Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 17: Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal, the youngest brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, passed away at the age of 80 at his residence, Kashmir Cottage, in Dharamshala. His demise marks the end of a life dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan religion, culture, and the political aspirations of the Tibetan people in exile.
Born in Lhasa in 1946, the Fire Dog year of the 16th Rabjung cycle, Ngari Rinpoche was raised in a family that would become central to Tibet’s modern history. Following the Chinese illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959, he accompanied His Holiness the Dalai Lama into exile in India, joining thousands of Tibetans who fled their homeland.
Recognized at the age of three as the reincarnation of Ngari Rinpoche, a revered lineage associated with western Tibet (Ngari), he assumed spiritual responsibilities from an early age. His upbringing combined traditional Tibetan Buddhist education with modern academic training. After arriving in India, he studied at St. Joseph’s School in Darjeeling, where he completed his secondary education, before pursuing higher studies in the United States.
Over the years, Ngari Rinpoche held several key roles within the exile Tibetan administration, formally known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). He served as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Religion and Culture, taught at Tibetan Children’s Village, and worked as Personal Assistant to the Home Secretary. He later served as Special Assistant in the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
From 1974 to 1976, he served as President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest Tibetan non-governmental organizations advocating for Tibet’s independence. He also represented Domey (Amdo) as a Member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile during its Eleventh Assembly.
The CTA President Penpa Tsering expressed deep condolences in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). “On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people, I express my deep sorrow on the passing of H.E. Ngari Rinpoche (Tenzin Choegyal la), the younger brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a prominent spiritual figure. Throughout his life, Rinpoche devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause of Tibet. He remained steadfast in his support of the Tibetan Administration and bore the hardships and aspirations of the Tibetan people as his own. At this time of mourning, I express my sincere gratitude for Rinpoche’s enduring legacy and extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers,” he wrote.
GOOD BYE MY DEAR “ANGRY PRINCE”
For me the departure of my very dear friend Ngari Rinpoche is a very big emotional personal loss. He belonged to that class of Tibetans whom I’ve always loved and respected deeply for their commitment to the cause of a free-Tibet. Very rarely I’ve known a person who has wonderful sense of humour but is also known for his no-nonsense personality. He was among that set of my Tibetan friends who touched my heart in my very first handshake with Tibet in 1972 and have remained close to my heart till this day 54 years later. It was in November 1972 when I first time came in touch with the Tibetans on an assignment from a news magazine for an interview of HH Dalai Lama and a socio-political featue on the Tibetan refugee community.
The very first group of young Tibetans who impressed me were Ngari Rinpoche, Lodi Gyari, Jamyang Norbu, Tenzin Geyche, Sonam Topgyal, Lhasang Tsering and K. Wangchuk.
My best and most memorable interaction with Ngari Rinpoche was in 1980 during HH Dalai Lama’s month long visit to Ladakh. His Holiness had personally invited me to join his entourage as his photographer. During this month I and Ngari Rinpoche gelled so well with each other that throughout this travel through Ladakh he kept me with him in the room which was alloted to him as the most celebrated VIP member of the entourage. Luckily it suited everyone, especially the personal staff of His Holiness, the host protocol officials of the state government– and more than anyone else Ngari Rinpoche himself because I turned out to be the only person whom he would listen to during his frequuent disiplinist moments. It took me no time to understand that almost everyone around him was afraid of him because of his no-nonsense personality which led many people to interpret it as his ‘angry’ and ‘mercurial’ nature. In sharp contrast to this opinion most people around him were surprised whenever they would watch him sharing jokes with me and laughing his heart out. What he loved most was sharing memories of his days as a soldier of the Tibetan guerilla force in Indian Army.
However in later years when he chose to be more private, reclusive and focused on his studies and meditation, our personal connection reduced considerably. Last time when we had a common cause to work on was his book on the history of ’22’ (the Special Frontier Force – SFF which is popularly referred to as ‘Two-Two’). He had asked our common friend Tenzin Geyche to persuade me to write a chapter for this book.
There is a lot more to remember him as my dear, kind and a hilarious friend. May be later some other time. Right now I feel sadly immersed in the memory of a friend who touched my heart very deeply. I am sure he will be soon back with us in his new life as a seriously jolly fellow once again. I love you and will miss you my dear ANGRY PRINCE!!!