Rinpoche's higher studies and the arrival of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

In 1950 the Chinese People's Liberation Army entered Chamdo and establised the "Chamdo People's Liberation Committee" (chab-mdo mi-dmangs bcings-bkrol u-yon lhan-khang). Even though Rinpoche was only nine years old at the time, the Chinese authorities urged him to participate in their first conference in Chamdo and to join a group of only eight of the highest ranking dignitaries “Zhuren”, a position which he was obliged to accept.

It was customary for the Kyabgoen of Dagyab to travel to the outlying regions of Dagyab. This journey was meant for the benefit of the elderly and those unable to travel long distances to come and see Rinpoche at his monastery. On this six month journey, he visited many farming and nomad areas, as well as monasteries and nunneries.

Rinpoche at Drepung monastery

Rinpoche´s teacher Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche

In 1954, at the age of fourteen, Rinpoche continued his studies at Drepung Loseling Monastery outside the capital of Lhasa in Central Tibet. At that time Drepung had about 9000 monks. He concentrated on the five main Buddhist philosophical subjects: Prajnaparamita, the perfection of wisdom; Madhyamika, the philosophy of the Middle Way; Vinaya, the canon of monastic discipline; Abidharma, metaphysics; and Pramana, logic and epistemology. His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed according to tradition the abbot of Drepung Loseling College, Ven. Geshe Pema Gyaltsen, as Rinpoche's official tutor. Ven. Geshe Nyima Gyaltsen, Abbot of Shagkor Dratshang, also became his teacher in philosophy. Both were outstanding teachers of the time. The Dalai Lama himself received teachings from the latter. Rinpoche received most of the Vinaya and Abhidharmakosha teachings from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, senior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama later in the Indian Exile. Rinpoche received many Buddhist sutra and tantra teachings from 28 Masters. His main teachers are Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who were the senior and junior tutors to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Sakya Trizin.

In 1956 the Chinese Government set up the "Preparatory Committee for the Autonomous Region of Tibet" (bod rang-skyong ljongs gra-sgrig u-yon lhan-khang) in Lhasa where Rinpoche had to attend weekly meetings on Fridays and Saturdays. Due to his high rank, he was given several titles by the Chinese government such as Wu Yuan of Standing Committee which he was obliged to accept even though, given his young age, he didn't have much knowledge about administration.