Buddhist Events: September 2009

The quality manifestation of the 3^rd Palme Khyentse Rinpoche was born in Taiwan where he is known as Ying-Chieh Huang. Tulku Palme Khyentse Rinpoche is acknowledged as the mind manifestation of the first Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) that was born into the Palme Monastery in Nangchen, Eastern Tibet. The 2^nd Palme Khyentse Kunzang Drodul (1897-1945) took the 34^th Drikung Kagyu Throne Holder H.H. Tenzin Shiwe Lodrö (6^th Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche (1886-1943) as his root guru and discovered with pure vision as well as from earth and mind treasures eight volumes of Treasure Texts (terma). His remarkable achievement also earned him the name 'Chakaravarti of all treasure revealers', a compliment paid by the 16^th Karmapa (1924-981), who had received teachings from him.

The quality manifestation of the 3^rd Palme Khyentse Rinpoche was recognized by the 37^th Drikung Kagyu Throne Holder, H.H. Tenzin Thrinle Lhundrub (7^th Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche , 1946-), who, at the request of the 9^th Lho Kunsang Rinpoche (1942-), head of the Palme Monastery, identified him by direct insight and pure vision. The 3^rd Palme Khyentse Rinpoche was given the name Konchog Tenzin Drodul Lingpa. His recognition was backed by H.H. Sakya Trizin.

In his childhood the 3^rd Palme Khyentse Rinpoche was keen on participating in religious activities. Since 1985 he began to be seen as an oral interpreter in ritual ceremonies organized not merely by the four great schools of Tibetan Buddhism but also by groups of Theravada Buddhism. Since then he has been responsible for oral interpretation at more than 1000 ritual ceremonies and translated at least 25 books about Buddhism. In 1995 he was approved by H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche a qualified Acharya in Sutrayana, and awarded the certificate, garment, robe and hat corresponding to this status. He was later on encouraged by H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche to study at the International Buddhist Academy (IBA) in Kathmandu, Nepal, which was founded by the most Ven. Khenchen Appey Rinpoche of the Sakya School. After completing the four-year course on Madhyamaka, Logic, Abhidharma, Prajna and various texts of practice, he passed all the examinations with distinction.

As to knowledge of esoteric Buddhism, he takes H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche as his root lama from whom he has received the complete teachings of the Drikung Kagyu School. He has also received over 1,000 empowerments from H.H. Sakya Trizin as well as oral instructions of 'the collection of Sadhana' and 'the collection of Tantra'. Under H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche's instruction, he completed various retreats, including Lama, Yidam, Dakini, Protector, which are mainly based on The Five-fold Mahamudra and The Six Yogas of Naropa. Thus he became a qualified Vajra-Acharya in Tantrayana authorized by both H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche and H.H. Sakya Trizin.

In addition, he also earned a BA in Sociology from Fu Jen Catholic University, a MA in Religious Study from Hsuan Chuang University, and a PhD in Buddhist Study from Huafan University, Taiwan. He is now an Assistant Professor at the Research Center of Humanistic Education, Huafan University, and the chair of the Research Center of Tradition and Modern Buddhism at the same university. In the year 2008, he began to shoulder the responsibility given by Lho Kunsang Rinpoche for the development and distribution of the teachings inherited for centuries at the Palme Monastery around the Chinese speaking world.