Ages ago, during the eon of the Buddha Pranidhanaraja, Rinpoche was the yogin Nuden Dorje Chang, who vowed to appear as the 1000th, the last, Buddha of this eon.

Dudjom Rinpoches other previous incarnations include:

Shariputra, one of the foremost disciples of the Buddha in India, was renowned for his wisdom. He acted as the speaker in many sutras, especially those concerning Prajnaparamita.

As Saraha, one of great Siddhas of India, he was a tantric master famous for his spiritual songs.

As Krishnadhara, he was the minister to the King Indrabodhi.

As Humaka, he was one of the eight knowledge holders of India.
As Drogen Lotsawa, he was one of the twenty-five principle disciples of Guru Rinpoche.
As the Indian Pandit Smrtijnanakirti, he visited Tibet to bring the dharma there.
As Pandita Chokyi Zangpo, he explained and commentated on the literature of the Nyingma lineage.

As Dampa Deshek, he founded Kathok Monastery in eastern Tibet
As Palden Lingje Repa, he was one of the founding patriarchs of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage.

As the Sakya Trizin Chogyal Pakpa (1235-1280), he ruled much of Tibet during the Yuan dynasty of China.

As the yogi Drum Khar Nagpa of eastern Tibet, he was renown for his abilities.

As the siddha Hepa Chojung of eastern Tibet, he possessed limitless understanding.

As Traktung Dudul Dorje (1615-1672), he was a Terton in southeast Tibet.

As Gyalse Sonam Detsen, he restored and preserved the tradition of Kathok Monastery.

As the yogi Dudal Rolpa Tsal, he taught the Terton Jigme Lingpa.

As Dudjom Lingpa Gharwang Pawo (1835-1904), he was a renowned Terton in eastern Tibet.

Dudjom Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa, a famous discoverer of many concealed teachings or "treasures" (Terma), particularly those related to the practice of Vajrakilaya. It had been Dudjom Lingpa's intention to visit southern Tibet to reveal the sacred land of Pemakod, but being unable to do so, he predicted that his successor would be born there and reveal it.

On June 10, 1904, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche was born to a family that was of noble descendence. His father was Norbu Tenzing, a tulku of the Kathok lineage, and his mother was the descent of the Terton Ratna Lingpa.

He was recognized and enthroned by the doctrine holders of Dudjom Lingpa's termas such as Ngedon Wangpo and Lama Thubten Chonjor.

Rinpoche's studies began with texts and commentaries under Khenpo Aten. By the age of five, Dudjom Rinpoche was already discovering treasure texts and practices. He studied under Dudjom Lingpa's doctrine holders, Patrul Rinpoche's disciples, Mipham Rinpoche's disciples and Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro.

Dudjom Rinpoche attended various monastic shedras such as Mindroling, Dorje Drak, Kathok and Dzogchen. He also became learned in the rituals of the Terton Terdak Lingpa. He received all the Dzogchen teachings from Jedrung Rinpoche and was considered his heart son. Rinpoche became accomplished in the Vajrakilaya practice. He meditated at many isolated places and signs of accomplishment occurred.

His Holiness was not only a highly realized meditation master and Terton, but also a scholar, doctor of Tibetan medicine, astrologer and poet. Rinpoche's writings span over twenty-five large volumes and his explanations of Dzogchen are very precise. He also wrote the "History of the Nyingma School," one of the most authoritative texts today. His personal library was one of largest ever.

His Holiness was considered Guru Rinpoche's living representative and was the teacher to many lamas alive today. It was often the case that Lamas would send their students directly to Dudjom Rinpoche to receive the highest transmissions and pointing out instructions.

His Holiness established new monasteries, settlements for Tibetan refugees, and colleges for monks and yogis, and reconstructed others. Upon his exile to India, Rinpoche lived in Kalimpong and then in Kathmandu. He later on traveled to the West to teach and spread the dharma.

His Holiness married twice, first to Sangyum Kusho Tseten Yudron and had six children including Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and the Sakya Tulku Jigme Nyima Rinpoche. His second wife was Sangyum Kusho Rikzin Wangme. They had three children including Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche. On January 17, 1987, His Holiness passed away in France.

Dudjom Rinpoche's activity is ceaseless. In the future, His Holiness will incarnation as Rigden Dorje Nonpo, the king of Shambhala and as last of the Thousand Buddhas, known as the Lord Buddha Marpa Od Thaye.

The Dudjom lineage's heir is Dunsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. Thinley Norbu is an incarnation of the Longchen Rabjam, one of the great Nyingma scholars, commentators and meditation masters. He is also the incarnation of Drimey Ozer, one of Dudjom Lingpa's children. Rinpoche is the eldest son of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and the father of His Eminence Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. In Tibet, he underwent training for over nine years at the Mindroling Monastery, the most prestigious Nyingma monastery. He also studied with numerous great masters, including His own father Dudjom Rinpoche who became the supreme head of the Nyingma Lineage. He is also the author of some notable books.

Other Lamas who carry on Dudjom Rinpoche's lineage include Shenpen Dawa Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Chagdud Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche.