Our teachersHis Eminence Garchen Rinpoche – is a founder and spiritual director of the Center.
Drupon Lama Tsering Rinpoche – is a representative of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in all Rinpoche’s centers in Europe.
Lama Dawa Zangmo – is appointed as a spiritual guide of Ukrainian Ratnashri sangha by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche – is a founder and spiritual director of the Center His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche – is a founder and spiritual director of the Center
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche: A Brief Biography
 His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche is a Drikung Kagyu lama who was known in the thirteenth century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient India, he had incarnated as Mahasiddha Aryadeva, the lotus-born disciple of the great Nagarjuna. In the seventh century, he was known as Lonpo Gar, the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songsten Gampo.
Garchen Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned in eastern Tibet by the former Drikung Kyabgon Zhiwe Lodro. When he was seven, he was brought to Lho Miyal Monastery, which he administered from the age of eleven. Studying and practicing under the direction of the Siddha Chime Dorje, Garchen Rinpoche received vast and profound instructions on the preliminary practices (ngondro), the fivefold practice of Mahamudra and the six yogas of Naropa.
Then, at the age of 22, after completing a two and a half year retreat, he was imprisoned for 20 years during the political turmoil of China's Cultural Revolution. While in the labor camp, he received meditation instruction from his root lama, the Nyingma master Khenpo Munsel. Enduring hardship and practicing secretly, Garchen Rinpoche attained realization of the lama's wisdom mind. Since his release from prison in 1979, Garchen Rinpoche has made great effort to rebuild the Drikung Kagyu monasteries, reestablish the Buddhist teachings, and build two boarding schools for local children in eastern Tibet. Rinpoche is the founder and spiritual director of the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona.
Garchen Rinpoche is known for his vast realization, as well as for his great kindness.
Drupon Lama Tsering Rinpoche
 Drupon Lama Tsering Rinpoche In October of 2009 Garchen Rinpoche appointed Drupon Lama Tsering as his representative in all European Centers of Garchen Rinpoche including Ukrainian Drikung Community Ratnashri.
Ordained as monk at the age of eight, Lama Tsering received the novice ordination two years later. He completed his studies at the main monastery of the Drikung-Kagyü lineage in Dehra Dun, India. After concluding the preliminary practices of the Drikung Yangzab and the Longchen Nyingthig traditions, he received teachings on Phowa, and the Dzogchen Trekchöd and Thögal practices. In the course of a 100 day retreat (Shag gya) he practiced the Tonglen of the Six Realms.
In addition, he completed the traditional three year retreat comprising the five-fold path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. Subsequently, HH Chetsang Rinpoche and His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche conferred the title of a Drubpön (retreat master) upon him.
29 September, 2009
To my faithful Dharma companions who are connected by the positive karma and
aspirations [we have] accumulated in the past:
About twelve years have passed since I arrived abroad. During that time, in order
to benefit the people and their [various] countries, I have established new Dharma
centers and shown – by way of the true Dharma – those [actions] that are to be
adopted and abandoned according to [the teachings on] karma and its results.
Furthermore, according to the hopes and wishes of my students, a few Dharma
centers have been established in countries in North America, Europe and Asia.
Having established these centers, to look after and preserve them is my duty. As
such, at the present time, I have determined to appoint Drubpön Lama Tsering as
my representative in Europe. As I have passed on all responsibilities to him, I
believe that he will become an authentic guide in terms of the true Dharma. As
Lama Tsering has been with me from the age of eight until now, [I recognize] his
wish and experience to bring benefit to others according to [the diverse kinds of]
phenomena and individuals. Thus, I ask that the students and administrators of
the Dharma centers that have a loving connection with me consider and assimilate
the meaning of this.
When, through Lama Tsering, I have become aware of and understood whatever
difficulties and wishes you have, I will give whatever help and assistance I can.
As for [my] centers in [various European] countries – the group of German
centers, Drigung Trilokyanāth Ling in Spain, Drigung Ratnashrī Ling in Ukraine,
and Drigung Mahāyana Ling in Russia – I believe that authentic practice will come
about by way of the utterly pure special intent of the students and administrators
of those Dharma centers that have such an affiliation [with me, and by] the
guidance given by Lama Tsering.
With good aspirations,
[signed] Könchog Gyaltsen,
[k.a. Garchen Triptrül Rinpoche]
Garchen Dharma Institut,
Munich, Germany
Lama Dawa Zangmo (Zhuravka Dazang)
 Lama Dawa Zangmo
After completion of four years of retreat in July of 2009 Lama Dawa Zangmo (Zhuravka Dazang) was appointed as a spiritual guide of Ukrainian Ratnashri sangha by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.
To Whom It May Concern:
Zhuravka Tonkovyd has been practicing the Buddha dharma since 1995,when she was given the refuge name Dawa Zangmo by Lama Namse of the Karma Kagyü Lineage. Since then,she has received numerous teachings, transmissions and empowerments from lamas of the Nyingma, Drigung and Karma Kagyü lineages.
Since we met in 1997, Dawa Zangmo has relied on me as her root lama, receiving empowerments, pith instructions and introduction to the nature of mind.
During that time, she has engaged in a number of retreats at the Garchen Institute in Arizona, USA: contemplative retreats on the four thoughts that turn the mind, the preliminary practices of the Drigung Kagyü, and the traditional Drigung three-year retreat, which includes the practices of the Fivefold Mahamudra and Six Yogas of Naropa. At present she is completing a fourth year of solitary retreat, in which she has refined the disciplines of the previous three years.
Dawa Zangmo has completed these trainings well, gaining both understanding and direct experience. For this reason, I have asked her to guide and instruct the disciples in Ukraine in their understanding of Dharma; and to look after their needs as practitioners. Because of her efforts in practice and her accomplishments, I think it is appropriate for Dawa Zangmo to engage the activities of a lama and to be given the title 'lama.'
Könchog Gyaltsen
(a.k.a. Kyabje Garchen Triptrül Rinpoche)
21 July, 2009
P.O. Box4877,ChinoValley,AZ,86323,U.S.A.
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