Sabchu Rinpoche

The ninth Sabchu Rinpoche is a high lama of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He currently serves as regent of the Karma Kagyu monastery at Swyambhunath in Kathmandu, Nepal, continuing the work of his predecessor the eighth Sabchu Rinpoche.

The previous Sabchu Rinpoche represented the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and Shamar Rinpoche as regent of Swyambhu for many years. On his death in 1978 at the age of 65 a search began for his rebirth. In early 1980, the 16th Karmapa identified the son of a Tibetan family living in Kathmandu as the sought-after child. However, when the child reached age two, calamity struck. On a visit to Swyambhu in 1982, as his mother was climbing a staircase to the main stupa, the child collapsed under a sudden attack of a rare nervous disorder. Before medical help could arrive, the infant died in his mother's arms.

One year after the death of her son, in 1983, the same mother gave birth to another child, also a son. Shortly afterwards, this new boy in turn was recognized by Shamar Rinpoche as the reincarnation of the infant who had died at Swyambhu, making him also the next rebirth of Sabchu Rinpoche. The new child passed through infancy in good health.

Then, at the age of three, an auspicious event occurred, again at Swyambhu. While there on a visit with his mother, the new child made a sudden, unsolicited announcement to the assembled monks and visitors: "I have been here before. Once, with my mother, suddenly a man of black color appeared. When he touched me, I swooned and died. At that moment, I saw Guru Padmasambhava. He threw water on me and then I woke up from my swoon. Then I saw Buddha Amitabha." After the child's recitation, one of the monks present asked what happened next. The boy boldly responded, "that's all. So now here I am!" eliciting admiring laughter from all present. The boy's behavior confirmed to his parents Shamar Rinpoche's selection of their son as the reincarnation of the lost boy, which greatly pleased his mother.

When Sabchu Rinpoche was 18 years old he expressed a great desire to enter the traditional three-year retreat to receive the transmission of the Six Yogas of Naropa. His parents and lamas told him he was too young to complete this demanding practice, but they eventually acquiesced in the face of the young Rinpoche's strong determination. Rinpoche completed his retreat at the beginning of 2003. He now divides his time between his duties at Swyambhu and giving teachings around the world.