Garchen Buddhist Institute has announced that His Eminence Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche, the Eighth Garchen Rinpoche and one of the most senior lamas of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, is working through a viral illness and has invited practitioners around the world to dedicate prayers and practice for Rinpoche’s health and long life.
His Holiness Chungtsang Rinpoche, one of the heads of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, has personally called on the worldwide sangha to join in prayer offerings. Practitioners who are able are invited to accumulate the short Amitayus longevity mantra and/or to engage in Vajrasattva practice, dedicating the merit toward Garchen Rinpoche’s long life and good health.
The institute has made Amitayus prayers available for those who wish to participate.
Practice for the Long Life of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Amitayus Mantra Accumulation
Vajrasattva Sadhana
Click here to post your mantras accumulations
The Institute has also asked that well-wishers refrain from contacting their office directly for updates at this time, so that staff can focus fully on caring for Rinpoche and supporting the needs of the community.
Further updates will be shared through the Institute’s website and email list as new information becomes available.
BDG joins practitioners around the world in offering prayers for Garchen Rinpoche’s health and long life.
Born in Eastern Tibet in 1936, Garchen Rinpoche was recognized at a young age as the reincarnation of the 12th-century mahasiddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Jigten Sumgon, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage.
He entered into monastic life, studying under some of the most esteemed lamas of the Drikung lineage. From his teacher Siddha Chime Dorje he received vast and profound instructions on the preliminary practices (ngondro), the fivefold practice of Mahamudra, and the six yogas of Naropa.
At the age of 19, Rinpoche undertook a three-year retreat, which he was unable to complete due to the Chinese invasion of Tibet. At 22, he imprisoned for 20 years and placed in a labor camp for his efforts to defend Tibet and preserve the Buddhadharma. While in prison, Garchen Rinpoche met his root guru, the Nyingma master Khenpo Munsel, from whom he received many profound teachings while practicing in secrecy.
Following his release from prison in 1979, Garchen Rinpoche worked tirelessly to rebuild the Drikung Kagyu monasteries in Eastern Tibet and establish two boarding schools for local children.
Rinpoche has dedicated his life to preserving and spreading the Buddhadharma, and now has centers across Asia, Europe, and North and South America, with his main seat at Garchen Buddhist Institute in Arizona.
Garchen Rinpoche is an eminent master of the practices of Mahamudra and Dzogchen, Tummo, the Six Yogas of Naropa, the 37 Bodhisattva Practices, among others.
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