His Holiness Katog Getse Rinpoche
His Holiness (H.H.) Katog Getse Rinpoche, Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen (1954–2018), was one of the five golden throne holders of the Katog lineage. At the Nyingma Mönlam (Grand Prayer Festival) in Bodhgaya, India in January 2018, His Holiness was also appointed the supreme head of the Nyingma Tradition for three years. At Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche’s invitation, His Holiness visited several Katog Choling centers throughout the U.S. and Canada from 2003 to 2017. In 2010 and 2012 he gave profound teachings and consecrated the land at Katog Rit’hrod in Arkansas.
Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenthth Dalai Lama, wrote about the Fourth Katog Getse Rinpoche:
Katog Getse Rinpoche, like his previous incarnations, illuminates the teachings of Nyingma, the first Buddhist doctrine of Tibet, and embodies a great living legacy of the Buddhist teachings. Furthermore, some in his series of incarnations have a connection with the past incarnations of the Dalai Lama. For example, when Katog Tsewang Norbu went to Lhasa, the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kalzang Gyatso, held him in high regard and asked him to perform an averting ritual to stop the Mongolian army in northern Tibet, which he did. The Seventh Dalai Lama, greatly pleased, offered him a handsome reward. The true reincarnation of Katog Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu was the First Katog Getse, Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrup. When he came to Lhasa on pilgrimage he met the Eighth Dalai Lama, Jampal Gyatso, and the two of them immediately began exchanging teachings. This association became an inexhaustible offering that pleased all the buddhas, and great mutual respect developed between them. Later, the Third Katog Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal, came to Lhasa to meet the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso. He was received with joy and they developed a good relationship. His direct reincarnation, the Fourth Katog Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen, through the power of his previous excellent aspirations and karma, was able to safely arrive in India as a refugee. He and I have connected as student and teacher.
H.H. Katog Getse Rinpoche spent many years in retreat and was known for his mastery of Dzogchen. His Holiness entered into parinirvana on November 18, 2018.