A Brief Biography of Lamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche Introducing... Konchog Tenzin Sharling Migyur Rinchen Dorje Namgyal alias Lamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche

The Birth Lineage continued with the birth of the great translator, Ga Lotsa Shonnu Pal. He was born in Kham at the end of the 11th Century.

Ga Lotsa went to India at a time when Tsami Sangye Drag was at the peak of academic and experiential achievements. He was, at that time, acting as the Regent of the Buddha in Bodh Gaya.

"Who is the most learned in Dharma in India," asked Ga Lotsa. "Tsami," was the answer. "Why would one come all the way to India to receive teachings from a fellow Tibetan?," thought Ga Lotsa, and asked the same question again. This time the answer was, "Abiyekara and Pandit Wagishora of Udhiyana." The two were, however, found receiving teachings from Tsami. Ga Lotsa received teachings from both Tsami Sangye Drag and Abiyekara. He successfully propitiated Chakrasamvara.

In accordance with the prophetic direction received from Chakrasamvara, Ga Lotsa went to the Cool Grove Cremation Grounds. There he received the heart-pledge of Mahakala, and as a result returned without impediments. Once back, Ga Lotgsa was duely recognized and honoured by the two lamas.

The King of Mangada invited Ga Lotsa for teachings where a vast assembly of people gathered together and showered him with flower petals until they reached knee-high. It was said that no other Dharma teacher got showered with flower petals to that extent ever since the Buddha passed away.

Ga Lotsa translated numerous Dharma texts and brought the method of propitiation of Four-armed Mahakala to Tibet. He gave this teaching to Shang Rinpoche, Karmapa Dusum Kyenpa, and Khampa Aseng.

Khampa Aseng, in turn, passed on the teachings to Phagmo Drupa. Drikung Kagyu, Tselpa Kagyu, and Karma Kagyu thus originated from Phagmo Drupa. 1

Then came in the Birth Lineage, Terton Pema Ledrel Tsel; Drubthob Ogyenpa's disciple, Lhaje Pakshi; Zogchenpa Drimey Woeser; Jangter Rigzin Godempa; Tsele Natsog Rangdrol; His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Trinley Sangpo the 25th Head of the Drikung Tradition's disciple, Gelong Trinley Sangpo; Tulku Migyur Dorje; Trulshig Wangdak Gyatso; Ngagchang Nuden Dragtsel; and, Tsangsar Soenam Yeshe (Tsangsar Karma Lhadak's son)

Tsangsar Soenam Yeshe was born in 1702 as the Lineage Head of the Barom Kagyu Tradition - a lama who was unwaveringly assisted with the divine-activities2 of the Four-armed Mahakala.

During the reigns of His Holiness the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso and Ch'ing Emperor Yung-cheng, and at the time when the Ch'ing Emperor sent Ambans to Xining, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Tenzin Drodul's disciple, Gyalwang Dechen Dorje was on retreat in a cave at Namshung Melong Drag 3 in southern Drongpa. He received a prophetic direction indicating that he would build 108 temples of Guru Padmasambhava. As part of the fulfillment of that prophesy, the Guru Padmasambhava temple of Ka Tashi Gon Monastery was built in 1727.

Later, Gyalwang Dechen Dorje teamed up with Tulku Soenam Yeshe and built the temple of Guru Padmasambhava and his two principle disciples at a locatiion close to Melong Drag. Tulku Soenam Yeshe passed away in 1774 at the age of 73.

The next succession of reincarnations were as follows: Tsultrim Tharchin (1775 -1838 )
Tsangsar Soegyal's son, Yeshe Nyingpo (1839-1882) Kashung Langlung Kyashogtsang's son,
Chogtul Trinley Gyatso, also known as Phurga (1883-1938)

Chogtul Trinley Gyatso was born with awesome auspicious signs. He received his monastic ordinations from Karmai Khenchen Rinchen Dhargye.

Chogtul Trinley Gyatso received numerous teachings from such enlightened masters as Lo Nuden Dorje, Gar Trinley Yongkyab, and Chung Drubgyu Tenzin. Later in life, three times, he made offerings of everything he ever possessed to Garchen Trinley Yongkhyab. There are numerous accounts of how Chogtul Trinley Gyatso exhibited his ability to know the continuum of others effortlessly.

The search for Chogtul Trinley Gyatso's reincarnation began by submitting the names of possible candidates like Sa Konchog Jinpa (also known as Konjin), and Ko-ko to His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Shiwai Lodro on several occasions. In the reply, His Holiness foretold that the reincarnate's father's name will have the Tibetan letter "da" and that the mother's name will have the word "yung." When appealed for more clarity, His Holiness gave in writing the Zodiac signs and the birth years of the parents as well as the reincarnate.

His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, in accordance with a prophetic vision, declared that the reincarnate boy is born in Earth Hare year to Khri-Dwang (father) and Tashi Yungden (mother).

Also His Eminence Situ Pema Wangchen foretold to Behu Trigyal 4 (father) that his son, also known as Gyalpo) will be of service to the Buddha's dharma. Behu Trigyal replied that he hoped that his eldest son will succeed him and take charge of temporal affairs.

Furthermore, the following prophetic indication is written in Drikung Terton 5 Woesel Dorje's hidden treasurer:

In the direction and near Dagyal 6 and Thonpo 7
Of Ling 8 on the emerald plains of northern Ling 9
The emanation of Godem - a repository of divine intentionality
Through practice, shall ripen, enlighten, and divert sentient beings to dharma. My dharma prince - an illuminating torch shall be born.

That Dharma son of Terton Woesel Dorje was named Konchog Tenzin Sharling Migyur Rinchen Dorje Namgyal. He was enthroned, and given the Terdrom Empowerments.

In the Gongdu Prophesy, it is written:

In the future when at the advent of the degenerate age
You the Yogi Protector of Northern Kham
A Lion of men posessing the power of wisdom
Presenting himself in many appearances
The one with "Gyal" in his name shall emerge and hold the dharma's lifeline
And subdue the demons and reclaim 10 countless beings.

In Gyalpo Kathang, it is written:

In a Sakya Pleasure Land called Northern Kham
A Yogi Practitioner of secret Mahayana teachings
A master of tantra called Gyalbu will be born
He shall depart from there and perform great deeds

"You the Yogi Protector of Northern Kham" is referred to the owner-protector of mid-northern Kham area of Nangchen. Yogi because he is the son of Behu Trigyal, who had successfully propitiated Yamantaka, and Tashi Yungtso, who at the age of seven he could read and write flawlessly, and was put on the throne of Lo Lungkar Gon Monastery.

Tulku Konchog Tenzin Sharling Migyur Rinchen Dorje Namgyal, alias Gyalpo Rinpoche received Maha-Abisheka of Kagyed, Gongdu, and Kilaya as well as complete teachings from the generative stages to the completions of Lama Dewai Dorje, Shangtrom Yamantaka, Chakrasamvara, Vajravarahi, Chandamaharoshana, from such enlightened masters as Dubwang Drubpon Gejung Rinpoche, Lo Drongtul Konchog Tenzin Drodul, Driter Woesel Dorje, Chogtul Thubten Nyingpo, and Ontul Choeying Rangdol.

Gyalpo Rinpoche went on retreats with his masters. He received core teachings on Mahamudra, and transfer of profound experiential insight by Drikung Teaching Master, Gelong Pachung Rinpoche and Drubwang Kyunga Rinpoche.

From His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Gyalpo Rinpoche received such profound teachings as Mahamudra, and Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's Tsig-chigma; from Situ Pema Wangchog, Abishekas, commentaries and experiential insight; from Zigar Kongtul Rinpoche, Rinchen Terzo and Abishekas, commentaries, and transfer of experiential insight on all Yidam deities; from Ripa Seljey Rinpoche, Karma Kagyu empowerments and teachings; and from Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, Nyingmapa tantras, sadhanas, and experiential insight in general and Nyingthig Yabshi teachings in particular.

Gyalpo Rinpoche received from other such enlightened masters as Poli Khenchen Dorjechang, Nyoshul Khenpo Jampal Dorje and Khenpo Thubten Rinpoche numerous aspects of Zogchen empowerments, teachings, and conveyance of experiential insights with special emphasis on Longchen Nyingthig.

From former Drugpa Chogon, Drugchen Thamche Kyenpa, and Yoge Rigzin Gyalpo Rinpoche received thorough introduction to the very essence of Mahamudra and the Great Perfection and Drugpa teachings with special emphasis on Doha 11 .

From Jadrel Khentse, Gyalpo Rinpoche received teachings on Gampopa's answers to Phagmo Drupa's questions.

From Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche and Matul Rinpoche, etc. Gyalpo Rinpoche received Cakrasamvbara Khadro Gyatso and the whole gamut of Taklung Kagyu teachings.

From their Holinesses Sakya Dolma Phodrang and Sakya Phuntsog Phodrang, Luding Rinpoche, and Chogye Trichen, Hevajra, Vajravarahi and Vajra Bhairava Abishekas and teachings.

From his root guru, Khunu Rinpoche Tenzin Gyaltsen - the lifeline of all Buddhist traditions - Gyalpo Rinpoche received bare naked unadulterated teachings on the core of Mahamudra and the Great Perfection with special emphasis on trigchod and thogal.

The teachings of such profound masters were practiced from the Preliminary to the stages of Arising and Completion, punctuated with retreats and propitiation of deities which included three Major retreats and Yidam Propitiations.

"Presenting himself in many appearances" came absolutely true in that Gyalpo Rinpoche was a regional lord/administrator, he is also a Tulku, a monk, was a bureaucrat, and a lama in different aspects while dwelling in the same unchanging essence.

"The holder of the dharma's lifeline with the word 'Gyal' in his name refered to Gyalpo Rinpoche's contribution to the rekindling of the Drikung Kagyu Tradition in exile: Gyalpo Rinpoche looked for the location, found, raised funds, and purchased the land on which the exile seat of Drikung Kagyu Tradition stands today.

In a successful effort to reach out to Lineage followers, Gyalpo Rinpoche toured every single Drikung monastery from the regions in Eastern Tibet to Mt. Kailash. He also assisted His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Rinpoche with the history of Drikung and other such writings and helped to hang on to the "dharma lifeline" at such difficult times as in the beginning.

Not unsimilar, Gyalpo Rinpoche also created the basic conditions to enable the establishment of the Seat of Dorje Drag - the lifeline of Nyingmapa Tradition - in Simla as well.

The word "Gyal" as in Gyalpo, meaning "king" correctly corresponded with Gyalpo Rinpoche's childhood name, Gyalbu, meaning "king's son" or prince. This name gradually evolved into Gyalpo which means "king" in Tibetan.

However put, all the prophesies came true, and Gyalpo Rinpoche was put on the throne of Ka Tashi Thubten Rabgye Ling Monastery as their reincarnate lama.

In his youth, Gyalpo Rinpoche was also Vajramaster, Regent, and Chant Master of the former Lo Bongtul Rinpoche at his monastery, Lungkar Thubten Shedup Ling while he was in retreat.

When in exile, Gyalpo Rinpoche served in the Tibetan government in exile for 11 years first as Senior Secretary and later as Executive Manager of Tibetan Self-Help Handicraft Center in Simla, India. Towards the end of his 11 years' service, Gyalpo Rinpoche was asked by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Rinpoche to join him, and Gyalpo Rinpoche resigned from the Tibetan government service.

While with His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Rinpoche, Gyalpo Rinpoche served as his Private Secretary, General Secretary of Drikung Kagyu Institute at the time of founding and registration, and had been a contributor throughout the various stages of the building the seat of the Drikung Kagyu Tradition in exile.

1. Pawo Tsuglag Trengwa, Khepai Gaton . This work was began in 1545 A.D.

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