Ayang Rinpoche

Life

H. E. (His Eminence) Chöje Ayang Tulku Rinpoche (born 1942) was born in a nomadic family in Eastern Tibet. Ven. Ayang Rinpoche died in Mysuru, Karnataka, India on December 4th 2024.

He held both Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. The young boy was recognised by a delegation of high lamas, including the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ayang Drubchen Tenpai Nyinpa, Nelong Drubchen, Traleg Kyagbon, and the tutor of Drikung Kyobgon Chabra Rinpoche, as the mind (wisdom) emanation of Terton Rigzin Chögyal Dorje and the seventh incarnation of the founder of the Ayang Monastery in Eastern Tibet (Kham), which was built around 1580 C.E. as a branch of the main Drikung monastery. He took his monk's vows and received his early training at Drikung Thil Changchub Ling, the main Drikung Kagyu monastery in central Tibet. From 1951 to 1955 he studied at Drikung Nyima Changra Philosophical College in central Tibet. From Khenpo Tsense Sangpo he received all the Nyingthig initiations and teachings as well as his first Phowa teaching according to the Nyingma tradition. From the great Drikung lama Nyizong Tripa he received all the initiations of Rinchen Ter Dzod and Kagyu Nag Dzod. From his own monastery, Ayang Thupten Rinpoche, who was also the tutor of the head of the Drikung lineage, bestowed on him teachings of the Six Yogas of Naropa and Mahamudra. He received teachings on Drikung Phowa from both Drikung Kyobgon Chetsang Rinpoche and Drikung Kyobgon Chungsang Rinpoche, the heads of the Drikung lineage, during the Phowa Chenmo, which takes place only once every twelve years. He was given the Upadesha (pointing out instructions) by the great Nyingma yogi Rahor Chödra Rinpoche.