H.E. Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche was born on September 17, 1963. His father was the Second Degyal Rinpoche (Pema Jigme Namgyal) and mother, Kyama Tshering. At the age of three he was recognized as the reincarnation of “Chimed Rinpoche” who was an emanation of the Great Indian Siddha ‘Padampa Sangye’ and also spiritual head of the renowned Shedphel Ling Monastery in Ngari, Tibet, by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (The Head of the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism) and Ling Rinpoche (The Great Tutor of H.H. the Dalai Lama). His main enthronement ceremony was held at the Shedphel Ling Monastery at Mongod, India, which was overseen by Ven. Pema Kundol Rinpoche in 1977.
