Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration today organised a prayer service to mourn the demise of Kathok Getse Rinpoche, the 7th supreme head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche passed away following an accident on 19 November.
Addressing the prayer service, Officiating President and Kalon of Department of Religion and Culture, Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok offered his profound condolences to all followers and devotees of Rinpoche. Kalon offered earnest prayers for Rinpoche’s continued blessing and swift reincarnation.
A brief biography of Rinpoche was read out.
The prayer service was attended by members of the Kashag, Tibetan parliamentarians, Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission along with staff and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.
All the offices of the Central Tibetan Administration were shut after the service as a mark of respect and mourning.
The Fifth Kathok Getse Rinpoche Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen, holder of the Kathok Monastery lineage, was appointed as the 7th head of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism for a three-year term, during the spiritual gathering of 29th Nyingma Monlam in Bodh Gaya, in January this year. The representatives of the Nyingma school drew a unanimous decision to appoint Kathok Getse Rinpoche and five other Nyingma lamas as the supreme head of Nyingma tradition in a three-year tenure basis. Representatives of six major Nyingma monasteries, Zogchen, Shechen, Mindrolling, Dorje Drak and Palyul will succeed Kathok Getse Rinpoche as the supreme head of Nyingma on the termly basis.
Brief bio-data of Kathok Getse Rinpoche
Kathok Getse Rinpoche was born in Golok, Eastern Tibet, and was recognized by the 16th Karmapa, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje as the reincarnation of the Third Katok Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal. From a very early age, Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from many masters. After coming to exile in 1997, Getse Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche among others.
From a very early age, he received teachings and empowerments from many masters such as Katok Moktsa Rinpoche, Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tubten Pema Trinle, the reincarnation of Adzom Drukpa, Tulku Nyida, son of Tulku Lhatop, himself a son of Dudjom Lingpa. Katok Getse Rinpoche spent many years in retreat and was known for his mastery of Dzogchen. After exile from Tibet, he divided his time between Kathmandu, where he oversaw Katok Ritrod, Chagdud Gompa small retreat center in Pharping (Nepal), India, and Bhutan.
CTA organises prayer service for late Kathok Getse Rinpoche, 7th Nyingma Head.
Kalons, Tibetan parliamentarians and officials of CTA at the prayer service.
Kalons, Tibetan parliamentarians and staff of the Central Tibetan Administration at the prayer service.