His Eminence Phagchok Lama Rinpoche Kuenzang Dorji was born to Yab Meme Lama Rinpoche  and Yum Khandro Tshering Choden in the year 1958. This auspicious birth corresponds to the Iron Male Dog year of the 17th Rabjung at Phajo Gonpa. It is said that H.E. Meme Rinpoche was depressed because he did not have a son to be his heir, so he prayed intensely according to his guru’s instructions. He also prayed deeply to Guru Yab Yum, when he was in Tibet, and was overwhelmed with gratitude when a son was born to him a year later. In the Long Life prayer of Lama Rinpoche written by Meme Rinpoche, it is said that he is the emanation of three protectors of Buddhism: Jampelyang, Chenrezig and Chagna Dorji.

 

At around age five, he began learning literature from his father and at ten, he was ordained as a monk at Kapung Jangsa Dechencholing Gonpa under His Holiness Kyabjey Dudjom Rinpoche. He learned the detailed rites (liturgy) of Dudjom Terser and Buddhist Grammar with Lopon Kelzang Wangdi, a senior disciple of His Holiness. He finished with the preliminary teachings of Terser Goendro back at home with his father. Eventually, he was instructed to go with Lama Thubten Gyeltsen, a disciple of His Holiness, to become his attendant. While there, before Lama Thubten, he had a golden opportunity to complete the Terser Ngoendro once more, one thousand hundred recitations of Guru Yoga, Phowa, Tsasum Nyenpa, the secret transmission of Tsalung Thruelkhor, the explanation on The Great Perfection (Dzogchen Nelug Rangjung, and the Dzogchen Nangjang Thri).

 

When he was 21 years old, his Lama took him to His Holiness’ chamber advising him to take refuge with His Holiness as his Root Guru since he will be leading many disciples in the future. Thanks to his Lama, he was able to take an oral test of the Dzogchen with Kyabje Rinpoche personally. There His Holiness asked, “How old are you?” “I am 21 years old,” he replied.  Rinpoche with a smiling face gave his approval. He said, “If this is what a young boy like you can do then it’s excellent and keep it up.” He also said, “From today, you will see me as your Root Guru.” Rinpoche bestowed upon him all his blessings and prayers.

 

His Eminence Phagchok Lama Rinpoche Kuenzang Dorji received many initiations and oral transmissions including: the entire Initiation and oral transmissions of Dudjom Terser from Rinpoche; the Long Chen Dzoedhen and Dzogchen teachings from His Holiness Dungsey Thinley Norbo Rinpoche; the complete Pelling Initiation and oral transmission from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche; the introduction and explanation of Minlling Rigzin Thukthik from His Holiness The 11th Minlling Thrichen Rinpoche; the initiation of Rinche Terzoed, Nyingthik Yazhi and Zoed dhuen from His Holiness Dodrupchen Rinpoche; the entire Terser Initiation once again from His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyents; and he also received teachings from H.H. Jadrel Rinpoche, H.E. Late Nyoshuel Khen Rinpoche and H.E. Garab Rinpoche.

 

At 30, as told by His Holiness Jadrel Rinpoche, H.E. went to Chumig Jangchub, Nepal, for a year to meditate upon Phurpa Pudri Rekphung. Afterwards, he came back home to serve his father completing six months meditation on Lama Yidam and Khandro. In 1991, he again shouldered the responsible of Drup poen of the third Batch of Losum Meditators. No sooner than he completed the three years, he built the meditation center, Drupdra Sangag Choelling. And in 1999, he fulfilled his father’s dream to invite H.E. Kyabje Garab Rinpoche to Phagchok Gonpa. It was during this time, that His Eminence Garab Rinpoche blessed him as a Gyaltsab in order to spread the Dharma more efficiently than before in the remotest place on Shingkhar Lauri. Furthermore, he constructed two more meditation centers during this time. One in Upper Shingrong, Lauri Drupdra, Thekchok Samten Choelling and another in lower Shingrong, Barkalangnang Drupdra Pema Yoeselling.