Karma Drime Namkhai Wangchuk Thinle Dro Drul is the third reincarnation of Terton Zilnon Namkhai Dorje. Yangsi Rinpoche was born in 1992 in the rural village of Yarinak (Thulo Parsel) in Nepal’s Kavre District, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu. Yarinak lies within the Slate Mountain Forest, a sacred site where the Mahaguru once retreated to practice Vajrakilaya, the yidam of enlightened activity.  

In 1992, his parents, Father Lama Ngawang Lopchan and Mother Pema Dolma, welcomed the birth of this “diamond boy,” recognized as the reincarnation of Terton Zilnon Namkhai Dorje. Yangsi Rinpoche has one brother, Dawa, and one sister, Gyun Dolma. The family faced severe economic hardships, and his parents struggled tirelessly to survive. When Yangsi Rinpoche was around four years old, they moved to Kathmandu, where they lacked stable housing and often faced food shortages.  

Due to these challenges, the family decided to send Yangsi Rinpoche to a monastery for his education and future well-being. By a stroke of fate, Father Lama Ngawang encountered Tulku Thinley Singay, who facilitated Yangsi Rinpoche’s admission to Thrangu Monastery in Namobuddha, the seat of H.E. Thrangu Rinpoche, a revered teacher respected across all four major Tibetan Buddhist traditions: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Geluk. At Thrangu Monastery, Yangsi Rinpoche spent his formative years under the guidance of H.E. Thrangu Rinpoche and other esteemed Khenpos and lamas. He later earned his Acharya (Master’s) degree in Buddhist studies.  

He received teachings and empowerments from His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Root Guru His Eminence Thrangu Rinpoche, HH 41st Sakya Trizin and numerous other rinpoches from the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Geluk traditions.

 

Recognition as Zilnon Namkhai Dorje:

H.E. the 12th Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, head of Zurmang Monastery, requested H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche to locate the reincarnation of Terton Zilnon Namkhai Dorje. After extensive research, meditation, and sadhana practices, H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche received numerous dreams, visions, and signs confirming the incarnation’s identity. Ultimately, he recognized Yangsi Rinpoche as the third Zilnon Namkhai Dorje.

 

The enthronement ceremony at Zurmang Monastery in Sikkim, held in June 2022, was a profoundly sacred and joyous occasion. Under the auspices of His Eminence the 12th Gharwang Rinpoche, the event was honored by the esteemed presence of the Honorable Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, along with revered Tulkus, Khenpos, and high-ranking lamas from various monasteries. Political leaders and thousands of devoted students and followers from across the globe also gathered to celebrate this auspicious moment. This momentous ceremony marked the formal recognition of Yangsi Rinpoche as the third Zilnon Namkhai Dorje, an event of immense spiritual significance for the Tibetan Buddhist community and practitioners worldwide.