About H.E. Dagyab Kyabgoen Loden Sherab Rinpoche

His Eminence Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche belongs to the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dagyab Kyabgoens have been the spiritual head of the Dagyab region in Eastern Tibet, and carrys the title Hothogthu Nomonhan (‘Hothogthu’ means noble, ‘Nomonhan’ refers to the King of Dharma). This title is exclusive to a group of most outstanding and highest-ranking Lamas.

Tweet

Early Learning

Rinpoche was born on 27th July 1940 in Menya, Eastern Tibet. In 1945, Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the 9th Kyabgoen of Dagyab (Patron of Dagyab). Rinpoche studied at the Drepung monastery, one of the 3 main monastic universities in Central Tibet and has also achieved the title of Geshe Lharampa (a qualification which is equivalent to the PHD degree in Indian universities), the highest degree awarded in Tibetan Buddhism.

Turning the Wheel of Dharma

In 1966, Rinpoche was invited by the University of Bonn to Germany, and became a research scientist in the field of Tibetan studies at the University. After several requests from people in Germany for Buddhist teachings, Rinpoche started to give teachings in the Europe, which led to the founding of Tibethouse in 1984. Rinpoche is also the Spiritual Head of Tibethouse Germany since 2005. Rinpoche travels to many parts of the world to give Dharma teachings, and is especially known in the West for his practise-oriented, intensive and enthusiastic way of teaching Tantra. Rinpoche has since given Dharma teachings in many parts of the world including Holland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, America, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Tibet. In his teachings, he emphasizes the importance of practicing the Buddha Dharma in a simple way without cultural bias and he greatly encourages his students to integrate Buddhist practice into daily life. He teaches in the Tibetan, English and German language.

Rinpoche is known to hold the most transmissions of the Gelugpa lineage, as well as a vast number of transmissions of the Sakya and Kagyu schools. Rinpoche himself received many teachings from different Tibetan Buddhist traditions, particularly from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his two Tutors, as well as His Holiness Sakya Trizin and Kalu Rinpoche. He was also one of the closest students of the late Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche, the junior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche is a one of the rare living Masters today who holds almost all the transmissions and lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

External Links

Read about H.E. Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche on Wikipedia
Read about H.E. Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche on Wikipedia German

H.E. Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche & the Protector Setrap

H.E. Dagyab Rinpoche is especially connected to Protector Setrap due to his line of reincarnation. The Dharma Protector Setrap is a manifestation of Buddha Amitabha in wrathful form, and resides in the Western Pure Realm of Sukhavati.

There is a legendary history attached to Protector Setrap - when the Great Translator Ngog Lotsawa Loden Sherab (1059-1109) was in India and about to return to Tibet to introduce the Prajnaparamita and Pramanavartika teachings, he was approached by a Brahmin from Nalanda who claimed to be the special protector of these dharma teachings. After detailed examination, Loden Sherab recognized his authenticity and brought him to Tibet, and ever since, Setrap has been the special Dharma Protector wherever Prajnaparamita and Pramanavartik is being taught.

Protector Setrap became the protector of the Dagyab region in eastern Tibet, and is also the special protector of Menya; coincidentally, this is where Rinpoche was born. Since all Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoches are also considered to be reincarnations of the Great Translator Ngog Lotsawa Loden Sherab himself, Rinpoche is considered to have a very special connection with Protector Setrap not only in this life, but in all past lifetimes as well.