Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche

Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India, 1982. Photo: Ina Van Delden.

Kyabje Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche (1914-83) was born in Lhokha, southern Tibet. His father was one of Tibet's outstanding masters, Serkong Dorje Chang, and was said to be the incarnation of Marpa the translator; his mother was said to be the incarnation of Marpa's wife Dagmema; and Rinpoche was said to be the incarnation of Marpa's son Darma Dodé. In 1959 he was the highest incarnate lama of the Ganden Jangtse Monastery and was the only one of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's seven spiritual assistants to escape from Tibet.

Read more about Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche's life in this FPMT biography.

Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche 2, the incarnation of Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche, as recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was born in Spiti Valley, India, in 1984, and is currently based in Dharmasala.