Following the parinirvana of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen in 2008,
it became the responsibility of Mindrolling to initiate the process
of deciding the next head of the Nyingmas.
With this enormous responsibility, Mindrolling initiated a
meeting on this matter during the 2010 Nyingma Monlam held at Bodh
Gaya. At this sacred site, the International Nyingma Monlam
Committee and representatives of the six main lineages of the
Nyingmas met to discuss this important matter of the next Head of
the Nyingma School. It was then decided that the representatives of
the six main lineages and senior teachers and members of the
International Nyingma Monlam would appoint a committee of six
senior members who would approach four of the oldest and some of
the senior-most Nyingma masters to accept the role of the Head of
the Nyingma School. Seeing the enormous importance of their
presence and continued activity, it was decided that they would
also make the Tensum offerings and supplications of long life to
all the four great masters, beginning with the oldest in age. Those
masters who were approached were Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche, Kyabje
Trulshig Rinpoche, Kyabje Dodrub Rinpoche and Kyabje Tsetrul
Rinpoche.
The six senior members appointed to hold the responsibility for
this task were H.E. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, H.E. Gyangkhang
Rinpoche, H.E. Khochhen Rinpoche, H.E. Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche and
the two representatives of the Nyingmas in the government of Tibet
in Exile.
The first teacher to be approached was Kyabje Chatral Sangye
Dorje Rinpoche who is one of senior-most and oldest living Nyingma
masters of the day. Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche declined the position
due to health concerns.
The committee then proceeded to approach Kyabje Trulshig
Rinpoche. In the face of heartfelt repeated requests to Kyabje
Trulshig Rinpoche on behalf of the entire Nyingma School, Rinpoche
graciously accepted to the great joy of everyone.