Dru-gu Choegyal Rinpoche

Overview

Bio Positions Art Teachings Projects

Dru-gu Choegyal Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. 16th Karmapa as well as other high Tibetan masters as the 8th incarnation of Dru-gu Choegyal Gyamtso.

Choegyal Rinpoche was brought up under the care and guidance of H.H. 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche for 26 years. He received refuge with the age of 4 from H.E. Tsennyi Sotan as well as ongoing teachings. He also received teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche for 35 years, as well as from other extraordinary Khenpos, Tokdens, and Rinpoches.

In 1958 Rinpoche left his monastery in Dru-gu Tibet along with many monks, nuns, and lay people. The following year, His Holiness the Dalai Lama also fled to India. Since then, Rinpoche along with thousands of others has been living as a refugee in the Himals of Northern India.

In recent years Rinpoche has returned to his homeland for short visits to give Dharma teachings to his practitioners and to begin reconstruction projects in his monastery.

Official positions:

Kaseri, Guru Rinpoche Sanctuary.
Spiritual head of the Dru-gu region of Tibet and the Dru-gu Monastic Institute, Tibet (current).
Vice-president of Jangchub Jong Buddhist Institute (current).
Representative of H.H. Dalai Lama together with H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche to the Inter-religious Assembly at the Vatican, Rome (1999).
Vajracarya of the Kampagar monastery in Tashi Jong (7 years)
President and vice-president of the Tashi Jong Community (6 years).

Art Media: painting, calligraphy, drawing, carpet design, architecture, sculpture, masks

Art Themes: mind, experiences, lineage masters of all Tibetan Buddhist schools, landscape, illustrated poetry and songs, calligraphy†

Special current art series:
Illustrated series of Bardo teachings
Tibetan Buddhist attitude towards women
Illustrated memories of Tibetan life before 1959 and Tibetan life in exile

Selected Exhibitions
Munch Museum, Oslo
Tibet House, New York
Bonomo Gallery, Rome
Mariano Gallery, Buenos Aires
Robson House, San Anselmo, CA
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco
The Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, British Colombia
Toronto University, Ontario
Waterloo & Kitchener University, Ontario
Dharma House, Kuala Lumpur
India International Center, New Delhi (exhibition organized by H.H. Dalai Lama Foundation)
Indo-German Cultural Center, New Delhi

Selected Private collections
H.H. Sakya Trinzin
H.H. Karmapa
H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche 
9Th Khamtrul Rinpoche from Tashijong

Selected Institutional Collections
Jangchub Jong Buddhist Institute, India
Dru-gu Monastery, Tibet
Merigar Dzogchen Community Center, Italy
Tsegyalar East, Massachusetts
Rubin Museum, New York
Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
Garrison Institute, New York

Choegyal Rinpoche’s Artwork can be seen online at :
ChoegyalRinpoche.org
BonomoGallery.com
ArtsOfUnderstanding.org
HeartOfAsia.org/drugu.htm

Teaching activities in:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, England, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Taiwan, Tibet, and USA (New York, Massachusetts, California, Hawaii)

Completed Projects
In Dru-gu Tibet:
Reconstruction of Dru-gu Monastery
Dru-gu Nunnery
Three Year Retreat Center
Dru-gu Library
Choegyal Personal Retreat Center
In Nepal:
Center for Lifelong retreat (Dru-gu)
Tare-Vir Dru-gu Retreat Center (Under the care of Tashijong)
Yogini Center (Dru-gu)

 

Download a printable version of this overview of Rinpoche’s life, art, projects and activities in PDF Format.

 

Bio Positions Art Teachings Projects