Lineage

Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin was born in the 16th century in Dangchu in 1586 as the Heart Son of Dorje Lingpa. He started his Buddhist education at the age of seven and mastered all traditions of Buddhism. As directed by his master, Ngawang Tsulthrim Rinpoche, and based on a vision, Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin went around Sephu Wangdue Goenpa looking for a suitable location for the establishment of a monastery. First, he chose a place known as Langbi and then Zargang at Busa. However, the guardian deity Mahakala, who appeared before him in the form of a raven, warned that the places were not suitable for the monastery. Upon reaching the present site, the raven vanished and he knew that was the right place for him to establish the Monastery. Thus, he settled there and named the Monastery as Busa Wangdue Goenpa. There was scarcity of water in the place and he revealed blessed water at three different locations known as Zarchu Poto, Jabna Hoka and Jangkho Wog which have different medicinal values for different illnesses. He had Drubthob UgyenDorji and many others as his disciples. Before he passed away, he entrusted his brother Drubthob Ugyen Dorji to take his lineage forward.

Drubthob Ugyen Dorji was born as a younger brother to Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin. Besides mastering all the Buddhist traditions, he mastered Dorling tradition under the close guidance of his elder brother, Tshunmed Tashi Tenzin. He helped establish Busa Wangdue Goenpa and installed in it all sacred relics, including small structures for the purpose of meditation. Almost all his life was dedicated to meditation at a place called Tshamkhapharkha where the present Dorling Thorim Shedra (higher place of learning) is being built. It is said that many followers and disciples of Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin attained enlightenment. Despite assassination plots hatched against him by his evil-minded friends, he could never be harmed owing to his supernatural power. His life was fully dedicated to upholding the lineage and teaching of Dorje Lingpa.

The third abbot, Jetsun Tshulthrim Pelbar was the nephew of Lama Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin. He was educated under the strict guidance of his uncle from basic learning of alphabets to the philosophical learning. His entire education was fed by two uncles – Tshungmed Tashi Tenzin and Drupthop Ugyen Dorji. From them he not only learnt the Buddhist literature but also received some of the finest secret teachings that includes: empowerment, transmission and secret instructions. He then practiced with most devotion till he finally got the realisation of knowledge.

After one of his uncle Drupthop Ugyen Dorji left for nirvana, he became the third abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa. As an abbot of the locality, he visited all the places and conferred blessings and teachings to the people.

He stayed in Terney Gyel Pheling in his last days and devoted himself to meditation and finally entered into nirvana.

He was the younger brother of Jetsun Tshulthrim Pelbar. He was known for his extraordinary intelligence in learning the Buddhist text from a very young age. He received all the teachings of Buddhism including the secret transmission from his uncle Drupthop Ugyen Dorji. As a young practitioner, most of the time he was deeply connected with his brother Tshulthrim Pelbar, and provided all the assistance. While in Terney Gyel Pheling he received empowerment, oral transmission and secret instructions from his brother. With the guidance from his brother, he completed three long years of retreat which ultimately made him a complete practitioner.

When his brother entered nirvana, he took-up absolute responsibility to perform all the memorial services for his late brother. He then became the fourth abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa, and had given his best service to the locality. In his later part of life, he established a Dorji Lingpa seat at Drangla (Trongsa) and named it Namgay Choling. He then took care of both the Busa Wangdue Goenpa and Drangla Namgay Choling Goenpa till be entered nirvana.

He was born to Nedup Pelmo, a younger sister of Jetsun Tshulthtrim Pelbar, and was born amazingly with number of auspicious signs. At four, he started his education, learning the basic principles of alphabets and prayers from his uncle Tshulthrim Namgyel. It was noted that while learning, he had never faced problem, spontaneously he learnt all the basics in a very short duration.

At ten, he furthered his studies from his uncle and other eminent masters on higher sect of Buddhist philosophies and literature. And, after having had gained substantial volume of Buddhist literature, he then received secret tantric teaching from his uncle which included empowerment, oral transmission, secret instructions. After his uncle Jetsun Tshulthrim Namgyel left for nirvana, he formally became the fifth abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa In Drangla, seeing that the place at Namgyal Choling Gonpa was so congested and inconvenient for extension, he shifted it to the present place and named it as Drangla Samten Chokhor.

He then went to Trongsa. Upon reaching Bjizam, a demon, that was harming the people, tried to harm him with a number of evils magic. The lama subdued the demons and constructed the stupa and placed a finger span golden statue of Guru Tshokey Dorje as the inner sacred relic. The consecration of the stupa was conducted by himself. In gratitude, the community of the area started to offer annual Buelwa (new crops) to him.

The lama was having three golden statues. One was installed in Bjizam Chorten and one in Rabo Chorten. The third one is still in possession of the ruling lineage which is displayed to the public on the 10th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar at Busa Wangdue Goenpa.

In Drangla, the local deity, Thrinlay Dendup attempted to harm the Lama with evil magic power by transforming himself into an iron fierce wild yak. The lama with his spiritual power subdued the deity and made him the dharma protector of the area. He also built a monastery in the area which is still being used as the residence of Busa Trulku Rinpoche. On the back of it, he established a crematorium for the people of Drangla.

Lama Khedrup Choki Dorji then became the sixth abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa and took the responsibility of maintaining the seat and fulfilled the religious and spiritual needs of the people of Sephu.

Lama Dorji Tenzin was a nephew of KhedrupChokiDorji from Chendebji. He received the teachings of Dorje Lingpa tradition from his uncle and mastered them. He stayed at Drangla and Busa Wangdue Gonepa preaching the dharma until he left for nirvana.

​Lama Sherab Yoezer was born as a grandson of Khedrup Choki Dorji in Chendebji. Since an early age, he received teachings, oral transmission, and empowerment of Dorje Lingpa tradition from Buli Trulku Khachab Namkha Dorji in Bumthang.

He served as a royal attendant to the First King Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk at Kunga Rabten Palace. Later, Gongsa sent Sherab Yoezer as the next abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa. He conferred empowerment, oral transmission, and teachings to the people of Sephu until he left for nirvana.

Lam Phuntsho Dorji was born as the third of the four sons to Namgay Pelmo, the younger sister of Lama Sherab Yoezer. Believed to be the reincarnation of Yudra Nyingpo of Gyalmo Tshawa Rong he started his religious life at an early age and received teachings in Mahayana Buddhism from Buli Trulku and sat for three-year retreat.

Being a heart son of the tradition, he has taken on himself to write the teachings of Dorje Lingpa tradition. He became the abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa after Lama Sherab Yoezer left for nirvana.

The Buli Trulku gave him some statues and a Choedril. (large bell). The statues are kept at the residence of Busa Trulku at Drangla while the Choedril is at Busa Wangdue Gonpa.

Phuntsho Dorji lived a simple hermit life of renunciation, always being compassionate to the poor people. He exchanged the teachings of Dorje Lingpa tradition with the 64th Je Khenpo Jamyang Yeshi Singye. In 1952, left for nirvana. When his body was cremated at his monastic seat – Busa Wagdue Goenpa, the scene was filled with miracles like a band of white cloud and rainbow stretching across the sky. From the ashes of his remains appeared ringsel (relics).

From the true lineage of Lama Phuntsho Dorji (alias Tsundru Dorji), Lam Ngawang Tenzin was born to his younger brother Gonpo Gyeltshen and mother Sangagmo in 1948. His conception was marked by a number of auspicious signs. At the age of two or three, he showed propensities of his previous life and displayed extraordinary character traits. Observing his behaviour, the people were convinced that he was not an ordinary being. As his uncle Phurgyel presented to him the belongings of late Lama Sherab Yoezer mixed with other similar objects, he picked all the objects that belonged to Lama Sherab Yoedzer and said these belonged to him. This left no doubt that he was the reincarnation of Lama Sherab Yoezer, the 9th lineage holder.

He started learning at the age of five and, at seven, he was admitted to the Central Monastic Body where he was named Ngawang Tenzin by the 63rd Je Khenpo Thinley Lhundrup in 1954. He mastered all the teachings of Buddha dharma and was given a special care by the 65th Khenchen Jamyang YeshiSingye as his heart son. He was provided all necessary support while staying with His Holiness in the centre monastic body for 14 years.

There, he was fully aware of all the discipline followed by monks in the Dzong which he followed later on. In 1968, at the age of 21, coinciding with the first lunar month in which Lord Buddha subjugated evil forces, he was enthroned as the 10th abbot or lineage holder of Busa Wangdue Goenpa. He was the abbot who instituted the monastic education at the monastery with the first layman and yogi school (gomday) in 1994, and started the current Busa Wangdue Goenpa Dorje Lingpa Buddhist College in 2000. He also brought many other changes and developments at the monastery.

Later, with the support of devotees, the Monastery saw a major renovation between 2002 and 2009. The consecration ceremony of the renovated Goenpa was presided over by Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche. In 2009 he handed over the Goenpa to his nephew Busa Trulku Sonam Gyeltshen as the 11th lineage holder and still living concentration fully on prayers and meditations.

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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 Dori 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 Khentse 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, pith 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 pith 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.