Through the noble intentions of His Eminence Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, his incarnation Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche was born September 17 1990, during the monthly fulfillment offerings to the special Shangpa Kagyu Protector the 6-armed Mahakala at his previous home, Samdrub Darjay Choling Monastery in Sonada, India. Many auspicious signs accompanied the birth of Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche, and his Monastery was covered with a canopy of rainbows identical to the rainbows that had appeared above the monastery after Kabje Kalu Rinpoche Paranivana. Venerable Bokar Rinpoche has said, "That the Venerable Kalu Rinpoche chose to be reborn at his previous home, at his own monastery Samdrup Darjay Choling is an indication of his complete freedom of mind". Many faithful patrons, disciples and students of his previous incarnation who visited the holy child have felt unusually joyful, both physically and mentally, upon simply seeing face. From that moment, his previous disciples and students, near and far spread the news: "The Supreme reincarnation of our spiritual master has been born!"

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche was born with out any harm to his mother Drolkar-la who had served Kabje Kalu Rinpoche as his devoted attendant and cook for 12 years until his paravinyana. Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche 's father Lama Gyaltsen was born in 1935 into the noble family of Ratak in Kham, Eastern Tibet. At the instruction of the Second Jamgon Kongtrul, Khyentse Oser, Lama Gyaltsen began attending His Eminence Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche and served since his youth, as Rinpoche's secretary.

Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche officially recognized Kalu Rinpoche's Yangsi (young reincarnation) on March 25, 1992,Explaing that he had received definite signs from Kalu Rinpoche Himself. Tai Situ Rinpoche then sent a letter of recognition to his father Lama Gyaltsen. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was then consulted and confirmed that the child, then one and a half years old, was surely and unmistakably the reincarnation of Kalu Rinpoche.

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche was invited in July of 1992, to visit the Buddhist meditation centers founded in France by his previous incarnation, his disciples and many others who met him for the first time were amazed and moved to faith by his amazing presence. In December of 1992, he made his first pilgrimage to the supreme sacred place, Bodhgaya India the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha to attend the Kagyu Monlam. Although still very young, he attended daily the great gathering of monks to recite The Aspirations of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra performed prostrations and made offerings to the representations of the Buddha's body, speech and mind of the Buddha. Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche played the ritual hand drum and bell proficiently at the head of the assembly demonstration to all his understanding of sacred rituals. Young Yangsi gave gifts to the beggars there without having been taught to do so and his natural pleasure in doing these benevolent acts astonished everyone and led all to feel great faith in him.

On February 28, 1993, Kalu Rinpoche Yangsi was enthroned at Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery in Sonada, Darjeeling. The 14th Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche presided over the ceremony, assisted by Kabje Kalu Rinpoche's heart-son, Bokar Rinpoche. Tai Situ Rinpoche performed the hair-cutting ceremony and bestowed on the young incarnation the name Karma Ngedön Tenpay Gyaltsen; Victory Banner of the Teachings of the True Meaning.

In June of 1995, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche made his first worldwide tour accompanied by his parents and the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche. Young Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche inspired everyone who met him on this tour with his gentle and loving presence, which displayed the qualities of a true Bodhisattva. His interest in meditation, chanting, calligraphy and the traditional musical instruments revealed his deep affinity for Dharma activity. His greatest joy was found in playing the various ritual musical instruments, such as ra-gung (long horns) and gya-ling (short horns). With his gentle and loving nature he naturally comported himself in a manner surpassing the behavior of other children and his character revealed peacefulness, discipline and complete fearlessness; and it was evident to all that he had previously cultivated the spiritual path.

When His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was seven years old he journeyed with his parents to attend the yearly ten days Kagyu Monlam Prayer Gathering in Bodhgaya. Everyone enjoyed the Monlam Gathering and Lama Gyaltsen made many offerings and participated in the Monlam every day. Yangsi with his mother and father then returned to Droden Kunchab Chodey Tashi Gomang Stupa in Salugara together after the Monlam.

Upon returning, Lama Gyaltsen continued with his many activities and appeared to be maintaining normal good health. Unexpectedly his devoted Father Lama Gyaltsen Passed away from a heart attack bringing great sorrow to his Mother Drolkar who was inconsolable. Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche with his deep wisdom told his mother not to cry because it could cause harm to his father. Lama Gleltsen's sudden passing away was an irreplaceable loss for everyone. According to Drolkar-la, for three nights prior to passing away, Gyaltsen-la meditated late into the early hours of the morning after completing a normal day of activity.

Shortly after his Fathers death His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche requested that he be allowed to go to Bokar Monastery to begin his studies with The Venerable Bokar Rinpoche the previous Kabje Kalu Rinpoche's heart son and holder of the Shangpa lineage. Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche proved himself to be a diligent and excellent student requesting at age 11 to be given the complete cycle of teachings and empowerment of the precious Shangpa lineage from the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche.

When His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was just 14 the second great sorrow happened with the loss of his esteemed Teacher the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche, holder of both the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu transmissions, who, passed away on August 17th, 2004 at Bokar Monastery in Merik India. After Bokar Rinpoche sudden passing Khenpo Lodor Donyo assumed reasonability for Bokar monastery and became Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche's Dharma Teacher.

In February of 2005 His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche received the Empowerments required for the Shangpa lineage Three-year retreat. From his Eminence Gyalsap Rinpoche given at Bokar Monastery. Shortly thereafter he entered into the traditional Shangpa Kagyu retreat Center at Bokar Monastery. In September of 2008 the venerable Kalu Rinpoche will complete his first three-year retreat and has plans to also do a three-year retreat in the Kama Kagyu tradition, in the near future.

We are indeed extremely grateful to His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche whose sole purpose in life is to bring benefit to all beings and who through his commitments and diligence to continue unbroken the precious transmissions of the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages, ensuring that the precious teachings remain available to those who seek to walk upon the blessed Path to Liberation.

His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche Long Life Prayer


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