Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling in Boudha, Kathmandu, established by the esteemed scholar, teacher, and terton of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–1991), has published a public notice stating that Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi (born Ugyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup in 1993), recognized as the yangsi or reincarnated mind-stream of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, is no longer affiliated with the monastery.

In a public statement dated 8 January, the Shechen Monastery Management Committee announced:

In consideration of Khyentse Yangsi’s repeated statements that he does not regard himself as a “Shechen Lama,” and in light of numerous concerning incidents, we sadly confirm that Khyentse Yangsi, Ugyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup, is no longer affiliated with Shechen Monastery-founded by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche-and is relieved of all associated duties and responsibilities until further notice. (Shechen)

Ugyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup was born in Nepal on 30 June 1993, the son of Sangyum Dechen Paldron and Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, himself the son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Following a formal enthronement ceremony as Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi in 1997, he was educated in Bhutan under the guidance of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. Since 2010, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi has taught widely in Asia, Europe, and North America. In recent months, several allegations of misconduct by Khyentse Yangsi have been circulated online, although none have so far been officially substantiated.

The original Shechen Monastery, one of the six main monasteries of the Nyingma tradition in Tibet, was founded by Shechen Rabjam Tenpe Gyaltsen in 1695. The monastery grew in renown for the authenticity of its teachings and for the quality of the sacred artworks it housed, eventually becoming the center of a network of more than 150 monasteries across the Himalaya. Many significant teachers of the 20th century, including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche received teachings at the Shechen Monastery.

While living in exile in Nepal, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche initiated the construction of Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling in Kathmandu in 1980, with the aspiration of preserving the rich spiritual and artistic traditions and heritage of the original Shechen Monastery. 

Today, Shechen Monastery is dedicated to safeguarding Tibetan Buddhist spiritual and cultural heritage, and to fulfilling the vision and projects of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The monastery is home to a renowned shedra, a significant Tibetan library, and a respected art school that works to preserve Tibetan culture and sacred arts. The current abbot of Shechen Monastery is the grandson of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Gyurme Chökyi Senge (b. 1967).

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