In 1986, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama recognized Demo Rinpoche as 11th Demo Rinpoche in Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha found enlightenment. Demo Rinpoche joined Drepung Loseling monastery in 1987 at the age of 6. After 25 years of study and practice, he graduated with a Geshe Lharampa degree in 2012. He then joined and completed Gyume Tantric College.
He subsequently moved to the United States to pursue the study of other religions at the Union Theological Seminary in New York, where he received his master’s degree in Inter-Religious Engagement in 2018.
One of Demo Rinpoche’s previous incarnations was the minister of Songtsen Gampo who brought a princess and a statue of Buddha to Lhasa from China.
Demo Rinpoche’s mala of reincarnations is well known to have strong connections with the lineage of the Dalai Lama. From the first Demo Rinpoche in 1374 until now, all ten became great dharma masters. The 6th Demo Rinpoche was the first regent of Tibet in Tibetan history, after the passing of the 7th Dalai Lama. The 7th and 9th Demo Rinpoche also served as regents.
Currently based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Demo Rinpoche serves as Jewel Heart’s Spiritual Director, where he teaches in an open-minded way, understandable to a new generation, while holding true to the authentic Buddha Dharma. Rinpoche’s interests include photography, poetry, sports and technology.
TALKS AND INTERVIEWS
- Demo Rinpoche Talk at Yale Buddhist Sangha – February 9, 2021
- How to Be Happy, Demo Rinpoche Interviewed by Roberta Opora, University of Rhode Island, Center for NonViolence and Peace Studies – March 14, 2021
- 2021 Crazy Wisdom Journal Interview by Madonna Gauding