Nyinchung Dungse Rinpoche was born in 1993 on the 15th day of Saka Dawa to his parents Tulku Tenzin Chozang and Dawa Lhamo. He is the grandson of the great Nyinchung Mahasiddha, Tulku Ogyen Tenzin who was the son of Dolpo’s great master Shelri Choktrul Tenzin Rabgye, an emanation of Repa Shiwa O and a direct disciple of His Holiness the Karmapa Khakyab Dorje. As a holder of both these spiritual and family lineages, he is one of the leaders of the historic Dharma community of Dolpo. Rinpoche’s recognition was confirmed by His Holiness the Karmapa in the form of a letter bearing his seal.

At the age of eight, he began learning how to read and write under his father Tenzin Chozang Rinpoche at the seat of Namgung monastery. He later completed his studies at the great seat of the Nyingma school, Namdrol Ling monastery, after which he went on to complete the fivefold hundred thousand accumulations of the preliminary practices. Following this, Rinpoche engaged in studying and contemplating the sutras and tantras through joining the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. He received empowerments, transmissions, and pith instructions from Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, the Dolpo master Kyabje Margom Rinpoche, Kyabje Kathok Getse Rinpoche, and in particular from the supreme lord Kyabje Drubwang Penor Rinpoche, among others. From then, he returned to his homeland and has taken up the responsibility of restoring the Nyinchung monastery. Gaining the praise and respect of the local monasteries and populace, he was also enthroned as the abbot of Namgung monastery and accordingly maintains the monastery while upholding the traditions of its past masters. From then up until now, Rinpoche has ignored the hardships associated with Dolpo’s cold climate and has always returned to his homeland at the insistence of the local people. He is engaged in many influential activities such as helping both lay and ordained people to develop their understanding of Dharma through introducing fundamental concepts of Buddhism such as the principles of karma and secular ethics and by calling for life-release practices. Not only in Dolpo has Rinpoche been teaching Buddhism and it’s philosophy of peace and non-violence, but also in Malayasia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mexico. Now, having recently founded the Dolpo Nyinchung Foundation, he is focused on serving society through spreading culture, restoring monasteries, and providing education and health services.