Lopön Pema Namgyal was fortunate to attend the last teachings of Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje, in France, and to start studying Dharma in 1984 with his heart son, Kyabjé Dungse Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche, who agreed to be his root teacher. From him he has received numerous empowerments and teachings, among which those of Tersar Ngöndro, Tröma Nagmo, and Dorje Phurba.