Born in 1904 in a noble family in the province of Pemakö, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche was recognized at the age of three as the reincarnation of Dudjom Lingpa, a great discoverer of Treasures. He received teachings from the greatest Masters of his time, particularly Jedrung Trinley Jampa Jungney, Pukong Tulku, Gyurmey Ngedun Wangpo, Gyurmey Phendey Özer and Minling Dordzin Namdröl Gyatso. At the age of fourteen he collated the transmission of the Rinchen Ter Dzö for the first time, and he composed his first written works at the age of seventeen. Moreover he was considered as the incarnation of Guru Rinpoche and Yeshé Tsogyal. Dudjom Rinpoche was revered as the greatest Tertön of his era, and wrote more than fifty volumes during his life. His style is unique: a mixture of erudition, poetic inspiration and vivid, direct language which captivates and inspires. He is particularly known for the limpid clarity with which he expressed the Teachings of the Great Perfection. His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed him head of the Nyingma order in 1959, while he was still in exile. Heestablished numerous monasteries and dharma centres in Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and France. The three year retreats organised by Tsetrul Pema Wangyal Rinpoche in Dordogne were also held under his spiritual authority and direction. Dudjom Rinpoche left his body, in his house in Dordogne, on 17 January 1987. His kudung (embalmed body) remained in France for one year, and then was taken to Nepal. It is conserved inside a stupa in the temple of his monastery in Bodnath.