The most revered Khenpo Karpo was born in Zhongmey, Lhuntse District, in eastern Bhutan, on the 10th Day of the 4th Month of the Fire-Rat Year, corresponding to 10 May 1934. In 1946 at aged 12, he joined Sherphu Gonpa and began his preliminary traditional studies such as reading practice of the Vajrachedika text and memorization of rituals prayers. In 1960 at aged 26, he planned to undertake a trip to Tibet to pursue study Buddhist studies. But it was failed as Chinese invaded Tibet and most of the renowned Rinpoches, Lamas and scholars fled Tibet. However, it was around that time he heard about His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche residing in Kalimpong, India, and his cousin Lama Pedma Longdrel had already been with his Holiness.
He traveled on foot to Kalimpong anticipating to study under His Holiness. Arriving there, he lived with his cousin. After a couple days, his cousin enquired him as to what he would like to do either to study ritual practice or philosophy. He explained to him that he could neither able to cope with the studies of Buddhist philosophy as he was already matured in age nor with ritual chanting as he had a bad voice. Instead, he expressed that he would like to undergo preliminary practices and receive empowerments, and meditation precepts and instructions on Dzogpachenpo, the Great Perfection. In accordance with his wish, the next day his cousin took him in the presence of His Holiness and introduced him to His Holiness. Initially, he received the Refuge Vow or Chabdroi Dompa and the Dharma name of Gyurme Namdrol. He then received the precepts on Preliminary Practice, following which he engaged himself in practising under His Holiness¡¯s guidance. In 1961, at the age of 27 he received full monastic ordination and the Bodhisattva Vow from His Holiness, the Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche.
He continued his religious practice under the guidance of His Holiness Dujom Rinpoche. He attended upon His Holiness for almost 30 years from the age of 26 to 55 during which he received the complete Buddhist teachings covering empowerments, reading transmissions and instructions of the Nyingma, Kama and the Terma. He completed the three-year retreat of the Outer Mahayoga, Inner Anuyoga, and the Secret Atiyoga of the Dzogpachenpo tradition in Darjeeling in 1974 at the age of 40. Later, he undertook many meditative retreats in almost all of the scared places in Nepal and Bhutan.
In subsequent period of time, he received the complete Nyingthig empowerment and reading transmission from His Holiness Dilgo Khentse and His Holiness Dodrupchen Rinpoche. Especially from His Holiness Dzogchen Polo Khenpo Rinpoche, he studied Madhyamika, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, Khejug, Yeshe Lama, Longchen Rabjampa¡¯s Sangnying Chochu Munsel, Khepo Ngakchung¡¯s Dzogchen Nyengyud (Hearing lineage of Trekchod and Thodgel), Astrology, Grammar, Literature and Poetry. Besides, he also received teachings and precepts from many other great Dzogchen masters.
Being a close disciple of many eminent masters like Dujom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dzogchen Polo Rinpoche, he was able to receive their quintessential, precepts, instructions, and their mind-treasures. He was introduced to the direct experience of Dzogchen nature of mind by initiating into the essential teachings of the Semde (Series on the Mind), the Longde (Series on Space) and the Menngagde (Series of Secret Instruction).
A mentioned has been made in the masterwork called Dujom Sungbum that Ven. Khenpo Karpo is one of Dudjom Rinpoche¡¯s heart-sons whom had been empowered with the authority to confer empowerment, initiation and meditational instruction whatosever on his lineage teachings. As desired by his root-masters Dudjom Rinpoche and Dzogchen Polo Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Karpo founded Palphu Retreat Centre in Zhongmey, Lhuntse, in 1992. At present, the Centre has 51 monks with the accommodation and food being provided free of cost by the Khenpo.
Today, Ven. Khenpo Karpo is respected by all sections of society as the most experienced meditation master in Bhutan on Dudjom Tersar Lineages of Nyingma tradition. He frequently undertakes Dharma trips to Europe and North America being invited by the Buddhist Centres there. His recent trip was in 2006.
He made pilgrimage trips within Bhutan and outside such as Nepal, Tibet and India. He was greatly motivated by the fascinating holy sights around the Himalayan regions. On his return to his Centre, he recollected a prophecy made by the Great Treasure Revealer Lerab Lingpa:
"At one point of time, there will be a war of horse in Kurtoe ValleyAnd to avert this war, a statue of Guru Nangsi Zilnon should be built."
The late Lama Sonam Zangpo, the most revered Yogi of Bhutan, also stressed on this prophecy that for ensuring continued peace and prosperity in the world in general and Bhutan in particular, a giant Guru Rinpoche statue has to be built in Takila of Lhuntse District in eastern Bhutan.
Thus, inspired by prophecies, visions and the blessings of his masters, Ven. Khenpo Karpo launched 'The Druk Oddiyana Foundation' in 2005 with the mission to construct a huge statue of Guru Padmasambhava in the form of Guru Nagsi Zilnon. Under his abled chairmanship, the foundation is currently mobilizing labour and monetary contribution. The total fund envisaged for the construction of the Guru Statue is about US$ 39,980,685 (US Dollar Thirty Nine Lakhs, Nine Hundred Eighty Thousand and Six Hundred Eighty Five) only.
With folded hands I beseechThe Buddhas of all directions,To shower an inexhaustible treasureUntil the completion of the construction of the Guru statue
The Tsering Art School is part of the Dilgo Khyentse Fellowship which is a non-profit organisation with projects for cultural preservation and humanitarian aid in Nepal, Tibet, India and Bhutan.
