Lama Yeshi Phuntsok
Lama Yeshi Phuntsok (aka Dogomchen Tulku) was recognized by Dudjom Rinpoche while still in his mother's womb in Kongpo, Tibet. Dudjom Rinpoche predicted that the child would be of fortunate rebirth, and gave him the name Yeshi; he also said that he would give an additional name after the child was born.
Birth and Family
At the age of five, Lama Yeshi Phuntsok went to Lhasa with his parents to see Dudjom Rinpoche, who recognized the child as an authentic emanation of a great Drikung Kagyü meditation master, the Gyalchen Rinpoche of Jhang Dhong-Nyur Monastery in Northern Tibet. At that time, Dudjom Rinpoche also added the promised second name of Phuntsok.
Lama Yeshi Phuntsok's late father, Lama Thikchok Dorjee, also known as Yana Vajra (Skt. Paramayanavajra), was a disciple of Degyal Rinpoche of Namkha Chung Dzong Monastery, near Mount Kailash in Tibet. Lama Yeshi's father practised under Degyal Rinpoche for over thirty years. In addition to completing 1,200,000 prostrations during his lifetime, he also completed practice trips twice during his lifetime to the one hundred and eight famous charnel grounds of India, Nepal and Tibet.
After the death and parinirvana of Degyal Rinpoche, Lama Yeshi's father and mother both travelled to Kongpo on several occasions to receive teachings from Dudjom Rinpoche. Lama Yeshi Phuntsok's late mother, Sherab Yeshe Zangmo, completed twelve years of retreat under the guidance of her husband, Lama Thikchok Dorjee.
Training
After escaping from Tibet, Dudjom Rinpoche sent Lama Yeshi Phuntsok to be enthroned at Tso Pema, or Rewalsar, India. Lama Yeshi Phuntsok was given the name Dogomchen Tulku at that time, and was sent to the Young Lama's Home School in Dalhousie, India, where many young tulkus of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism studied. After studying religion and language there for three years, he attended the Buddhist Monastic School at Tso Pema for two years. Later this school moved to Dehra Dhun, India, and is now called Mindroling Monastery. Lama Yeshi Phuntsok served Dudjom Rinpoche and his family in various capacities for many years and received many teachings from him which includes:
- Rinchen Terdzö
- Nyingma Gyübum
- Nyingma Kama
- Peling Chokhor
- as well as the entire Dudjom Tersar lineage.
Lama Yeshi Phuntsok received teachings and empowerments from many other great masters like: Chatral Sangye Dorje, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Karmapa Rangjung Rigpé Dorje, Minling Trichen Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche.
