Lineage
Biography of Her Eminence Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche
Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is the daughter of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Künzang Wangyal. Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is one of the most renowned Tibetan teachers currently teaching in the west. Born into the Mindrolling lineage, which throughout its history has had many accomplished female masters, Rinpoche was recognized at the age of two by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa as the re-incarnation of the Great Dakini of Tsurphu, Khandro Ugyen Tsomo, who was one of the most renowned female masters of her time. Thus, the present Khandro Rinpoche came to hold the lineages of both Nyingma and Kagyu schools.
Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche received teachings and transmissions from some of the most accomplished masters of the 20th century, His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Eminence Trulzhig Rinpoche, His Eminence Tenga Rinpoche, His Eminence Tsetrul Rinpoche and His Eminence Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche.
Rinpoche has been teaching internationally for sixteen years and teaches extensively in both Europe and North America, offering teachings from both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools. She has also established and heads the Samten Tse Retreat Centre in Mussoorie, India which provides a place of study and retreat for monastics and Western lay practitioners, with students from East and West living together in spiritual community. Currently 52 nuns and 30 western students are in residence at Samten Tse. As president of Samten Tse Charitable Projects, Rinpoche heads various charitable projects and sponsorships including sponsorship of the elderly, Tibetan Women's Development Projects, Tibetan Youth Projects, The Leprosy Project, sponsorship of retreats for Buddhist practitioners as well as numerous community development projects. Rinpoche is also actively involved with the Mindrolling Monastery in India.
Lotus Garden Retreat Center, the North American Seat of Mindrolling International was established by Her Eminence Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche in 2003 under the guidance of His Eminence Khochhen Rinpoche, the current abbot of Mindrolling Monastery in India. Rinpoche's vision of Lotus Garden is as a place of study and practice of the Buddha Dharma with the aspiration in particular to assist in the flourishing of the Mindrolling Lineage teachings. Rinpoche is also very active in other parts of the world with centers or associations in many countries including Samten Tse Germany, Samten Tse Greece and Samten Tse Society, France. In 2003, Rinpoche's book entitled This Precious Life: Tibetan Buddhist Teachings on the Path to Enlightenment, was published by Shambhala Publications.
Oficial web pages of Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpočhe: www.mjkr.org
Mindrolling Lineage & History
Padmasambhava and the Nyingma School
Due to the efforts and teachings of the great Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Buddhism flourished in Tibet beginning in the 8th century. Of the four main schools that developed, the oldest is the Nyingma or the Old Translation School. The Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug lineages comprise the Sarma or New Translation School.
The Dzogchen Teachings
The essence of the Nyingma lineage is the precious Dzogchen teachings, the most ancient, powerful and direct teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. For today's troubled world, these teachings are the clearest and most effective way to realize one's full potential as a human being.
Mindrolling in Tibet and the Exile to India
The Nyingmapa or Nyingma School has six main monasteries of learning and practice. Of the six, Mindrolling was one of the most important practice and study centers in Central Tibet.
Established in 1676 in the Drachi Valley by the great Dharma king Chögyal Terdag Lingpa, Mindrolling attracted monks from the length and breadth of Tibet. Mindrolling was, and is today, considered by all the great masters of Tibetan Buddhism, and especially by all the teachers of the Nyingma lineage, as an inspiring example of the practice of the pure and profound Dharma of Vajrayana Buddhism. An unbroken lineage of great masters continues up to this day. With the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, many Tibetan masters were urged to flee in an attempt to protect their lives and thus the precious teachings.
Mindrolling Monastery in India
Mindrolling began to re-establish its monastic seat in exile in Dehra Dun, India in 1965, through the untiring efforts of His Eminence Dzognar Rinpoche and His Eminence Khochhen Rinpoche and a small group of monks. Embarrassed by the wilderness and rough conditions on the land they had selected, they first worked to build a small prayer room before inviting His Holiness the XIth Mindrolling Trichen to assume leadership. His Holiness then moved from Kalimpong to Dehra Dun in 1976. Today, Mindrolling Monastery in India is known throughout the Buddhist world as a center completely dedicated to preserving the authentic dharma.
For more information about Mindrolling and the activities of Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche please see: www.mindrollinginternational.org.