Pawo Rinpoche is one
of the highest masters of the Buddha’s teachings,
especially within the Karma Kagyu tradition. His line
of incarnations are the emanations of the Buddha Amitabha.
The Pawo Tulkus were mentioned within Guru Rinpoche’s
own hidden treasured texts.
The previous Nenang Pawo Rinpoches
were always close disciples of the Karmapas
and Tai Situ Rinpoches. They have been known for their
scholarship and yogi lifestyle.
The 10th Pawo Rinpoche Mawey Wangchug
was born in 1912 in Tibet. He was recognized by the
15th Karmapa. After Pawo Rinpoche's enthronement, the
Gyalwa Karmapa bestowed the long life empowerment of
White Tara onto the young tulku.
The Gyalwa Karmapa treated Pawo Rinpoche
like his own son, transmitting the lineage to him and
also bestowing teachings. Pawo Rinpoche also met His
Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama in 1925. The Dalai Lama
bestowed the name Thubten Kunsal onto Nenang Pawo.
Nenang Pawo meditated for many years
in retreat. He accompanied Situ Rinpoche at the enthronement
of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, and was also summoned to
teach the Gyalwa Karmapa.
In 1956, the 14th Dalai Lama visited
Nenang Monastery to bestow initiation and teachings.
Due to the Communist occupation, Pawo
Rinpoche fled Tibet in 1959 and arrived in Bhutan. From
there, he reached his destination of Kalimpong in India.
At the request of the Dalai Lama, Pawo Rinpoche served
as a scholar at the Sanskrit University in Benares.
He set up dharma centers in Darjeling and Bhutan. Likewise,
Rinpoche visited France and the west to give teachings.
Towards the end of his life, Rinpoche
resided at the Boundnath in Nepal for some time.
In 1991, Pawo Rinpoche passed away.
The present and 11th Pawo Rinpoche was
recognized by the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and then assumed
his seat at Nenang Monastery in Tibet. At a young age,
he demanded that his attendants dig up a piece of earth.
After days of digging, and many feet deep, they discovered
sacred articles buried by Nenang Pawo's past incarnations.
These included stones sacred to Guru Rinpoche and other
holy relics. The young Nenang Pawo's memory and abilities
completely show that he was the true incarnation.
