His Holiness the 12th Mindrilling Trichen Dalha Rinpoche, the son of His Holiness the 11th Mindrolling Trichen and Yum Sonam-la (his mother), was born in Tibet in 1959 while His Holiness was in the Gesar retreat, so he was named Dalha Gyaltsen. When His Holiness had to flee Tibet due to the Chinese invasion, Yum Sonam-la and the young Dungsay Dalha Gyalsten were unfortunately not able flee with His Holiness.
While growing up in Tibet, Rinpoche studied under many qualified Teachers and his interests included Tibetan medicine. Years later, Rinpoche traveled to Mindrolling Monastery in India and received numerous teachings and transmissions from some of the most accomplished great masters of that time. These included His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen (His Father), His Holiness Dilgo Khyenste Rinpoche, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. Dungsay Rinpoche resides in Tibet where he returned after studying in India for many years.