The Second Dzogchen Khyentse, Zhonnu Lodro (rdzogs chen mkhyen brtse 02 gzhon nu blo gros) was born at Drokru Dewa, Rudam, Kham (khams ru dam 'brog ru sde ba) in 1937, the fire-ox year of the sixteenth sexagenary cycle. His father was called Osel Dorje ('od gsal rdo rje) and his mother was named Jamyang Dolma ('jam dbyangs sgrol ma).

He was identified as the Second Dzogchen Khyentse, the reincarnation of Dzogchen Khyentse Guru Tsewang (rdzogs chen mkhyen brtse 01 gu ru tshe dbang, 1896-1935/36) initially by Tulku Drime (sprul sku dri med, d.u.) and later confirmed by Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro ('jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse chos kyi blo gros, 1893-1959) and brought to Dzogchen Rudam Orgyen Samten Choling (ru dam o rgyan bsam gtan chos gling). He was educated and trained at the monastery by a number of distinguished teachers that included Dzogchen Khenchen Jigme Yonten Gonpo (rdzogs chen mkhan chen 'jigs med yon tan mgon po, 1899-1959) and Lingtul Rinpoche (gling sprul rin po che, d.u.).

He died in 1959 during the chaos of the Communist take-over of Tibet and the destruction of Dzogchen Monastery; details are currently not available.

Samten Chhosphel earned his PhD from CIHTS in India where he served as the head of Publication Dept. for 26 years. He has a Master’s degree in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Boston. Currently he is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the City University of New York, and Language Associate in Columbia University, NY.

Published December 2011