Chime Rinpoche
The 1st Chime Rinpoche, Chime Dorje, was born in 1914 in eastern Tibet.
At the age of sixteen he entered Tsurphu Monastery in central Tibet. The
16th Karmapa gave him monastic vows, appointed him five years later Disciplinary
Monk, after completing a three years retreat responsible abbot of several
monasteries, and finally Dharma Master of Tsurphu. After the escape from
Tibet to India the 16th Karmapa requested Lama Chime Dorje Rinpoche in
1961 to work in Ladakh for the Dharma and sentient beings. Chime Rinpoche
did that first by traveling in Ladakh with one assistant, giving teachings
and empowerments. Later he built and enlarged the monastery Karma Drubgyud
Choeling, and attracted more and more students. In 1986 and 1987 Chime
Rinpoche visited Tibet, renovated his monasteries there and increased the
number of monks back to pre-invasion times. He also supported the reconstruction
of Tsurphu Monastery, the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He
was respected among monks and lay people for his strictness and good meditation
practice. Chime Dorje passed away in 1999. During his cremation his eye,
tongue and heart wouldn’t burn. These symbols of his enlightened body,
speech and mind are preserved in a silver stupa within the Nyungne Lhakhang.
Tashi Tsering was born in Nepal in 2001 and recognized as the reincarnation
of the 1st Chime Rinpoche by the 17th Karmapa in 2003.
Karma Drubgyud Choeling Monastery P.O. Box 10 Leh 194101, Ladakh, J&K, India kdcladakh@yahoo.com