Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
Religion	Tibetan Buddhism
School	Karma Kagyu
Other names	The Venerable Khenpo Karma Tharchin Rinpoche
Personal
Born	3 April 1924 Kham, Tibet
Senior posting
Based in	Woodstock, NY, USA
Title	Venerable (ecclesiastic) or Khenpo (academic) or Rinpoche (devotional) (or any combination)

The Venerable Khenpo Karma Tharchin Rinpoche (b. 3 April 1924), widely known by his abbreviated name Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, is a senior lama of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. As of 2016^[update] he serves as abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) Monastery in .

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche practices and teaches Mahamudra and Dzogchen and has served as Retreat Master for several three-year retreats. He has taught Buddhist history and philosophy at every level, written several books on philosophy and the practice of meditation, and conferred initiation at every level of Vajrayana practice, including Anuttarayogatantra. He has hosted visits and teachings by the lamas of the Karma Kagyu and other lineages, including a visit to KTD by the 14th Dalai Lama in September 2006, and in late May 2008 presided over the enthronement of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje in his principal seat in the West at KTD.

Born in Kham, Tibet to a nomadic family, Khenpo Rinpoche is not (in contrast to most Rinpoches) a tulku or reincarnate lama, but has achieved his realization in this lifetime. He began his religious training under his parents, who were both devout practitioners, and at the age of 12 entered Thrangu Monastery to continue his education. At age 20, he received the Gelong ordination from HE the 11th Tai Situ Rinpoche at Palpung Monastery. Following a series of retreats including the traditional 3-year retreat, he was sent by his guru the 8th Traleg Rinpoche to Thrangu Monastery for advanced education in Buddhist studies. After five years of study, at age 30, he was awarded the Khenpo degree and began teaching.

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Wikipedia