KHENCHEN RINPOCHE DRUPON TRINLEY PALJOR (1930-2022)

Khenchen Rinpoche Drupon Trinley Paljor (1930–2022) was one of the foremost lineage holders of the Kagyu school. The title “Khenchen” refers to a great khenpo, or senior teacher, within the lineage, reflecting his deep scholarship and long-standing spiritual authority.

He began monastic training in childhood and, by the age of 30, had completed the traditional Buddhist retreat of three years, three months, and three days on three separate occasions, later becoming a retreat master. His teachings were shaped by some of the most respected masters of Tibetan Buddhism, including H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, from whom he received the Kagyupa teachings, and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, from whom he received numerous teachings from the Sakyapa and Nyingmapa lineages.

As a Tibetan refugee, he also contributed to the projects of the 16th Karmapa and was later appointed personal tutor to Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche, a role that led to many years of close collaboration. Today, he is recognized as a main teacher and retreat master at the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing.