Chagme Rinpoche is the ninth incarnation of Gyalwa Cho Yang, one of Guru Rinpoche’s twenty-five heart-students. The first Karma Chagme was a very learned and realized Buddhist master who founded the Nemdho Kagyu Lineage, and was revered throughout Tibet for his remarkable qualities and accomplishments. Most notably, he composed the “Rechu” (“Mountain Retreat Manual”), which is regarded as the definitive text on retreat practice in the Drikung Kagyu, Karma Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism.
The present Chagme Rinpoche was born in 1975, and is the grandson of Terton (hidden treasure master) Ozer Dorje.
When Chagme Rinpoche was a young boy, he received many teachings and empowerments from his father. And at twelve, was officially recognized by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang as the ninth Drikung Kagyu incarnation of Karma Chagme. Chagme Rinpoche has received many teachings and empowerments from His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche and other renowned teachers, and has spent a great deal of time in retreat.
Chagme Rinpoche has also studied in India and received special empowerments of the Drikung Kagyu lineage from H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. At present, he is the administrator of his monastery in Tibet, and travels to Tibet and China, where he teaches regularly.