OUR TEACHER

BHAKHA TULKU (b.1944) is the tenth incarnation in the Bhakha Tulku line, recognized as such by three consumate Buddhist masters: Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, H.H. the 16th Karmapa, and H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s monastic seat is the Bhakha Gompa, located in the Powo region of south-eastern Tibet, at the entrance to the “King of the Hidden Lands,” Beyül Pemaköd.

The line of Bhakha Tulku incarnations traces back to Ananda, the cousin and attendant of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni and later in 8th c. Tibet, the first Tibetan monk and greatest translator, Vairotsana. Our present Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche is considered to be the combined emanation two of the five Great Kingly Tertöns (revealers of Guru Rinpoche’s concealed teachings): Dorje Lingpa and Pema Lingpa. He is regarded in Bhutan as one of the principle lineage holders of the Pema Lingpa tradition. Rinpoche is a senior student of his root guru H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, as well as of Garwang Sangye Dorje, and the great Dzogchen yogi H.H. Chadral Rinpoche. Furthermore, he served and received teachings, empowerments and transmissions from many other great lamas of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions including H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Lama Sonam Zangpo, and H.H. Penor Rinpoche.

At the request of Chatral Rinpoche, Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche served as a close mentor and teacher to the young Dudjom Yangsi Tulku, Sangye Pema Zhepa, thus returning the kindness of his own root guru.

Bhakha Tulku is widely revered for his deep meditative realization, authentic humility, excellent translations and scholarship, and his beautiful calligraphy, which he has painted and carved on countless thousands of mantra stones over his life.

Even at his advanced age, Rinpoche is constantly engaged in mantra recitation (especially the mantra of compassion, “Om Mani Peme Hung” and Guru Rinpoche’s mantra, “Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Pema Siddhi Hung”) and in the painting of mantra on stones, seashells, bones, and paper.

Read About the Line of Bhakha Tulku Incarnations

compiled by Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok