Recognition of the Reincarnate Bodong Rinpoche

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama with the reincarnate Bodong Rinpoche

Due to the long term effort and numerous prayers by the late Venerable Tsering Damchoe, Sonam Dhondup, the son of Porong Dawa Dhargye and Kalsang Choedon, was recognised as a reincarnation of Bodong Lama Sonam Gyaltsen. Now the reincarnated Rinpoche of Bodong Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen has been confirmed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Educating the young Rinpoche in the Bodong tradition is one of the most challenging tasks. The current focus of the Bodong Research and Publication Center is to establish the authentic teaching lineage of the Bodong Tradition. This task involves collecting information about the Bodong lineage and transmission from all the related Tibetan traditions. Our intention is to produce scholars who will practice the tradition and pass it on to future dedicated practitioners.

“From my side, if anything can be done and supported, I will graciously do it and it is worth doing so. Bodong Chogley Namgyal was very well known and glorious. Gyedun Drup (the 1st Dalai Lama) received his first teachings on Palden Lhamo from Bodong Chogley Namgyal. Since after receiving the teachings by Gyedun Drup, Palden Lhamo became the special deity goddess of the successive Dalai Lamas. Actually it was Bodong Chogley Namgyal who first introduced Palden Lhamo to Gyedun Drup.”

- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama