His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje was regarded as the spiritual head of the Nyingma Lineages until his death in 1987. He was unique in having received transmission of all the known Nyingma teachings. Although he achieved considerable fame in the West following his exile, he was most active in Central Tibet as the lineage holder for the Mindroling, with seats at Lamaling and in the regions of Kongpo and Puwo.
He was born into a privileged family in the South East of Tibet in Pemako on 10 June 1904 and was soon recognised as the reincarnation of the 19th century terton, His Holiness Dudjom Lingpa. Dudjom Lingpa (1835 - 1904) discovered numerous terma, or hidden teachings most notably related to Vajrakilaya practice.
Dudjom Rinpoche studied with the most extraordinary lamas of his time, starting with Khenpo Aten. When he was eight he studied with Ogyen Chogyur Gyatso one of Patrul Rinpoche’s disciples. Later he studied with all the greatest Nyingma and many other lamas, of the day including: Phungong Tulku Gyume Ngedon Wangpo, Jedrung Thinle Jampa Jungne, Gyume Phende Ozer, and Minling Dordzin Namdrol Gyatso. He was a great terton whose discoveries continue to be widely taught and practised. In particular he was a master of Dzogchen and was regarded as being an expert teacher on the nature of mind.
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