H.E. Ven. Lingtrul Rinpoche

He was recognized from the age of three, by H.H. Kathok Chatsa Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Ling Lama Chökyi Dorje, (the founder of Tra Ling monastery) and thus is an emanation of of Vimalamitra and Longchenpa. He is the 8th Throneholder of Tra Ling, Golok, in Tibet.

By the time he was three years of age, he was recognized as the incarnation of Ling Lama Chökyi Dorje by many great lamas in the Golok area. At the time, due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, his identity was kept secret.

"As a young tulku, Lingtrul Rinpoche was forced to work in labor camps and hide any sign of interest in Buddhism. In 1983 the Chinese government lifted the restrictions on religious practice, and Lingtrul Rinpoche was able to meet with his root teacher, the great Khenpo Munsel.

The lineage of the Clear Light Great Perfection teachings began with the Dharmakaya Buddha and was passed gradually from teacher to disciple, through Khenpo Munsel to Lingtrul Rinpoche. As one of Khenpo Munsel’s closest heart sons, Lingtrul Rinpoche received all the transmissions of the Clear Light Great Perfection over a period of 3-4 years. In retreat he practiced all the development stages of the Vajrayana from the preliminary practices through Trekchöd and Todgyal. He also received all of the Longchen Nyingthig transmissions as well as many other empowerments.

At the age of 37, Lingtrul Rinpoche journeyed to central Tibet, Nepal and India to visit the great power spots in these holy lands. While in Sikkim he was imprisoned for 6 months and then rescued by H.H. Dodrubchen Rinpoche. Shortly thereafter he was invited to the United States.

He diligently and devotedly studied with many great teachers such as the great Khenpo Münsel from whom he received the entire Dzogchen teachings.



In 1983 He established the Kathok Centre, in Coombs, British Columbia, and worked diligently for the Centre until he resigned as director in 2017. He lives in semi-retreat, travelling and teaching selected students. Presently, Lingtrul Rinpoche maintains residences at Tra Ling Monastery, in Golok; at Kathok Gonpa, in Oakland, California; and at Kathok Gonpa in Coombs, BC."