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His Eminence Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche was born in 1905 in Kham province of Eastern Tibet.
His father, the thirteenth Ratak Palsang Tulku was an accomplished Yogi and well-known
Doctor. Both of Kalu Rinpoche's parents were direct Disciples of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro
Thaye, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Mipham Rinpoche. When Rinpoche was born, above his
house brilliant rainbows formed and snow fell gently like a rain of flowers. His mother
and relatives described how, as soon as he was born, he looked around and smiled
radiantly, showing no fear or shyness, and he spoke the Six-Syllable Mantra.
His parents and everyone was filled with joy, and his birth was heralded as a
wonderful incarnation. As a child, noble virtuous tendencies stirred within him
and noble innate propensities for compassion and devotion arouse naturally. His
compassion for sentient beings would often move him to tears, particularly for those
afflicted and oppressed by suffering. Kalu Rinpoche was recognized as the activity
emanation of Jamgon Kgontrul but his Father refused to give him up to the monastery
and instead trained his son in Buddhist Studies and Medicine. Because his father worked
enthusiastically at his own practice of daily recitations, meditations, and retreats,
Kalu Rinpoche endowed with a good intellect, also had to rise early and retire late,
his days filled with meditation, practice and training. At the age of thirteen, the
eleventh Tai-Situ, Padma Wangchuk, gave him ordination and the name Karma Rangjung
Kunchab - Self-Arisen and All-Pervading. When Kalu Rinpoche was fifteen he went to
Palpung Monastery where he mastered the vast body of Buddhist Teachings and completed
two traditional three-year retreats. Kalu Rinpoche became the main lineage holder for
the Shangpa Kagyu and studied with many learned and attained masters from all of the
lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
At the age of 25 he renounced all worldly activity and began approximately 15 years of
intensive solitary retreat in the remote mountainous areas in the manor of the great
Tibetan Yogi Milirepa. Upon the request of the Karmapa He returned to become a retreat
master, training many students. In 1962 Kalu Rinpoche went to Darjeeling West Bengal India
where he established his own Monastery and Retreat Center, Samdrub Darjay Choling Monastery
where students from any tradition may do retreat practices in the Rime Tradition. Upon the
request of his Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Kalu Rinpoche made his first of many trips to
the West in 1971, stopping to visit Holy sites in Jerusalem then visiting Pope Paul VI at
the Vatican. Kalu Rinpoche respected all of the world's religions and spiritual traditions.
During his life he made numerous trips around the world, establishing a number of Meditation
and Retreat Centers. Through his unceasing love and compassion he turned the great wheel of
the Precious Buddha Dharma worldwide benefiting countless being. The Venerable H.E, Dorje
Chang Kabje Kalu Rinpoche passed into Paranivana at his Monastery in Sonada, Darjeeling
India on May 10, 1989. The Holy Lama's body showed no signs of corruption and has been
preserved as a Kardung, which can be seen to this day at his Monastery Samdrub Darjay
Choling in Sonada. His devoted disciple and heart son, Bokar Rinpoche wrote about Kalu
Rinpoche "The gentleness of his being, the pervasiveness of his kindness, the brilliance
of his wisdom and the irresistibly of his since of humor has touched hearts in every part
of the world". From his humble beginnings in a remote location in Eastern Tibet to a
citizen of the world, H.E. Kabje Kalu Rinpoche sought only to benefit others and through
his enlightened activity countless beings have been set firmly on the path to ultimate
freedom and is highly respected and loved by countless beings that had the great fortunate
to meet and receive blessings and teachings from this Extraordinary Saint one of the
greatst Buddhist Masters of our age.
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