Karma Migyur Dorje Rinpoche was born in 1971 at a splendid place known as Kurtoe in Bhutan, on an auspicious day that commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha’s Descent from the Tushita Heaven (Lhabab Duchen in Tibetan). Kurtoe is close to Sengye Dzong, an exceptionally holy site associated with Guru Padmasambhava.

At the age of four, he was recognized by the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, as the unmistaken reincarnation of Tashi Phuntsok, a direct spiritual disciple of Yeshi Nyingpo (who was a disciple of Togden Shakya Shri). He was bestowed the name Karma Migyur Dorje. From the age of six, he studied at Rapi Thechok Yangtse Monastery. Under the guidance of Lama Choying Lhundup and Lopon Tsewang Chophel, he began learning to read and write, and proceeded to study the teachings of the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

When Karma Rinpoche was thirteen, H.H. 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche visited Rabi monastery in Bhutan. During his stay, H.H. consecrated the monastery, blessed many disciples, presided over the Vajra Kilaya practice, and granted the empowerment and transmission of the Four Aspects of Longchen Nyingtik (The Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse). At the end of the teaching, Lopon Tsewang Chophel offered Karma Rinpoche as part of the mandala offering to H.H., who accepted with immense joy. Thereafter, Karma Rinpoche went to study at Chorten Monastery in Sikkim. H.H. in his great wisdom vision, foresaw Karma Rinpoche as a holder of the Buddhadharma and thus enthroned him formally into the ranks of reincarnate lamas.

Between ages fourteen and twenty-five, Karma Rinpoche studied under H.E. Kunzang Thegchok Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche (Lopon Rinpoche), and acquired abundant training and knowledge of the higher studies of the Sutras and Tantras. He thereby became the spiritual son of both H.H. and Lopon Rinpoche. At the age of twenty-two, he took his monastic vow in front of Khen Rinpoche Thupten Woser. From Khen Rinpoche, Karma Rinpoche also received many important teachings, including the Root Text of the Vinaya, Guhyagarbha (The Essence of Secrets) Tantra, and the Wish-fulfilling Cluster of the Three Precepts.

From Lama Tsondue Sengye, Karma Rinpoche received the oral teachings on Traditions of Two Chariots, Trilogy of Natural Ease, and the Wish-fulfilling Treasury. From H.H. 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche, he received many empowerments and instructional transmissions, including the collected works of Jigme Lingpa, the Seven Treasuries of Longchenpa, Trilogy of Natural Ease, as well as oral transmissions of The Nyingma Kama, Treasure Trove of Precious Hidden Teachings, The United Intent of the Gurus, the highest teaching of the Jangter Gongpa Zangthal (Northern Treasures) and The Collected Works of Jatson Nyingpo. In other words, he has received, in a continuous progression, the pith instructions on vast teachings, including the guide to Dzogpachenpo (Great Perfection) practice known as Yeshe Lama (The Unsurpassable Primordial Wisdom).

From the age of twenty-eight, at the invitation of the late Nubri Lama Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, he joined Sangchen Rabten Norbuling in the hidden valley of Kyimolung, where he has been instructing the monastic community in the Sutras and Tantras such as the Northern Treasures, The Essence of Supreme Jewels, and the Longchen Nyingthik. As part of the priceless service he has offered by turning the wheel of the Dharma, Karma Rinpoche has also revived and developed the retreat center, the monastic college, the village temples as well as stupas in the Nubri region. To this day, he continues to bring invaluable service to the Buddhadharma and benefit to sentient beings.