Rahob Rinpoche
Thupten Kalsang was
recognized at the age of one through a dream of the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche
Thupten Chukyi Dorje as the reincarnated
Head Lama Jyamyang Drupbai Wampo. After much observation and the approval
from his parents, Rahob Rinpoche followed traditional studies and trainings
at his monastery. In 1952 he began his seven years education at Drepunt
University in Lhasa. Later after graduating from Varanasi Sanskrit University
in India, he spent ten years practicing in the Teravedan tradition in
Thailand and seven years teaching and working with Zen and Shingon Masters in
Japan. In 1979 he received an invitation as an adjunct professor and taught
two years each at University of Massachusetts, Harvard Divinity School and
Tuft University Theology Department before becoming an American. |
In
1998, Rahob Rinpoche established
the Rahob Development Project, Inc., a non-profit organization and the Rahob
Dharma Center in the lovely Berkshires area of New York at the three corners of
NY, VT, and MA. Practice, events
and retreats by the Rinpoche are ongoing and are aimed at bridging the
traditional teachings from his Rahob Monastery with practitioners here in the
West.
In 1460, the
Fifth Dalai Lama ruled
as the sole spiritual leader of Tibet. At the same time, Jamlang Tsultrim
Dorje, one of the chief disciples of Kunzang Sherub, founded Rahob Monastery.
There have been nine throne-holders at Rahob Monastery since that time. |
The ninth throne-holder, Rahob
Rinpoche, Tupten Kalsang
was pronounced as the reincarnation of the renowned Master Jamyang Drupbai Wampo
after much searching and testing. At Rabob, Rinpoche studied the six forms of Tibetan
calligraphy, natural medicine, Sanskrit, poetry, astrology for healing, and
many volumes of Buddhist logic and debate, as well as rituals for
purifications, initiation and healings. Later, at Drepung University in Lhasa
he studied advanced logic and debate and the immense volumes of the
Pramana-vatika, the Prajna Paramita, the Madhyamika, the Abhidharma, and the
Vinaya.
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