Jigme Chhoeda

Tulku Jigme Chhoeda (born 1955) became the 70th Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of The Central Monastic Body) of Bhutan in 1996, and became the longest-serving holder of the office.[1]

His Holiness Tulku

Jigme Chhoeda
Je Khenpo in 2010, wearing saffron.
In office
Je Khenpo
Assumed office
1996 — Present
Preceded byGeshey Geduen Rinchen
In office
Dorji Lopen
In office
1995–1996
Title70th Je Khenpo
Personal
Born1955 (age 65)
Autsho, Lhuntse
ReligionTibetan Buddhism
Parents
  • 1. Yab Rinzin Dorji (father)
  • 2. Yum Kuenzang Choden (mother)

Early life and education

Born to Yab Rinzin Dorji and Yum Kuenzang Choden in Lhuentse in 1955, Jigme Chhoeda was recognized as the reincarnation of Geshe Pema Tshering, the learned sage of Tharpaling in Bumthang.

Jigme Chhoeda joined Druk Sanga Chhoeling Monastery in Darjeeling, India, at the age of eight. He was ordained as a monk with commitment from Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and then studied under Khenpo Sonam Darge and Khenpo Noryang. Later, he studied under Dudjom Rinpoche in India.[2]

At the age of 15, he returned to Bhutan and studied at the Tango Drupdey in Thimphu under the 68th Je-Khenpo Ngawang Tenzin Dhondup. He received the complete initiations and teachings of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition and Dzogchen (the highest realization). He mastered the Mahamudra practices, the meditation of Naro Choedrug (the six circles of Ro-Nyom Kordrug). Truelku also studied language and literature and the 13 different philosophical texts under the 69th Je-Khenpo Geshey Geduen Rinchen.

Meditation and retreat

Jigme Chhoeda completed Losum Choesum three times, a meditation retreat of 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days.

Major positions held

Truelku was appointed as the head of Tango Monastery and taught language and Buddhist philosophy. In 1986, he was appointed as the Drapoi Lopen of the Central Monk Body, and resigned in 1990. In 1995 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck appointed him as the Dorji Lopen.

References
  1. "His Holiness the Je Khenpo donates ambulances – Ministry of Health". Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  2. "About the Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation". www.buddhadordenma.org. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
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