Dzogchen master Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche has died

His Eminence Venerable Yangthang Tulku, a highly revered Lama in the Nyingmapa Lineage of Tantrayana Buddhism, has died.

Lion’s Roar
17 October 2016
His Eminence, Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche. Photo via Ari Bhöd.

His Eminence Venerable Yangthang Tulku, a highly revered lama in the Nyingma lineage of Tantrayana Buddhism, has died.

Ari Bhöd announced the passing of Yangthang Tulku, one of their most senior Nyingma lineage masters, on Monday.

“Yangthang Tulku was known as a compassionate, humble, no-nonsense Dzogchen master of the Nyingma, Old School Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism,” who was “widely recognized for the quality and depth of his realization, the power of his attainment, and the purity of his transmissions,” they wrote.

Yangthang Tulku is recognized as the reincarnation of Dorje Dechen Lingpa. He was trained in the Kangyur and Tangyur, the works of Longchenpa, and was trained extensively to master the practices of his lineage.

Yangthang Tulku was captured by Chinese communists following the invasion of Tibet in 1959, and was imprisoned for twenty-two years. He was released following the death of Mao Tse Tung, and returned to Dhomang, and eventually back to his birthplace in Sikkim. He spent his final years giving blessings and teachings to his devoted following around the world. He passed away in Hyderabad, India, and his body will be delivered to His Holiness Dodrubchen Rinpoche’s monastery in Sikkim, as he had wished.

Ari Bhöd will be lighting butter lamps for the coming 49 days at their retreat center, Pema Drawa, as an offering to Yangthang Tulku.

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