Dalai Lama recognizes nine-year-old Darjeeling boy as reincarnation of Bratse Rinpoche

Darjeeling, Apr.11 (ANI): The 14th Dalai Lama has recognised Dawa Wangdi, a nine-year-old boy from Darjeeling as the reincarnation of Bratse Rinpoche.

The letter from the Dalai Lama's office, with its prominent official seal, clearly mentions the name of the new incarnation, who is the son of Pema Wangdi and Sanju Rai. This has been confirmed by a Rinpoches senior novice Geshe Tashi Tsethar.

The previous Draktse Rinpoches were all born in Monpa community of Tawang district, and for that reason, the Rinpoche has huge number of devotees in the district, especially in Jang, Jangda, Thingbu, Mago, Rho and Lhou areas.

His Eminence Draktse Thupten Tenpa Gyaltsen Rinpoche, the former reincarnation passed away on November 1, 2004. After completing his monastic education in Mysore, he returned to Tawang and spent his life performing prayers, rituals, tantric healing, empowerment initiation and social services.

Locally, the Rinpoche is also known as the 'Bratse' Rinpoche. Draktse and Bratse literally means 'Hill Top' or 'Top of the Cliff'. He was probably given the name 'Draktse' by the local Monpas owing to the fact that he used to remain secluded at the top of Jang village mountain. Later in his life, the villagers donated the mountain where he used to spend most of his time in meditation.

The auspicious coronation ceremony of Draktse Rinpoche has been postponed to next year.