Venerable Zopa Dorje was a dedicated monk of the Palpung lineage and was ordained by 11th Chamgon Tai Situ Pema Wangchok Gyalpo. He studied the Palpung lineage curriculum very diligently according to the tradition of Palpung Thubten Chokhor Ling monastic seat and was eventually appointed joint discipline master of Palpung Thubten Chokhor Ling. He held this position for many years while also maintaining his role as Ambassador of Palpung monastic seat to several monastic estates in various kingdoms in Kham.

In 1954 the current, 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa was recognized and enthroned by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa at just 18 months old. The enthronement took place at Palpung Thubten Chokhor Ling Monastic Seat and at that time Venerable Zopa Dorje was appointed nanny of the young Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa by the late Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and the Sangha of Palpung. From that time until 1976, he took care of Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa just like mother and father take care of their children. On several occasions he also served Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa and His Eminence the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche during their visits to Bhutan and different parts India for pilgrimages.

Guided by the vision of Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Kenting Tai Situpa, the establishment of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat in Himachal Pradesh, India began in 1977. The Venerable Zopa Dorje was appointed by Guru Vajradhara to manage the entire project, at a time when the land on which Sherabling now stands was all jungle and there was not even a road. Without hesitation he promised to fulfill the enlightened vision of Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. Venerable Zopa Dorje couldn’t speak any language except Tibetan but he nonetheless took on this hardship and accomplished the tremendous achievement of managing the construction of the first phase of Palpung Monastic seat.

His own personal lifestyle was simple as befits a monk and his love and care for everyone in the mandala of Palpung Monastic seat touched everyone who has loved there. His devotion and dedication toward his Guru Vajradhara was of utmost purity and serves as an example and teaching to the Sangha of the Palpung lineage. His devotion to the lineage Gurus was strong especially to the 9th and 10th Eminences Sangye Nyanpa Rinpoche and the late Very Venerable Ripa Saljay Rinpoche.

Since 1990 he was in semi-retirement from his responsibilities due to his age and health and so spent all his time in meditation according to the Mahamudra lineage. From time to time he sought clarification on his practice from Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa and the Very Venerable Saljay Rinpoche.

Suddenly in January 2012, his health became very fragile and he was immediately taken to Delhi by Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa and admitted in the Max Hospital in ICU for 21 days. While there doctors found that his heart was weak and also found a brain tumor. During the treatment at Hospital, Chamgon Kenting Situpa visited him every day and spent time with him. The doctors eventually discharged him with the advice that he rest at home. He spent nearly two weeks at the residence in New Delhi with Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, until signs of breathing difficulties and again led to his admittance at the Apollo Hospital in ICU on February 9th. On the morning of February 13th at 6:30 am he passed away as a result of a heart attack.

His body was then transported back to Palpung Sherabling monastic seat via Hospital Ambulance equipped with full air-conditioning. Throughout the transportation his body remained in meditation and was still warm and physically very flexible even after the nearly 18 hour drive; an indication that he died in meditation. His body was enshrined in the Red Crown Hall of the Monastic seat and Phowa was performed by Guru vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa joined by all the lamas. The 49 day puja is now being carried out at the monastery including different mandalas of various Yidams according to the Palpung tradition. On the third day after his death Guru vajradhara lead a Puja on the mandala of Buddha Akshobya in the Red Crown Hall where the late Very venerable Zopa Dorjees body is enshrined. He will be cremated on February 17, 2012 according the astrological prescription.

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