H.E. Gyaltsab Rinpoche

The Gyaltsab Rinpoches have always been the Vajra Regents of the Karmapas and caretakers of the Karmapa's monasteries.  Gyaltsab Rinpoche, through his long line of incarnations, has been known for being an expert in meditation.  In Tibet, Rinpoche was known as Tsurphu Gyaltsab Rinpoche, because Rinpoche was the Regent of the Karmapa at Tsurphu monastery.

Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche is the emanation of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani.  In the past, Rinpoche incarnated as Ananda, the disciple of the Buddha Shakyamuni who had perfect memory and was responsible for reciting all of the sutras (teachings) of the Buddha before the assembly. Therefore Ananda was responsible for keeping all the words of the Buddha perfectly intact.

Gyaltsab Rinpoche also incarnated as one of the main ministers of the Dharma King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet.  He was also Palju Wangchuk, one of the twenty-five principle disciples of Guru Padmasambhava.  During Milarepa’s lifetime, Rinpoche appeared as Repa-zhiwa U.

The 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje recognized the present and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche while He was still in his mother’s womb.  His parents were from Nyimo, near Lhasa.  Soon after his recognition in 1959, His Eminence fled into exile with the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.

The Gyalwa Karmapa carried Rinpoche on his back while traveling across the Himalayas into exile.  He soon settled at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim and received the necessary transmissions. 

Rinpoche's father wished for him to study in a modern school. However, Gyaltsabpa left the school one night and traveled ten miles back to Rumtek alone.  His devotion to the Karmapa and to the lineage was unparalleled.

His Eminence learned the dharma with the other heart sons of the Karmapa such as Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Tai Situ Rinpoche.  Like most of his incarnations, he spends his life in meditation and taking care of the seat of the Karmapa.  He currently in Sikkim and is the Regent there representing the lineage.  He oversees the activities and functions of Rumtek and at his own monasteries, such as Ralang, in Sikkim. 

In 1992, Gyaltsabpa and Tai Situpa enthroned the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa in Tibet.  The Karmapa has since fled to India and Gyaltsab Rinpoche will help prepare for His Holiness the Karmapa’s return to Rumtek.

Like Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsab Rinpoche is one of the main teachers of HH the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and already has bestowed transmissions (such as the Rinchen Terdzo) to His Holiness.

(Excerpted from the website of Simhanada, the Lion's Roar of Mahayana Buddhism.)