The present Padtsheling Tulku, Pema Kunzang Tenzin Gyamtsho is the fifth Padtsheling Tulku’s incarnation and was born in 1960 to the descendant of great Terton Dorje Lingpa at Bumthang Tang. Recollecting his previous life he narrated his past life. He was recognized as the fifth Padtsheling Tulku at a very tender age by Ranjung Rigpai Dorje the sixteenth Karmapa, and named him Kunzang Tenzin Gyamtsho. After he was confirmed as the real incarnation of the fourth Padtsheling Tulku, he was invited to his religious seat and enthroned him as the fifth Padtsheling Tulku. In the year 1970, the 67th Jekhenpo, Nynzer Tulku, the incarnation of Ngagchang Ugpa Lingpa cut his hair and enrolled him in the Central Monastic Body of Punakha and Thimphu as a novice monk.

He received complete teachings of Buddha and the complete teachings of Palden Drukpa (Drukpa Kagyu) from the 68th and 69th Je khenpos (Chief Abbot). Later, he stayed with his master Jurme Thegchog Tenpai Gyaltshen, Popularly known as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He received teaching of Drimi Lingpa and Longchen Nying Thig. He also received pith instructions from many great lamas of present age. To name few, they are Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorje, Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshi Dorje, Polo Khen Rinpoche Dorje, Lama Sonam Zangpo, Khamtrul Rinpoche Don Gyud Nima, the fourth Dro-drupchen Jigme Thubten Palzang, Tag-lung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Nyoshuel Khenpo, Jamyang Dorje, Drup-wang Pema Norbu.

At the age of twenty-nine, Padtsheling Tulku resigned from the Central Monastic Body of Punakha and went to Padtsheling Gonpa. Since then, he established new retreat centre, carried on with the routine ritual ceremonies of the monastery as introduced by his predecessors. The Tulku however faced some challenges like maintenance of temples of his Monastic Community in the beginning. Nevertheless, he slowly renovated all his monastic centres and introduced meditation centres. He also established a Monastic Body with seventy monks. Rinpoche also constructed an eleven-kilometre motor road connecting the monastic community and Chamkhar highway.

At present, the Tulku has to look after the day-to-day management of the Monastic Community, to conduct rituals for the well-being of his old and new benefactors. Due to the blessings of his tutelary deities and the prayers of his predecessors the Tulku is benefiting his benefactors and the sentient beings in general.

As Buddha said, one could come over the present obstacles and finally achieve the clear path of one’s future by donating something for the welfare of such a sacred place, lama, for the sustainability of the monastic school and meditation centers for the routine ritual ceremonies which are conducted to bring peace and prosperity in this world. We request all our well wishers and supporters to render their support.