The Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoches are members of the Karma Kagyü School of tibetan Buddhism. Members of the Sangye Nyenpa lineage are considered to be emanations of the boddhisattva Avalokiteśvara. The first Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche was recognized by the 7th Karmapa Chödrak Gyatso and served as lineage holder of the Karma Kagyü passing on the full lineage transmissions to, the 8th Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje. The seat of the Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoches was originally Benchen monastery, which lies 30 km south of Jyekundo (SE Quinghai) and was built around the meditation cave of an earlier Sangye Nyenpa and . The present Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche resides in Rumtek and travels and teaches in the west.