Chatral Rinpoche was born in Eastern Tibet in 1913. Rinpoche is a holder of the Dudjom lineage, and received these precious transmissions from Dorje Dragdul, a son of the Terton Dudjom Lingpa.

From Khandro Dewey Dorje, the wife of Drimey Ozer (another son of Dudjom Lingpa), Chatral Rinpoche received precious teachings and training.

Rinpoche's main teacher was the abbot of Kathok monastery, Ngawang Palzang, who bestowed the Longchen Nyinthig "heart drop" teachings on the essential point concerning the mind's nature.

Chatral Rinpoche was also taught under Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche Chokyi Lodro. Chatral is considered one of the heart disciples of Dudjom Rinpoche. Dudjom Rinpoche was the reincarnation of the Terton Dudjom Lingpa and supreme holiness of the Nyingma tradition. Chatral Rinpoche has bestowed teachings on masters such the Reting Rinpoche, former Regent to the 14th Dalai Lama.

For many years in Tibet, Chatral Rinpoche meditated alone in caves and was renown as a realized yogi. Rinpoche would always walk on foot, refusing to use a horse. He would only live in a tent, never wishing to accept the invitation of wealthy patrons to stay in the their house. Even today he stays in his own small place in Nepal near a sacred site of Guru Padmasambhava who founded Buddhism in Tibet. Rinpoche often wanders around the Himalayas.

Rinpoche lives with his wife Kamala, and has two daughters. He was a close friend of Dorjechang Kalu Rinpoche and is venerated by all the Buddhist traditions.