunan praised that Tibetan Buddhism is extraordinary and, after listening to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s enlightening advice, said to the disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, “You are very fortunate!”

On December 26, 2009, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the auspicious practice of Dorje Phurba at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 109 attendees.

On February 20, 2010, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed the practices of Black Water Jambhala and Elephant Jambhala at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 82 attendees.

On May 22, 2010, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed auspicious practices of Lama Chopa and Lamp offering at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 125 attendees.

On May 23, 2010, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed an auspicious tantric fire puja at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 132 attendees.

On August 16, 2010, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed an auspicious Amitabha puja for transferring consciousnesses at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 133 attendees.

On January 3, 2011, Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed auspicious practices of Thirty-Five Buddhas Repentance and Dorje Phurba at the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center, Kyoto, Japan, with 184 attendees.

Benefiting All Sentient Beings with Great Compassion

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has vowed to help all sentient beings to realize Buddhahood and is very well known for accomplishing “Chod” and “Phowa” perfectly, as well as for the recitation of incantations. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche possesses extraordinary powers to transfer the deceased’s consciousness to Pure Land and to heal illness. His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang once said that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s strength of empowerment was predominantly strong. Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche also said that any sentient beings from the six realms can be liberated upon hearing one Mani mantra from Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has frequently visited one hospital after another to bless patients suffering from myriad afflictions and incurable diseases. Those patients who deeply believe in Buddha Dharma and the law of causes and effects found their pain eased or even relieved completely after receiving Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s compassionate blessings. While the people felt fear and were suffering during the worldwide SARS period, the benevolent Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, considering the beings in need of help, still held regular pujas without interruption at different venues. All the attendees, as well as the surrounding areas, were safe and sound. Moreover, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche disregarded the risk of being infected with SARS and would go to the hospital immediately upon request to bless the inflicted. “How can we abandon sentient beings when they are in need?” Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche once said. His profound and extraordinary healing powers have also helped SARS patients, including an ER physician who survived SARS without any residual affects.

Over the years, as long as Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is in Taiwan, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always spares time to receive believers and disciples in need. To relieve their sufferings from birth, aging, illness, and death, or various problems about their spouses, families, career, and schoolwork, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche bestows the Buddhist teachings and blessing in their best interests upon each individual in accord with their unique condition and karmic connection. In the last decade, the number of people directly receiving Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s help has exceeded 1 million. The number of those receiving indirect help through their family members is beyond calculation.

Over the past years in Taiwan, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has held Chod pujas and group practices on a regular basis. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche received the empowerment of Chod from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in 2000 and has been able to perform it successfully. In 2006, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche an important Dharma instrument of his own to perform Chod. This also symbolizes that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has received the transmission of Chod directly from His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is the only great practitioner within the lineage that can conduct Chod for over 1000 people simultaneously. For decades, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has helped myriads of believers and disciples to transfer the consciousnesses of their relatives, ancestors, friends, and foes in previous lives and to eliminate negative karmic effects. Additionally, an incredible number of beings in the six realms have been liberated through this practice. Many cancer patients, as well as those with other serious medical conditions or chronic diseases, have had their conditions improved or even cured by attending Chod pujas. Those in deep coma have gradually convalesced because their spouses and relatives attended the Chod pujas with piety and utmost faith in Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. Currently, the amount of attendees at each puja nearly reaches 1300 people and some followers have even gone so far as to take flights from far off places such as Japan, India, Holland and Australia.

Many people with sufficient merits and virtues have received help from Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche at their deathbed and had their consciousness transferred to the Pure Land of Buddha Amitabha. By performing the extraordinary Phowa successfully, even if he is physically far away from the corpse, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche can transfer consciousness of the deceased. Those save by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche have manifested signs of accomplishment, exactly as were written and depicted in the sutras, such as: the corpse was cold yet the crown of the head was warm; the crown of the head appeared sunken and the skull bone showed a clear-cut round hole; muscles of the corpse remained soft and tender even after a long time; the complexion of the deceased looked peaceful and rosy; brownish fluid drained from the nostrils, specks on the corpse vanished; the deceased’s spouses and relatives felt less painful. There was even an occurrence in which heat was generated from the crown of the head of a frozen corpse which melted the ice into water drops. Moreover, when the consciousness was summoned to Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was able to know all the last grasping, yearnings, and attachments of the deceased prior to death. These signs and yearnings of the dead have all been reconfirmed by their family that oftentimes stunned every witness. There were occurrences, when performing retreat in India, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche performed Phowa successfully for the deceased in Taiwan and afterwards there appeared signs of success. This has proven the Phowa just as depicted in the Dharma text: Wherever a bird can fly, the power of Phowa can reach.

There were occurrences that faithful disciples or family members of disciples of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, who were on the verge of death with critical illnesses, were taken to the Buddhist center to attend the puja by their family and passed away peacefully during the puja. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche immediately performed the Phowa for them and had their family examine the auspicious signs shown at the completion of the Phowa. Over 1000 attendees were able to witness the extraordinary Phowa conducted by Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche. All were deeply touched and amazed. Furthermore, even though many deceased were unable to receive Phowa at the time of their passing, their family would attend the Chod pujas with absolute faith and reverence towards Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and thereby enable the deceased to be released from purgatory by the Chod puja. After the deceased’s bodies were cremated, they, too, showed an auspicious sign of completed Phowa, a clear-cut round hole penetrating through the crown chakra in the deceased’s skull bone, indicating that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had performed a successful practice.

In 2007, while Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche was conducting a retreat in the Lapchi Snow Mountains, the sacred place where Jetsun Milarepa had done his retreats, at an altitude of 4500 meters, a person whose family member passed away did prostrations reverently to the Dharma photo of Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche in the Glorious Jewel Jewellery Store on Yixian Road, Taipei. The deceased showed auspicious signs of completed Phowa as well, indicating that Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s vows, loving kindness, and compassion accord with Buddha Amitabha and can benefit every sentient being with firm faith.

Propagation of Orthodox Dharma and turning of the Dharma Wheel

With the compassion of Emptiness and wisdom, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche seeks neither fame nor wealth, but exerts his fullest strength to benefit all sentient beings by propagating Orthodox Dharma. For decades, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has been relieving the various worldly sufferings of numerous believers. Always keeping his faith in the principle “Be honest from deep inside”, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche never uses flattery with anyone. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche abides by the Buddhist doctrine in propagating the Dharma and benefiting all beings and as such he never fawns on his disciples. Any disciples who misbehave are seriously scolded, sometimes even physical discipline is called for, they also lose the opportunity to make offerings and are even driven out when necessary. Unlike others, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche never trades Buddhist teachings for wealth. When holding pujas, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche never charges the attendees, nor does he announce the names of the sponsors or have people pay for participating in the lamp lighting. He treats all sentient beings equally and donates the daily contributions from disciples to the support of the Dharma activities of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage.

Ever since Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche took refuge in His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in 1988, he has zealously cultivated the Buddhist doctrine, conformed to the Precepts, lived by the Dharma and been loyal to his root Guru and the Lineage. For instance, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche once made an international call to the United States to implore His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to orally transmit the practice of Guru Yoga to him, only after which Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche began to practice This has now become a model for all within the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Whenever his root Guru or the Lineage need him, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always fully devotes himself without hesitation and fears no obstacles. He would rather sacrifice everything he has than fail to meet their needs.

In November 2008, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche transmitted the teaching and the pith instructions of the Ganges Mahamudra (Mahamudra Upadesha, phyag chen gang ga ma) in Jangchubling Monastery, Dehra Dun, India. To show respect for the precious teachings of the Lineage, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche particularly led nearly 200 disciples from Taiwan to attend the teachings, which indicated the turning of the Dharma Wheel. At commencement of the teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offered mandala to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and additionally presented a rare and precious crystal ball and a valuable thangka. The clear and transparent crystal ball, 150 mm in diameter, was perfect and served as a symbol of the meaning of Mahamudra. Upon receiving the crystal ball, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang placed it on the Dharma table at once.

In September of 2009, the Chinese version of Most Venerable Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s extraordinary book entitled “Happiness and Suffering” was published. To this date, this book has been accepted into the collections of the Library of Congress of the United States, Harvard-Yenching Library of Harvard University, C.V. Starr East Asian Library of Columbia University, Kroch Library of Cornell University, Milton S. Eisenhower Library of Johns Hopkins University, Humanities Library of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and C.V. Starr East Asian Library of University of California at Berkeley. Prior to writing this book, Happiness and Suffering, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche had asked his root guru, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, for advice and implored His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang to compose the foreword for the book. As His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang granted Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s supplication, his blessing was bestowed. At seeing this book, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang knew that it is language prajna and, on behalf of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, approved the book for the benefit of the sentient beings. The reason why everyone benefits from the succinct expressions in the book lies in that there are blessings from the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the Lineage. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche edited the contents of this book in great caution, and personally designed the cover of the book. The cover design has profound implications in regard to attainment in practice and its meanings, just like the contents on the 240 pages in this book, concise and meaningful. This book has been much acclaimed since it was published. Besides the disciples, many Buddhists and non-Buddhists have been able to receive the nectar of wisdom bestowed by a practitioner through the book. Thereby, they can face all their happiness and suffering in daily lives with a healthier and decent attitude. By January, 2011, this book has sold over 25,000 copies. The Japanese version was published in September, 2009, and the English version in December, 2010. As more and more people around the world suffer from depression and manic depressive disorder, the various language versions of this book will be able to reach a greater population and liberate them from suffering.

His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche has given three reasons why Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche can successfully perform the practices of Chod and Phowa: his accumulated merits from previous lives, his advanced state of meditation and, most of all, his 100 percent loyalty to the Lineage. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has genuinely offered his body, speech and mind to his root Guru. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche does not only make offerings of money, but, even more importantly, he makes the greatest offering by zealously cultivating the Buddhist doctrine to benefit all sentient beings. Upon the successful completion of every retreat, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche prostrates himself before His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and pronounces, “I’m offering all the merits and virtues of my cultivation from this retreat to Your Holiness.” This is an excellent example of a Vajrayana disciple’s absolutely selfless offering to his Guru. In 2004, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offered a 3 kg pure gold statue of Lord Jigten Sumgon to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang during the inauguration ceremony of the Drikung Great Lotus Stupa in Lumbini. This was the first pure gold statue of Lord Jigten Sumgon in Drikung history. In 2005, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offered a house as His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche’s accommodation in New Delhi and a car so as to relieve His Holiness’s fatigue from traveling while propagating Buddhism. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche regards His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang as a father and a Buddha. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always exerts all his strength, takes the initiative, and uses the most delicate consideration when making offerings to His Holiness, thus presenting the true heart of a disciple.

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche’s loyalty to His Holiness and the Drikung Kagyu Lineage has never changed and never will. During the Drikung Kagyu Snake Year Teachings, before leading his disciples to offer mandala to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche personally composed the following pledge:

All the disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center Taiwan fully realize that even if we were to exhaust all the most precious jewels of the entire world and offer them to His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon, it would still be extremely inadequate to repay the grace of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in transmitting these invaluable teachings to us. It is precisely because of this that all of the disciples of the Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center Taiwan vow to zealously cultivate the Buddhist teachings, benefit all sentient beings and continue on the path to realize Buddhahood as our way of trying to repay the great kindness and grace which His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang has bestowed upon us. We sincerely wish His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang long life, perfect health, vast and successful dharma activities. May the flag of Drikung Kagyu fly in all the lands bordering the four oceans and may the Drikung Kagyu lineage be continuously transmitted forever, benefiting all sentient beings.

Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has kept his vows in promoting the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. What’s more, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche has taken action in recent years to make it a reality.

At the end of 2006, Most Venerable Yunga Rinpoche bestowed upon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche a statue of Manjushri, and prophesied that “the merits and virtues of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions are in Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche,” and “Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is capable of liberating all the sentient beings in six realms.” This shows how a Guru values a highly talented disciple in Tibetan Buddhism. Moreover, it is of great significance in the Drikung Kagyu lineage.

Updated on August 23, 2011