Dagyab, Loden Sherap

Loden Sherab Dagyab Rinpoche was born on July 27, 1940, in Menya, East Tibet. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the 9th Kyabgoen at the age of four. The Dagyab Kyabgoens have been the spiritual heads of the Dagyab region in Eastern Tibet, and carry the title Hothogthu Nomonhan. 'Hothogthu’ means noble, ‘Nomonhan’ refers to the King of Dharma. This title is exclusive to a small group of the most outstanding and highest-ranking incarnate Lamas, often reincarnations of Regents (Tib. Gyaltul) of Tibet. Dagyab Rinpoche is the only Hothogthu living in the west. The lineage of the Kyabgoens, “Lords of Protection” of the Dagyab region of Tibet, goes back to Dragpa Gyatso (1572 - 1638). A member of the Gelukpa lineage, Rinpoche graduated from Drepung Monastic University. He was also a member of the monastic communities of Nyagre Khangtsen of Gaden Monastery and of Ratö Monastery. Among his teachers were Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche, both tutors of the 14th Dalai Lama. He holds the most transmissions of the Gelugpa lineage, but also many transmissions of the Sakya and Kagyue lineages.