H.E. Khempo Yurmed Tinly Rinpoche was a highly revered meditation master and teacher. Born in Tibet, Khempo Rinpoche was an incarnate lineage holder of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. 'Khempo,' as his students and friends fondly refer to him, is an honorific title used within the Nyingma tradition. The degree of Khenpo is the highest level of monastic training, comparable to multiple doctorates in theology, philosophy and psychology taking approximately 15 years to attain.

Khempo Rinpoche's past accomplishments in practice and study were as vast as Buddhism itself. A recognized Dzogchen master, Khempo was also known for his expertise in Green Tara practice which he taught for the benefit of his students. It is felt by many who knew him that he embodied the pure energy of Avalokitéshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, as he consistently exhibited those qualities with everyone he encountered.

Khempo Rinpoche taught Mahayana and Tantrayana practices at Buddhist institutes and monasteries throughout the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, India and Nepal, as well as in Europe. He was appointed by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche to lead the Nyingma studies program at Benares University in India. Later he was associated with several monasteries in different capacities:

• Teacher, Mindoling monastery -- the seat monastery of His Holiness Miling Trichen Rinpoche at Dehra Dun
• Abbot, Gantay Monastery in Bhutan
• Abbot, Zilnon Kagyeling Monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala

Khempo Rinpoche was always interested in meeting individuals sincerely interested in learning Buddhist philosophy and meditation. His passion for furthering the cause of World Peace was the main force of his decision to travel to America after it was suggested to him by Professor Robert Thurman, speaker, author, and President of the Tibet House in New York City.

Once in America, Khempo Rinpoche taught, practiced, and prayed wherever he went and soon established Osel Dorje Nyingpo (ODN), his non-profit organization (www.odn-usa.org).

In August of 2000, Khempo Rinpoche attended the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit in New York City as one of a delegation of four senior buddhist leaders sent by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As Khempo Rinpoche met many other high dignitaries of various religious sects, he was humbled and honored to represent the Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist tradition by performing a prayer-chant of World Peace and participating in panel discussion forums.

In September 2004 as founder and CEO of ODN, Khempo Rinpoche hosted His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Miami, Florida in conjuction with the Florida International University and the University of Miami.