The His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche is a Drikung Kagyu Lama who was known in the thirteenth century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient India, he had incarnated as Mahasiddha Aryadeva, the lotus-born disciple of the great Nagarjuna. In the seventh century. he was known as Longpo Gar, the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songtsen Gampo.

Garchen Rinpoche, the 8th Gar Konchok Nyetong Tenpei Nyima Chokyi Palsangye was born in 1936 in Nangchen Kham. The King of Nangchen personnaly took responsibility for searching for the reincarnation of the 7th Gar Trinley Yongkhyab. Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Shiwei Lodroe. At the age of seven Rinpoche was brought to Lho Miyalgon, where he was offered ceremonial clothes and other items. He pointed to a painting of the Drikung lineage's founder, Jigten Sumgon, and proved his authenticity as the reincarnation by saying, "He is my Guru." This made people around him confident that he was the true reincarnation. From that time until the age of 22 Rinpoche lived at and administered this monastery. Under the tutelage of Chime Dorje, Rinpoche received many teachings. At the age of 13 he received the Drikung Kagyu lineage Teachings from Lho Thubten Nyingpo Rinpoche of Lho Lunkar Gon. He received oral transmission, explanation and empowerment for Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. He completed Ngondro practice and went into a three year retreat. He later did twenty years retreat, during which time he met Khenpo Munsel, a great disciple of the renowned Nyingmapa Khenpo Ngagchang. From Khenpo Munsel he received Dzogchen Teachings and practiced secretly. Khenpo Munsel was astonished at Rinpoche's great achievement and commented of him: "He is an emanation of Bodhisattva." Since 1979, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche has been looking after the welfare of his monastery. He has been gracious and kind to poor people. He has given all the offerings he received to the monastery and has decided not to use anything for himself, or his relatives.
In recent years, Garchen Rinpoche has shouldered responsibility for rebuilding all of the Drikung Kagyu monasteries in Eastern Tibet, while at the same time wholeheartedly giving profound Teachings of the lineage to others. Rinpoche is also the founder and spiritual director of the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Chino Valley, Arizona.

Garchen Rinpoche is known for his vast realization, as well as for his great kindness.