Gar Namrol Rinpoche the 8th was born in 1972 in Nangchen County, Kham Province. From an early age, he chose to live a tranquil and simple life. When Rinpoche was fifteen, he studies in the Five Wisdom Buddhist College (Sertha Shedra) under the supervision of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsog Rinpoche. Winter in Sichuan was extremely harsh, and despite of the cold winter, Rinpoche bundled up his blanket and slept without blanket for three consecutive years. The reason that Rinpoche chose to do so is to follow the spirit of great ascetic Milarepa. During his college years, on numerous nights Rinpoche studied under the dim light of a coal-fire.

Through pure vision, Rinpoche saw a Buddhist College on the 4000-meter snowy mountain of Qinghai. This vision continued to appear especially during meditation and studying of Buddhist scriptures. In order to identify the visions Rinpoche draws the image so that he could consult with realized masters in future to determine the true meaning. Deep down in his heart, Rinpoche wanted so much to have such a school in the snowy highland so that the monks from poor families could further their studies. 

Difficult times strengthened Rinpoche’s will. The urge to build the Buddhist College grew stronger and stronger. Everyday Rinpoche reminded himself that he would put this vision into action after he finished his studies. He undertook the responsibility to search for benevolent people to assist in the construction and hence named it “Project of Hope.” Aspiration to build the Gar Monastery College of Buddhist Studies is initiated 

Later on when Rinpoche left school, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsog who resides in Sichuan prophesied that he would have great Dharma achievement (Project of Hope) in this very lifetime, and the Buddhist College will be completed successfully. Khenpo also said that even the Dharma Protectors would protect those who participated in this project and blessing to the project completion. Furthermore, Khenpo repeatedly said that the achievement of this project would require assistance from people of distant land. He is now the permanent abbot to the “Mahamudra Institute of Buddhist Studies” in Taiwan.

 

Source: www.dharma-media.org