Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was a highly revered Tibetan Dzogchen master who lived from 1920 to 1996. He was born in Eastern Tibet into a family with a long lineage of Dzogchen practitioners. His father was a renowned Dzogchen master and his mother was also a practitioner, making him a third-generation Dzogchen teacher.

At the age of four, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the great Dzogchen master, Chokgyur Lingpa. He was then enthroned as the head of the Chokling Monastery, one of the oldest and most respected monasteries in Tibet. From a young age, he received teachings and transmissions from some of the most accomplished masters of his time, including his own father and other renowned masters like Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was known for his exceptional qualities of wisdom, compassion, and humility. He was a highly realized master and was considered to be an embodiment of the wisdom and compassion of all the Buddhas. His teachings were renowned for their clarity and practicality, and he had a unique ability to present the profound teachings of Dzogchen in a simple and accessible way.

In addition to his own family lineage, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche also received teachings and transmissions from other lineages, including the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya traditions. He was considered to be a holder of all the major lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and was highly respected by practitioners from all schools.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche spent most of his life in retreat, dedicating himself to the practice and realization of Dzogchen. However, he also traveled extensively, giving teachings and transmissions to students from all over the world. He was instrumental in spreading the teachings of Dzogchen to the West and had a significant influence on many Western practitioners.

Today, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's teachings and lineage are carried on by his sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, as well as many other students who have received his direct transmission. He continues to be revered as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of our time, and his teachings continue to inspire and guide countless practitioners on the path to enlightenment.