ZaChoeje Rinpoche Tenzin Lobsang Dhamchoe was born in 1968 in Southern India and spent his early years on an acre size small family farm, lovingly raised by his parents and grandparents. The local village Lama gave him the birth name Choejor Dhondup—meaning “Accomplished Spiritual Abundance.” As a child, he delighted in the rich oral traditions of Tibet, reading ancient folk tales aloud to village elders. His love of learning and storytelling blossomed into a deep devotion to Tibetan literature and philosophy, guiding him to enroll in the Tibetan Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, Varanasi, India, in 1982.

Just one year later, at the age of sixteen, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama recognized him as the sixth reincarnation of Hor Choeje Rinpoche of the Tehor region in Eastern Tibet. In 1983, he was formally enthroned as the 6th ZaChoeje Rinpoche at Tehor Khamtsen in Sera Monastery. Under the direct guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, he underwent rigorous training in the classical Tibetan Buddhist disciplines of listening, contemplation, and meditation—building the foundation for another lifetime of teaching and service.

In 1985, Rinpoche entered Drepung Loseling Monastic University in South India, where he studied the Five Great Treatises of Buddhist philosophy under the tutelage of eminent masters, including Khensur Rinpoche Yeshe Thupten, Shakor Khen Rinpoche Gen Nyima, and Tehor Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Nyima. After years of intensive study, he graduated first in his class and earned the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree—the highest academic honor in the Gelug tradition—in 1996.

Beyond his monastic scholarship, Rinpoche received hundreds of Vajrayana empowerments and initiations from great masters such as Kyabje Lochoe Rinpoche and Kirti Tsenshap Rinpoche, and received the complete oral transmission of the Kangyur and Tengyur scriptures from Kyabje Pannang Rinpoche. In 1997, he continued his advanced studies in Tantra at Gyumed Tantric College, deepening his understanding of the most profound levels of Buddhist practice.

Rinpoche’s journey to the West began in 1998 when he came to the United States to lead the Mystical Arts of Tibet tour, sponsored by the Richard Gere Foundation and endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. During that time, he also taught Tibetan culture and philosophy at Emory University in Atlanta and spoke at universities across the country. His clear, compassionate, and humorous teaching style quickly captured the hearts of students everywhere.

In 2001, Rinpoche founded the Emaho Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a group of devoted students and supporters. Emaho’s mission reflects Rinpoche’s vision: to nurture spiritual development while supporting humanitarian and cultural projects worldwide. Known for his warmth and joyful laughter, Rinpoche creates an atmosphere where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and inspired. His practical wisdom often shines through simple yet profound advice—such as his gentle reminder to “stop struggling against the struggles in life.”

Rinpoche wrote The Backdoor to Enlightenment, a book that has touched readers around the world and been translated into multiple languages.

In 2006, Rinpoche made a deeply moving return to his homeland in the Tehor region of Eastern Tibet. Thousands gathered to welcome him—four hundred horsemen rode in procession, and entire villages celebrated his homecoming with days of joy, song, and dance. While his primary work continues to be teaching the Dharma, Rinpoche also dedicates himself to improving the lives of those in Tibet by supporting education, healthcare, and the rebuilding of monasteries in the region founded by his previous incarnations.

“Since I hold the title of ZaChoeje Rinpoche,” he says, “it is my responsibility to look after the people of Tehor and to guide them toward a better future. The monasteries of my predecessors are being rebuilt, but much remains to be done. Healthcare is scarce, education is limited, and many families struggle to send their children to school. My goal is to continue, as my lineage has, to offer help and hope—to preserve Tibetan culture and heritage during these fragile times.”

Today, ZaChoeje Rinpoche continues to travel widely, offering teachings that bridge ancient wisdom and modern life. His presence—gentle, humorous, and wise—embodies the living spirit of the Bodhisattva path: compassion in action, guided by insight and love.