Zeekgyab Rinpoche, Tenzin Thupten Rabyal (born in 1983) was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986 as the 5th reincarnation of Kachen Lobsang Thupten Nyendak Namgyal (4th Zeekgyab Tulku). Rinpoche was enthroned at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Zeekgyab Rinpoche received his Novice vows and fully ordination monastic vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Rinpoche completed his studies of the five major Buddhist Texts under Khensur Jetsun Lobsang Choney at Gaden Jangtse Monastery. He completed his Geshe (Doctoral) degree in 2009 from Gaden Jangtse Monastic University and in 2010 completed his postdoctoral program Kachen at Tashi Lhundup Monastery. In 2010, Rinpoche studied tantra for a year at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery.
He has been teaching at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery since 2011. In late 2018 he was appointed the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and enthroned on February 11, 2019.
