Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX (1955-2012) was born in Nangchen in Kham, eastern Tibet. He was recognised by His Holiness XVI Gyalwang Karmapa as the ninth Traleg tulku and enthroned at the age of two as the supreme abbot of Thrangu Monastery. Rinpoche was taken to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim at the age of four where he was educated with other young tulkus in exile by His Holiness Karmapa. Rinpoche studied under the auspices of His Eminence Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche at Sangngak Choling in Darjeeling. He also studied with a number of other eminent Tibetan teachers during that time and mastered the many Tibetan teachings with the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions in particular. Rinpoche moved to Melbourne Australia in 1980 and commenced studies in comparative religion and philosophy at LaTrobe University. He established E-Vam Institute in Melbourne in 1982 and went on to establish further Centers in Australia, America and New Zealand. Throughout his life Rinpoche gave extensive teachings on many aspects of Buddhist psychology and philosophy, as well as comparative religion, and Buddhist and Western thought.

He was an active writer and has many titles to his name. Titles include: the best selling Essence of Buddhism; Karma, What It Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Matters, now translated into 5 languages; Actuality of Being; Moonbeams of Mahamudra; Vajrayana: An Essential Guide to Practice, Longchenpa's Three Cycles of Natural Freedom andmany more. Rinpoche's writings are thought provoking, challenging, profound and highly relevant to today's world and its many challenges.