With the blessing of Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo Rinpoche, KPC Maryland warmly welcomes you to a profound weekend of transmissions led by Venerable Luphug Tulku Shedrup Tenzin Rinpoche.

Sat. August 15 & Sun. August 16, 2026 

Location: KPC Maryland Temple 

A Brief Biography of Venerable Luphug Tulku Shedrup Tenzin Rinpoche

Venerable Luphug Tulku Shedrup Tenzin Rinpoche was born in 1977 to his father, Yeshe Dorje, and his mother, Lhaga. At the age of six, he was recognized by the 11th Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage, His Holiness Drubwang Penor Rinpoche, as the unmistakable reincarnation of Khenchen Zhenphen Ledrup.

The previous incarnation, Khenchen Zhenphen Ledrup, was a holder of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage and one of the principal disciples of Khenchen Ngaga. Khenchen Ngaga had also recognized him as the emanation of Bakula Arhat, a direct disciple from the time of the Buddha. 

Depiction of Bakula Arhat, an original disciple of the Buddha.

Khenchen Zhenphen Ledrup was an esteemed scholar of all sutra and tantra teachings as well as a highly accomplished practitioner. He was particularly renowned for his mastery of the practices of the channels and winds (tsa lung), and was said to have attained the siddhi of swift-feet, giving him the miraculous ability to traverse vast distances in an instant. Because of this, he was able to make a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya and eight other holy places in India and travel back to Tibet within a remarkably short period of time.

Later in accordance with Khenchen Ngaga’s enlightened intention, Khenchen Zhenphen Ledrup taught and spread the Dharma at Luphug Monastery in Chamdo Province, guiding fortunate disciples with the profound teachings of Dzogchen. When his enlightened activities culminated and he was about to enter parinirvana, his disciples requested guidance regarding his future rebirth. He personally gave oral instructions stating that the matter of his reincarnation should be left entirely to the decision of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.

In 1983, when Penor Rinpoche returned to the ancestral Palyul Mother Monastery, he formally recognized Tulku Shedrup Tenzin as the true reincarnation of Khenchen Zhenphen Ledrup. That same year, grand enthronement ceremonies were held at both Palyul Monastery and Luphug Monastery. From that time onward, he became widely known as “Luphug” Tulku. He began his foundational education at Luphug Monastery, where he received basic training in reading and writing Tibetan, alongside detailed instructions in ritual ceremonies.

In 1996, Luphug Tulku Rinpoche joined the monastic college at the Palyul Mother Monastery. To further his education, he traveled to India in 1999 to join the prestigious Ngagyur Nyingma Institute at Namdroling Monastery. There, he completed the rigorous comprehensive courses in sutra, tantra, and other traditional sciences, studying under many eminent masters. After completing the nine-year curriculum, he was awarded the certificate of Buddhist Professor (Khenpo) by Penor Rinpoche.

From his root teacher Penor Rinpoche, Luphug Tulku Rinpoche received the complete teachings and oral transmissions of the Palyul lineage’s profound Namchö (“Sky Treasure”) cycle. This included the foundational Buddha in the Palm of the Hand preliminary practices, advanced instructions on the channels, winds, and bindus, and the highest Dzogchen practices of Trekchö and Tögal. He also received the Rinchen Terdzöd, the Kama transmissions, the Longchen Nyingthig Tsapod and various other crucial empowerments from Penor Rinpoche.

Furthermore, Tulku Rinpoche received numerous teachings and empowerments from other illustrious masters, including Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche, Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche and Kyabje Thubsang Rinpoche.

In 2006, he accompanied Penor Rinpoche for the first time to propagate the Dharma in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and other regions. Recognizing his capability, Penor Rinpoche sent Tulku Rinpoche as his official emissary to the coronation of the Fifth King of Bhutan in 2008. Similarly, Penor Rinpoche designated Luphug Tulku Rinpoche to represent him in Arunachal Pradesh to preside over grand rituals on several occasions.

Demonstrating strong administrative leadership, he has also served multiple terms as Vice President and President of the Dratsang Board of Council of Namdroling Monastery.

When Tulku Rinpoche later returned to his hometown to visit his parents and to visit Luphug Monastery, he found that the monastery had fallen into severe disrepair and resolved to rebuild it. To avert the negative influences of certain fallen protectors in the locality of Luphug Monastery, Penor Rinpoche explicitly instructed Tulku Rinpoche to reconstruct the monastery to preserve and propagate the pure teachings of the Nyingma tradition. The generosity and devotion of Taiwanese disciples became a vital source of support, enabling Tulku Rinpoche to fulfill his guru’s sacred aspiration.

In 2011, Rinpoche established the Taiwan Palyul Ogyen Ödsel Choling Dharma Center. Since its founding, he has continuously taught a wide range of courses, including guidance on the Namchö Dzogchen preliminary practices, commentaries on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend, teachings on The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra, the pith instructions on practice given directly by Guru Rinpoche to Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, and the essential mind-training (Lojong) teachings of Patrul Rinpoche.

Despite his demanding Dharma activities in Taiwan, Rinpoche continues to keep Namdroling Monastery close to his heart. He travels frequently between Taiwan and India, providing steadfast support, leadership, and spiritual guidance to both the lay community and the monastic Sangha. At Palyul Ling International Retreat Center in Upstate NY, Luphug Tulku Rinpoche has also served as a principal teacher for the summer Ngöndro course.