Ripa Summer Retreat 2010 in Germany

The International Ripa Summer Retreat 2010 was the 10 year celebration of European Ripa Sangha. This was a precious gathering with the auspicious presence, for the first time in Europe, of the three Masters of the Ripa lineage (Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche and Dungse Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurme Rinpoche) together.

This retreat, during which important transmissions has been conferred, has been for us a rare opportunity to practice in marvellous circumstances, aiming the discover of our own essence of compassion and wisdom.

Khenpo Pema Temphel

Pema Tenphel was born in Orissa, India,in the family of Drongpa, a community of Ripa. As a child, he displayed great interest and yearning towards monastic life. Soon Pema Tenphel entered the monastic life of Rigon Thupten Mondolling Monastery. He was ordained and brought up under the spiritual care of His Eminence, Drubwang Anzin Rinpoche. He studied the traditional monastic ritual arts, such as ceremonial chant, music, mask dances and daily Puja practices of the Ripa monastery.

In 1992 as per the wishes of the Ripa masters, Pema Tenphel entered the Ngagyur Nyingma university for higher study in mysore, India. He successfully completed nine years of full course on the comprehensive study of Sutrayana and Tantrayana doctrines of Buddhism. He received the degree of Master of Buddhist philosophy. After serving few years as a visiting teacher to various Nyingma monastic institutes,Pema Tenphel was awarded with a title of "Khenpo", in a formal ceremony presided over by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Since then Khenpo Pema has received major transmissions of the Nyingma school from H.H Penor Rinpoche and other teachers such as Taklung Tsetrul rinpoche,The Sakya Trichen, Nyoshul Khenpo and several Khenpos.

His main masters are the late Drubwang Anzin Rinpoche And,His Eminence Terton Namkha Rinpoche,supreme head of the Ripa,from whom he received all the transmissions of Taksham tradition of the Ripa lineage and Gesar cycle of the new treasure.

Today Khenpo Pema lives in Rigon Thupten Mindolling in Orissa as a resident Khenpo and appointed by H.E.Namkha Rinpoche as deputy in-charge of the monastery. Khenpo works closely under Gyetrul Jigmey Rinpoche, in ensuring steady flow of study and training of young monks, encouraging and upholding traditional monastic values, preservation and promotion of the Buddha's teaching in general and in particular the spiritual legacy of the glorious Ripa lineage in Exile.