His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche was a world-renowned Buddhist teacher, the 25th incarnation from a long line of Indian, Nepali and Tibetan Buddhist masters dating back to over 2500 years ago.
He was a beloved spiritual guide, a prolific author, a champion of religious freedom, a powerful ritual master, a consummate teacher, the founder of the Kechara Buddhist Organisation headquartered in Malaysia, and an extraordinary human being who inspired everyone he met with his incredible compassion and wisdom.
Rinpoche dedicated his entire life to the practice and proliferation of Buddhism, especially through the digital world, and his teachings have touched the hearts and changed the lives of thousands of people around the globe.
In a Buddha's Footsteps
A Short Biography
“His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche Jetsun Tenzin Zopa Yonten Gyatso,
the unparalleled asset of the Gelug tradition
and a long-time Dharma brother of pure spiritual bond…”
– His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche
Beloved for his unconventional, contemporary approach to Dharma, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche brought 2,500 years of Buddhist wisdom and practices to modern spiritual seekers by connecting ancient worlds with new people, cultures, attitudes and lifestyles.
A Mongolian-Tibetan heritage, a childhood in Taiwan and America, intensive monastic studies in India and later the Founder of the Kechara organisation in Malaysia – these were but some of the many facets that contributed to Tsem Rinpoche’s unique ability to effortlessly bridge the East and the West. His teachings brought the Dharma to life and made Buddha’s ancient wisdom relevant to the 21st Century.
A SPECIAL CHILD
Descended from a royal Mongolian bloodline, Tsem Rinpoche was first recognised as an incarnate lama when he was seven months old. He was strongly inclined towards Dharma since his early childhood, and showed many special signs of a high incarnate being while growing up in New Jersey and Los Angeles.
He met his first teacher, His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin at the age of seven and received his first tantric initiation soon after.
Following the advice of his beloved root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Tsem Rinpoche took his vows as a monk and joined Gaden Shartse Monastery in India when he was in his early 20s. He studied under many great Buddhist masters of the Tibetan tradition and was an upholder of many lineages of Sutra and Tantra.
A HIGH INCARNATION
Descended from a royal Mongolian bloodline, Tsem Rinpoche was first recognised as an incarnate lama when he was seven months old. He was strongly inclined towards Dharma since his early childhood, and showed many special signs of a high incarnate being while growing up in New Jersey and Los Angeles.
He met his first teacher, His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin at the age of seven and received his first tantric initiation soon after.
Following the advice of his beloved root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Tsem Rinpoche took his vows as a monk and joined Gaden Shartse Monastery in India when he was in his early 20s. He studied under many great Buddhist masters of the Tibetan tradition and was an upholder of many lineages of Sutra and Tantra.
recognised as incarnations of highly attained beings
who take rebirth over and over again with the sole intent of benefitting others.
They appear among us to fulfil the spiritual responsibilities
of their previous lives, and to uphold the tradition of the Buddha’s teachings.“
Among Tsem Rinpoche’s 24 previous incarnations are some of the greatest Buddhist masters of their time. Their illustrious deeds include spreading Buddhism for the first time in Tibet, building the very first Tibetan Buddhist monastery, popularising the powerful tantric practices of Yamantaka and Vajrayogini, performing incredible miracles like stopping the sun, preserving and translating the spoken teachings of the Buddha, inventing the written languages of Tibet and Mongolia, establishing new Tibetan Buddhist lineages, and composing the scriptures that are still used to educate the greatest Buddhist scholars of today.
GREAT DEEDS
The tremendous and virtuous work of his previous lives are clearly reflected in Tsem Rinpoche’s accomplishments in Malaysia, where he was instrumental in the flourishing of Buddhism in this region. He founded Kechara Forest Retreat which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Malaysia, and created a virtual temple and online learning platform that has touched the lives of millions around the world.
Driven by his innate compassion, Tsem Rinpoche was involved in extensive charitable works, including building hospitals and schools for the Tibetan refugee community; constructing dormitories and upgrading living conditions for the monastic community; and providing long-term assistance to the underprivileged communities of India and Malaysia.
Tsem Rinpoche tirelessly shared new and creative ways of bringing happiness and relief to people from all walks of life until his parinirvana in September 2019. Kechara, the progressive spiritual organisation he founded, continues to uphold his vision and legacy until the return of his next incarnation.
philosophy that helps you live a more meaningful
and fulfilled existence.
philosophy that helps you live a more meaningful
and fulfilled existence.
Create the Causes
What you can do for Rinpoche’s swift return
