His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
Short Biography
His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, the 37
th
throne holder of the Drikung KagyuLineage and 7
th
reincarnation of the Chetsang Rinpoche is a manifestation of Chenrezig(Avalokiteshvara).Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Konchog Tenzin Kunsang Thrinle Lhundrup, was born on the4
th
day of the 6
th
Tibetan month of the Fire-Dog-Year 1946 into the aristocratic family of Tsarong in Lhasa. This auspicious day marks the anniversary of the Buddha’s first turningof the Wheel of Dharma. Many prodigious signs and visions accompanied his birth. Hisgrandfather, Dasang Damdul Tsarong (1888-1959), has been the favorite of the 13
th
DalaiLama (1876-1933), Commander General of the Tibetan army and one of the mostinfluential political figures in the early 20
th
century in Tibet. Chetsangs father, DundulNamgyal Tsarong (b. 1920), held a high office in the Tibetan Government and he was stillactive in important positions for the Exile Government in Dharamsala after the escape of the Dalai Lama and the cabinet ministers. His mother, Yangchen Dolkar, is from the noblehouse of Ragashar, which descended from the ancient royal dynasty.Few years after the passing of the previous Drikung Kyabgon, Shiwe Lodro (1886-1943),two parties began to look for his reincarnation throughout Tibet. Based on a vision of theDrikung regent Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche (1924-1979) at the oracular lake Lhamo Latsoand on many additional divinatory signs, in 1950 the son of the Tsarong family wasrecognized as the reincarnation of the Drikung Kyabgon. The boy subsequently passednumerous tests, such as identifying religious items and ritual objects of his formerincarnations. His incarnation was further confirmed by divinations performed by TaktraRinpoche (the Regent of Tibet), H.H. the 16
th
Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, and H.H.Taklung Matrul.In the fall of 1950 the formal enthronement as Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang took place atDrikung Thil, the main monastery of the Drikung Kagyu order. Immediately thereafter thefirst Chinese invasion of Tibet took place. Rinpoche was allowed to travel to Kalimpong inNorthern India with his family, in order to stay in a safe place. His older brother and histwo sisters were attending boarding-schools in Darjeeling. After some months Rinpochewas met by a delegation from the Drikung monastery and brought back to Tibet.According to ancient tradition, Chetsang Rinpoche resided in turns in one of the four mainmonasteries: In the spring in Drikung Tse, during the summer in Yangrigar, in autumn inDrikung Thil, and during the winter in Drikung Dzong, which also served as theadministrative center of Drikung. His spiritual instructors (yongzin), Tritsab GyabraRinpoche and Ayang Thubten Rinpoche (1899-1966), were responsible for his education.His curriculum included reading, writing, memorizing, astrology, and grammar. From hisyongzin and from Bhalok Thupten Chodrak Rinpoche, Lho Bongtrul Rinpoche, andNyidzong Tripa he received the basic empowerments, transmissions, and teachings of theKagyu tradition and the Drikung Kagyu tradition in particular.
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