His Holiness The 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang

   The 37th successor of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and 7th reincarnation of Konchok Rinchen is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. His Holiness was born into the well known Tsarongfamily of Lhasa in 1946. he was recognized at four and a half years of age and formally enthroned in Drikung Thil. His Holiness received different initiations and transmissions of the general Kagyu teachings as well as the unique teachings of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. 


   In 1959 Rinpoche had to leave his monastery. His Holiness' family had already fled Tibet for India. His Holiness was adopted by his teacher, Tritsab Rinpoche and he lived in Lhasa. His Holiness  attended elementary and middle school and excelled in sports.  HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang 


   His Holiness experienced the Cultural Revolution first in Lhasa, after which he was sent to a farm west of Lhasa. His Holiness labored during five years for long hours under extremely harsh conditions. In 1975, His Holiness managed to escape to Nepal and India, ultimately joining his family in the United States. Many people urged Holiness to return to India. In 1978, His Holiness took up residence in Phyang monastery in Ladakh.


   The following 10 years were devoted to study and practice, with much time being spent in retreat under the guidance of Retreat Master Yogi Kyunga Rinpoche. His Holiness did the traditional three  years retreat in Lamayuru monastery. His Holiness also received teachings from other Tibetan Buddhist sect. Wtih Khenpo Noryang,  His Holiness studied Buddhist philosophy and the general Kagyu teachings. From His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche he received  all the essence teachings of the eight schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
His Holiness also received teachings from His Holiness the  Dalai Lama,His Holiness 16th Gyalwa Karmapa (transmission of the 6 Yogas of Naropa) and from His Holiness Taglung Shabdrung  Rinpoche (transmission of the Taglung Kagyu teachings). His  Holiness is at present living at Drikung Kagyu Institute,  Dehra Dun, India.