Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche was born in Himachal Pradesh, India, to Neten Chokling Rinpoche and Mayum Tsewang Palden. He received monastic training in the Nyingma school's Longchen Nyingtik lineage under his root guru, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, studying extensively with Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. In 1989, he moved to the United States, where he served as professor of Buddhist philosophy at Naropa University for five years. He founded Mangala Shri Bhuti to establish a genuine Longchen Nyingtik sangha in the West, which now includes five main centers across Colorado, Vermont, Brazil, and India, along with dharma groups worldwide. When not guiding students in long-term retreats or in retreat himself, Rinpoche travels internationally teaching and continuing his own education. He is also an avid artist, viewing creativity as an extension of dharma practice.