In Tibetan, phak means “noble one” and chok means “supreme”; hence, Phakchok means the Supreme Noble One, an epithet of the Lord of Compassion.
HH Phakchok Rinpoche
Kelsang Gyatso,
the Seventh Dalai Lama, most kindly bestowed on the first Phakchok Rinpoche special honors. The Chinese emperor Yutrig later conferred on him the Golden Credential and the imperial Nomihan rank with it associated seal, palanquin, parasol, as well as imperial testimonial letters written in Tibetan, Chinese, and Mongolian.
The current H.H. 7th Phakchok Rinpoche is the 22nd throne holder of the Riwoche Taklung Kagyu Lineage and eldest son of H.E. 4th Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche. His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, bestowed upon Phakchok Rinpoche the hair-cutting and naming ceremonies and conferred the name Tenzin Jigme Drakpa.
Due to his outstanding brightness and inherent qualities from former training, Phakchok Rinpoche excelled at every topic that he studied. Under the direction of H.E. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and tutelage of Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk Rinpoche, Phakchok Rinpoche completed a traditional nine-year Buddhist philosophy education within a mere seven years at the renowned Dzongsar Institute of Advanced Buddhist Studies, Bir, Himachal Pradesh. In 2004 H.H. Dalai Lama and H.E. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche conferred the title of Khenpo (professorship of Buddhist Philosophy) in recognition of Phakchok Rinpoche's mastery.
From very early childhood, Phakchok Rinpoche has been receiving numerous empowerments, reading transmissions, and instructions from sublime teachers, lineage-holders, and noble beings from all schools of Buddhism including H.H. Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, H.E. Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche, H.H. Sakya Dagtri Drolma Podrang, H.E. Kyabje Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, Kyabje Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Kyabje Dabsang Rinpoche, Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche, his own father, H.E. Chokling Rinpoche, and so forth.
In recent years, Phakchok Rinpoche has been actively teaching and propagating the Buddha Dharma all over the world. He regularly assists his uncle, Abbot H.E. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, and his father, Vajra Master H.E. Chokling Rinpoche, in the education and training of (230+) monks and (100+) nuns of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and Nagi Gonpa Abbey, respectively. He also teaches Buddhist philosophy in the annual winter seminar at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute Shedra that is now known formally as the Center for Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University.
Additionally, Phakchok Rinpoche heads the Vajravarahi and Riwoche monasteries in Kathmandu where he is responsible for the welfare and education of the (60+) monks and helpers. H.E. Chokling Rinpoche renamed the Vajravarahi monastery as Pal Shedrub Nyida Zungdrel Mindrol Norbu Dargye Ling Monastery.
