Where Heart Meets Mind
Odiyana Institute
Ati Jangchub Ling
Tulku Orgyen P'huntsok Rinpoche
At a young age Tulku Orgyen Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Togden Kunzang Longdrol, or Togden Sithar, a great Dzogchen yogi from the Powo region who had been a main disciple of his, and who had been influential in spreading the Dharma, both in Tibet and in Padmasambhava’s sacred Hidden Land of upper and lower Pemaköd.
Tulku Orgyen spent his early years in retreat in Pemaköd, his birthplace in northeastern India, at his own monastery under the blessings of his first root teacher, the great master Tulku Dawa Rinpoche. Tulku Orgyen underwent vigorous training in multiple fields of study, including various ritual sadhana performances from different treasure lineages, with an emphasis on the Dudjom Tersar lineage, all under the excellent care of his previous incarnation’s disciples, including his father Lama Rigzin P’huntsok, who is a close disciple of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and the most respected senior master in lower Pemaköd.
At the age of 15, Tulku Orgyen commenced advanced studies in southern India at Namdroling monastery, the largest Nyingma monastery in India, established by H.H. Penor Rinpoche, the previous Supreme Head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Here Tulku Orgyen completed a nine-year-long program of study, obtaining the degree of Khenpo, equivalent to a PhD, with excellent marks. While studying for his Khenpo degree, he was appointed to a teaching position for the duration of his final three years at the monastery. During this time, he taught various Buddhist philosophies to monks.
Over the course of his nine years of study, he also received empowerments and transmissions from a number of lineage holders and great masters of the Nyingma lineage, such as His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Khenchen Jigmey Phuntsok, His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and many others. On his winter breaks from the monastery he received numerous teachings and empowerments from Kyabje Dunsey Thrinley Norbu Rinpoche in Nepal; later, this close connection continued in the US. While in Nepal, Tulku Orgyen also received many lineage blessings from Kyabje Jadrel Sangay Dorjee.
Upon completion of advanced studies at Namdroling monastery, Tulku Orgyen returned to his retreat land, Thegchok Osel Choeling in Pemaköd, where he engaged in solitary retreat and completed the requisite practices to become a qualified Vajra Master in this lineage. In order to gain a western education and perspective, Tulku Orgyen studied and guest lectured at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Since late 1999, Tulku Orgyen Rinpoche has assisted his uncle and teacher, the Venerable Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche, by giving teachings, leading practices and retreats, and undertaking various other Dharma activities at Vairotsana Foundation Centers in California and New Mexico. Likewise, Rinpoche teaches and leads retreats in various places in North America and aboard: Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.
Rinpoche spends his winters in Pemaköd, where he leads annual Dharma events and public gatherings at his temple, Deden Tashi Choeling, and also oversees the temple’s many ongoing construction projects for the benefit of present and future Dharma practitioners in Pemaköd.
There, upon the completion of annual events and other activities, Rinpoche engages in solitary retreat, along with his students, and guides and gives empowerments to long-time retreatants on his retreat land.
When in India, he travels widely, giving teachings and empowerments in various Tibetan communities in north east India under the guidance and auspices of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama.
Rinpoche is the head of the Pemaköd Dharma Wheel in the US and Odiyana Charitable Society in India, through which he fulfills his aspirations in the Hidden Land of Pemaköd, and offers material support elsewhere in India for the general public, particularly for those most in need.
Rinpoche established Odiyana Institute for Tibetan Buddhist study and practice, through which he leads retreats/teachings and other activities in the US and beyond. For more information about Rinpoche’s ongoing Dharma activities in Pemaköd, please go to Pemakoddharmawheel website.