The Biography of the present 12th Kenting Tai Situpa
The 12th Kenting Tai Situpa, Pema Donyo Nyingche Wangpo, was born in the male wood-horse year (1954) in the Palyul section of the Derge province to a family of farmers. On the day of his birth, the entire region witnessed two solar orbs illuminating the sky. The details of his birth were completely in accordance with the prediction of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.
He was taken to Palpung monastery and at eighteen months was enthroned there by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa , also the King of Dege with his ministers, representative of His Holiness Dalai lama and all the Kagyu Rinpoches and representative of China were joined. At that time it was acknowledged that he clearly recognized his old attendants and disciples.
At the age of five years old, Kenting Tai Situpa went to Tsurphu. For the first time, Kenting Tai Situpa assisted by 9th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche performed the ceremony of the Red Vajra Crown at the chamber of His Holiness 16th Karmapa. At the age of six years old, for the political conditions and on the advice of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, he fled historic Tibet. He traveling first to Bhutan, and later joining the Gyalwa Karmapa in Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim, India.
Shortly after arriving in Sikkim, Kenting Tai Situpa contracted tuberculosis. After receiving medical treatment in Darjeeling, he returned to Sikkim. He struggled to live and attended aid from relief organizations.
In 1974, at the age of 21, he went to Ladakh with the invitation from late Druppon Dechen Rinpoche and stayed there for one year to turn the wheel of Dharma. In 1975, at the age of 22, he assumed his traditional responsibilities by founding the monastic project, Sherab Ling, at the request of his followers who had settled in Bir, northern India.
He returned to historic Tibet in 1991 where he ordained more than 1200 monks and nuns and transmitted a series of empowerments, (Dam Nga Zod), that was attended by over 65 reincarnate lamas, an estimated 5000 ordained Sanghas from 92 monasteries, and countless laymen.
As a Buddhist master, he regularly tours the world giving teachings and empowerments at the request of the Dharma Centres, and holds long-term Mahamudra courses to introduce the most profound and sacred of the Karma Kagyu teachings.
The 12th Kenting Tai Situpa continues the traditions of the practice lineage of the Kenting Tai Situpas. A renowned Buddhist teacher, training in turn the next generation of Buddhist masters. On a more personal level the Kenting Tai Situpa is a scholar, poet, calligrapher, artist, author, architect and geomancer.