Biography of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

The Sakyong is the eldest son of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and the incarnation of Mipham the Great, a renowned Nyingma scholar and meditation master. As part of the Mukpo clan of eastern Tibet, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche descends from the Tibetan warrior-king Gesar of Ling.

In the West, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche serves as temporal and spiritual director of Shambhala, a global network of meditation and retreat centers. The Sakyong—literally "earth-protector"—is a "dharma king" and lineage holder of Shambhala, a tradition that emphasizes confidence in the enlightened nature of all beings, and teaches a courageous life, based on wisdom and compassion. He also holds the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche was born in 1962 in Bodhagaya, India, to Lady Könchok Palden. He received an initial Buddhist education in India, later joining Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in England and North America. As a young man, the Sakyong studied with great masters His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and with HH Penor Rinpoche. He is married to Khandro Tseyang Palmo, daughter of His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche, head of the Ripa lineage.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has written two books: the national bestseller, Turning the Mind into an Ally, and Ruling Your World, He is also an avid poet, artist and athlete. The Sakyong has run a number of marathons to raise money for the Konchok Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the spiritual, cultural, educational and humanitarian needs of the Tibetan people in the Kham and Golok regions of eastern Tibet. He travels extensively, teaching throughout the world.