Drupon Tsering Rinpoche took refuge at the age of eight from His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. Three years later, Tsering Rinpoche received his novice ordination, the Bodhisattva vow as well as Mahamudra instructions from the great Siddha Karma Norbu, from the Karma Kagyu School.  Since his eleventh year, Rinpoche lived and studied under the guidance of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche at Gar Monastery in East Tibet, where he completed the preliminary practices of the Drikung Dzogchen Yangzab and the Longchen Nyingthig tradition.  At Gar Monastery, Tsering Rinpoche served as the shrine master for five years, and performed many ceremonies, rituals, and Drubchens with Garchen Rinpoche.  Drupon Tsering Rinpoche learned and taught spiritual dances, the playing of ritual instruments, the making of sand Mandalas, Tormas and the like. Furthermore, he served as the chanting master, performing Pujas and Drubchens.  Drupon Tsering Rinpoche received countless Abhishekas, pith instructions, and transmissions from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, including the empowerments of the eight Herukas, the fifty empowerments of the Drikung Kagyü, of Chakrasamvara,  Vajrayogini and the collections of Chöd practices, as well as the Rigtä of all Dharma protectors of the old and new transmissions.  Khenpo Jigme Phuntshok bestowed on him the Abhisheka of Kalachakra.  Rinpoche also obtained instructions from Payül Khenpo Tenzin on the following scriptures: Bodhicharyavatara, the Thirtyseven Practices of a Bodhisattva, the Three Vows, and the Fifty Stanzas on the Spiritual Teacher.  From Khenpo Yeshe of the Nyingmapas, he received the Ngag Chung Transmission (only by hearing), and instructions on the Aspiration Prayer of Ground, Path and Result.  Under Khenpo Urgyen Rinpoche he studied Gampopas Jewel Ornament of Liberation, the Single Intent “Gong chig,” as well as Tibetan Grammar.  In a hundred-day-retreat, Rinpoche practiced the Tonglen of the Six Realms, based on Patrul Rinpoche’s “Words of my perfect teacher.”

Drupon Tsering Rinpoche also received his Bodhisattva vow, instructions on the Aspiration Prayer of Sukhavati, the Nyingma Phowa and on Dzogchen Tregchöd, Thögal, Yeshe Lama, along with the practice of Khor-de-Rü-shen, and the Rigpätsäl empowerment from Khenpo Münsel.  During his training, Rinpoche completed many retreats during which he practiced the long Sadhanas of Vajrakilaya, Yamantaka, Guru Drakpo, Vajrasattva, Ambithaba and White Tara, as well as Chöd, and one hundred sets of Nyungne.  Furthermore, Ven. Tsering Rinpoche followed a traditional Three-Year, Three-Months and Three-Days Retreat, practicing the Fivefold Mahamudra known as “Chagchen Ngaden”, and the Six Yogas of Naropa, whose instructions he received from Lho Bongtrul Tenzin Nyinma.  In the year 2000, the year of the snake, Rinpoche received all Abhishekas and transmission of the Drikung Kagyü tradition from H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang in Dehradun, India.

During the year of the monkey, in 2004, both H.H. Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche and H.E. Garchen Rinpoche conferred on him the title of Drubpon “Retreat Master.”  In 2003, by the request of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche,  Drupon Tsering Rinpoche became the Lama in residence at the Drikung Garchen Institute in Munich, where he represents H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in the whole of Europe.  We are happy that Drupon Tsering Rinpoche supports our Sangha with his countless teachings, his vast knowledge and compassion, as well as his infinite energy and patience.  Drupon Tsering Rinpoche speaks German and English.