KATHMANDU, NEPAL — Nearly a year after a solemn enthronement ceremony held at Jovo Kadampa Monastery in Kathmandu, H.H Kadam Kyabje Dongchen Chotrul Rinpoche (H.E Tumtin Rinpoche), recognized as the 17th incarnation continuing the enlightened activities of the great siddha Tumton Londro Drakpa, spoke with the Nepalese press about the significance of the event and his vision for the transmission of Kadampa teachings in the modern world.
In the conversation, Rinpoche reflected on the responsibility of inheriting an ancient spiritual lineage, the role of Buddhism in fostering peace, and his plans to expand Dharma activities across Southeast Asia.
Reporter: Rinpoche, how do you view the significance of the enthronement ceremony for yourself personally and for the Kadampa lineage?
Rinpoche: First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the lineage masters and the entire Sangha of the Kadampa tradition. The enthronement ceremony held at Jovo Kadampa Monastery was not meant as a personal honor, but rather as the transmission of a spiritual responsibility — the responsibility to continue and preserve a pure lineage that has been maintained for centuries.
The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche, the abbot of Jovo Kadampa Monastery, in the presence of more than a thousand monks, as well as representatives from media organizations in Nepal and Vietnam.
According to the traditional procedures of the lineage, His Holiness 25th Kadham Trichen Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Kadampa lineage, formally proclaimed the recognition of me as the 17th incarnation, continuing the enlightened activities of the great siddha Tumton Londro Drakpa.
For me, this is not a title or status, but a profound reminder of the responsibility to serve the Dharma and benefit sentient beings.
Reporter: What does it mean that a tulku born in Vietnam has been officially recognized within a Tibetan Buddhist lineage?
Rinpoche: In the Buddhist tradition, the value of a practitioner is not measured by birthplace or nationality, but by the authenticity of the lineage and the sincere aspiration to serve all beings. The nature of mind itself is not limited by geographical boundaries.
However, I understand that for many Vietnamese Buddhists, this recognition is a great source of encouragement. The recognition was carried out in accordance with the proper rituals and authority of the Kadampa tradition, which ensures the authenticity and continuity of the lineage.
The Kadampa tradition traces its origins to the great Indian master Atiśa Dipamkara, whose teachings later flourished throughout Tibet. Historically, the great master Tumton Londro Drakpa is known as the founder and first abbot of Narthang Monastery — one of the most important centers of Buddhist scholarship and scripture printing in Tibet. The monastery was renowned for producing the woodblock editions of the two great Buddhist canons, the Kangyur and the Tengyur.
To be recognized as continuing such a lineage is deeply sacred. Yet more important is ensuring that the Dharma truly benefits people in a practical and meaningful way.
Reporter: In today’s rapidly changing world, what role do you believe Buddhist teachings can play in people’s lives?
Rinpoche: The world today is experiencing many changes, economic, political, and social. Yet if we look more deeply, we see that the root causes of suffering remain the same as they were thousands of years ago: ignorance and self-centeredness.
The teachings of the Buddha are not merely philosophy or belief. They are a path for transforming the mind. When individuals learn to cultivate wisdom and compassion, they not only transform their own lives but also contribute to creating a more harmonious society.
Reporter: Could you share your plans for spreading Kadampa teachings in the coming years?
Rinpoche: I have been entrusted with the responsibility of transmitting the authentic Kadampa teachings throughout Southeast Asia — particularly in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
In the near future, we hope to establish structured centers for Buddhist study and practice, where monks, nuns, and lay practitioners can receive training according to the Lamrim system — the graduated path to enlightenment that forms the core of the Kadampa tradition.
Alongside Dharma teaching, we also intend to develop social initiatives such as supporting orphaned children, caring for the elderly, and promoting programs for the protection of animals.
The transmission of the Dharma cannot be separated from service to society. If the teachings do not help reduce the concrete suffering of people, then the Dharma has not yet been fully practiced in daily life.
Reporter: What message would you like to share with the international community at a time when the world continues to experience conflict?
Rinpoche:I believe that humanity today stands before a very important choice: either we continue to cultivate division, or we learn to develop wisdom and compassion in order to transcend our differences.
Many conflicts around the world are often explained through external causes such as politics, economics, or territorial disputes. However, if we look more deeply from the perspective of Buddhist teachings, we will see that the true roots of conflict lie within the human mind — ignorance, ego-clinging, and anger. When people are dominated by such mental states, even small differences can easily become causes of confrontation.
Therefore, the path to peace cannot rely solely on treaties or political agreements. It must also begin with the inner transformation of each individual. When we learn to look at others with understanding and compassion, we begin to realize that despite differences in language, culture, or religion, all human beings share the same fundamental aspiration: to live in safety, to be happy, and to be free from suffering.
In the teachings of the Buddha, compassion is not merely an abstract ideal. It is a practical discipline to be cultivated in everyday life — in the way we think, the way we speak, and the way we treat those around us.
If each individual begins to nurture compassion and a sense of ethical responsibility in daily life, the conditions that give rise to hatred, violence, and war will gradually weaken. When the human mind changes, the world will change accordingly.
For this reason, the message I wish to share is very simple: true peace in the world begins with peace in the heart of each individual.
Reporter: In your view, what is the broader significance of the enthronement event?
Rinpoche: From my perspective, the event is not merely an internal ceremony within a lineage.It also reflects a broader development — the growing exchange between the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and countries of Southeast Asia in an increasingly interconnected world.
When spiritual traditions meet with respect and a willingness to learn from one another, they enrich the spiritual life of humanity as a whole.
His Holiness Kyabje Dongchen Chötrul Rinpoche is taking a commemorative photograph with His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche and 1,000 monks of Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal.
Conclusion
The conversation with Kyabje Dongchen Chotrul Rinpoche concluded in a quiet and reflective atmosphere. Rinpoche emphasized that the essence of the Kadampa tradition does not lie in rituals or titles, but in bringing the teachings of wisdom and compassion into everyday life.
In a rapidly changing world, he believes that these timeless values remain a stable foundation — helping individuals find inner peace while contributing to a more harmonious global society.
H.H. 17th Kyabje Dongchen Chotrul Rinpoche (H.E. Tumtin Rinpoche) Title: The 17th reincarnation of the great Mahasiddha Tumton Londro Drakpa Nationality: Vietnamese Lineage: Ancient Kadampa Tradition Recognized by: H.H. the 25th Kadham Trichen Rinpoche Enthronement Ceremony: Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal Presided over by: His Holiness Phuchyungwa Rinpoche – The Abbot of Jovo Kadampa Monastery, Nepal Primary Teaching Focus: Lamrim (the Gradual Path to Enlightenment) Dharmic Activities in: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and across Southeast Asia Planned Initiatives:
Core Message: “Spreading the Dharma is not only about teaching philosophy, but about helping people transform suffering and cultivate compassion in everyday life.” |
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