According to history it is said that Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, whose source of emanation is the Buddha Maitreya, took many births as different Mahasiddhas of India, such as Yeshe Nyingpo and Pandita Mirtijana. He has worked for the benefit of the Buddha Dharma and many sentient beings.

The 1st Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche Tashi Paljor took birth in eastern Tibet. At the age of seven he met the 7th Gyalwa Karmapa Chödrak Gyamtso. Sangye Nyenpa developed extraordinary faith towards the Gyalwa Karmapa. The Karmapa named Sangye Nyenpa "Tashi Paljor."

At the age of eight, Sangye Nyenpa received novice vows (later on the full ordination vows), empowements and profound instructions. He studied all the outer and inner sciences with great diligence. He practiced the three wisdoms of listening, contemplating and meditating under the guidance of both Bengar Jampal Sangpo and Geshe Paljor Döndrub.

Especially, Sangye Nyenpa was taught by 7th Karmapa Chödrak Gyamtso and did not part from the Karmapa for seven years. During this time he received the complete profound instructions of the Karma Kamtsang Lineage. The Gyalwa Karmapa then told him to practice at Khampo Nenang for three years, at Tsurphu for two years, at Palpung for two years and at Thangla for one year. Duing these eight years of retreat, Sangye Nyenpa did not rely on any human food but solely was nourished by "Bar Lung“ (the intermediate energy practice).

From the age of twenty-three to the age of forty-three, Sangye Nyenpa was solely practicing meditation. The lamas and dakinis prophesied that he should establish a great Dharma place in Denyul. At that time he was staying on the 4th floor of a house during an earthquake. Although the whole house was destroyed, Sangye Nyenpa came out in an miraculous way without any injury. Since then he was called Mahasiddha Nyenpa.

Consequently, he moved to another place and established the Changchub Chökhor Ling Monastery in Denkhok. During a vision of Mahakala, the Gyalwa 8th Karmapa was told to take Sangye Nyenpa as his root lama. From then onwards, Nyenpa Rinpoche offered the Gyalwa Karmapa complete empowerment and profound instructions. Having performed great Dharma activities for the benefit of all sentient beings and Buddha Dharma, he passed away into nirvana at the age of sixty-five.

The following Nyenpa Rinpoches are:

2nd Lhungpo Rabten
3rd Geleg Nyingpo
4th Geleg Gyamtso, who established Benchen Monastery
5th Deleg Nyingpo
6th Drubgyu Tendar
7th Sherab Nyingpo
8th Tashi Drubchog. The 8th Sangye Nyenpa recognized the 1st Tenga Rinpoche. From then onwards a special connection was been etablished between the Sangye Nyenpa and Tenga Rinpoches of Benchen Monastery.

9th Tenpa Nyima passed into Parinirvana at the age of sixty-six at Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim (the seat of H.H. Karmapa).

The present and 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was recognized by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, who saw through his undiluted wisdom eye the birthplace, the name of the parents, the year and sign of birth and thus gave clear indication. Nyenpa Rinpoche was born in a family of devoted practitioners. His father was Sangye Yeshe and the mother Damchö Drölma, who resided at Guru Rinpoche’s temple, the Tiger Nest Phatro Tagtsang in Bhutan.

Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was brought to Rumtek Monastery, where he was enthroned by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and given the name of Karma Palden Rangjung Thrinle Kunkyab Tenpe Gyaltsen Pal Sangpo. At the age of five he started his studies, writing and reading as well as the outer and inner sciences relying with the Gyalwa Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and other great masters. In particular he received from the Gyalwa Karmapa the novice and Bodhisattva vows, many empowerments of the highest Yoga Tantra, instructions on Chagchen Da Ser, Marig Münsel (Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance), Chöku Tzubtsug (Poiting out the Dharmakaya) and other teachings.

He was thus introduced to the ultimate realisation. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche completed ten years of studies at the Nalanda Institute in Rumtek and obtained the title of an Acharya. Thereafter, he was teaching for three years at the institute. Nyenpa Rinpoche is one of the most learned Rinpoches in both philosophy and tantric rituals. Presently he lives in his monastery Benchen Phüntsok Dargyeling Kathmandu, Nepal giving teachings to the monks and other disciples. The rest of the time he spends in retreat.

Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche has also bestowed transmissions onto the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa at Gyuto Monastery in India.