Ridro Rechen was born in Eastern Tibet into a very virtuous family who lived in the mountains, practicing yogic disciplines. He was the oldest of five children born to father Ayul and mother Ngag Kek. At the age of nine, he took monk’s vows and was given the name Ridro Rechen by Senge Dra. He received instructions from Senge Dra and was able to practice them in his dreams. After having spent time in retreat in the plains below the village, he was able to give the transmission of the Hevajra Tantra. He was just twelve years old.
At the age of eighteen, he gave commentaries on Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Path and knew the Prajnaparamita teachings by heart. At nineteen he spent about a year in Tsurphu practicing Chöd, and studied the Sakya tradition with the Sixth Khenchen abbot. When he was twenty eight, he travelled to many monasteries throughout Tibet, expounding on various texts and their commentaries. During this time, Ridro Rechen met the great Shangpa adept Khyungpo Tsultrim Gon and practiced the Six Yogas of Niguma under his guidance. For six years he concentrated on this practice, after which he asked for further meditation instructions. Khyungpo Tsultrim Gon granted his request and gave him many more teachings. Later, he presented himself to Lama Zhönnu Drup who gave him responsibility for the Shangpa lineage. Ridro Rechen made Dechen his place of residence and maintained the teachings there before he passed away at the age of sixty nine. During his passing the sky was filled with a rain of flowers and rainbows were seen above.