Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal, the youngest brother of the 14th Dalai Lama, passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday night at his residence, Kashmir Cottage, in Dharamsala. His death marks the closing of a chapter in the long and emotional journey of Tibetans living in exile, many of whom saw him as both a spiritual figure and a steady presence in turbulent times.
Born in 1946 in Lhasa during the Fire Dog year of the 16th Rabjung cycle, Ngari Rinpoche grew up in a family that would soon find itself at the center of Tibet’s political upheaval. At the age of three, religious authorities recognized him as the reincarnation of the Ngari Rinpoche lineage, a respected spiritual tradition linked to western Tibet. From an early age, he carried responsibilities that blended faith, discipline, and service.
In 1959, when China’s occupation of Tibet forced the Dalai Lama to flee, Ngari Rinpoche accompanied his elder brother into exile in India. The journey marked a turning point not only in his life but also in the destiny of thousands of Tibetans who rebuilt their community on foreign soil. Dharamsala eventually became the heart of that exile movement, and Ngari Rinpoche remained deeply rooted there for decades.
After arriving in India, he studied at St Joseph’s School in Darjeeling before pursuing higher education in the United States. His education reflected a balance between traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings and modern academic training, shaping him into a bridge between generations and cultures.
Over the years, he served in several important roles within the Central Tibetan Administration, the formal body representing Tibetans in exile. He worked as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Religion and Culture and later contributed as a teacher at Tibetan Children’s Village. He also served as Personal Assistant to the Home Secretary and went on to become Special Assistant in the Private Office of the Dalai Lama. His work remained largely behind the scenes, but it carried weight within the exile administration.
From 1974 to 1976, he served as President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest Tibetan non-governmental organizations advocating for Tibet’s independence. He also represented Domey (Amdo) as a Member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile during its 11th Assembly. Through these positions, he supported both spiritual preservation and political advocacy, reflecting the dual challenges faced by Tibetans outside their homeland.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, expressed deep sorrow in a public message, praising Ngari Rinpoche’s lifelong dedication to the Tibetan cause. He noted that Rinpoche carried the hardships and aspirations of the Tibetan people as his own, offering steadfast support to the administration and community.
His passing follows the death of another elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, who died at the age of 97 in February 2025. Together, the Dalai Lama’s siblings played significant roles in shaping the political and spiritual narrative of modern Tibet.
Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal leaves behind a legacy defined not by loud declarations but by consistent service. For many Tibetans born in exile, he symbolized continuity with a homeland they have never seen. For older generations, he represented resilience and devotion during decades of displacement.
His life story mirrors that of the Tibetan community itself — marked by exile, adaptation, faith, and unwavering hope. Even in passing, his presence remains woven into the identity of Dharamsala and the broader Tibetan diaspora.