His Eminence the 3rd Dromo Geshe Rinpoche

Nearly three years had passed since departure of the previous Dromo Geshe Rinpoche, when the students and followers lay and ordained repeatedly approached Khangtsen with requests to assume responsibility in finding the reincarnation. Sera Jey Drati Khangtsen is at Sera Jey Monastery in the south of India where Rinpoche stays while pursuing his studies. The search for the reincarnation was felt necessary by the monks of Rinpoche's Khangtsen for the long term benefit and for the preservation of the Buddha Dharma, especially the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

In July 2005, a formal request was made to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to conduct divinations to determine the whereabouts of Dromo Geshe Rinpoche's reincarnation. His Holiness summoned the search committee leader Geshe Lobsang Sherab and thoroughly informed him about the lives of the previous Dromo Geshe Rinpoche and of his predecessor 's. According to the official result of His Holiness divination, the research team split in two groups, one leaving for Salugara in search of the reincarnation, and the other for Mysore. They carried out the necessary investigation and collected a list of over one hundred prospective candidate boys.

On 28th October 2005, His Holiness the Dalai Lama graciously issued the official sealed decree proclaiming that the boy named Tenzin Woeden, born to father ogyen Tenzin and mother Lobsang Dolma of New Camp No. 4' Bylakuppe was the true reincarnation of Dromo Geshe Rinpoche. His Holiness thus further instructed that the boy must regularly recite the mantra of Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom and Mig-tse ma, the lines in praise to Lama Tzongkhapa.

His mother revealed that before his recognition, the boy would often reveal Intention to visit a monastery and she would also dream of monks visiting her home. According to her, the boy told her that monks will visit their  home tomorrow and the very next day, the search team visited with the official recognition letter from His Holiness office.

On the auspicious day of 10th December 2005 Tenzin Woedhen, the reincarnated Tulku was offered holy monastic robes in a traditional ceremony by representatives of Sera Jey Monastery and many Khangtsen Drati Khangtsen, Tsangpa Khangtsen, Tsethang Khangtsen, Tsawa khangtsen, Yerpa Khangtsen) as well as the local Phari Association and Dromo Association and many others.

On 16th April 2006 the 3rd Dromo Geshe Rinpoche was escorted from his parental home to the Sera Thekchenling Monastery in a traditional procession amidst the fragrance of incense with sacred sounds of traditional religious musical instruments. Upon arrival an enthronement ceremony was done in Sera Jey Monastery, followed by ceremonies at Drati Khangtsen and Tsangpa Khangtsen. At his official residence, the Labrang, he showed remarkable dignity and presence even at such a young age and never showed any uneasiness even when his parents started leaving.

On the 9th January 2007 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Himself Ordained the young Dromo Tulku in the private chamber of His Holiness during his visit to Sera Jey Monastery. The young Tulku was given the name Tenzin Jigmey Lhundup.

On the 22nd August 2007 at his own Tharpa Choeling Monastery in Kalimpong (West Bengal, India) a grand enthronement ceremony and his formal admission to the Monastery were held,

On that occasion the reception committee headed by the previous Geshe Rinpoche's treasurer Geshe Thupten Rabyang, including officials such as Mr Kalsang Tsering, the local Tibetan Welfare Officer, and representatives of various associations and NGOs.

On his way to Kalimpong the devoted public of Kalimpong together with students of Central School for Tibetans and the Indo-Tibet Buddhist Research Institute lined up on both sides of the road with scarves and flowers to receive the reincarnation and entourage with great joy and respect.

Representatives of the Sre Gyud University, Zikar Choede Monastery and Sakya Monastery had lined up on both sides of the gate with full traditional costume. Various offices and administrations, associations and NGOs also represented. At his admission ceremony to the monastery, Kasur Gyalo Dhondup Lak, the elder brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered a Mandala to Dromo Geshe Rinpoche. And later, the local Tibetan Welfare officer, Indian officer Mr Dawa Sherab and the officials of the Tibetan people's Assembly, NGOs and other associations and then thousands of devotees flocked into  receive his blessings.

At the official reception Mr Kelsang Tsering introduced Rinpoche to the public. Venerable Wangchuk, the administrator of Tharpa Choeling highlighted the life and work of Dromo Geshe Rinpoche and Ven. Geshe Lobsang Sherab spoke in detail on the search procedures of the young reincarnation. The local Indian official Mr. Dawa Sherab thanked all the guests and a luncheon party followed, and then songs and Tibetan folk dances as well as Tibetan snow lion dance. Rinpoche and the entire assembly of guests greatly enjoyed the celebration and rejoiced in his return.

On 26th October 2007 an official enthronement ceremony marking his admission to Sera Thekchenling and sera Jey Monastery were held. Similar official enthronement ceremonies were followed by Drati Khangtsen and Tsangpa Khangtsen respectively.

On 5th December 2008, requested by the Labrang officials, his Eminence Lama Thupten Zopa Rinpoche visited Dromo Labrang, blessed all had dinner at the Labrang.

 On 28th February His 2009 Holiness during called His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Sera Mey Monastery, His holiness called the young Tulku for an audience.

His Holiness was very impressed by the young Rinpoche and a group photo was taken. On the same day six monks of Tharpa Choeling Monastery from Kalimpong were fortunate to take full ordination (Gelong) vows from His Holiness.

It is certain that Dromo Geshe Rinpoche Tenzin Jigmey Lhundup was alo officially recognized as the true and lone reincarnation of the previous Dromo Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama, the six million  Tibetan's spiritual and political leader. The young Rinpoche was also an officially enthroned at Sera Jey Monastery and recognized by the monks of the Monastery.

At present he is under the special care of Geshe Lobsang Gyatso who took the full responsibility of looking after him. Though being very young, he memorizes scriptures extensively in the morning and afternoon and recites them in the evening. He is also learning reading and writing Tibetan scripts as well as English. He is remarkably compassionate, obedient and benevolent unlike other ordinary children, which proves him as being a special child.

Hence, we of the Dromo Labrang would like to call upon and request all the concerned lamas and students of the previous Rinpoche to resolutely and sincerely pray for the reincarnation to be able to do great service to the holy Dharma by successfully pursuing the philosophical studies monastic training here in the monastic University, under our guardianship.

Letter from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso