H.H. Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche
H.H. Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche is the son of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, one of the accomplished masters of this century and great spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born in Kongbu, Tibet on February 17, 1950 the Iron Tiger Year. Shenphen Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. 16th Karmapa as Khenkhen Tulku, the incarnation of Tulku Pema Yeshe, an emanation of His father’s father, Jamphel Norbu. Shenphen Rinpoche was also recognized as the incarnation of Taksham Tulku, a famous Nyingma terton master, who discovered many teachings.
As the only son of Dudjom Rinpoche’s from his mother, Sangyum Rigzin Wangmo, Shenphen Rincpoche was not sent to the Taksham monastery for training, but instead was personally raised by his father. H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche trained him in all aspects of Vajrayana meditation and medicine and named him his dharma heir and successor as the holder of the Dudjom Tersar lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
H.H. Shenphen Rinpoche attended a Catholic school and a Protestant school in India. He received his Bachelor degree in English from St. Josephs College in Darjeeling, India in 1971. He received the highest level Doctorate degree in Tibetan Philosophy and the five Sciences. He received instruction from master and scholar Khenpo Lachung, the Chief Abbot of Mindroling Monastery.
Shenphen Rinpoches mastery of the English language and insight into western culture has established him as one of the foremost precious teachers in the East and West. Currently he has followers with monasteries and retreat Centers in Tibet, Nepal, India, Bhutan, United States, France, United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland.
Shenphen Rinpoche has two sons from his first marriage to H.R.H. Ashi Pema Chodon Wangchuk, Tulku Namgay Dawa Rinpoche who now splits his time between New York and Himalyan Region and Tulku Situ Rinpoche who lives in Bhutan.
Rinpoche is now married to Sonam Chokyi. They have two daughters, Dechen and Tseyang.