Meet H.H. Penor Rinpoche
H.H. 3rd Penor Rinpoche and H.H. 4th Penor Yangsi Rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche (“Penor Rinpoche,” 1932 – March 27, 2009), was the 11th throneholder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen, meditation techniques designed to help us realize our true nature and respected for the integrity and strength with which he upheld the Buddhist teachings.
The Third Drubwang Pema Norbu (“Penor”) Rinpoche was born in the Powo region of Kham, East Tibet to Sonam Gyurme (father) and Dzom Kyi (mother) during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar the year of the Water Monkey (1932). His birth took place during the most bitter, cold, bleak and dry part of the winter season, a time when nothing grows and the land is blanketed with thick, deep, heavy snow. Yet at the time of his birth, sweetly-scented flowers burst into blossoms all around the home of the infant tulku.
In 1936, the young Penor Rinpoche was invited to the Palyul monastery where he took refuge with Khenchen Ngagi Wangpo. Rinpoche was formally enthroned by his master Thubten Chökyi Dawa (1894-1959) [the second Chögtrul Rinpoche], and Karma Thekchok Nyingpo (1908-1958) [the fourth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche]. In time, Penor Rinpoche would become the Eleventh Throneholder of Palyul Monastery with its more than four hundred branch monasteries. He spent many years at Palyul, studying and receiving teachings from numerous masters and scholars. He received mind-to-mind transmission from Lungtrul Rinpoche Shedrup Tenpai Nyima. He also received training and instructions from the Fourth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the Tenth Throneholder, who carefully prepared him as his successor. In turn, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche trained the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche.
After escaping Tibet, he took refuge in India, where he established a large monastic community, temples, Shedra (Buddhist University), and nunnery. Later, he established many temples throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. His Holiness attained Parinirvana on March 27, 2009.
H.H. has since been reborn as the 4th Penor Rinpoche, and is currently studying and leading ceremonies at the Palyul Monastery in Tibet.
