Tenga Rinpoche was born in 1932 in Tibet. He was recognised as tulku. He received very extensive education in meditation, rituals, philosophy, medicine and other traditional disciplines in the Benchen Monastery in Tibet. He showed special skills in advanced Vajrayana practices. After the Chinese invasion in 1959, Tenga Rinpoche immigrated to India, together with His Holiness the 16 th Karmapa. Karmapa designated him as Dorje Lopön (Vajra Master) of Rumtek Monastery and his official representative in the South–Eastern Asia. He also recommended Tenga Rinpoche to his Western disciples as a master who has attained deep realisation advising them to follow his instructions.

In 1976 Tenga Rinpoche settled in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he established a monastery continuing the tradition of the Tibetan Benchen. He regularly visits Dharma centres in the West, including his European primary centre in Allmuthen and the Buddhist Centre in Grabnik, Poland, one of the branches of his monastery.