The 10th Rigzin Chenpo Jigmey Thupten Namdrol Gyatso

The 10^th Rigzin Chenpo Jigmey Thupten Namdrol Gyatso

The 10th incarnation of Terton Rigzin Godem, Rigzin Namgyal Gyatso, was the immediate reincarnation of Dorje Drak Kyabgon Rigzin Thupten Chowang Nyamnyi Dorje. He was the eighth throne holder of Thupten Dorje Drak, the mother monastery of the Nyingma tradition. He was born in the 16th Rabjung, Fire-Mouse year (1936) near the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa at Dranag Zhol Dekyi Khangsar to father Tenzin Dorje and mother Detong Nyingje Chen Drolma.

The 5th Radeng Rinpoche, Thubten Jampal Yeshe Tenpai Gyaltsen, cut his first hair and gave him the name Thubten Jigme Namdrol Gyatso. He was enthroned as the throne holder of Thupten Dorje Drak Monastery. He pursued his education and became well-versed in various fields of knowledge. He received most of the empowerments and transmissions of the Northern Treasures (Jangter), especially the Dzogchen Gongpa Zangthal, from his predecessor’s disciple, Derge Dzachukha’s Gotsa Khenchen Thekchok Tenzin (also known as Jamyang Rigpai Dorje). Additionally, he studied under numerous teachers including Minling Khen Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje, receiving extensive training in common sciences as well as sutra, tantra, and the ripening and liberating teachings of Kama and Terma traditions, becoming unsurpassably learned.

From Gotsa Khenchen Thekchok Tenzin, he received the complete empowerments and transmissions of Rigzin Godem’s treasure teachings, the Northern Treasures, and detailed instructions on Dzogchen Gongpa Zangthal based on the instructional text written by Zur kunkhyen Choying Rangdrol.

Later, due to changing times, the seat of Dorje Drak fell into decline. Through his aspirations and kindness, in the 16th Rabjung, Wood-Ox year (1985), he rebuilt a temple with sixteen pillars, including a main sanctuary, protector chapel, residential quarters, and internal sacred objects such as a statue of Guru Rinpoche made of gold and copper, along with monk’s quarters.

In India, he had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and received teachings. He traveled to Dorje Drak in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, where he met with H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. Later He also stayed in Kathmandu, Nepal for several months with Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche before returning to Tibet.

In his sixty-fifth year, in the 16th Rabjung, Iron-Dragon year (2000), he was invited to Kham by Derge Dzachukha’s Gotsa Monastery. At that time, he visited Serta Larung Five Sciences Buddhist Academy and met with the holy Dharma lord Khenchen Yidzhin Norbu Jigme Phuntsok Jungne. In the Fire-Dog year (2006), he was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly built monastery in Dartsedo, and he visited there, benefiting countless beings.

His written works include “A Brief history of the Origin of Thupten Dorje Drak, the Seat of the Early Translation Nyingma Tradition.” On the 12th day of the Miracle Month (First Month) in 2024, he passed into the dharmadhatu at his residence in the holy land of central Lhasa.

Alternative Names: Rigdzin Namdrol Gyatso, Jampal Lobzang, Dorje Drak Jampal Lobzang, Thubten Jigme Namdrol Gyatso, Dorje Drak Kyabgon Jetsun Thubten Jigme Namgyal Gyatso.