The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Friday condoled the death of Kathok Getse Rinpoche, the 7th head of Nyingma tradition.
Rinpoche passed away on 19 November 2018 in Pharping, Nepal at the age of 64.
In a letter, the CTA offered prayers for his noble rebirth and for his continued blessings.
The fourth Kathok Getse Rinpoche Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen, holder of the Kathok Monastery lineage, was appointed as the 7th head of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism for a three-year term, during the spiritual gathering of 29th Nyingma Monlam in Bodh Gaya, in January 2018.
The representatives of the Nyingma School drew a unanimous decision to appoint Kathok Getse Rinpoche and five other Nyingma lamas as the supreme head of Nyingma tradition in a three-year tenure basis.
Kathok Getse Rinpoche was born in Golok, Eastern Tibet and was recognised by the 16th Karmapa, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje as the reincarnation of the Third Katok Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal.
From a very early age, Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from many masters.
After coming to exile in 1997, Getse Rinpoche received teachings and empowerments from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche among others.
From a very early age, he received teachings and empowerments from many masters such as Katok Moktsa Rinpoche, Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Tubten Pema Trinle, the reincarnation of Adzom Drukpa, Tulku Nyida, son of Tulku Lhatop, himself a son of Dudjom Lingpa.
Rinpoche spent many years in retreat and was known for his mastery of Dzogchen.
After exile from Tibet, he divided his time between Kathmandu where he oversaw Katok Ritrod, Chagdud Gompa small retreat center in Pharping (Nepal), India, and Bhutan.