Kilung Rinpoche

Kilung Tulku Tsultrim Rinpoche is the fifth incarnation of Jikmé Ngotsar Gyatso. Born in 1970, he was recognized at an early age by H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Minling Trichen Rinpoche, and recently H. H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche, who gave him the name Jikmé Tenzin Chodrak.

As a youth Kilung Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments of the Longchen Nyingtik and other Dzogchen lineages from many old and great lamas in the Dzachukha region of Kham, East Tibet. At the age of 17, he became the Abbot of Kilung Monastery, reviving traditional sacred dance there and also helping a group of nuns establish a center nearby.

Kilung Rinpoche left Tibet in 1993 on a pilgrimage which was expected to last one year. He was unable to return to Tibet until 2000, and in the intervening seven years he spent time in the Dzogchen Monastery in southern India and in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he began the Kilung Foundation. In 1998 he first traveled to the United States, where his activities have been centered in the state of Washington. His current activities in Tibet include the rebuilding of the Kilung Monastery, the construction of a school for nomad children, and the building of a bridge over the Dzachu River at a place where regular nomad crossings cost much human and animal life every year.