About Kangyur Rinpoche Lobsang Chophel

His Eminence Kangyur Rinpoche Lobsang Choephel was born in 1920 in Tibet, in a small village called Medoe Chumba (near Lhasa). Since a child, Rinpoche behaved rather differently from other children. He did little play and spent most of his time doing prayers and pujas; he also chooses to wear only yellow and red-colored clothes. At the tender age of 9, Rinpoche became a monk in the renowned monastic university - Gaden Shartse Monastery in Tibet.

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Early Learning

Gaden Shartse Monastery provided Rinpoche his foundational studies of Tibetan Grammar, and he grew up focusing on the study of various Buddhist philosophies. Rinpoche received many precious lineage teachings from highly-realised Masters such as Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche; and practised meditation under their guidance.

In 1959 due to the Chinese occupation, Rinpoche escaped to India. There, he lived in a hill station called Dalahousie, and together with other monks of Gaden Shartse, they continued their practice of daily prayer rituals as they would perform in the Monastery. Rinpoche also continued his studies and received many teachings from his Guru, the great Lama – Kyabje Panang Rinpoche, and devoted most of his time in the intensive practice of Lam Rim

Turning the Wheel of Dharma

In 1974, by the request of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Rinpoche went to Kennour (near Spiti, India) to impart the teachings of the Buddhist scripture – Kangyur, to further spread Buddhism there. Geshe-la gave the oral transmission of the Kangyur teachings for a whole duration of ten months, and on the last day, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited Kennour personally - as deeply wished by all villagers. Rejoicing in the unfaltering effort and commitment to teaching, His Holiness conferred the title of “Kangyur Rinpoche” upon Geshe-la.

In 1975, Rinpoche undertook examinations and got the Geshe degree. In 1976, Rinpoche was specially selected to represent Gaden Shartse Monastery in the World Tour – together with 8 other monks. That was the first World Tour that Monastery ever organized, and the monks spent nearly a year traveling various Western countries to spread the Buddha’s teachings, Tibetan culture as well as performed prayer rituals.

Rinpoche was also specially nominated by Kyabje Trijiang Rinpoche to undertake the position of the Abbot of Gaden Choeling Nunnery in Macloganc, Dharamsala. He held abbotship for 15 years, and due to his dedicated effort and wisdom in managing the welfare of the Nunnery, their education system has since developed and improved tremendously.

Rinpoche had always wanted to stay in spiritual retreat for his whole lifetime. However, because he was a very rarely skilled talent in healing practices, His Holiness had specially requested for Rinpoche to undertake retreats of a few months each year only. This would enable Rinpoche to continue healing and caring for the sick patients who flock in search of his name.

Today, Rinpoche is 90 years old and resides permanently in Dharamsala. Many centers from all over the world have requested for Rinpoche to visit, but due to age, Rinpoche declined to travel. Hence this time Dro-Phen Ling is truly honoured that Rinpoche has most compassionately agreed to visit our centre. We are calling out to all of you (or people whom you know) who have encountered any of the above-mentioned problems. This is an exclusive visit especially to help and benefit the people of Singapore, hence do treasure this opportunity to seek His blessings and guidance.