Visiting lamas and teachers from the Drikung Dzogchen or Yangzab lineage, including Venerable Lho Ontul Rinpoche and Lho Karma Ratna Rinpoche, share their wisdom and teachings at our institute, providing an enriching and transformative experience for all participants.

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OUR TEACHERS​

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Lho Karma Ratna Rinpoche (Orgyen Drodul Dorje Rinpoche) was born in Mandi (Zahor), India, in 1980. Numerous auspicious signs accompanied his birth, and accomplished yogis had clear visions that the son of Lho Ontul Rinpoche and Tashi Dolma was a being of great scope. In 2003, the Rinpoche was officially recognized by H.E. Tertön Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche, H.H. Dalai Lama and H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche as the ‘Quality Emanation’ of the 4th Lho Drongtrul, the great early 20th century Drikung Treasure revealer Orgyen Lho Nuden Dorje (1849-1902).

 

Rinpoche studied Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan grammar at Drikung Jangchub Ling Monastery in Dehra Dun, took his monastic vows from H.H. Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, trained at Dzongzsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Insitute in Bir, India with great Kenpos. He has received many important transmissions and empowerments from great masters, such as H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Sakya Trinzin, H.H. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, H.E. Lho Ontul Rinpoche, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, and H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche.

Ratna Rinpoche now leads the Drikung Kagyu Monastery in Tso Pema, India, where he resides with his wife, Sonam Choedon and family. Rinpoche is actively engaged in setting up an academy and regularly visits his main seat at Lungkar Ogmin Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery in Nangchen, Tibet. With his late Father, Kyabje Ontul Rinpoche, he has travelled frequently throughout North America, Malaysia, and Europe, teaching, translating, and giving transmissions to Dharma to students in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. His oral translations and explanations, born of study and meditation, bear the unmistakable stamp of great love, knowledge, and understanding of the Dharma.

Our Teachers:

 

Khenpo Dhondup Rinpoche was born in India and throughout his life has made a deep study of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, in which, in addition, he has also engaged in extensive retreat. He was an assistant for many years of HE Drubwang Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche, who is considered one of the greatest living meditation masters of today, and has been responsible for the administration, discipline and teaching program of the Rinchen Palri Monastery in Nepal. Today, he travels widely, spreading the Dharma wherever he goes.  Along the way, he's received many teachings and empowerments from great masters like HH the Dalai Lama, HH Chetsang Rinpoche, HE Garchen Rinpoche and HE Drubwang Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche.

 

 

Ngakpa Khampa Dorgyal has been studying and practicing the Dharma for more than thirty years, having received teachings and empowerments from many great masters including HE Garchen Rinpoche, HH Do Khentse Rinpoche, HE Jigme Lodro Rinpoche,   HH Chetsang Rinpoche, Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche and many others.  He’s author of “The Lotus King,” a contemporary narrative verse re-telling of the life-story of Padmasambhava, and “Samsara is a Fly,” a verse commentary on “The Words of My Perfect Teacher” by Patrul Rinpoche, as well as other books of poetry.  In 2014, he established the Drikung Ratna Shri Institute under the auspices of HE Lho Ontul Rinpoche,

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PHILOSOPHY

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The Yang Zab (The practices of the Very Profound Vision) is regarded as supreme among all the Yanas--it embodies the very essence of the tantric teachings. As a Dzogchen practice, it is unique within the Drikung lineage, as it was revealed by the Drikung Tertön (hidden treasure revealer), Rinchen Phuntsog and he is also the 17 throne holder of the Glorious Drikung Kagyu Order.

 

During the eighth century, King Trisong Deutsen of Tibet, an emanation of Manjushri, invited Guru Rinpoche to the Land of Snows in order to subdue demonic forces hostile to the Dharma. Having accomplished his wishes and having founded Samye Monastery, the king showed signs of approaching death, and soon passed away. The king's son, Prince Mutik Tsenpo (also known as Sena Lek) became king, and received the Yang Zab empowerments and instructions from Guru Rinpoche.

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The youthful king found that his fathers duties were were so numerous that he had little time to practice Dharma. Guru Rinpoche foresaw a time in the future when the teachings of dharma would degenerate due to the increasing power of ignorance and afflictive emotions in the minds of sentient beings. Guru Rinpoche gave the teachings of the "Very Profound " (Yang Zab) - practices that he received through Kuntungzangpo (dharmakaya), the 100 peaceful and wrathful deities and the 5 buddha families (sambhogakaya), and from Tulku Garab Dorje (nirmanakaya). Prophesizing that these teachings would be most effective in future times of spiritual darkness, he gave the teachings to Mandarava, who attained rainbow body, and to Yeshe Tsogyal. Guru Rinpoche instructed him to put the practice into text form and prepare six copies on durable sheets of gold, turquoise, copper and other materials.  These were then wrapped in precious materials and hidden by Yeshe Tsogyal in Zhoto Terdrom on the limestone massif to the north in the Great Assembly Hall of the Sky Dancers cave ( Khandro Tsok Khang Kiri Yang Zong Namkha Phug ) located in a towering peak.

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The terma was revealed by the great omniscient Drikung Tertön Rinchen Phuntsog, himself an emanation of King Mutik Tsenpo, during the first half of the sixteenth century. The Yang Zab has been transmitted uninterruptedly down through the Drikung lineage to the present.

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SUPPORT OUR CAUSE

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Donating to a spiritual cause supports inner growth, community well-being, and the preservation of wisdom traditions. It cultivates generosity, creates positive karma, and helps sustain teachings that uplift and guide others.  Thank you for your generous support of the Drikung Ratnashri Institute. Your contribution helps sustain our spiritual and educational activities.  To donate, please scan the QR code linked to our Venmo account. We are deeply grateful for your kindness.

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OM MANI PADME HUM MANTRA

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The Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, a six-syllable mantra in Tibetan Buddhism, translates to "praise to the jewel in the lotus" or "I in the jewel-lotus". It represents the union of compassion and wisdom, symbolizing a path towards enlightenment by transforming impure body, speech, and mind into pure, exalted states. 

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Detailed Meaning:

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• Padme:

  Means "lotus" and symbolizes wisdom, which is the ability to realize the nature of things and the impermanence of all things. 

• Hum:

  Symbolizes the indivisibility of method and wisdom. By practicing the path that is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, one can achieve enlightenment. 

• Om:

  Symbolizes the impure body, speech, and mind. It is also said to cleanse away pride and cultivate kindness and generosity. 

• Mani:

  Means "jewel" and symbolizes the factors of method, including the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love. 

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In essence, the mantra encourages a practice that combines compassion and wisdom to transform negative aspects into positive ones, ultimately leading to enlightenment.

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