Biography

The fifth Kathok Situ Rinpoche, Ngedon Choeki Droenme alias Jamgoen Choeki Dorji Rinpoche was born in Darjeeling, India, in the year 1978, corresponding to the 16th Rabjung of the Male Earth Horse year, to the noble descendent of Jathri Tsenpo and Thrisong Deutsen’s Royal clan of Powo Namgyel, with Terchen Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji’s lineage son Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche as the father; and Her Royal Highness Ashi Pema Choden Wangchuck as the mother, who is the descendent of the Nyoed clan, i.e. Terton Pema Lingpa’s descendent of the Bhutanese Royal family.

At early age, Rinpoche could recollect his past lives very lucidly and his grandfather Terchen Dudjom Rinpoche recognized him as the unmistakable reincarnation of the 4th Situ Rinpoche, Similarly, Kyabje Jadral Sangay Dorji Rinpoche and Moktrul Rinpoche Jigdrel Lodroe Tenpa Gyaltshen Pel Zangpo made rich offerings of the ceremonial dress to Rinpoche.

In the Dodul Dorji’s prophecy, it is said as follows:

“Presently a young child called Lotsha,
In future, in the west of the Kathok,
You’ll be proclaimed with a roaring sound as the Dharma holder,
Thus, fuelling the Dharma-torch of the Vajrayana teachings,
Thereby, liberating the beings through seeing, hearing, thinking and touching”
Rinpoche was auspiciously named as Ngedon Choeki Droenme Thinley Kuenchap Pel Zangpo.

In the words of Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche:

“With the aspirations of Maitreya Buddha, the glorious Sun of the Dharma,
Intended with the unfailing, Vajra-oath,
In this world, the glory of learning and practice
Hindrances will not be able to trample, but emit radiant light rays,
Live ever longer and further conquer the five degenerated poisons,
May he live for eons as the ornament of the World,
The three-roots of precious gems, protectors, deities and Rahula;
May he be safeguarded at all times by the host of excellent one”.

Thus, Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche composed the above long life prayer for His Eminence Kathok Situ Rinpoche and good-wishes prayer soliciting the support and protection for the Buddha Dharma in general and Kathok Lineage in particular, for the peace and harmony of the sentient beings.

During the His Holiness Kyabje Drupwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, Thupten Drupchoe Ki Drayang Pel Zangpo as the head of the Nyingma tradition, while giving the Namchoe Mijur Dorji’s teachings to the Trulkus, Lams, Khenpos and the general public at the Phuntsholing, Bhutan, an elaborate golden enthronement ceremony was observed for His Eminence Kathok Situ Rinpoche, which was presided over by His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche.

After this, again at the sublime land of the Dorji Den (Vajra-Seat – Bodh Gaya), coinciding with the annual Ngagur Moenlam Chenmo, in the presence of thousands of Trulkus, Khenpos and others, on the golden throne of the previous Situ Rinpoche, an elaborate enthronement ceremony was held, which was witnessed by all.

Then after the Lord of the Dharma, Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche, along with many Lamas, Trulkus and the sponsors/patrons/devotess of the Buddha Dharma with great jubilations and devotion made a warm reception at Pel Rigzin Drupai Gatsel Monastery in Yanglasho, Nepal and there too, an elaborate enthronement ceremony was held.

Then, under His Holiness Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche’s guidance and after learning from numerous other learned tutors, masters on the basics of reading, writing, Ngoendro practices including the abhisekha vows and blessings, Rinpoche still undergoes rigorous learning and practice sessions for the benefits of the Buddha-Dharma and the sentient beings.