Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was born in 1920 in Eastern Tibet, recognized by the 15th Karmapa as the reincarnation of Guru Chowang, one of the Five Great Terton Kings of Tibet, and the emanation of Sangye Yeshe, one of Guru Padmasambhava's main disciples.
Rinpoche studied both within the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages, and his own family were holders of the Barom Kagyu lineage. He became the doctrine holder of the Treasure Texts and Practices of Chogyur Lingpa, his great-grandfather. He likewise inherited the Non-sectarian tradition of Jamyang Khyentse and Jamgon Kongtrul. These precious teachings he passed onto the 16th Karmapa, with him he was extremely close with, Dudjom Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsab Rinpoche and the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.
Rinpoche has meditated for over twenty years in retreat, established six monasteries in the Kathmandu valley and guided hundreds of monastics in the Nagi Gompa above the Kathmandu valley. With his son, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen began teaching in the West in 1980 and has written several renown books --always teaching that the student should look into his or her mind for realization.


Four of Rinpoche's children are also highly realized masters of the Buddha's teaching:

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, born in 1951, is the 7th incarnation of the Drikungpa Gar Drubchen and also an emanation of Nagarjuna. He also completed secular studies in India, and also religious studies under the guidance of the 16th Karmapa, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche at the Rumtek Monastery. At twenty-five years old, the Karmapa urged him to become the abbot of Shedrub Ling Monastery. He founded the Rangjung Yeshe Publications and is an author himself. Rinpoche teaches in the West and has a decent understanding of the English language.
Chogling Rinpoche, born in 1953, is the 4th incarnation of the Terton Chogyur Lingpa. He studied at Rumtek Monastery under masters such as the 16th Karmapa, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Thrangu Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. He is a fully qualified master and Vajra Master at Shedrub Ling Monastery. He is also the father to the reincarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Tsoknyi Rinpoche, born in 1966, is the incarnation of a Drukpa Kagyu master. He has studied under the Karmapa, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Adhi Rinpoche, and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. He is the abbot of his own monastery Ngeden Ozer Ling in Nepal, founder of a translation and preservation committee and teaches in the West.
Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche, born in 1976, is the 7th incarnation of the Terton Mingyur Dorje, foretold by Guru Padmasambhava, and also the incarnation of Kangyur Rinpoche. He has studied under masters such as Saljay Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Lama Tashi Dorje. He is also a close disciple to the 12th Tai Situpa, and is one of the high Lamas at Situ Rinpoche's Sherab Ling Monastery in India. Rinpoche has completed numerous retreats and still is renown for his meditation.