Introduction

Lama Khedtup Rinpoche established the Karma Norbuling Buddhist Centre in 2002. The name 'Karma Norbuling' was given to the centre by His Holiness, The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje.

Karma Norbuling Buddhist Centre is registered as the Member of The Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA), and Lama Khedtup Rinpoche has also obtained the Sangha Identity Card from The Malaysia Buddhist Asscoation.

Lama Khedtup Rinpoche will be residing full time at this centre. The activities to be carried at this centre shall be the same as that of Karma Karuna. The Official Opening Ceremony for Karma Norbuling Buddhist Centre is planned to take place in 2004. The first Dharma programme which was successfully carried out at this new centre on the 23/4th August 2003 was the Amitabha Chang Chok Puja. The puja was led by Lama Khedtup Rinpoche, together with eight lamas, and the main shrine hall was spacious enough to cater for a crowd of 260 devotees who had attended the 2 days puja.

► View photo gallery of Grand Opening Ceremony by HH 17th Karmapa - 4.Nov.2006

Ven. Lama Khedtup Rinpoche is the current Resident Master of Karma Karuna Buddhist Centre, and Karma Norbuling Buddhist Centres.

Ven. Lama Khedtup Rinpoche was born in the year 1955 in West Tibet. In 1961, during the communist occupation, Lama Rinpoche together with his family left for Nepal to build their permanent residence there. At the age of 12, he was ordained by Ven. Drudsing Rinpoche and began with his Buddhism Studies and Training. At age 16, Lama Rinpoche took the novice monk's vow (Getsul) from His Holiness, The 16 th Gyalwa Karmapa.

In the year 1973, Lama Rinpoche entered the renowned Sanskrit University in India. He spent nine years to pursue his study of Buddhist Philosophy. Upon completion of his study, he was awarded the Archarya Degree which is equivalent to Master of Art (M.A.). Thereafter, he was offered to work as Teacher in one of the Tibetan School in Katmandu, Nepal for one year.

In 1984, at the request of Kunzig Sharmarpa Rinpoche and the Late H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lama Rinpoche went to Rumtek Monastery to teach Grammar in Nalanda Institute for the duration of six months. He then returned to Pokhara to teach the monks in Jangchub Choling Monastery at the request of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche. In 1985, he joined the Rumtek Retreat Centre to perform the traditional Six Yoga of Naropa Retreat for three years and eight months. After the completion of the Retreat, he was back to Pokhara and became the Vajra and Discipline Master of Jangchub Choling Monastery until 1993.

In 1993, Kunzig Sharmarpa Rinpoche sent him to Kuala Lumpur Karma Kagyu Dharma Society in Malaysia, to be the Resident Master until year 1995. Thereafter, he setup his own centre Karma Karuna Buddhist Centre in Lunas, Kedah in 1st August 1995 and has held many Buddhist Dharma activities in the Centre.

From 1998 onwards, he is also being officially appointed as the Religious Advisor of Sungai Petani Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centre organizing many Dharma activities in both the State of Kedah and Penang.

In 2002, Lama Rinpoche further established and set up another new centre Karma Norbuling Buddhist Centre in Penang State. The name 'Karma Norbuling' was given by His Holiness, The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje.