Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche
Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche’ was born in the Hor’ region of East Tibet (Kham’), in 1968 to a Bönpo family of nomadic cattle herders. As a boy, he tended his family’s sheep and yaks, and learnt reading and writing from his grandfather. At nineteen, he entered Lungkar Monastery. During this time, Tsultrim Tenzin completed the traditional preliminary practices and studied Tibetan grammar and poetry as well as Bönpo philosophy. Tsultrim Tenzin served as umze, or chant master, for three years in the Lungkar Monastery.
At the age of twenty-five, he went to Menri’s Monastery in Central Tibet to study with Pönlob Kalzang Nyima’ from whom he received teachings on Denö Dzö’ authored by Shardza Trashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche’ (1859-1935) and the A-Thril’ Bönpo Dzogchen manual. At this time he also gained the experiential understanding of Great Perfection.
In 1993, Tsultrim Tenzin made the arduous journey to Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal, to study intensively with his root Master, Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, under whose guidance he deepened his knowledge of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen. He also learnt astrology, traditional Tibetan medicine, and Sanskrit. While studying, Tsultrim Tenzin served as the monastery’s chant master for six years, and as gekhöz (disciplinarian) for three years. After completing the 14-year study programme, he passed the Geshe examination in 2001 and received his degree.
In 2002, Tsultrim Tenzin was appointed by Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche as Drubdra Khenpo – Abbot of the Meditation School – in Triten Norbutse Monastery. Since then he has been teaching Dzogchen in the meditation school there as well as giving instructions on Sutra, Tantra, Dzogchen, astrology and mandala and painting in the monastic dialectic school.
Alongside teaching, Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche practices Dzogchen meditation and Magyu Tsa lung, Trul khor and tummo for two hours every morning. He sometimes travels to Tibet, China, Japan, Europe and England to teach Dzogchen, Tantra and Tsa lung.
Events with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche
2025 TummoDecember 13 - 14, 2025
Join us this December Tummo practice retreat at Serenity Ridge! Led by Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche, this retreat is intended to support practitioners who have participated in Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s Tummo teachings. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will give some instruction and advice on all the components of Tummo that Rinpoche has covered in his current teaching cycle: the prayers, nine breathings, tsa lung, the ordinary and extraordinary preliminaries, and the practice of jam lung; but the focus will be on developing a deeper familiarity and experience with the practices. Schedule December 13th, 2025 8:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m. Registration with Beverage and snack 9:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teaching/Practice 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Practice 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break 1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch 1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Break 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice 4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Break 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Teaching/Practice 6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner December 14th, 2025 8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Breakfast 9:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teaching/Practice 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break 1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice Extra nights lodging without meals are available Friday and Sunday nights
ONLINE 2025 TummoDecember 13 - 14, 2025
Join us this December Tummo practice retreat at Serenity Ridge! Led by Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche, this retreat is intended to support practitioners who have participated in Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s Tummo teachings. Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche will give some instruction and advice on all the components of Tummo that Rinpoche has covered in his current teaching cycle: the prayers, nine breathings, tsa lung, the ordinary and extraordinary preliminaries, and the practice of jam lung; but the focus will be on developing a deeper familiarity and experience with the practices. This retreat may be attended in person at Serenity Ridge or online via Zoom. Schedule December 13th, 2025 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teaching/Practice 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Teaching/Practice December 14th, 2025 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teaching/Practice 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Teaching/Practice
2026 Winter Retreat: Dzogchen Practice RetreatJanuary 2 - 10, 2026
Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! January 2-10, 2026 Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsa Lung and Trul Khor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings. This will be Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche’s first visit to the United States. Our focus this year is twofold. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. In the second phase of our retreat, Drupdra Khenpo will teach from the 21 Nails, among the most succinct and profound articulations of the natural state (the clear light of awareness) in any spiritual tradition. He will draw from this sacred text to support our recognition and resting in the nature of mind. All participants will arrive on Friday, January 2, the day for checking in, settling into your room…
2026 Winter Retreat: Dzogchen Practice Retreat (Weekend Only)January 2 - 4, 2026
Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! January 2–4, 2026, Weekend Only Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsa Lung and Trul Khor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by Zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings. This will be Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche’s first visit to the United States. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. All participants will arrive on Friday, January 2, the day for checking in, settling into your room (if you are staying onsite), a light dinner and a guided practice. Our weekend guests will join us for teachings on the Invocation of Tapihritsa. If you are interested in staying onsite, please contact Johannah at sr.registration@ligmincha.org or Shelly at sr.office@ligmincha.org to be placed on the waitlist for lodging. We will do our best to accommodate room requests.…
ONLINE 2026 Winter Retreat: Dzogchen Practice Retreat (Weekend Only)January 2 - 4, 2026
Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! January 2–4, 2026, Weekend Only Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsa Lung and Trul Khor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by Zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings. This will be Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche’s first visit to the United States. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. All participants will arrive on Friday, January 2, the day for checking in, settling into your room (if you are staying onsite), a light dinner and a guided practice. Our weekend guests will join us for teachings on the Invocation of Tapihritsa. Schedule Link to your local time zone Friday, January 2, 2026 7:00 p.m. Guided Practice More details coming soon …
ONLINE 2026 Winter Retreat: Dzogchen Practice RetreatJanuary 2 - 10, 2026
Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! January 2-10, 2026 Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsa Lung and Trul Khor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings. This will be Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche’s first visit to the United States. Our focus this year is twofold. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. In the second phase of our retreat, Drupdra Khenpo will teach from the 21 Nails, among the most succinct and profound articulations of the natural state (the clear light of awareness) in any spiritual tradition. He will draw from this sacred text to support our recognition and resting in the nature of mind. Attend this 8 day online retreat. The teachings will begin on the evening of Friday, January 2,…