Khen Rigdzin Norbu

A student of Lama Rigdzin Longyang, Khen Rigdzin Norbu is now in charge of Druk Zangri Kharmar.

Khen Rigzin Norbu was born in 1993, in the Water Bird year of the Tibetan calendar, on the 25th day of the waning phase of the first Tibetan month, the Month of Miracles. This highly auspicious day, associated with the dakinis day, marked his birth in Nganglam Valley Pema Gatshel District (southeastern of Bhutan) to his father Tsering Drubpa and his mother Tashi Lhamo. At birth, he was given the name Sönam Tsering.

From the age of five, he attended Minjiwoong Primary School under Serthig Gewog, Jomotsangkha Dungkhag, Samdrup Jongkhar District, where he studied general secular subjects for five and a half years.

At the age of twelve, he repeatedly requested his maternal uncle, Khenpo Norbu Wangdu, for permission to enter monastic life. In response, he was taken to the great Nyingma monastic seat of Orgyen Mindrol Ling Monastery in Dehradun (India). There, he formally joined the Sangha. At that time, the present living master, the treasury of Mindrol Ling, Kyabje Do-ngyü Gyatso (also known as Kho Khyim or Khochhen Rinpoch , bestowed upon him the name Gyurmed Rigzin Norbu.

Thereafter, in strict accordance with monastic discipline, he undertook systematic Buddhist education at the monastery’s institute. He completed:

• Three levels of preliminary training in Tibetan reading and writing,
• Eight levels of foundational studies emphasizing memorization and comprehension,
• Common fields of knowledge such as grammar, logic, and linguistics,
• Buddhist philosophy, ritual procedures, and liturgical performance.

In all examinations, he achieved excellent results and consistently ranked first, receiving certificates of commendation and distinction.

In 2012, he served for one year as a monastic disciplinarian. During this period, Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo and Kyabje Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse visited Mindrol Ling to train disciples in ritual performance. There, he respectfully served as an instructor of Tibetan trumpet, the ritual musical instrument.

Later in year 2014, he traveled to the Land of Denzong —Sikkim—where he stayed for several months at Sedrup Chöling Monastery, taking responsibility for giving teachings on ritual arrangement. Upon returning to Bhutan, he served for several months in the Samtse region, teaching ritual music, percussion, and chanting, to disciples of Lama Wangchuk and Yangsi Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.

Later in 2014, he was admitted to the Higher Buddhist College of Mindrol Ling. From the first through the seventh academic year, he passed the major examinations with first-division results and was awarded the degree of Rabjam (Master of Sutra Studies) in the Sutra division.

According to monastic regulations, after completing the seventh level, he was assigned to serve as a teacher outside the main monastery. Accordingly, he traveled to eastern Bhutan and arrived at Druk Zangri Kharmar Monastery in Lhuentse District (Bhutan). There, under the guidance of the monastery’s spiritual head, Lama Rigdzin Longyang, he assisted in establishing a new monastic community of ordained Sangha members and served diligently for a period of two years.

During this time, together with Khenpo Norbu Wangdü and members of the local community, he also participated in the renovation of the Minjiwoong Temple, including restoration work and the creation of sacred statues, thereby accumulating merit. In addition, unprecedented in history, habitual tendency of positive karmic imprints —he helped organize the ceremonial reception of Lama Rigdzin Longyang. On that occasion, a grand Vajrasattva Drupchen of the Mindrolling tradition was performed with more than fifty lay practioners and monks, and profound Chö feast offerings were made, through which he was able to offer a measure of devoted service.

Thereafter, he returned to the main monastery, where over the course of two years he completed the eighth and ninth levels of the philosophical college. Upon completion, he attained the degree of Ngagrabjampa (Master of Tantric Studies). He then returned back to Druk Zangri Kharmar Monastery, where he continues to serve to the present day.

On Lineage and Title

Regarding the title of “Khenpo,” although no specific enthronement ceremony was conducted, it accords with the custom in several regions of Bhutan that those who complete the ninth level of the philosophical college are referred to as Khenpo and in particular, his root lama has publicly introduced him as the Khenpo of their monastery thus, as a result, he become widely known as the Khenpo of Rawabi Monastery.

In general, in these times when the five poisons and the three poisons are rampant, disputes often arise, including controversies over false lamas, counterfeit reincarnations, and illegitimate khenpos, as well as conflicts concerning rank and status among senior religious figures. For these reasons, he personally sees little necessity or intrinsic value in titles.

Nevertheless, for the sake of auspicious interdependence, whatever name or title may be applied, his constant aspiration is that within this brief, dream-like human life, he may not fall under the power of attachment and aversion born of conflict, but instead dedicate his remaining life with pure intention to the service of the Dharma and all sentient beings. This heartfelt prayer he continually upholds.