Lama Kelsang Nyima Rinpoche

Lama Kelsang Nyima (b. 1967) was born on the 15th day of the 6th month of the Tibetan calendar to father Khorta Tsetop and mother Paldon at Tsaru, Doetoe, Amdo, Tibet. He did not have an opportunity to study the dharma until 1975, because of the pressures and restrictions of the Chinese regime. He decided to leave Amdo and went to Ngari, in the Mount Kailash region, facing many obstacles along the way.

His first teacher in Ngari was Wangthang Tulku, a Drikung Kagyu lineage lama at Gyandrak Monastery, who conferred the Troma Nakmo empowerment. He received teachings and empowerments from masters including Lama Karma Dechen, the great master Golok Togdhen Rinpoche, and Khenchen Jigmey Phuntsok, and circumambulated Mount Kailash one hundred times with members of his family.

Lama Kelsang arrived in India in 1990 and completed a three-year retreat on the Eight Herukas. He later received His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's Richö teaching and mind instruction from Dungsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, the Rinchen Terdzö from Penor Rinpoche, the Rigdzin Düpa empowerment from Chatral Rinpoche, and the Dudjom Tersar transmission from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, among many others.

After the passing of Tulku Tsephel in 2010, Lama Sonam Tashi consulted the late Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche about a successor, and Lama Kelsang Rinpoche was enthroned as the 6th Vajra Master of Dundul Raptenling Monastery. As a Vajra Master, he cares for the monastery, attending and leading all prayers and occasions.