At the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, Ribur Rinpoche spent more than 10 years in Chinese labor camps and was given a job with the Religious Affairs Office in Tibet. On one of his trips to China, he worked with the Panchen Lama and recovered holy objects – including the famous Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the Ramoche temple – that had been dismantled and shipped to China. He also re-established the destroyed stupa of Lama Tsongkhapa, which contained some of Lama Tsongkhapa’s bodily relics.
Since his exile to India in 1985, Ribur Rinpoche wrote numerous biographies of great lamas such as the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and an extensive history of Tibet, which includes his autobiography. Ribur Rinpoche spent many years living in northern California, USA where he gave teachings and led retreats, before returning to India, where he passed away in 2006.
Recognized Incarnation:
Tenzin Pasang Rinpoche, the current incarnation of Ribur Rinpoche, was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was initially enthroned as the incarnation in Bodhgaya, India, in 2010 by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Woser Rinpoche, and formally enthroned at Sera Mey Monastery, India, in May 2013. (Source Accessed Jan 14, 2025)
