This man, Sangye Choedak, the nephew of Chusang Rinpoche's previous incarnation and a devoted monk of Chusang Monastery in Tibet, immediately prostrated himself before the reincarnation of his beloved teacher.

In 1965, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, confirmed the 5th reincarnation of Chusang Rinpoche, Ngawang Lobsang Thubten Dronme. Rinpoche began his studies under the guidance of Pelbar Geshe Rinpoche at a small retreat centre in Helambu, Nepal. Following this, he studied for a further seven years in Dharamsala under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Ven. Lati Rinpoche. He received teachings on Sutra and Tantra from late Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and late Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, too. Subsequently Rinpoche studied for 13 years at Sera Mey Monastic University in South India, where he obtained the traditional Geshe Lharampa degree (equivalent to a Ph.D.) in 1990.

Rinpoche is spiritual head and director of Chusang Monastery, now based in Kathmandu, and it is there that he spends most of his time. In 1991, he accepted the leadership of another monastery, Zhekar Choedhe in Kalimpong, India and has more recently agreed to take on a new role assisting the monks of Sertog Gaden Choekhor Ling Monastery in the state of Sikkim www.sgc.ling.prv.pl

In the years that Rinpoche has been directing Chusang and Zhekar Choedhe Monasteries, both communities have seen great changes. Under Rinpoche's enthusiastic guidance, both the spiritual and material wellbeing of his monks have benefited considerably. Chusang Monastery is now a haven of peace amidst the noise and bustle of Kathmandu and a community of nearly 40 monks now lives there is comparative comfort. Much of the fabric of Zhekar Choedhe is now newly built, thanks to Rinpoche's efforts. But there is still work to do. Nothing stands still and both monasteries are growing fast as new monks are received from Tibet to begin their new lives under Chusang Rinpoche's careful guidance. There is still a great need for support and sponsorship for these monasteries and the programmes of work there are described in detail in the following pages.

As well as taking care of his monks, Rinpoche has been an active ambassador for them and also for the Buddhist practice and the cause of the Tibetan people. He has travelled widely and is in great demand both locally and elsewhere throughout the world. Amongst many other duties, he is a member of the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, advisor to the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association in New Delhi and a spiritual leader to the World Buddhist Cultural Exchange Association of South Korea. Rinpoche was elected as Vice President of the International Gelug Society's Executive Committee at the first International Gelug Conference held in March 1999. At the third International Gelug Conference in Bodha Gaya, he was appointed President. In 1999, Rinpoche was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity College in the USA. In 2002 Chusang Rinpoche was re-elected as Vice-President of the International Gelug Society's Executive Committee. He edited the book "Tribute to the Dalai Lamas" (in Tibetan), and transcribed, edited and published the speech of His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso the XIVth Dalai Lama of Tibet given on the 6th of December 2000 during the 2nd International Gelug Conference in Dharamsala.