Singha Rinpoche

开山上师，鑫和仁波切

Our Founder, Singha Rinpoche

Since young, Singha Thekchen Namdrol Rinpoche has always had a strong affinity for Buddhism. Born in Singapore as a typical Chinese boy named Felix Lee, Rinpoche embarked on his Buddhist studies under a Thai monk, Venerable Phra Mahathongkum, at the tender age of seven. In the course of Rinpoche’s training, his teacher foretold that his future spiritual teachers would don “red robes”. However, Rinpoche did not think much of it as Tibetan Buddhism was not widely known in Singapore then. Following the Venerable’s passing seven years later, Rinpoche went on to learn about Chinese Mahayana Buddhism in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Soon after, at the age of 15, Rinpoche began to experience a series of mysterious dreams – he was instructed by a Buddhist master to fulfil the vows of his previous life: to teach those who did not have teachers.

Fulfilling The Vows Of A Previous Life

Upon following the clues in his dreams and receiving
indications from Shangpa Rinpoche and Venerable Sangye Khandro, Rinpoche travelled to Nepal in search for answers. This was to become what Rinpoche now describes as “the journey that changed my life.” Rinpoche first met Lumbum Rinpoche in Nepal, whose first words to him were, “We have been waiting for you.” Rinpoche later learnt that the Buddhist master who appeared in his dreams was the great Tibetan Buddhist saint, Padmasambhava. This meant that his quest for answers had ended, this marked the beginning of his real spiritual journey.

Deep Connections

After years of persistent and diligent practice at Kopan
Monastery, Rinpoche was initiated as a Yogi (a lay Lama). He was advised by his root guru, the late Geshe Lama Konchog, that he would benefit more people if he did not undertake monastic vows. Following the instructions of Geshe-la, Rinpoche also started a dharma center — currently Thekchen Choling Singapore — that would attend to the needs of both the lay and ordained Sangha.

Enriching Our Lives Through The Dharma

On 24 Oct 2014, Rinpoche was officially recognized by Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a high Gelug Lharampa reincarnate. This was confirmed by Lama Zopa’s Guru, Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche, who is also the Guru of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Today, Singha Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of the various Thekchen Choling temples in Singapore, Malaysia (Kota Tinggi, Malacca) and the United States (Syracuse).

Continuous Blessings from Lineage Gurus

Rinpoche’s main Gurus include His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Eminence the 5th Dagri Dorje Chang, His Eminence the 6th Kyabje Jhado Rinpoche, His Eminence Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, the late Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lama Lhundrup (now reincarnated as His Eminence Thubten Rigsel Rinpoche) and the late Geshe Lama Konchog (now reincarnated as His Eminence Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche). On 24 Oct 2014, Rinpoche was officially recognized by Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a high Gelug Lharampa reincarnate. This was confirmed by Lama Zopa’s Guru, Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche, who is also the Guru of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

On 10 April 2017, Rinpoche was conferred a new official name by Kyabje Jhado Rinpoche, the former abbot of Namgyal Monastery. Hence, Rinpoche is now known as Singha Thekchen Namdrol Rinpoche (previously known as Namdrol Rinpoche).

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Advice From Rinpoche

Guideline for your everyday lives, from the previous weekly Dharma Teachings.

Sangyumla

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Khandro Namdrol Lhamo

“We Have Been Waiting for You.”

After years of persistent and diligent practice at Kopan
Monastery, Rinpoche was initiated as a Yogi (a lay Lama). He
was advised by his root guru, the late Geshe Lama Konchog,
that he would benefit more people if he did not undertake
monastic vows. Following the instructions of Geshe-la,
Rinpoche also started a dharma center — currently Thekchen
Choling Singapore — that would attend to the needs of both
the lay and ordained Sangha.