Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo

The Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche was born in Nag-chu District of Tibet. From his earliest years, the Venerable Thiley Ningpo was distinguished by a loving and compassionate nature and an active concern for the welfare of others. He entered school at the age of eight, and diligently pursued his elementary education. As he became the outstanding student in his school, he was rewarded with an appointment as teacher for the lower grades when he turned 17 years old. At that time he held a second job as a clerk for the municipal government. In addition to his teaching and clerical work, the Venerable Thiley Ningpo pursued studies in veterinary medicine. After continuing this work for some time, his natural inclination towards religion developed into a determination to pursue higher spiritual studies. His father supported his decision, and applied to the proper authorities. He then entered the 'Brong-ngur Monastery where became a student of the eminent Buddhist scholar, Lama Kedrub Siddhi Rinpoche, who chose him from among all the new students to be his disciple. He engaged in the study of a wide range of Drikung Buddhist traditions, including ritual practices, mandala and stupa design and construction and the art of producing bronze images of sacred beings. Subsequently, he was made director of the project to construct a new main stupa for the monastery. After completing this formidable project in an excellent manner, he went on a pilgrimage to Drikung Thel Monastery where he met the great yogin and scholar, Drubwang Pa-chung Rinpoche. Ven. Thiley Ningpo was inspired to asked for the essential precepts for the higher spiritual practices. Recognizing his unique abilities, Rinpoche agreed and asked his to return at daybreak. He thus was able to receive the profound essence instructions in the practice and mastery of the peerless Mahamudra.

In 1988 Ven. Thiley Ningpo went on a pilgrimage to the sacred places of Tibet. This brought him to the western regions where he took a fortuitous opportunity to escape to India. This was accomplished through a very perilous two-month journey on foot across the Himalaya. Once safely in India, he proceeded to the Drikung Kagyu Temple and entered into the institute of
higher education. After completing his course of study, he was appointed as dean of the institute. He served in this capacity for six years.

Ven. Thiley Ningpo spent 1994 in spiritual retreat during which time he accomplished all the
preliminary practices of the Fife-fold Mahamudra. He then went to the Dorje Redrubde hermitage in Alora where he entered into the tradition three year retreat, where he accomplished the practices of the Fife-fold Mahamudra and the profound path of the Six Yogas of Naropa. He participated in the Drikung Kagyu Snake Year teaching retreat where he received the entire body of Drikung Kagyu empowerments, transmissions, and instructions
for advanced practice. In this way he completed the process of advanced training in all the profound and sacred traditions of the Drikung and earned the title of Drupon "master of spiritual attainment".

Motivated by his deep and constant desire to help others to attain liberation, Ven. Thiley Ningpo traveled to America. He is currently Spiritual Director and Retreat Master of the Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick, MD.