The Parinirvana Anniversary of The 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche
On the 18th day of eleventh month of Tibetan calendar is the parinirvana anniversary of the 8th Gyalwa Dokhampa, Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche.
Dechen Choekhor and all its branch monasteries, including Khampagar will be conducting special Guru Offering (Lama Chodpa) and Guru Yoga puja on this memorable day marking the passing of this great master of Drukpa Kagyu.
The 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche Dongyud Nyima (1931-1980), was a great scholar and well versed in traditional art of thangka painting, ritual dances, Tibetan medicine, traditional woodcraft and metal craft. The previous Khamtrul Rinpoche and Adeu Rinpoche are both the main lineage holders of Drukpa Kagyu Lineage from the 8th Kyabgon Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche. Just as all his predecessors, every single Khamtrul Rinpoches Lineage primarily received transmission and teachings at Dechen Cheokhor from Shabdrung Choekyi Gonpo (Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche) or Drukpa Yongzin Rinpoche.
In year 1980, on Khamtrul Rinpoche's last visit to Bhutan; he conferred many initiations and empowerments at the request of his devotees. Due to our limited accumulation of good Karma, we have not been able to see his long life, and he passed away in Tongsa Monastery, Bhutan at a young age of 49 after completing numerous empowerments. Initiations was completed around 8pm followed by dinner, and later Rinpoche told his attendant that he was unwell, and shortly after that he entered into parinirvana at early morning before dawn. The current Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche was there during his entire stays, and has spent about one month with him to receive the most important teachings and transmissions of the Drukpa Kagyu.
After the passing of the 8th Kyabgon Choegon Rinpoche, his two heart-sons: the 8th Kyabje Adeu Rinpoche and the 8th Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, became the pillars and strength of Drukpa Kagyu - to hold and propagate the precious teachings, practices and the essence of the lineage.
The 8th Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche, the 8th Adeu Rinpoche and the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, important as they certainly are, the peerless and greatest masters of Drukpa Kagyu of the 20th century. Owing to their great kindness, endurance and perseverance in preserving and propagating the essence and the authentic teachings of the lineage, Drukpa Kagyu Lineage continued to flourish today in Nangchen, Tibet, India and Nepal.