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Through the noble intentions of His Eminence Kyabje Kalu
Rinpoche, his incarnation Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche was born
September 17, 1990 at his previous home Samdrub Darjay Choling Monastery in Sonada, India.
Many auspicious signs accompanied his birth and his Monastery was covered with a canopy of
rainbows identical to the rainbows that had appeared above the monastery after the previous
Kabje Kalu Rinpoche's Paranivana. Venerable Bokar Rinpoche said,
"that the Venerable Kalu Rinpoche chose to be reborn at his previous home, at his own
Monastery was an indication of his complete freedom of mind." Tai Situ Rinpoche
officially recognized Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche on March 25, 1992, and sent a letter of
recognition to his father Lama Gyaltsen. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was then consulted
and confirmed that the child, then one and a half years old, was the reincarnation of
H.E. Kabje Kalu Rinpoche. Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche was invited in July of 1992, to visit
the Buddhist Meditation Centers founded in France by his previous incarnation, his
disciples and many others who met him for the first time were amazed and moved to faith by
his amazing presence.
In December of 1992, he made his first pilgrimage to Bodhgaya India the birthplace of
Shakyamuni Buddha to attend the Kagyu Monlam. Although still very young, he attended daily
the great gathering of monks to recite The Aspirations of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra,
performed prostrations and made offerings to the representations of the Buddha's body,
speech and mind of the Buddha. Kalu Rinpoche played the ritual hand drum and bell
proficiently at the head of the assembly demonstration to all his understanding of sacred
rituals. Young Yangsi gave gifts to the beggars there without having been taught to do so
and his natural pleasure in doing these benevolent acts astonished everyone and led all to
feel great faith in him.
On February 28, 1993, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was enthroned at Samdrub Darjay Choling
Monastery in Sonada at a profound ceremony of investiture. The 14th Chamgon Tai Situ
Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche presided over the ceremony, assisted by Kabje Kalu Rinpoche's
heart-son, Bokar Rinpoche. Tai Situ Rinpoche performed the hair-cutting ceremony and bestowed
on the young incarnation the name Karma Nged Ön Tenpay Gyaltsen; Victory Banner of the
Teachings of the True Meaning. In June of 1995, His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche made his first
worldwide tour accompanied by his parents and the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche. Young Yangsi
Kalu Rinpoche inspired everyone who met him on this tour with his gentle and loving
presence, which displaying the qualities of a true Bodhisattva. His interest in meditation,
chanting, calligraphy and the traditional musical instruments revealing his deep affinity
for Dharma activity. With his gentle and loving nature he naturally comported himself in a
manner surpassing the behavior of other children and his character revealed, peacefulness,
discipline and complete fearlessness.
When His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was seven years His Father Lama Gyaltsen suddenly passed
away. After this sad event Young Kalu Rinpoche asked that he be allowed to go to Bokar
Monastery to begin his formal studies and received the complete Empowerments of the
Shangpa Kaygu Lineage from the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche. Thereafter at age 15 he entered
into the traditional Shangpa Kagyu Retreat at Bokar Monastery. In September of 2008 the
Venerable Kalu Rinpoche completed his first three-year retreat and formally assumed the
leadership of the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
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