Our spiritual director

Khentrul Jamphal Lodroe Rinpoche

Khentrul Rinpoche

Born in the Golok province of middle Eastern Tibet,  Khentrul Rinpoche is considered the 7th emanation of Bodhisattva Akasagarbha. His previous reincarnations appeared three times in Eastern Tibet as Lhazu Lama, Trulku Ngawang and Getse Khentrul, the last being the most recent incarnation.    

When his mother, Sherab Dronme was five years old, an extraordinary  Yogi Tsangwa Drupchen predicted that she had great karmic potential to give birth to reincarnate lamas. However, for this to occur an extraordinary amount of merit needed to be cultivated, otherwise there would be many obstacles.

Also, it was predicted that she needed personally to accumulate much more merit in order to remove the obstacles endangering her and her children’s lives as well as their future activities.

In her early teens, she wished to become a nun and live the life of a renunciate.  However, she was discouraged by a local female Yogini Ama Khandro who predicted her karma was to marry twice, both times to monks. After this Sherab Dronme gave up any desire to be a nun

Although this was a very curious prediction, in time, it was fulfilled and she married twice, each time to a tantric monk. The last monk was Rinpoche’s father Thubten.
During the Chinese take-over of Tibet in 1958, Sherab Dronme’s personal Lama Getse Khentrul was imprisoned by the Chinese. Consoling her, he predicted that he would be back very soon as a part of her family and live with her for a long time. Shortly after this he chose to pass away in the prison.

After Khentrul Rinpoche was born he was recognised by Khamtsang Terton and Drupchen Gyarong Samdup as well as by the Yogini Tare Lhamo as the reincarnation (Trulku) of Sherab Dronme’s Lama Getse Khentrul.

To avoid the predicted obstacles of his life, Khentrul Rinpoche’s parents decided that his true identity should be kept secret until a later point in time.  Therefore, he lived a simple life as a normal monk and studied and practised Dharma diligently for many years.

During his twenty years of formal Buddhist training he lived in many different monasteries belonging to the five different Tibetan Buddhist traditions.  He was devoted to 25 great Lamas  and received all the various practices of the existing lineages in Tibetan Mahayana and Tantrayana Buddhism.

In 1997 his His Eminence Kyabje Lama Lobsang Trinley of Tashi Chothang Monastery in Kham awarded him with the title of Rime Master (a Master of the Five Traditions). During the official ceremony, he was finally allowed to reveal his true identity as the reincarnation of Getse Khentrul.

In 1999, Lama Yinten Zangpo, the Head of Jonang tradition, appointed him as Khenpo (teacher of 2000 monks) for Dzamthang Monastery.

Not long after this, Khentrul Rinpoche decided to travel to India. While in India he undertook extensive pilgrimages to the many holy places and sacred sites.  After this, he had private meetings on several occasions with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, and the 9th Kharkha Jetsun Thampa. They confirmed he was a re-incarnated Lama, and also confirmed his Rime Master qualification. During this time he received extensive and precious teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. More importantly he had the opportunity to have long discussions and receive clarification on perspective and practice with His Holiness. His full story is chronicled in his autobiography The Secret Incarnation.

Since the end of 2003 Khentrul Rinpoche has lived in Australia. He recently established the Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute, where he plans to introduce the Kalachakra teachings of the Jonang tradition to the West, as well he offers the teachings of other Buddhist traditions. Rinpoche also teaches how the ancient teachings of  Buddha can benefit our modern lives. He is personally interested in showing people how to be happy through all the different stages of our life.

Rinpoche has written several books covering these topics which have been published in both Tibetan and English.

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Sharing the wisdom of Buddhist teachings with the wider community

Khentrul Rinpoche has an interest in offering principles from the Buddhist teachings to the wider community, and he has recently begun giving public talks in Melbourne. This includes offering perspectives on how to wisely lead a happy life and become successful. Rinpoche would also like to present these principles at secondary schools and universities, giving teachings and exchanging ideas with students and teachers, and trying to confront some of the problems which affect our youth such as alcohol and drug dependency.

In addition, Rinpoche wishes to have the opportunity to share with older people the Buddhist understanding of happiness, and essential advice on how to prepare for a good death. He would also like to meet with religious and secular scholars and scientists in the spirit of exchanging ideas on how we can create a happier society.

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References for Khentrul Rinpoche

Tenzin Geyche Tethong, secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with Khentrul Rinpoche

"Khentrul Jamphal Lodro is the Khenpo of Zamthang Tsangva monastery. He was recognised as the reincarnation of Getse Khenpo…Much about the Kalachakra teachings can be found in the Bhuton and Jonang traditions.

Khenpo Jamphal Lodroe is making great efforts to preserve the Jonang tradition, which is still being studied and practiced in Golok Zamdang region with much fervour…Therefore any help and support extended to him would be much appreciated.”

Office of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa:

His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa with Khentrul Rinpoche

"Khentrul Jamphal Lodro was born on February 18th 1968 in Masiv Dera Sholma village, Golok. As stated by the prophecy of his previous incarnation, Getse Khenpo. He was recognised as the reincarnation....

Khentrul Jamphal Lodro Rinpoche has studied all Tibetan Buddhist lineages and philosophies since a very early age and earned the title of Rime master, non-sectarian professor.

Any efforts you may wish to contribute to helping Khentrul Jamphal Lodroe would be most appreciated.”

Office of His Holiness Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa:

His Holiness Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa with Khentrul Rinpoche

"In 1997 Ven. Khenpo Jamphal Lodro was elected as a non-sectarian Dharma professor after he established a summer retreat in Donyang monastery and other monasteries. He gave teachings and empowerments to hundreds of ordained and lay people.

In 1999 he was appointed the abbot of Zamthang Tsangva monastery where he gave teachings until he was forced to leave Tibet because of constant attacks from the Chinese.

In 2000 he arrived in India and received His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's endorsement and blessing... Any efforts to contribute to his project of establishing a Dharma centre in Australia would be very beneficial and most welcome."