Chogyam Trungpa

Date of Birth: February 28, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: April 4, 1987

Biography

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, teacher, and founder of the Shambhala Training method. Born in Tibet, Trungpa was recognized as the 11th incarnation of the Trungpa tulku, an important teacher in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Trained as a monk and educated at the great monastic universities of Tibet, he fled his homeland in 1959 following the Chinese invasion. Trungpa’s journey took him to India, where he continued his studies. He later moved to England, where he attended Oxford University and immersed himself in Western culture. In 1970, he moved to the United States, where he established several meditation centers and Naropa University, the first accredited Buddhist-inspired university in North America. Trungpa was known for his unique approach to teaching Buddhism, incorporating elements of Western psychology and art. Despite his controversial lifestyle, which included drinking alcohol and having romantic relationships, Trungpa had a profound impact on the spread of Buddhism in the West. He authored numerous books on Buddhism and the Shambhala teachings, a secular path of meditation and warriorship.

5 Interesting Facts about Chogyam Trungpa

1. Chögyam Trungpa was the 11th incarnation of the Trungpa tulku.

2. He founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, in 1974.

3. Trungpa was a pioneer in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West, especially to Europe and North America.

4. He coined the term “spiritual materialism” to describe how spiritual pursuits can become ego-driven.

5. Despite his traditional monastic training, Trungpa chose to adopt a more unconventional lifestyle to better connect with his Western students.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chogyam Trungpa

1. “The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use, even spirituality.”

2. “Compassion automatically invites you to relate with people because you no longer regard people as a drain on your energy.”

3. “Enlightenment is ego’s ultimate disappointment.”

4. “We must try to find the source of our inspiration and carry that inspiration into our everyday lives.”

5. “The path is the goal.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Estimated at $0.5 million at the time of his death.

Children

Chögyam Trungpa had one son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, who is also a prominent Buddhist teacher and the spiritual leader of the Shambhala Buddhist community.