Following the parinirvana of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen in 2008, it became the responsibility of Mindrolling to initiate the process of deciding the next head of the Nyingmas.
With this enormous responsibility, Mindrolling initiated a meeting on this matter during the 2010 Nyingma Monlam held at Bodh Gaya. At this sacred site, the International Nyingma Monlam Committee and representatives of the six main lineages of the Nyingmas met to discuss this important matter of the next Head of the Nyingma School. It was then decided that the representatives of the six main lineages and senior teachers and members of the International Nyingma Monlam would appoint a committee of six senior members who would approach four of the oldest and some of the senior-most Nyingma masters to accept the role of the Head of the Nyingma School. Seeing the enormous importance of their presence and continued activity, it was decided that they would also make the Tensum offerings and supplications of long life to all the four great masters, beginning with the oldest in age. Those masters who were approached were Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, Kyabje Dodrub Rinpoche and Kyabje Tsetrul Rinpoche.
The six senior members appointed to hold the responsibility for this task were H.E. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, H.E. Gyangkhang Rinpoche, H.E. Khochhen Rinpoche, H.E. Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche and the two representatives of the Nyingmas in the government of Tibet in Exile.
The first teacher to be approached was Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche who is one of senior-most and oldest living Nyingma masters of the day. Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche declined the position due to health concerns.
The committee then proceeded to approach Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche. In the face of heartfelt repeated requests to Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche on behalf of the entire Nyingma School, Rinpoche graciously accepted to the great joy of everyone.