H.H. Kadam Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche (H.E. 17th Tumtin Rinpoche) at his enthronement ceremony at Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal.

KATHMANDU, NEPAL – At 6:00 a.m. on April 17, 2025 (corresponding to the 19th day of the 2nd month of the Vajrayana calendar), a grand enthronement ceremony was held at Jovo Kadampa Monastery in the Arubari area of Kathmandu, Nepal.

During the ceremony, H.H. Kadam Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche (H.E. 17th Tumtin Rinpoche) was formally recognized as the emanation of Tumton Lodro Drakpa, one of the most accomplished masters in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.

The ceremony was solemnly presided over by His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche, Abbot of Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal, with the presence of high-rank Rinpoches of the Kadampa lineage, more than 1,000 monastics, and media representatives from Vietnam and Nepal.

The scale and attendance underscored the significance of the occasion for both the Tibetan and Southeast Asian Buddhist communities.

His  Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche – Abbot of Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal.

His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche offered a traditional head-touch blessing to Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche.

Recognition by Supreme Lineage Authorities

The central highlight of the ceremony was the formal recognition of reincarnation conferred by His Holiness the 25th Kadham Trichen Rinpoche, the supreme throne holder of the Kadampa lineage.

He officially affirmed that Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche is the authentic reincarnation continuing the enlightened activity of the great accomplished master Tumton Lodro Drakpa.

Historically, Tumton Lodro Drakpa is known as the founding abbot of Narthang Monastery (Narthang Gompa), regarded as one of Tibet’s most important printing and scriptural preservation centers.

The monastery was responsible for the woodblock carving and preservation of the two great canonical collections, the Kangyur and the Tengyur. Narthang also served as a place of study and practice for many eminent religious leaders, including Gendun Drupa, the First Dalai Lama.

The recognition of a Vietnamese-born Lama as heir to such a distinguished lineage represents not only a personal honor but also a meaningful spiritual and cultural bridge between Vietnam and the ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Mission to Propagate the Dharma in Southeast Asia

Immediately following the enthronement, Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche (H.E. Tumtin Rinpoche) was formally entrusted with the mission of serving as a Dharma ambassador of the ancient Kadampa tradition (Old Kadampa Green Sect) throughout Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Beyond the promotion of ethical values, his core responsibilities include establishing temples and monastic institutions and training local monks, nuns, and lay practitioners.

In parallel with religious activities, he will directly oversee and manage social welfare initiatives such as the construction of orphanages, elderly care homes, animal protection centers, and the implementation of charitable programs.

The Message of Universal Compassion

In interviews with Nepali media at the conclusion of the ceremony, Kyabje Dongchen Chotrul Rinpoche delivered a message emphasizing global peace and compassion. He stated:

“The foundation of enlightenment is none other than boundless compassion and profound bodhicitta. All beings possess Buddha-nature equally, without distinction of borders or ethnicity.”

He called upon the international community to transcend hatred, to bridge differences through sincere love and mutual respect, and to work collectively toward a prosperous world free from conflict.

The enthronement ceremony held in Kathmandu on April 17, 2025, thus stands not only as a religious affirmation of reincarnation, but also as a testament to the continuing development of Vietnamese Buddhism in contributing to ethical values and global peace.

With his altruistic aspiration, Kyabje Dongchen Chotrul Rinpoche is expected to serve as a bridge connecting the spiritual heritage of Tibetan Buddhism with the Vietnamese community, opening a new chapter for the growth of the Kadampa lineage in the region.

His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche (center), H.H. Kadam Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche (right), and Dakpa Rinpoche (left) at Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal.