According to numerous prophecies recorded in the Terma teaching of Nyingmapa, the first Terton Gyalsay Dechen Lingpa from the sacred land of Pemaköd is the reincarnation of Acharya Yeshé Yang and Langdro Lotsawa Könchok Jungné, two of the twenty-five disciples of Guru Rinpoche. The first Gyalsay Dechen Lingpa is the elder son of Gampopa Orgyen Drodül Lingpa, the great Terton Gampo Dorjee Gyalpo, who followed Guru Rinpoche’s secret instructions to reveal the holy hidden land of Pemaköd and thus become the Dharma King of this sacred place.

As the senior Dharma prince, Gyalsay Dechen Lingpa discovered many Terma teachings and sacred articles. Particularly, the caves of the five Buddha-families, the long-life cave of central Buddha family, the Hayagriva cave, the nine-heads Garuda cave and the Samye Chimbu of Tibet. Moreover, from many other sacred places, he revealed Guru Rinpoche’s sky-iron vajra, the moon-wheel Chintamani vase of Amitayu sealed by the letter ‘Ah’, Guru Rinpoche’s fingerprints, the seven reincarnated Brahman’s relic “Vimala Grabha’s Brain “, the two Padmasambhava statues, which represents the equal value of Guru Rinpoche’s blessing in person (Guru Kutsab), Samantabhadra – the wish fulfilling jewel, and many other treasures and sacred objects. Gyalsay Dechen Lingpa also revealed many Terma teachings, including the unity of Guru Rinpoche and longevity achievement of Rigdzin heart-drop, the thousand arms Avalokiteśvara – wish fulfilling achievement of all generation stage, completion stage and Dzogchen teachings. All the Terma teachings contain Guru Rinpoche Siddhi, the Dzogchen instruction and the mind siddhi, which a great Terton should completely reveal.

Additionally, Gaylsay Dechen Lingpa’s second reincarnation, Gyurme Nyedon Tenzin, and the third reincarnation, Kunzang Thekchok Gyatso, were supremely realized mahasiddhas. In 1962, the fourth Gaylsay Dechen Lingpa was recognized as the Dharma Prince (Gaylsay Tulku) of Pemaköd by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche during the perfection of the Nyingma Kama empowerment, the root oral lineage of Nyingmapa, bestowed by His Holiness himself in Kalimpong, India. Furthermore, Gaylsay Tulku Rinpoche’s younger brother was also recognized by Dudjom Rinpoche as Dakpo Tulku, the Dharma King of Pemaköd, who is the reincarnation of Gampopa Orgyen Drodül Lingpa.

In 1965, the fourth Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche was sent to Mindrolling Monastery in North India to study Tibetan linguistic, the holy art of torma making, vajra dance, chanting, astrology, poetry and all other subjects of Buddhist philosophy. After successfully completing his studies from Mindrolling, Rinpoche returned back to the hills of Sikkim for experiential retreat and to follow the teachings of great Khenpo Tsundue from 1972 to 1978 for the higher study of all Sutra and Tantra at Denjong Shedra, near Chorten Gonpa. Meanwhile, from 1978 to 1988, Rinpoche also served as the Head Khenpo (Director of Shedra) of Mindrolling Monastery in India, at the same time teaching and directing monks of all levels in the field of Tibetan linguistic, Tripitaka and Tantra philosophy.

Since their childhood, Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche and his younger brother Dakpo Tulku Rinpoche had received all the new and old Tantra transmission from all the lineage holders of this generation. Besides that Gyalsay Rinpoche has also received extensive teachings from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (Nyingma’s throne holder), His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Dodrupchen Rinpoche (the supreme holder of the Nyingtik lineage), His Eminence Tulku Orgyen Rinoche, His Eminence Drikung Choeje Togden Rinpoche, His Eminence Yangthang Rinpoche and His Eminence Nyoshul Khenpo.

Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche is an eminent scholar, a humble practitioner, protector of the traditional Dechen Lingpa lineage, holder of Rigzin Jatson Nyingpo Terma Teaching, and is also widely loved and respected in all the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism for his clairvoyant wisdom, supreme knowledge and gracious humility.

Rinpoche completed another one of his holy retreat in the Maratika cave, the Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayu longevity sacred place in Nepal. Nowadays, Rinpoche resides and undertakes spiritual guidance/ teaching at the holy place of Gyalshing at Migyur Dechen Laytroling retreat, which has a sacred history of over 300 years with several generations of his disciples. May His Eminence Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche live long to flourish the teaching of Buddha and to guide the ignorant beings on the path to Dharma. Sarva Mangalam