Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (born October 15, 1982) is the current tulku of the third Trijang Rinpoche.[1] Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is the current principal throne holder of Shar Gaden Monastic University in South India, Karnataka and also the spiritual director of Trijang Buddhist Institute in Northfield, Vermont. [2][3] The search for the reincarnation began on January 31, 1984. Shartse Abbot Lati Rinpoche, Jangchup Tsultim, Phukhang Geshe Tashi Norbu, Ngakre Phuntsok Tsultim and Kungo Palden, traveled all throughout India and Nepal searching for the true reincarnation. They initially assembled 544 candidates and from them ninety nine were selected from after further screening. Among the 99, there were eight that were very unique and those names were presented to the Dalai Lama.[4] On December 24th, 1984, the Dalai Lama conducted divination in front of the holy relics of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s relics in Mundgod, South India. It showed that Tsering Gyurme(Trijang Rinpoche’s birth name), son of Sonam Topgyal and Lobsang Drolma was the true reincarnation. Another divination was done whether to contact the family right away or to wait, and based on the result, they decided to wait. On April 22nd, 1985, the Dalai Lama conducted another divination alongside Shartse Abbot Lati Rinpoche and Kungo Palden and it was confimed that the son of Sonam Topgyal and Lobsang Drolma is indeed the unmistaken and the true reincarnation.[4] The news was broadcast on the Tibetan language channel of All India Radio. It quickly spread everywhere like a wildfire, bringing joy and happiness to everyone.[5] First audience of Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche was on July 1st, 1986 during the hair-cutting ceremony. Hundred deities of Tushita was recited by the Dalai Lama and named Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche Tenzin Lobsang Yeshe Gyatso and offered him sacred statue of Buddha. July 14th, 1986 was his enthronement ceremony at the Ganden Shartse Monastery. Huge celebration took place where he was enthroned as the supreme reincarnation of Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.[6]

In recent years, Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche has established the Trijang Buddhist Institute in the city of Northfield, Vermont, in the United States.[7] He presently serves as its spiritual director. The Trijang Buddhist Institute provides a public programme of meditations, and pujas, teachings by Geshe Cheming, Geshe Sopa and Tharchen Lobsang, and Tibetan language lessons.