Urgyen Tenzin Rinpoche

The venerable Urgyen Tenzin Rinpoche was born in 1945 in Solukhumbu, eastern Nepal.

At the age of eight, under the guidance of Lama Nabo Rinpoche, he was ordained at Sangdak Gyepel Ling Monastery. Under his guidance he received a Buddhist education, including scriptural study, writing, ritual practice, recitation and various ceremonial activities. His principal practice was Tibetan Buddhist yoga.

From 1953 to 1967 he studied and completed the course of Buddhist philosophy and was granted the Lopön degree at Sangdak Gyepel Ling. In the following years he began teaching within the monastery and took on the duties of a vajra master and other responsibilities, fulfilling his monastic duties.

Having fully mastered the advanced teachings of Vajrayāna Buddhism, the Rinpoche undertook six years of strict retreat, and Lama Nabo Rinpoche formally enthroned him, conferring the title of Vajrayāna yoga master. He then studied under many renowned masters.

The Rinpoche came to know the late His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and began to follow his teaching. For several years he served the venerable master at Dudjom Rinpoche's residence in Thamel, Nepal, assisting in the compilation of the 25-volume Treasury of Teachings.

The Rinpoche received many empowerments and oral transmissions, including the Four Heart-Essences, the Rinchen Terdzö, and the kama and terma teachings from authentic masters.

After His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's parinirvāṇa in 1987, on the advice of the Rinpoche's widow Sangyum Rigzin Wangmo, Mr. Namgyal Sherpa established Ugen Do-ngag Choling Monastery in 1989. The Rinpoche served as its abbot until 2015.

In response to his yogi disciples' requests for deeper meditation instruction, the Rinpoche founded the Namdrol Kangsang Ling Gonchen Association in 2015. He continues to head the association, where he transmits the Dharma, bestows empowerments, and guides many practitioners to suitable retreat centres.

In 2025 the Rinpoche came to Taiwan to bestow the empowerment of the Tröma Nagmo Chöd (the Black Wrathful Ḍākinī's practice of severance) and the Green Tārā empowerment for the benefit of the beings of Taiwan. He is currently in continued retreat at the sacred site of Pharping, associated with Guru Padmasambhava.