Our Lineage
The Tibetan Cranial healing art has been recognized as part of the Drupka Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism by His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin. His Holiness is regarded as one of the most revered teachers of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage in Bhutan. He is the reincarnation of Drubthop Chenpo Jinpa Gyeltshen Rinpoche, who lived in the 18th century. He started studying Buddhism and learning chanting at the age of 5. By age 16, he memorized all chants, became a dance master, and knew how to construct all the sand mandalas. He went on to study Buddhist Philosophy at Tangu Monastery in Bhutan.
After completing his degree, he went to Nepal and India for further study. He studied Mahamudra and Dzogchen with many great masters including the 68th His Holiness (H.H.) Je Khenpo Tenzin Dendrup, and 69th H.H. Je Khenpo Geshe Gedun Rinchen Rinpoche. He also studied other great Buddhist masters including H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Kyhentse Rinpoche, H.H. Penlop Khen Rinpoche and Jadrel Rinpoche. When he finished his studies in Nepal and India, he returned to Tangu Retreat Center and completed a 9- year retreat.
At the age of 45, the Royal Government of Bhutan and the central monastic body chose him to become Tshenye Lopen, which means he became recognized as a philosophy master. Five years later, he was appointed H.H. Dorji Lopen Rinpoche and oversaw the monasteries and monastic practice of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage in Bhutan.
His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin is recognized as a great scholar and meditation master. His teachings are clear, concise and presented in a way that is understandable to the listener. Throughout his life, he has spent 28 years in retreat. His Holiness always radiates great peace, joy, love, compassion and tolerance and many who have met him have been very moved by these qualities which he exudes.
Tibetan Cranial Practitioners were privileged to have a private audience with His Holiness in August 2016, at his hermitage, high on a mountaintop in Bhutan. During the visit, His Holiness honored Tibetan Cranial and those who have assumed the lineage through the teachings of Shar Lee by recognizing Tibetan Cranial as part of his lineage, giving the delegation Medicine Buddha empowerment, and enabling them, in turn, to give Medicine Buddha empowerments to others. The Practitioners who visited were also given their spiritual names by His Holiness. The Tibetan Cranial Association is deeply grateful, honored, and humbled by this recognition from His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche.