Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche was born in 1965 at Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Center) in Sikkim, India. His birth was prophesied by the supreme head of the Kagyu lineage, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa, to Ponlop Rinpoche's parents, Dhamchö Yongdu, the General Secretary of the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, and his wife, Lekshey Drolma. Upon his birth, he was recognized by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa as the seventh in the line of Dzogchen Ponlop incarnations and was formally enthroned as the Seventh Dzogchen Ponlop at Rumtek Monastery in 1968.[1]
After receiving Buddhist refuge and bodhisattva vows from the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Dzogchen Ponlop was ordained as a novice monk in 1974. He subsequently received full ordination and became a bhikṣu, although he later returned his vows and is now a lay teacher.
Rinpoche began studying Buddhist philosophy at the primary school in Rumtek at age 12. In 1979 (when Rinpoche was fourteen), the 16th Karmapa proclaimed Ponlop Rinpoche to be a heart son of the Gyalwang Karmapa and a holder of his Karma Kagyu lineage. In 1980 on his first trip to the West, he accompanied the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa to Europe, United States, Canada, and Southeast Asia. While serving as the Karmapa's attendant, he also gave dharma teachings and assisted in ceremonial roles during these travels.[2]
In 1981, he entered the monastic college at Rumtek, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies where he studied the fields of Buddhist philosophy, psychology, logic, and debate. During his time at Rumtek, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche worked for the Students' Welfare Union, served as head librarian, and was the chief-editor of the Nalandakirti Journal, an annual publication which brings together Eastern and Western views on Buddhism. Rinpoche graduated in 1990 as Ka-rabjampa from Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies in Rumtek Monastery. (Ka-rabjampa means "one with unobstructed knowledge of scriptures", the Kagyu equivalent of the Sakya and Gelug's geshe degree.) He simultaneously earned the degree of Acharya, or Master of Buddhist Philosophy, from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. Dzogchen Ponlop has also completed studies in English and comparative religion at Columbia University in New York City.
Works
As a witty, humorous and sensitive speaker, he is warmly greeted worldwide; as a teacher and prolific author[3] Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is well known for his teaching contributions to Bodhi Magazine, Lion's Roar, Buddhadharma, and elsewhere. He has also penned a number of books and articles:
Dzogchen Ponlop (2003). Wild Awakening: The Heart of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Shambhala Publications. ISBN978-8174721211.
2003: "Brief Histories of the Sixteen Karmapas". in Martin, Michele (2004). Music in the sky : the life, art, and teachings of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje (1st Indian ed.). New Delhi: New Age Books. ISBN978-8178221939.
Organizations
Nalandabodhi
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is the founder and spiritual director of Nalandabodhi, an international Buddhist community with centers in multiple countries around the world. Nalandabodhi provides paths of study, meditation, and mindful activity rooted in the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Nitartha International
7th Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche teaching on 21 October 2007
The Nitartha Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies was founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 1996 under the guidance of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. Taught by Tibetan and Western teachers, Nitartha courses are modeled on the Tibetan monastic college system (shedra). Nitartha courses are held online and at various locations around the world. In addition, an intensive annual Summer Institute is held in the US Pacific Northwest that also provides deeper training in meditation, and classes in traditional Buddhist arts and healing.
Bodhi Seeds
Bodhi Seeds is a humanitarian organization founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche to help with the many needs of monastic and lay communities in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Bodhi Seeds is currently supporting medical clinics in Rumtek, India, and Legon, Tibet.
