Driving on the road from Gangtey to Punakha we encountered road closures due to construction. The delays create long lines of bikes, trucks and cars waiting for the construction to permit travel, which can take up to hours to clear.

Taking a break, I noticed a car getting lots of attention. Asking my guide, he was surprised to see the reincarnation from Bumthang’s monastery Karma Choki Gyaltshen. Given the roadside delays we had a chance to meet, talk and get blessed.

The fifth Padtselling Trulku, Pema Kuenzang Tenzin Gyamtsho, in keeping with his promise was born in 1960 at Bumthang Tang Namkhai Lhakhang to Binzaibi Choeje Thinley (descendant of Terchen Dorji Lingpa) and Jigme Lhamo, a very humbal family.

With the dawn of the Rat Year and an indication therewith that we the sentient beings are not diminished in merits, a reincarnation was born. Not knowing whether he was of a higher being or an ordinary child, he remained in the lap of his mother for three years. Finally, when he was able to speak a little, the child expressed his desire to go the monastery. On meeting with his former treasurer, Sonam Dendup, the child, without having anybody to introduce him called the treasurer by name. On reaching the Bathel pass, the deities and other celestial beings welcomed him. Similarly, on reaching Padtselling, there was a sea of tea and drinks waiting for him. A little drop he took from them; a little drop he offered to his tutelary deities and yet another drop he offered to other protective deities ushering in an auspicious day for him to take care of the monastery thereafter….Lopen Gonpo Tenzin

Soon after he began to speak as a child, he uttered the name of his predecessor Kunzang Thinlay Namgyal and claimed to be his reincarnation. He also proclaimed Jangchub Pelri to be his seat and insisted on going there.

The child was referred to the Sixteenth Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorji (1924–1981) to confirm the reincarnation of Padtselling Trulku. After the Karmapa’s confirmation, the child was accorded a formal recognition, and given the name Karma Choki Gyaltshen. He was taken to the monastery at the age of five where, Jurme Thegchog Tenpai Gyaltshen, the tenth heart son of Pema Lingpa, enthroned him, and named him Pema Kunzang Tenzin Gyamtsho.

In the year 1970 he went to Punakha, the seat of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan, to present his first hair cut to Nyinzer Chogtrul Rimpochhe, Thinley Lhuendrub, the 67th Je Khenpo of Bhutan and reincarnation of Ngagchang Wookpa Lingpa. To mark the ceremony, he was given a third name Tenzin Gyamtsho.

When he was fifteen, he joined the Tango Buddhist College, the meditation place of Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo which was then headed by Geshe Gedhuen Rinchen, the 69th Je Khenpo of Bhutan and the reincarnation of Tertoen Sogyal.

Later he frequently visited Khyentse Dorji Chang H.H Jurme Thegchen Tenpai Gyaltshen, The Delgo Khentsey Rinpoche and received teachings on Nyingma Kater Dagnang, teachings of the former master, the Dremid Lingpa lineage which included Chime Longsel Dorji Sokdrub and Ratphur initiation and empowerment, until his death. His other learning include instructions on Nyingthig Yabzhi, Kagyur Jaglung, Longchen Dzod Dun (Seven Treasures of Longchen Rabjam), Nyingma Gyud Bum (The Hundred Thousand Tantras of the Nyingma School), practice of Tsalung Rigzin Thrulkhor, Khyentse Gongter, initiation and instructions on Dralha Gesar Tathub Karpo, commentary on Ngondro and gongter of Kyabje Rimpoche and all dam ngag (pit instructions).

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petsheling_Monastery