Biography of Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche (Lobsang Tsultrim)
Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche was born on June 4, 1968, in Achung, Golok, a region of northeastern Tibet. At the age of 14, he entered Wayan Monastery and was ordained as a novice monk. He completed the preliminary practices under the guidance of Khenpo Gompo Norbu and trained with Khenpo Rigden Zangpo in all aspects of ritual, according to the Mindroling and Longchen Nyingtig traditions. At the age of twenty, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche received the vows of full ordination from Khenpo Munsel, a direct disciple of Khenpo Ngagchung and one of the foremost Great Perfection (dzogchen) masters of his time. In his presence, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche received many teachings and engaged in many important Vajrayana practices including the two aspects of the Great Perfection, Cutting Through to Original Purity (trekchö) and Crossing Over with Spontaneous Presence (tögal).
Later, at Lharung Gar in Serta, eastern Tibet, in the presence of the great Choje Khenpo Jigme Phuntsog Rinpoche, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche received the Chetsan Nyingthig Dzogchen cycle and the Tantra of the Sole Heir, among other profound treatises. From Khenpo Rigdor he received teachings on the Secret Essence Tantra and from Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro he received training in the Vinaya. In the presence of the great lineage holder, Kathog Moktsa Rinpoche, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche received the empowerments of the Precious Treasury of Termas (Rinchen Terdzod).
Throughout his dharma education, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche has brought benefit to his monastery and many beings. After the senior Lamas of Wayan Monastery had passed on, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche was chosen to be the Vajra Master or Head of the Ceremonies carried out on a regular basis. He held this noble position for many years. Later the great Khenpo Padma Lodru of Traling Monastery asked him to maintain this position indefinitely and gave him a special ceremonial hat. Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche was also the leader of the annual Tara ceremony for laypeople and presided over many thousands of practitioners. He earned the reputation of a person with integrity, excellence, and an outstanding character.
Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche's skill with the practices performed during the 49 days after a death became widely acknowledged. When he performed these practices, there were often very good signs of success. He also gained skill with all aspects of ritual, with a particular focus on the traditions of Longchen Nyingtig and Mindroling as well as the Payul and Kathog traditions.
In 2005, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche travelled to India in order to make pilgrimage to the many holy places. He had the rare and precious opportunity to meet many great masters such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from whom he received teachings on The Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life and empowerments such as the Kalachakra. In fact, combined with the empowerments he had previously received in Tibet, he has received the Kalachakra empowerment a total of seven or eight times. In addition, Lama Lobtsul Rinpochestayed at the Namdrol Ling Monastery of Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, during which time he received many precious empowerments, transmissions and teachings from him.
In October of 2008, Lama Lobtsul Rinpoche arrived in the U.S.A. where he served as a visiting Buddhist minister offering teachings at the Shambhala Center in Boulder Colorado. Since that time he has been learning English. He is eager to share his skills and dharma knowledge with the people of this country, especially the Sangha of Palri Pema Öd Ling. We are looking forward to becoming well-acquainted with him and that through his guidance we will enhance our study and practice of the precious teachings of Lord Buddha.
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