H. E. Busa Trulku Sonam Gyeltshen Rinpoche

The Biography of The 11th Busa Trulku Rinpoche

Born in 1974, Busa Trulku Rinpoche was recognised as a true son of the Dorling lineage. He was born to father Phurpa and mother Aum Lhamo from Zhemgang Zhelngo.
Before he came to this life, he was born as various Buddhist masters.
His previous life was born as Lam Phuntsho Dorji in Chendebji, Trongsa, Bhutan who became the ninth abbot of Busa Wangdue Gonpa.

Busa Trulku Rinpoche’s birth was marked by many auspicious signs such as his mother giving birth to him without any pain. His birth signified the Sonam (merit) of the people of Sey Phur. Hence, he was named Sonam. His paternal uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin brought him up with warmth and care. At the age of two, he became fond of using a vajra and a ritual bell and recognised many people from his previous life. Subsequently, he was recognised as the reincarnation of the 9th abbot Phuntsho Dorji, earning reverence from the people of the villages. His formal education in Buddhist studies began at the age of four. He was taught by his father and paternal uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin.
He was bright and grasped the teachings very quickly. Alongside his uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin, he received empowerment and oral transmission of Buddhist canon, Kanjur Chemo, Dham-ngak Zoe and Jigling Kabum from Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse, Tashi Peljor.

In 1980, he was ordained as a monk in the Central Monastic Body where he learnt the Kagyud tradition for five years. At the age of 14 in 1987, he was sent to Gangteng Shedra where he spent more than 10 years and completed his higher education in 2000. While in Gangtey, he received complete teaching of Pedling tradition with empowerment, oral transmission, pitch instruction and upadesha from Ganteng Trulku Rinpoche who then accepted him as his heart son.

He received teachings on Sarma tradition and particulary Thri Yeshi Lama (a guide to Dzongchen practice by Jigme Lingpa) from Jetsun Tenzin Dendup, 68th Je-Khenpo of Bhutan and contemplated on these. Thereafter, as advised by Gangten Trulku Rinpoche he went to Drepung Loselling Shedra and studied tshedma (valid cognition) for two years. He also received pitch instruction from other reknown Sarma and Nyingma masters such as Lam Ngawang Tenzin and Kyabje Jadrel Sangay Dorji.

In 2002, he received complete teachings on Dorling tradition from Aja Lama Zhenphen Drodul Dorji Tenzin (1921-2005) who formally recognized him as the true reincarnation of Lam Phuntsho Dorji, the ninth abbot of Busa Wangdue Gonpa and issued a certificate of recognition. His second name Gyeltshen was added to his first name Sonam. Hence his name became Busa Trulku Sonam Gyaltshen. He was then entrusted with full responsibility to uphold the Dorling tradition as his representative.

In 2003, he entered into three-year retreat in Kunzang Choling meditation centre in Gangtey. After completing his retreat, he served Gangteng Monastery shouldering important responsibility in various capacities rising up to the positions of secretary and treasurer.

In 2008, coinciding with the three important auspicious occasions taking place in the country- enthronement of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, completion of 100 years of monarchy, and institution of Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, Busa Trulku Rinpoche was conferred the title of Pedling Khenpo (khenthog dhangpa) by Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche.

A year later in 2009, his paternal uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin abdicated the seat and he was enthroned as his successor. Since then, he took charge of Busa Wangdue Goenpa Dorling Dhensa 多傑林巴 ,Rabtse Gonpa, Dued Pung Zilnon Ling and Dangchu Zhabje Lhakhang and contributed immensely in strengthening and propagating the Dorling tradition.

On 28 December 2017, His Holiness the 70th Je-khenpo of Bhutan conferred him a scarf in recognition of his valuable contribution in propagating the Dorling tradition which was on the verge of demise and to further endorse the recognition as the true son of Dorling lineage.
Through various ways and means, Busa Trulku Rinpoche is trying to propagate the Dorling tradition not only in Bhutan but also in other countries such as Hongkong and Taiwan.