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, Pandita Mirtijana etc. and worked for the benefit of the Buddha Dharma and many sentient beings.
The 1st Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Tashi Paljor, took birth in Nyen Phodrang in the Thadul Gyi Tsuglag Khang in Den Lhakhang Drölma, in the East part of Tibet. At the age of 7, he met the 7th Karmapa Chödrak Gyamtso in whom he developed extraordinary faith. He gave him the name Tashi Paljor. At the age of 8, he received novice vows, (later on the full ordination vows) empowerment, profound instructions and he studied all the outer and inner sciences with great diligence. He practiced the 3 wisdoms of listening, contemplating and meditating until the age of 23 under the guidance of both Benkar Jamphal Sangpo and Geshe Paljor Döndrub. Especially he relied on the 7th Karmapa Chödrak Gyamtso and didn’t part from him for 7 years. In this time he received the complete profound instructions of the Karma Kamtsang Lineage and H.H. told him to practice at Khampo Nenang for 3 years, at Tsurphu for 2 years, in Phalpung for 2 years and at Thangla for one year. Duing these 8 years he didn’t rely on any human food but solely was nourished by “Bar Lung“ (the intermediate energy practice). Moreover, he practiced for 5 years in Jang Namtsho. From the age of 23 to the age of 43 he 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, he came out in a 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. Mikyö Dorje, the 8th Karmapa had a vision of Mahakala who told him that he should take Sangye Nyenpa as his root lama. From that time onwards, Nyenpa Rinpoche offered H.H. 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 65.
The following Nyenpa Rinpoches are:
2nd Lhünpo Rabten
3rd Geleg Nyingpo
4th Geleg Gyamtso, who established Benchen Monastery
5th Deleg Nyingpo
6th Drubgyu Tendar
7th Sherab Nyingpo
8th Tendzin Drubchog, who recognized Tendzin Chögyal as the reincarnation of Lama Samten, the 1st Tenga Rinpoche. From then onwards a special connection has been established, which the present Tenga Rinpoche continues since the age of 3.
9th Geleg Drubpe Nyima, who passed into Parinirvana at the age of 66 in Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim the seat of H.H. Karmapa.
The present 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was recognized by H.H. 16th 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 indications. Nyenpa Rinpoche was born in a family of practitioners; Sangye Lekpa and the mother Karma Tshewang Choden, who resided at Guru Rinpoche’s temple, the Tiger Nest Pharo Tagtsang in Bhutan. He was invited to Rumtek Monastery where he was enthroned by H.H. Karmapa and given the name of Karma Palden Rangjung Thrinle Kunkyab Tenpe Gyaltsen Pal Sangpo. At the age of 5 he started his studies, writing and reading as well as the outer and inner sciences relying on H.H. Karmapa, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and other great masters. In particular he received from H.H. the novice and Bodhisattva vows, many empowerments of the highest Yoga Tantra, instructions on Chagchen Da Ser (Moonbeams of Mahamudra), Marig Münsel (Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance), Chöku Tzubtsug (Pointing the finger at the Dharmakaya) etc. and thus was introduced to the ultimate realisation. He completed 10 years of studies at the Nalanda Institute in Rumtek and obtained the title of an Acharya. Thereafter he was teaching for 3 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 Phuntsok Dargyeling Kathmandu, Nepal giving teachings to the monks and other disciples. The rest of the time he spends in retreat.
Website : www.benchen.org