Mingyur Rinpoche was born in
Nepal in 1975 Mingyur Rinpoche has overseen the
Kathmandu Tergar Osel Ling Monastery, founded by his father, since 2010. He also opened a
shedra (monastic college) at the monastery. In June 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya to begin a period of extended retreat. Rinpoche left in the middle of the night, taking nothing with him, but leaving a farewell letter. He spent four years as a wandering yogi. During the first few weeks of this retreat, Rinpoche had a near-death experience, likely due to a severe form of
botulism. This may have been the result of choosing to eat only the meals that were free and available to him after allowing himself to run out of money. The near-death experience, according to Rinpoche, was one of the most pivotal and transformative experiences of his life. After continuing with his retreat for four years, he later returned to his position as abbot. ==Books==