Pema Kilaya

Kilung Jigme Rinpoche

Pema Kilaya Sangha

Kilung Jigme Rinpoche first traveled to the West in 1998 when he came to Seattle to teach Vajrayana Buddhism. As an important lineage holder of the Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik, he teaches almost entirely in this pure sublime tradition.

Rinpoche is the 5th reincarnation of the realized yogi and scholar, Jigme Ngotsar Gyatso of Dzachuka, Kham. Jigme Ngotsar was one of the famed "Four Jigmes," heart-sons of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa who discovered Longchen Rabjam's vast cycle of teachings, the Longchen Nyingtik.

After being recognized in Tibet at an early age, Kilung Rinpoche was verified as Jigme Ngotsar's reincarnation by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Minling Trichen Rinpoche, and by H.H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche.

Kilung Rinpoche continues the work of sustaining and disseminating the Longchen Nyingtik lineage both in and outside Tibet. He is the head of the 260-year-old Kilung Monastery which now includes the original temple, recently rebuilt monastic college, and nunnery. Outside Tibet he has numerous Dharma students, mostly in America and Singapore.

As Seattle is the first and most established location outside Tibet for his teaching, he comes here regularly and has stayed to teach for months at a time. For this reason, in January 2003 the Sangha, Pema Kilaya Rangjung Ngotsar Dzogchen Choling, was formed. This is an outgrowth of the Kilung Foundation which was founded in 1998 and organized also to support humanitarian aid and monastic projects in Tibet. As well as rebuilding Kilung Monastery, the Foundation has begun a school for nomad children, and is gathering funds to build a bridge across the Dzachu River for nomads and their livestock.

Pema Kilaya is a Sangha of his students who bring Rinpoche to Seattle. In addition to organizing Rinpoche's teachings and retreats, they also hold regular practices and classes. His students range from beginning to those with many years of experience. To help students understand the scope and general sequence of becoming a serious Vajrayana practitioner, he has developed a teaching and practice program.

Because Rinpoche speaks English and because the Sangha is still relatively small, members are able to interact with and learn from him directly. It is possible to check in with him on practice questions individually or during teachings.

Practitioners are often struck with the spiritual power, maturity, and blessing of his presence. There is no doubt in their minds that he is a living Bodhisattva. His compassion is expansive and palpable, his insight is crystalline, and wisdom deep. He truly lives in every moment with the wish for all beings to achieve enlightenment.