His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, with The Venerable Bardor Rulku on his right, and Lama Sange Trenzing Ghale on his left.

THE XIIth TAI SITU PEMA DHONYO NYINCHE RINPOCHE

The current, XIIth Tai Situ Rinpoche was born in 1954 to a family of farmers in the Derge Kingdom of easter Tibet.

When he was six years old, political conditions forced him to leave Tibet with only a few attendants. His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche went to live at the newly constructed Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India, the new sear of the XVIth Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.

Since 1980, Tai Situ Rinpoche has traveled widely in North America, Europe an dSoutheast Asia lecturing on Buddhist philosophy and meditation. He founded Maitreya Institue in 1984 in response to western interest in multicultural activity and spirituality.

That same year His Eminence visited his homeland, Tibet for the first time since fleeing the Chinese Communist invasion. During his visit, he presented to the Chinese authorities a plan for the rebuilding, preservation and propagation of the Tibetan Buddhist Culture.
His Eminence was instrumental inthe identification and enthronement of His Holiness, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the XVIIth Gyalwang Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage. Currently he is the guardian and primary tutor to His Holiness. His Eminence is involved in the advancement of interfaith and intercultural huanitarian efforts around the world.

His Eminence, Tai Situ Rinpoche is an emanation of the future Buddha, Maitreya.