H.E. Druwang Ontül Rinpoche was born in Eastern Tibet (Nangchen, Kham) in 1950. At the age of four, he was recognized by His Holiness The 7th Drigung Kyabgon, Chetsang Rinpoche, and His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, as the incarnation of Ontül, the elder brother of Drigung Orgen Nüden Dorje, a great discoverer of hidden teachings of the last century.

At the age of five, H.E. Druwang Ontül Rinpoche was enthroned in the Monastery Dong Med Ogmin Thubten Shedrub Ling, where he received his basic education. In 1959, when the Chinese communist Army occupied Tibet, and at just age nine, Ontül Rinpoche, his tutor, and many monks fled Tibet to India. Like many that followed, they endured a perilous path through Tibet and Nepal. With no home to call their own, they were forced to wander for almost 14 years.

In 1971, Ontül Rinpoche purchased land in Northern India at Tso Pema (Lotus Lake). Using the generous donations of the people of Ladakh, India, he and his monks labored for many years to build a Drikung Kagyu monastery, which today serves nearly thirty monks. Over the years, Ontül Rinpoche has received numerous and extensive instruction, transmissions, and teachings from many revered teachers on Ngondro Foundations, Five-Path Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and many other traditions of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Today, he travels extensively to teach and give empowerments to grateful practitioners in his homeland, Tibet, and around the world.