Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche
H.E. Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche was a highly accomplished Lama and Yogi in the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Tibet in 1950 and recognized at a young age as an emanation of Kunzang Drodul, the 1st Lho Ontul Rinpoche, the older brother of the 19-20th century saint Orgyen Nuden Dorje. The first Ontul Rinpoche was recognized as an emanation of Drog Ban Khiu Chung Lotsawa, one of the twenty-five main disciples of Guru Padmasambhava.
Rinpoche fled Tibet in 1959 with his tutor and many people from his village. In India, overcoming many hardships, he studied with numerous illustrious teachers such as Ven. Khenpo Thubten, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the 3rd Kalu Rinpoche and H.E. Chöje Togden Rinpoche of Ladakh.
Ontul Rinpoche bought a piece of land in 1971 at Tso Pema (Rewalsar, H.P.) from the donations he received in Ladakh. He built the Drikung Kagyu Monastery, where he resides with his family and son, Karma Ratna Rinpoche. Father and son have traveled and taught Dharma for many years throughout the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Europe. Ontul Rinpoche was one of the foremost teachers bringing the Yangzab Dzogchen lineage and Orgyen Nuden Dorje treasures of the Drikung Kagyu to the West.