At the age of six years old, Thamthog Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 12th Thamthog Rinpoche, an important spiritual master from the city of Lithang, in the eastern Tibetan province of Kham.

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Since he was a child, Thamthog Rinpoche has followed the traditional studies and training in debate of Buddhist sutra and tantra. He is an accomplished master who has numerous students across the world (United States, Canada, Italy, France, Vietnam, etc.)

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In 2009, Thamthog Rinpoche was appointed as Abbott of Namgyal Monastery, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal monastery. Since then, Thamthog Rinpoche accompanies His Holiness in his travels around the world. The same year he was also appointed as Head of Spiritual Affairs in the Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama