The reincarnation of the late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche

The reincarnation of the late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche, fondly known as Kusho Tshechu, was formally recognised and installed as a trulku yesterday at Dechenphodrang monastery in Thimphu by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.

The Druk Menjong Trulku Ngoezin Tshogpa, the government’s own committee for recognition of reincarnate lamas, also confirmed six-year old trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu as the reincarnation of Kusho Tshechu.

Born to survey engineer, Tenzin Namgyel, and Kunga Choden of Babesa, trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu, on a pilgrimage to Nepal showed extraordinary signs of spiritual birth while at the Sangay Choeling monastery, according to a news release from the committee. Sangay Choeling monastery in Nepal was his former monastic seat.

“To the surprise of the monastic attendants, he immediately recognised his own portrait, and that of his former master, Geshe Sherub Dorji, and called the attendant to late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche by his name,” the news release states. Trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu was then three years old.

Known as the Drukpa Lama in Nepal, and Kusho Tsechu in Bhutan, Kusho Tshechu was a revered lam and a source of inspiration and leadership for Buddhists in several regions in Nepal. Although he lived in Nepal, Kusho Tshechu maintained very close links with the royal family of Bhutan, starting from the second Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Wangchuck.

Kusho Tshechu became a student of Gyeshe Sherab Dorji at the age of 13, and left for Nepal to pursue studies in the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. At the age of 26, when Gyeshe Sherab Rinpoche passed away, Kusho Tshechu took over his root Guru’s responsibilities, which included the management of five monasteries, administering guidance and teachings to their monks, and strengthening of the Buddhist Sangha, particularly in the 17 northern districts of Nepal.

Source: Kuenselonline