“It gives me immense pleasure to know that this authentic account of the life and activities of Khyentse Rinpoche, whom I am fortunate to revere among my own precious teachers, has been prepared to remind those who knew him and inform those who did not.”—the Dalai Lama

“Who could ever forget Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche if they had ever seen him? Both in his spiritual realization and in his physical appearance and build, he was larger than life. In every sense there was something universal, even superhuman, about him.”—Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

“Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was the perfect example of how a teacher can be a source of inspiration. By reading the life story of such a great teacher, we can gain some understanding about what we could achieve if we were to follow such a teacher, receive his instructions, and practice the way he did. What inspired me most in Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is the beauty of his inner freedom; no matter what happened around him.”—Shechen Rabjam, author of The Great Medicine That Conquers Clinging to the Notion of Reality

“He was a great leader, and just like a majestic American Indian chief or a distinguished samurai general, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was never affected by chaotic or difficult circumstances, however tumultuous. He always remained quite still, like a mountain, effortlessly exuding an all-pervasive confidence that evoked confidence in those around him, and an absolute, unshakeable equanimity.”—Dzongsar Khyentse, author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist

Through lively anecdotes and stories this highly revered Buddhist meditation master and scholar tells about his life of study, retreat, and teaching. The formative events of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s life, and those insights and experiences that caused him to mature into the warm, brilliant, and highly realized meditation master and teacher he was, are deeply inspiring. The details of his early life and spiritual training reveal an authentic and human view of Tibetan culture, as well as the hardships endured by the Tibetans who fled their country and reestablished their tradition in exile.

The first part of this volume includes Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s early life story, told in his own words. The second half of the book comprises recollections by Khyentse Rinpoche’s wife; his grandson and spiritual heir, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche; Tenga Rinpoche; Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche; Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche; Kenpo Pema Sherab; the Queen Mother of Bhutan; Trulshik Rinpche; and Pewar Tulku.