Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
His Holiness Sakya Trizin (Ngawang Kunga Tekchen Palbar Sampel Wangi Gyalpo) (b. September 7th 1945, 1st day of the 8th lunar month of the Wood Bird year) (called by Tibetans Wyl. sa skya gong ma rin po che) is the revered throne holder of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the 41st patriarch of the Khön lineage which dates back to 1073. He is renowned as an emanation of both Manjushri and Mahasiddha Virupa, the founder of the Lamdré teachings, and also as an incarnation of Apang Tertön. He is a brilliant master who manifests profound wisdom and compassion, and his excellent command of English render his teachings particularly beneficial to western students.
He was born in 1945 in Tibet and escaped with his family to India in 1959 where he continues to live and rebuild both the lay and monastic elements of the Sakya tradition. He has guided the establishment of over thirty monasteries in India and Nepal and has helped found Sakya centres around the world.
His elder sister is Jetsün Kushok Chimey Luding. He has two sons, Khonrig Ratna Vajra Sakya and Khondung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.
Further Reading
- Sandra Penny-Dimri,'The Lineage of His Holiness Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga' in The Tibet Journal, Vol.20 No.4 Winter 1995