His Eminence Phagchok Meme Lama Rinpoche Kuenzang Namdrol alias Sangay Wangdue. "The founder of The Phagchok Samdrupcholling Gonpa"

(The Year He was Born)

His Eminence Kuenzang Namdrol Rinpoche popularly known as Phagchok Rinpoche was born to (Yonphu Dungyued) Yab Lama Tshewang Jatsho and Yum (Delokma) Dorji Pelmo in the year 1874 corresponding to the Iron Tiger Year of the Tibetan calendar.

(Background History of His Lineage)

The history of the arrival of Yonphu Dungyued (Yonphu Lineage) to Shingkhar Lauri can be traced back to the great grandparents of Meme Rinpoche himself. It was lama Phajo Karma Tshewang who once upon a time travelled to the helm of Mon Shingkhar Lauri from Yonphula. Yonphu Dungyued is said to be a direct descendent of the famous Terton Retna Lingpa. One of his Lineage descended from his son, Garab Dorji, who practiced meditation nearby Yonphula. He, later on, came to settle in Yonphu Village upon the request of the people in the village as their lord and protector. He built a small temple which is known as “Choegyued Lhakhang” in Yonphula today and his descendent came to be known as “Yonphu Dungyued”. His venerable Lama Phajo Karma Tsewang was one of the descendants who came to Shingkhar Lauri and settled at Phajo Gonpa in particular, following the profound prophecies of his ancestors.

Lama Phajo Karma Tsewang pioneered the place known as “Phajo Gonpa” meaning Phajo’s Temple (a hermitage which belongs to Phajo). Lama Ngoedrup Dorji was one of the sons who held the Lineage and the teachings. Lama Ngoedrup had a son, Lama Tsampa Tsering, who was unlike his ancestors and ruled all over (Upper, Middle and Lower) Shingkhar Lauri during his time. Meme Rinpoche’s father Lama Tsewang Jatsho was one of the sons of Tsampa Tsering who not only held the teachings and Lineage but also propagated to bring a BARDO CHAM to Phajo Gonpa from Yonphu Choegyued Lhakhang. Thus, we come to know that Meme Rinpoche is the Fourth grandson of Lama Phajo Karma Tsewang.

(His childhood and Education)

It was alarming to the villagers when incurable illnesses strike a young boy of three years old. And the boy got cured when he was being wrapped by the White dressing. It was a sign that he will be the powerful and great Tantric practitioner later in his life. At six, he started learning the basic Buddhist literature based on Pelling tradition from his Dad. At twelve, after the death of his Venerable father, he had to go to Tsebar, Pemagatsel to see his authentic Master Lama Tsenzang Dorji, a disciple of Togden Sakya Shri in Tibet with his Mother. He had to return home sadly after seven years as his master passed away.

(His Early Life and Resettlement at Phagchu)

As advised and prophesized by his thankful Mother, he decided to visit Lhasa Tsa-ri Rong-kor with four more friends (the trip which was the most important turning point of his life). By then he was married to Khandro Tshering Chodron and had three daughters. They travelled to Tibet via Sikkim crossing the Nepal border. It was unbelievable for him to come across His Holiness Kyabje Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Rinpoche at Lhasa. On seeing him, he took refuge and asked for his blessings for the present and future. His Holiness promised to see him again at Sikkim shortly. They couldn’t have much time together since the Chinese invasion broke out in Tibet. Shortly after returning home, he went to see His Holiness in Sikkim and bestowed him as his disciple since then. In 1961, Fifteen households from Phajo Gonpa lead by Meme Rinpoche fled to the Northern part of India (Shilong) fearing the Chinese invasion to Tibet as Phajo Gonpa was near to the southern border of Tibet. He and his group returned after five years and started a new settlement at Phagchu which is a day walk from Phajo Gonpa (His old residence).

(About the Construction of Monastery)

Many people happen to lose their lives and no peace prevailed for those alive. They became victims of many diseases and were helpless. Meme Rinpoche had a dream in which he was prophesied to build a Monastery over the small hill which is like the head of a sleeping Elephant such that it will bring eradicate the illnesses from the people in the village and bring prosperity. Construction of a monastery would not only be beneficial to the people of the region but for all the people living around the world. He then went to see His Holiness at Kalimpong to ask about the construction of the Monastery. Upon bringing the story to His Holiness’s knowledge, he was permitted to construct with the clear-cut architectural design for both internal and external structures.

One can only dream of completing a monastery with about 20 labourers and penniless in less than 3 years. The hardships, pains and exertions that he overcame are beyond our perception. Finally, the construction works were over and he became satisfied that everything could happen as he thought including the statues and the wall paintings etc. The older generations of Shingkhar Lauri still remembers the time of Lama Tsampa Tsering who travelled to Shingkhar giving teachings and offering puja in every household a few decades ago. Everyone revered him, and it is proud to say that no one was not obedient and faithful to his service. In his late 50s, there were more than 50 followers from all parts of Shingkhar Lauri.

During the late 60s, he handed over all his responsibilities to his eldest Son H.E Phagchok Rinpoche Kuenzang Dorji. Thereafter, he remained in meditation for the rest of his life. He travelled between his two residences at Jomotsangkha (Daifam) in the south near the Indian border during the cold season and back to Gonpa during summer.