His Holiness the Dalai Lama has formally recognized nine-year-old Dawa Wangdi from Darjeeling in the northern Indian state of West Bengal as the incarnation of Draktse Thupten Tenpa Gyaltsen Rinpoche, as confirmed by one of Rinpoche’s senior novices, Geshe Tashi Tsethar.

A letter from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and bearing his official red seal confirmed the recognition, identifying his parents as Pema Wangdi and Sanju Rai, The Times of India reported on Monday.

The previous incarnation of Draktse Rinpoche, also known as Bratse Rinpoche, passed away on 1 November 2004. Draktse Rinpoche's incarnations have all been born in the ethnic Monpa community of Darjeeling’s Tawang District, where he has large number of followers.

After completing his monastic education with a master’s degree in metaphysics at Serjhe Mahayana Monastic University in the southern city of Mysuru (formerly Mysore), Draktse Rinpoche returned to Tawang, where he spent his life in the service of the community, performing prayers, rituals, tantric healing, empowerment initiations, and social services.

A coronation ceremony for Draktse Rinpoche has been postponed until next year, The Times of India reported, without elaborating.

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9-yr-old annointed Bratse Rinpoche (The Times of India)
Dalai Lama recognizes nine-year-old Darjeeling boy as reincarnation of Bratse Rinpoche (ANI News)