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Jamyang Khyentse Wangchuk + (Nesar Jamyang Khyentse Wangchuk was a Saky … Nesar Jamyang Khyentse Wangchuk was a Sakya treasure revealer and an important teacher in the transmission of a number of Sakya teachings, including the Lamdre Lobshe. A disciple of Tsarchen Losel Gyatso, Khyentse Wangchuk was an important earlier master of the Tsarpa branch of the Sakya tradition. His main seat was Zhalu Monastery, where he served as the fourteenth abbot., where he served as the fourteenth abbot.)
Nyawon Kunga Pal + (Nyawon Kunga Pel (nya dbon kun dga' dpal) … Nyawon Kunga Pel (nya dbon kun dga' dpal) was born in 1285 into the royal family of Gyantse in the Nyang region of Tsang. It is said that when he was three years old he could recite the Litany of the Names of Mañjuśrī from memory.At four years of age his mother took him to Jonang Monastery (jo nang dgon), where the master Yonten Gyatso (yon tan rgya mtsho, d.u.) stared at him, pointed his finger, and exclaimed with a laugh, "He is the rebirth of Jamyang Sarma ('jam dbyangs gsar ma, d.u.)!" Nyawon was then taken to Sakya Monastery (sa skya dgon), where he learned to read and write, and for five years studied Prajñāpāramitā, epistemology, Abhidharma, and the monastic code.He was a brilliant youth, and after receiving the vows of a novice monk from the abbot Nyima Gyeltsen (mkhan chen nyi ma rgyal mtshan, d.u.) when he was twelve years old, Nyawon traveled around for further studies at many of the great Sakya, Kadam, and Kagyu centers of learning in U and Tsang. At the age of nineteen he received full ordination from the abbot Tashi Sengge (bkra shis seng ge, d.u.) at Nyetang Monastery (snye thang dgon), and gained the reputation of being invincible in debate. reputation of being invincible in debate.)
Ratna Lingpa + (Ratna Lingpa was a prolific treasure revea … Ratna Lingpa was a prolific treasure revealer, famous for compiling an extensive edition of the Collected Nyingma Tantras. According to tradition, when Ratna Lingpa was twenty-seven, he experienced a vision of Padmasambhava in the form of a yogi dressed in yellow raw silk. He showed him three scrolls, a white, a red and a blue one, and asked Ratna Lingpa to choose one of them. Ratna Lingpa answered that he wanted all three. Because of the auspicious connection created by his answer, Ratna Lingpa received all three inventories, and was able to reveal in a single lifetime the termas he would have otherwise revealed in three successive lifetimes. He is therefore also known as Zhikpo Lingpa (zhig po gling pa) and Drodul Lingpa ('gro 'dul gling pa).a) and Drodul Lingpa ('gro 'dul gling pa).)
Rinchen Jangchub + (Rinchen Jangchub (rin chen byang chub) was … Rinchen Jangchub (rin chen byang chub) was born in a village called Lhadra (lha sgra) in Dento ('dan stod), Kham. His father, Tonpa Sanggye Pel (ston pa sangs rgyas dpal), was said to be an incarnation of Marpa Chokyi Lodro (mar pa chos kyi blo gros, 1012?-1097). His mother's name was Choden (chos ldan). They were members of the Kyura (skyu ra) clan, and relatives of Jikten Gonpo ('jig rten dgon po, 1143-1217), the founder of Drigung Til Monastery ('bri gung mthil dgon pa). Rinchen Jangchub had one sister and five brothers, including an elder brother, Won Sherab Jungne (dbon shes rab 'byung gnas, 1187-1241), who served as the third abbot of Drigung Monastery, and a youngest brother named Chennga Gampopa (spyan snga sgam po pa), another close disciple of Jikten Gonpo. The names of his other siblings are not known. . . . Rinchen Changchup wrote many treatises including a commentary on Single Intention (''dgongs gcig'') titled ''Rinjangma'' (''rin byang ma'').) titled ''Rinjangma'' (''rin byang ma'').)
Lochen Rinchen Zangpo + (Rinchen Zangpo was one of the most importa … Rinchen Zangpo was one of the most important translators in Tibetan history. Working under the sponsorship of the kings of Guge, he was responsible for the translation of many of the texts of the Second Propagation of Buddhism in Tibet. Seventeen volumes of his translations are in the Kangyur, and thirty-three volumes in the Tengyur. He is credited with one hundred and eight volumes of tantric translations, as well as numerous volumes of texts relating to science and medicine. Rinchen Zangpo is also considered responsible for the construction of numerous temples across western Tibet and the Northwest Indian Himalaya, although almost all of the attributions are tenuous. He was the first to introduce the Cakrasaṃvara tantra and the cult of the deity Mahākāla to Tibet, and was responsible for translations of several important Prajñāpāramitā scriptures. Many of the lineages he introduced, particularly those of the Yogatantras, are maintained in the Sakya tradition.as, are maintained in the Sakya tradition.)
Rinchen Zangpo + (Rinchen Zangpo was one of the most importa … Rinchen Zangpo was one of the most important translators in Tibetan history. Working under the sponsorship of the kings of Guge, he was responsible for the translation of many of the texts of the Second Propagation of Buddhism in Tibet. Seventeen volumes of his translations are in the Kangyur, and thirty-three volumes in the Tengyur. He is credited with one hundred and eight volumes of tantric translations, as well as numerous volumes of texts relating to science and medicine. Rinchen Zangpo is also considered responsible for the construction of numerous temples across western Tibet and the Northwest Indian Himalaya, although almost all of the attributions are tenuous. He was the first to introduce the Cakrasaṃvara tantra and the cult of the deity Mahākāla to Tibet, and was responsible for translations of several important Prajñāpāramitā scriptures. Many of the lineages he introduced, particularly those of the Yogatantras, are maintained in the Sakya tradition.as, are maintained in the Sakya tradition.)
Rog Bande Sherab Ö + (Rok Bande Sherab O was a Nyingma scholar and yogi who was a major figure in the transmissions of the Guhyagarbha Tantra and the "later lineage" of Zhije tradition of Padampa Sanggye.)
Sakya Paṇḍita + (Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen, commonly ref … Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen, commonly referred to as Sapaṇ, was the fourth of the Five Patriarchs of Sakya and the sixth Sakya throne holder. A member of the illustrious Khon family that established and controlled the Sakya tradition, he was an advocate for strict adherence to Indian Buddhist traditions, standing in opposition to Chinese or Tibetan innovations that he considered corruptions. In this regard he was a major player in what has been termed the Tibetan Renaissance period, when there was a move to reinvigorate Tibetan Buddhism’s connections to its Indian antecedents. He was instrumental in transmitting the Indian system of five major and five minor sciences to Tibet. As an ordained monk, Sapaṇ was instrumental in laying the groundwork for adherence to the Vinaya at Sakya Monastery, built under his successors. He authored more than one hundred texts and was also a prolific translator from Sanskrit. His writings are among the most widely influential in Tibetan literature and prompted commentaries by countless subsequent authors. Sapaṇ’s reputation as a scholar and Buddhist authority helped him forge close ties with powerful Mongols, relations that would eventually lead to the establishment of Sakya Monastery and its position of political power over the Thirteen Myriarchies of central Tibet.the Thirteen Myriarchies of central Tibet.)
Nupchen Sangye Yeshe + (Sanggye Yeshe (sangs rgyas ye shes) was bo … Sanggye Yeshe (sangs rgyas ye shes) was born into the Nub (gnubs) clan in the Dra (sgrags) region of U (dbus) around the year 844. His father was Selwa Wangchuk (gsal ba dbang phyug) and his mother was Chimo Tashi Tso (mchims mo bkra shis 'tsho). His birth name was Dorje Tritsuk (rdo rje khri gtsug). Sanggye Yeshe was his ordination name; his tantric initiation name was Dorje Yangwang Ter (rod rje yang dbang gter).At the age of seven he began studying with Odren Pelgi Zhonnu ('o bran dpal gyi gzhon nu), who heads a long list of luminaries with whom he studied. According to later historians he received tantric initiation from Padmasambhava, his flower landing on the maṇḍala of Yamāntaka, the wrathful form of Mañjuśrī. In his own biography Nubchen claims to have met Padmasambhava on the border of India and Nepal, and to have received teachings from him, but it is unlikely that he lived early enough to have actually encountered him.The list given of the Indian masters who he met includes Śrī Siṃha, Vimalamitra, and Kamalaśīla, who ordained him. He also trained with Nyak Jñānakumara (gnyags dznya na ku ma ra) and his disciples Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe (sog po dpal gyi ye shes) and Zhang Gyelwai Yonten (zhang rgyal ba'i yon tan), both of whom had also been disciples of Ma Rinchen Chok (rma rin chen mchog).s of Ma Rinchen Chok (rma rin chen mchog).)
Sönam Gyaltsen + (Sonam Gyeltsen was a prolific author, alth … Sonam Gyeltsen was a prolific author, although many of his writings were never printed. Most famously, he was the author of the genealogy, Gyal rab sal ba'i me long (rgyal rabs sal ba'i me long), commonly translated as The Clear Mirror: A Royal Genealogy. He wrote on various tantric subjects, particularly the Kālacakratantra, and composed a commentary on Shantideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra. His influential writings on the Lamdre (lam 'bras) tradition were collected in a volume called the Lamdre Ponak (lam 'bras pod nag), one of the first major written works on Lamdre. He also sponsored the first edition of the collected works of the Five Patriarchs of Sakya (sa skya gong ma lnga).atriarchs of Sakya (sa skya gong ma lnga).)
Sumpa Lotsāwa + (Sumpa Lotsāwa Darma Yonten was a Sakya translator who worked with the Nepali paṇḍita Jayasena on the translation of the Dākārnava Tantra and related works. He was a teacher of Sakya Jetsun Drakpa Gyeltsen.)
Paṇchen Sönam Drakpa + (The Fifteenth Ganden Tripa, Paṇchen Sonam … The Fifteenth Ganden Tripa, Paṇchen Sonam Drakpa (dga' ldan khri pa 15, khri chen bsod nams grags pa) was born into the family of Nangpa Ralampa (nang pa ra lam pa) that was based near the Tsetang Monastery in Lhoka (lho kha rtse thang dgon pa) in 1478, the earth-dog year of the eighth sexagenary cycle. At the young age Sonam Drakpa received the vows of novice monk from Lechenpo Sonam Tashi (las chen po bsod nams bkra shis, d.u.), who gave him the ordained name Sonam Drakpai Pel (bsod nams grags pa' i dpal).Sonam Drakpa enrolled at Tsetang Monastery and received his primary monastic education such as reading and writing, and memorization of daily and frequent prayer texts and other root-verses of important texts. He studied Pramāṇa (''tshad ma'') for some time, and then went to Yabzang (g.ya' bzang) for some clarification on the critical points of the subject with some scholars. There he studied traditional philosophical texts under the tutorship of Choje Dakpo Rabjampa (chos rje dwags po rab 'byams pa, d.u.) and other scholars. He also studied grammar, poetry, composition, and so forth.Sonam Drakpa travelled to Lhasa and then matriculated at Sera at the age of sixteen. There he studied Abhisamayālaṃkāra, Mādhyamak, Abhidharmakośa, Pramāṇavārttika and Vinaya, the five major subjects of the Geshe Lharampa curriculum, mainly under the three eminent masters: Donyo Pelden (don yod dpal ldan, 1445-1524), the tenth abbot of Sera Monastery; Nyelton Peljor Lhundrub (gnyal ston dpal ' byor lhun grub, 1427-1514) and Tonpa Khetsun Yonten Gyatso (thon pa mkhas btsun yon tan rgya mtsho, 1443-1521). While studying these traditional texts he also received many teachings on tantra. In the meantime he received the vows of full ordination at the age of twenty from Wona Lama Sanggye Zangpo ('od na bla ma sangs rgyas bzang po, d.u.).'od na bla ma sangs rgyas bzang po, d.u.).)
Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso + (The Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyat … The Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso, popularly known "The Great Fifth", was the first Dalai Lama to assume political rule of Tibet, forging lasting alliances with Mongol armies and the Qing court in China. He was both a brilliant tactician and a religious thinker, authoring numerous commentaries and ritual manuals, as well as histories and biographies. Although responsible for considerable sectarian violence and Geluk hegemony, including the suppression in Tibet of the Jonang tradition and the forcible conversion of many monasteries to the Geluk faith, the Fifth Dalai Lama never abandoned his family’s Nyingma affiliations, and he sponsored the establishment or renovation of several Nyingma monasteries. The great palace of Potala that he built as his residence and seat in Lhasa was named after that bodhisattva’s pure land, Potalaka, a naming that contributed to the dissemination of the identification of the Dalai Lama as an emanation of Avalokiteśvara.ai Lama as an emanation of Avalokiteśvara.)
Yumo Mikyö Dorje + (The Jonang tradition would ultimately place Yumo as a key link in the Tibetan Kālacakra lineage; Tāranātha would cite him as an advocate of their distinctive position of "other-emptiness" (gzhan stong) in a tantric context.)
Muchen Sempa Chenpo Konchok Gyeltsen + (The Sakya master known as Muchen Sempa Che … The Sakya master known as Muchen Sempa Chenpo Konchok Gyeltsen (mus chen sems dpa' chen po dkon mchog rgyal mtshan) was born in the Mu (mus) valley of Tibet in 1388. His father was Konchok Zangpo (dkon mchog bzang po, d.u.) and his mother was Namkha Kyong (nam mkha' skyong, d.u.).When he was nine, Konchok Gyeltsen took monastic ordination with Wang Opa (dbang 'od pa, d.u.). At age fifteen he began to study the Prajñāpāramitā and Bodhicaryāvatāra with the teachers Lelung Khenpo Kunmon (gle lung mkhan po kun smon, d.u.) and Zur Chopa Changchub Sengge (zur chos pa byang chub seng+ge, d.u.).At age twenty he requested initiation into Chod (gcod) practice from Muchen Namkha Neljor (mus chen nam mkha' rnal 'byor, d.u.). Soon afterwards, he joined Sakya Monastery (sa skya dgon) to train briefly under Yaktuk Sanggye Pel (gyag phrug sangs rgyas dpal, 1350-1414) before the master passed away. At twenty-eight, Konchok Gyeltsen went to the Mugulung Hermitage (mu gu lung), a famous site for Lamdre (lam 'dre) transmission, where he studied the Uyuk tradition of logic ('u yug pa'i tshad ma) with Zhonnu Gyelchok (zhon nu rgyal mchog, d.u.). At thirty-four, Konchok Gyeltsen underwent a course of study with Sheja Kunrik (shes bya kun rig, 1367-1449) in Ngamring (ngam ring) to clarify doubts that remained from his previous studies. The next year, he circumambulated Lhasa one hundred thousand times.In addition to the masters mentioned above, Konchok Gyeltsen's teachers also included Peljor Sherab (dpal 'byor shes rab, d.u.), Kunga Pel (kun dga' dpal, d.u.), Yakton Sanggye Pel (g.yag ston sangs rgyas dpal, 1348-1414), Rongton Sheja Kunrig (rong ston shes bya kun rig, 1367-1449) and most importantly, Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo (ngor chen kun dga' bzang po, 1382-1456), with whom he studied the Cakrasaṃvara and Hevajra Tantras, as well as the Six Unions of the Kālacakra Tantra.Konchok Gyeltsen helped Kunga Zangpo establish Ngor Monastery (ngor dgon) in 1430. He taught there from the age of fifty-nine and took the throne as the second abbot in 1456, at the age of sixty-eight. It was during Konchok Gyeltsen's tenure at Ngor that the Lamdre teachings were divided into two: Lobshe (slob bshad) and Tsokshe (tshog bshad). He lived and taught at Ngor until 1462, when he retired Mu Tendzin Puk (mus bstan 'dzin phug) where he resided and practiced until passing away in 1469.Konchok Gyeltsen also founded Linga Dewachen Monastery (gling dga' bde ba chen) in 1437 and Musu Yama Monastery (mus su ya ma dgon) in 1459.Some of Konchok Gyeltsen's close disciples were the Twenty-first Sakya Tridzin, Lodro Gyeltsen (sa skya khri 'dzin 21blo gros rgyal mtshan, 1444-1495), who wrote his biography; Lowo Khenchen Sonam Lhundrub (glo bo mkhan chen bsod nams lhun grub, 1456-1532); Muchen Sanggye Rinchen (mus chen sangs rgyas rin chen, 1450-1524); Kunga Wangchuk (kun dga' dbang phyug, 1424-1478) and Gorampa Sonam Sengge (go rams pa bsod nams seng ge, 1429-1489).Konchok Gyeltsen's written works include the biography of Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo, and a biography of the Sakya master Pelden Tsultrim (dpal ldan tshul khrims, 1333-1399), as well as works he compiled and edited on mind training or Lojong (blo sbyong).im (dpal ldan tshul khrims, 1333-1399), as well as works he compiled and edited on mind training or Lojong (blo sbyong).)
Third Tai Situ Tashi Paljor + (The Third Tai Situ, Tashi Peljor, was a student of the Seventh Karmapa. He recognized the Eighth Karmapa by means of showing him items that had belonged to the Seventh Karmapa, possibly the first time such a method was used to identify reincarnations.)
Tsongkhapa + (Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa was one of the m … Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa was one of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist scholars of the last millennium. Born in Amdo, he travelled to U-Tsang in his youth, never to return to his homeland. In U-Tsang he studied with numerous teachers of all traditions and engaged in many retreats resulting in his development of a fresh interpretation of Nāgārjuna's Madhyamaka view and a reinvigoration of the monastic Vinaya. Widely regarded as an emanation of Mañjuśrī, Tsongkhapa composed eighteen volumes of works of which the majority dealt with tantric subjects. He was the founder of Ganden Monastery, which became the central monastery of the Geluk tradition that was founded on his teachings and writings.was founded on his teachings and writings.)
Thu'u bkwan blo bzang chos kyi nyi ma + (Tukwan Lobzang Chokyi Nyima was a prolific … Tukwan Lobzang Chokyi Nyima was a prolific author, composing works in subject as diverse as biographies, dramas, astrology, doxography, tantras, poetic works, correspondences and official documents, and so forth. Originally there were about five hundred titles collected into fifteen volumes that were preserved in traditional wooden blocks in Gonlung Jampa Ling out of which ten volumes are currently preserved in the Nationalities Publishing House (mi rigs dpe bskrun khang) in Beijing.One of the best known of his compositions is his religious history, The Crystal Mirror: An Excellent Exposition That Shows the Sources and Assertions of All Tenet Systems (grub mtha' thams cad kyi khung dang 'dod tshul ston pa legs bshad shel gyi me long). This important work was completed in 1802, shortly before Tukwan passed away. In it he surveys the Buddhist traditions of India, Tibet, Mongolia, and China, including Bon, which he compares to Chinese Chan. The work is well-regarded for the relative impartiality of its presentation, combining the insults to Bon, Jonang and Nyingma one would expected in a work of its time with sympathetic descriptions of what the author found admirable in the non-Geluk traditions. In contrast to one of his famous teachers, Sumpa Khenpo, the Third Tukwan, looking more towards Beijing than to Lhasa as a base of support, was known for his ecumenical outlook. All three Tukwan incarnations, as well as the first two Changkya incarnations, were known as protectors of the Nyingma in Amdo.nown as protectors of the Nyingma in Amdo.)
Vidyākaraprabha + (Vidyākaraprabha was an Indian translator a … Vidyākaraprabha was an Indian translator active during the Tibetan imperial period. He is credited with collaborating on the translations of the ''Mahābherīsūtra,'' the ''Vinayavastu,'' the ''Vidhyottamātantra,'' and Haribhadra's important ''Abhisamayālaṃkāra'' commentary, the ''Abhisamayālaṃkāra-nāma-prajñāpāramitopadeśa-śāstra-vṛtti.'' He is also credited as the author of a work in the Madhyamaka section of the Tengyur, with the title ''Madhyamakanayasārasamāsaprakaraṇa,'' which he translated with Kawa Peltsek Rakṣita.h he translated with Kawa Peltsek Rakṣita.)
Yakton Sangye Pal + (Yakton Sanggye Pel (g.yag ston sangs rgyas … Yakton Sanggye Pel (g.yag ston sangs rgyas dpal, 1348-1414) was a great master of the Sakya tradition and the first in the line of men known as the Six Great Ornaments of Tibet. He was born in Trang ('phrang). His father's name was Tsetang Chenpo Changchub Rinchen (rtse thang chen po byang chub rin chen). ''The Blue Annals'' also suggests the name by which Sanggye Pel is known came from an attendant called Yak Yu (g.yag yu) who took care of him when he was a boy.His early education took place at Sangpu Monastery (gsang phu) monastery, where he studied Buton's (bu ston, 1285-1379) commentary on the Prajñāpāramitā and was praised for his skill in memorization. His root teacher was Kunga Pel (kun dga' dpal, 1285-1379), the tenth abbot of Jonang Monastery (jo nang dgon). Sanggye Pel became a prominent teacher in U and Tsang, renowned for his teachings on Prajñāpāramitā. Among the Six Ornaments of Tibet, who were known for their different strengths in teaching, he is known for masterful teachings on the Sutras. Sanggye Pel's main disciple and eventual successor at Sakya was the renowned scholar Rongton Sheja Kunrik (rong ston shes bya kun rig, 1367-1449). Sanggye Pel primarily taught Rongton the Prajñāpāramitā scriptures and treatises on logic and epistemology. Sanggye Pel's prominent students also included Zhonnu Lodro (gzhon nu blo gros, 1349-1412), Konchok Gyeltsen (dkon mchog rgyal mtshan, 1388-1469), Zhonnu Gyelchok (gzhon nu rgyal mchog, d.u.), Sherab Sengge (shes rab seng ge, 1383-1445), and Kunga Gyeltsen (kun dga' rgyal mtshan, 1382-1446).eltsen (kun dga' rgyal mtshan, 1382-1446).)
Yeshe De + (Yeshe De (ye shes sde) was born into the N … Yeshe De (ye shes sde) was born into the Nanam clan (sna nam) and became one of the three foremost translators of the imperial era. He is counted among the twenty-five disciples of Padmasambhava.As a young monk his scholarship earned him the title of 'bande' (teacher). He was perhaps the most prolific Tibetan translator in history, with hundreds of translations. Scholar Sherab Rhaldi lists 347 translations in collaboration with fifteen Indian paṇḍitas. [He] is also credited with translating the Nyingma tantras.He is said to have taught the Abhidharma to Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje (lha lung dal gyi rdo rje). According to Nyingma legend, he was a master of the Vajrakīlaya tantra, and is said to have realized the illusory nature of phenomena and cut the cord of mind-made karmic conditioning, which left him free to soar in the sky like a bird.t him free to soar in the sky like a bird.)
Jonang Chöje Yönten Gyatso + (Yonten Gyatso (yon tan rgya mtsho) was bor … Yonten Gyatso (yon tan rgya mtsho) was born in 1260 in a family that practiced the Nyingma tradition in the Dok (mdog) region of Tsang. He first studied at Dar Monastery (mdar dgon), where he became an expert in Abhidharma and epistemology.He visited various other places and received teachings from many masters of tantra. At Sakya Monastery (sa skya dgon) he became a disciple and the main assistant teacher for the Sakya master Sharpa Jamyang Chenpo Rinchen Gyeltsen (shar pa 'jam dbyangs chen po rin chen rgyal mtshan, d.u.), who served as the Tenth Sakya Tridzin (sa skya khri 'dzin) for eighteen years beginning in 1287. From Jamyang Chenpo he received many teachings such as the Tantra Trilogy of Hevajra and the related oral instructions, and the Mahāyāna treatises of the Pramāṇavārttika, Abhisamayālaṃkāra, and Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra.From Jamyang Chenpo's elder brother, the Kālacakra expert Dukorwa Yeshe Rinchen (dus 'khor ba ye shes rin chen, 1248-1294), Yonten Gyatso received teachings such as the Kālacakra Tantra, the Hevajra Tantra, and the Abhisamayālaṃkāra. He was also required to go as Yeshe Rinchen's attendent to the imperial court of Kubilai Khan in China.e imperial court of Kubilai Khan in China.)
Zhangtön Sönam Drakpa + (Zhangton Gyawo, who was one of Dolpopa’s f … Zhangton Gyawo, who was one of Dolpopa’s fourteen major disciples, studied widely in different traditions as a young man. Then he spent almost thirty years with Dolpopa, receiving all the great master’s teachings. For the last fifteen years of his life Zhangton taught the massive Vimalaprabhā commentary on the Kālacakra Tantra every year.entary on the Kālacakra Tantra every year.)
Khenpo Zhenga + (Zhenpen Chokyi Nangwa, a disciple of Orgye … Zhenpen Chokyi Nangwa, a disciple of Orgyen Tendzin Norbu, was the nineteenth abbot of Dzogchen's Śrī Siṃha college, the founder and first abbot of Dzongsar's Khamshe monastic college, and the teacher of countless Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu lamas. He and his disciples was said to have established nearly one hundred study centers, emphasizing the study of thirteen Indian root texts.g the study of thirteen Indian root texts.)
Śākyaśrībhadra + (Śākyaśrībhadra was a Kashmiri paṇḍita who … Śākyaśrībhadra was a Kashmiri paṇḍita who was invited to Tibet by Tropu Lotsāwa Rinchen Sengge. He arrived in 1204, at the age of either fifty-nine or seventy-eight, and remained for ten years, leaving in 1214. Active primarily in Tsang, his significance to Tibetan Buddhism is characterized by his initiating four important lineages of teaching: to Sakya Paṇḍita he taught exoteric philosophy; pith instructions to Tropu Lotsāwa; tantra to Chel Lotsāwa; and Vinaya to Tsang Sowa Sonam Dze. He is also credited with initiating the "upper" ordination platform of Tibetan Buddhism, followed by all traditions save Nyingma and Geluk. Śākyaśrībhadra was the last abbot of Nālandā Monastery, which was sacked by Muslim invaders in 1192.ich was sacked by Muslim invaders in 1192.)

Buddhaguhya + (Buddhaguhya was an eighth-century Indian t … Buddhaguhya was an eighth-century Indian tantric master who is believed to have resided at Mount Kailash and composed numerous commentaries, treatises, and liturgies of broad scope, ranging from the Kriyā tantras to the Guhyagarbha Tantra of the Mahāyoga class. Guhyagarbha Tantra of the Mahāyoga class.)

Tropu Lotsāwa Jampai Pal + (Among Tibetans of his day, Tropu Lotsāwa w … Among Tibetans of his day, Tropu Lotsāwa was most famous for building an eighty-cubit-high image of the future Buddha Maitreya, consecrated by Śākyaśrī in 1212. He was one of the significant figures in the early Tropu Kagyu, responsible for bringing the very important Indian Buddhist teachers Mitrayogin, Buddhaśrī, and Śākyaśrī to Tibet. Many of his translations, but only a few of his writings, are available today. few of his writings, are available today.)
Bamda Thubten Gelek + (Bamda Gelek, whose given name was Tubten G … Bamda Gelek, whose given name was Tubten Gelek Gyatso, was one of the greatest scholar-practitioners of the Jonang tradition. Based largely at Dzamtang, he was considered the reincarnation of various masters, including the Indian saint Candrakīrti, the siddha Nāropa, and two famous early Jonang lamas, Tāranātha and Kunga Drolchok. Because of his strong interest in the Geluk tradition, some thought him to also be an incarnation of the great Geluk scholar Jamyang Zhepa. His intellectual prowess and strong devotion to the deity Mañjuśrī, his tutelary deity, led others to surmise that he might be an emanation of the deity himself.ight be an emanation of the deity himself.)
Butön Rinchen Drup + (Butön Rinchen Drup, a Sakya lama raised in … Butön Rinchen Drup, a Sakya lama raised in a Nyingma family, was the eleventh abbot of Zhalu Monastery, from 1320 to 1356. Some enumerations list him as the first abbot, as he significantly expanded the institution. He was an important teacher of the Prajñāpāramitā, and a key lineage holder of the Guhyasamāja and Kālacakra tantras as transmitted in the Geluk tradition, and the Kālacakra, Hevajra and Sampuṭa tantras as transmitted in the Sakya tradition. He is generally credited as the creator of the Tibetan Buddhist canon, the Kangyur and Tengyur, and his History of Buddhism is still widely read. In addition to his Sakya training he also studied in the Kadam and Kagyu traditions.studied in the Kadam and Kagyu traditions.)
Dorje Sherab + (Chennga Dorje Sherab (spyan snga rdo rje s … Chennga Dorje Sherab (spyan snga rdo rje shes rab) was a disciple of both Jikten Gonpo Rinchen Pel ('jig rten mgon po rin chen dpal, 1143-1217), the founder of Drigung Til Monastery ('bri gung mthil), and one of his main disciples, Won Sherab Jungne (dbon shes rab 'byung gnas, 1187-1241). Details about his life are not currently available. Some sources mention an extensive biography but it appears to have been lost.He wrote two extensive commentaries on Won Sherab Jungne's compilation of Jikten Gonpo's teachings, known as The Single Intention (dgongs gcig). These commentaries are titled The Lamp of Illuminated Wisdom (snang mdzad ye shes sgron ma) and O Gema ('od ge ma). Together they are known as the Dorshema (rdor she ma), a contraction of the name Dorje Sherab. Author: Evan Yerburgh, translator and member of Esukhia.erburgh, translator and member of Esukhia.)
Dondrup Rinchen + (Choje Dondrub Rinchen was a Kadam master f … Choje Dondrub Rinchen was a Kadam master from Amdo who, after studying in central Tibet, established Shadrung and Jakhyung monasteries. He was Tsongkhapa's first teacher, the man who gave him his novice vows as well as the ordination name of Lobzang Drakpa, and he remained a major source of guidance and inspiration throughout the latter's life. inspiration throughout the latter's life.)
Chokle Namgyal + (Chokle Namgyel (phyogs las rnam rgyal), wh … Chokle Namgyel (phyogs las rnam rgyal), who is also known by the name Chokyi Gyelpo (chos kyi rgyal po), was born in the western region of Ngari (mnga' ris) in 1306. As a young child he received teachings from several Tibetan masters and studied Sanskrit with the Indian or Nepalese paṇḍita Umapati (u ma pa ti). In 1313, when he was eight years old, he traveled to the central Tibetan region of Tsang and began the study of Madhyamaka philosophy with the expert scholar Tsangnakpa (gtsang nag pa) and other teachers. He also studied epistemology, the literature of the vehicle of perfections, abhidharma, the monastic code, and tantric subjects at different monasteries for some years.In 1325 Chokle Namgyel studied at the great monastery of Sakya (sa skya) and also at Drakram (brag ram dgon). At this point he was a strong advocate of the rangtong (rang stong) view. He then visited many monasteries in central Tibet and Tsang for further studies and during this trip received the nickname Chokle Namgyel, “Victorious in All Directions” because of his consummate skill in debate. He returned to Sakya, where he was again victorious in debate, and also traveled to several other places in central Tibet and Tsang, including Zhalu Monastery (zhwa lu) Monastery. There he received teachings from the great master Buton Rinchen Drub (bu ston rin chen grub)Buton Rinchen Drub (bu ston rin chen grub))
Chone Drakpa Shedrup + (Chone Drakpa Shedrub was a Geluk scholar a … Chone Drakpa Shedrub was a Geluk scholar and yogi famous for his knowledge of sutra and tantra, who stood out even among the most learned scholars of his time. Educated at Sera and based at Chone, where he did most of his teaching, he authored many commentaries on sutra and tantra, which are collected in eleven volumes.ra, which are collected in eleven volumes.)
Drapa Ngönshe + (Drapa Ngonshe was the treasure revealer wh … Drapa Ngonshe was the treasure revealer who is credited with producing the Four Tantras, the root texts of Tibet’s medical tradition. A master in the Nyingma, Zhije, and Kadam traditions, he established numerous religious communities in Tibet, including the great Dratang Monastery which was later absorbed by the Sakya. Ordained in the Eastern Vinaya tradition, he was instrumental in popularizing tantric practices among that community, and later returned his vows to live as a tantrika.r returned his vows to live as a tantrika.)
Drikung Lotsāwa Maṇikaśrī + (Drigung Lotsāwa Maṇikaśrījñāna, who was on … Drigung Lotsāwa Maṇikaśrījñāna, who was one of Dolpopa’s fourteen major disciples, was a master of Sanskrit studies. He also held the monastic seat of the great Kagyu monastery of Drigung as a young man. After studying with Dolpopa, Drigung Lotsāwa became an ardent defender of the zhentong view and spead the Kālacakra teachings of the Jonang tradition. Toward the end of his life he taught the Vimalaprabhā for eight years at Jonang Monastery.rabhā for eight years at Jonang Monastery.)
Drokmi Lotsāwa + (Drokmi Lotsāwa Śākya Yeshe ('brog mi lo ts … Drokmi Lotsāwa Śākya Yeshe ('brog mi lo tsA ba shAkya ye shes) was a member of the Ban (ban) branch of the Drokmi ('brog mi) clan. Little is known about his early life, but his year of birth is given as 992. He traveled to India and Nepal, learned Sanskrit, and then studied grammar, epistemology, writing, astrology, and tantra. In Tibet and Nepal, he translated nearly seventy tantric texts with South Asian Buddhist masters such as Gayādhara, Prajñendraruci, also known as Viravajra, the Ceylonese yogini Candramāla, Ratnavajra, Ratnaśrīimitra and possibly Prajñāgupta as well.His two most important teachers were Gayadhāra and Prajñendraruci under whom he studied the Lamdre (''lam 'bras'') teachings, and the ''Hevajra Tantra'' together with its explanatory tantras, the ''Vajrapanjara'' and ''Samputa'', collectively known as the ''Kyedor Gyusum'' (''kye rdor rgyud gsum'').In Tibet he is said to have taught Sanskrit to Marpa Chokyi Lodro (mar pa chos kyi blo gros, 1002/1012-1097). He stayed at the Mugulung cave complex (mu gu lung) with his students and his consort Lhachamchik (lha lcam gcig), also known as Dzeden Wochak (mdzes ldan 'od chags), a princess of Lhatse (lha rtse).d chags), a princess of Lhatse (lha rtse).)
Drotön Dudtsi Drak + (Droton Dutsi Drakpa (gro ston bdud rtsi gr … Droton Dutsi Drakpa (gro ston bdud rtsi grags) was born into a family of the Dro (gro) clan at a place called Chugolam (chu dgo lam) in Tsang, in 1153, the water-bird year of the thirteenth sexagenary cycle.He was granted novice vows by Zhonnu Sengge (gzhon nu seng ge, d.u), presumably at Nartang Monastery (snar thang dgon). He received the complete teachings of the Kadam tradition from Doton Sherab Drakpa (rdo ston shes rab grags pa, 1127-1185), the second abbot of Nartang, and his disciple, Zhangtsun Dorje Ozer (zhang btsun rdo rje ‘od zer, 1122-1194), the monastery's third abbot.He also received the instructions of Lamrim (''lam rim'') from Chumikpa Sherab Drak (chu mig pa shes rab grags pa, d.u.) apparently using a text composed by the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (karma pa 01 dus gsum mkhyen pa, 1110-1193). Thereafter the Nartang Lamrim instructions consisted of two transmission lineages, one stemming from Sharawa Yonden Drak (sha ra ba yon tan grags, 1070-1141), the teacher of the founder of Nartang, Tumton Lodro Drakpa (gtum ston blo gros grags pa, 1106-1166), and the other stemming from the Karmapa.He received extensive teachings from Sanggye Wondon (sangs rgyas dbon ston, d.u) as well.Three times he went to Reting Monastery (rwa sgreng) to distribute alms.In 1185 he succeeded Zhangtsun Dorje Ozer as abbot of Nartang, serving as the fourth throne holder for about thirty-nine years, until his death in 1232.hirty-nine years, until his death in 1232.)
Gampopa + (Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, also known as Dakpo … Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, also known as Dakpo Lhaje, is credited with founding the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Trained first as a medical doctor and then ordained as a Kadam monk, Gampopa met Milarepa when he was thirty years old, and spent much of the next decades in meditation retreat. Never renouncing his monastic vows, he combined the Indian Mahāsiddha practices brought back to Tibet by Marpa and others with the monastic order of his Kadampa teachers. He also united the Kadam teachings of Lamrim with the Mahāmudrā teachings he received from Milarepa. He founded Daklha Gampo in 1121 and trained many of the greatest Kagyu masters of all time, including the First Karmapa and Pakmodrupa.ncluding the First Karmapa and Pakmodrupa.)
Gö Lotsāwa Zhönu Pal + (Go Lotsāwa Zhonnu Pel was the author of th … Go Lotsāwa Zhonnu Pel was the author of the important Tibetan history ''The Blue Annals''. A Kagyu polymath, he studied under some sixty prominent lamas, chief among them the Fifth Karmapa Dezhin Shekpa. He was a Sanskrit scholar and served as translator to an Indian scholar Paṇḍit Vanaratna for five years. He was a teacher of the Seventh Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso, and the Fourth Zhamar, Chodrak Yeshe.tso, and the Fourth Zhamar, Chodrak Yeshe.)
Gorampa Sönam Senge + (Gorampa Sonam Sengge, the Sixth Ngor Khenc … Gorampa Sonam Sengge, the Sixth Ngor Khenchen, was a disciple of Rongton Sheja Kunrik and Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo. He was an important thinker of the Sakya tradition, establishing a Madhyamaka view that was critical of both Dolpopa and Tsongkhapa. Gorampa founded Tanak Serling and Tanak Tubten Namgyel monasteries. The latter would become an important teaching center for the Sakya tradition. Famed for his learning in both sutras and tantras, he became known as one of the “Ornaments of Tibet” an epithet granted to six of the Sakya tradition's most revered masters.he Sakya tradition's most revered masters.)
Guru Jober + (Guru Jober (gu ru jo 'ber) was born to Daw … Guru Jober (gu ru jo 'ber) was born to Dawa Bum (zla ba 'bum), the brother of Nyima Bum (nyi ma 'bum, 1158-1213) and the son of Gyelwa Zhangton (rgyal ba zhang ston) in 1196. His mother was Gyelmo Ayu (rgyal mo a yu). Considered mentally deficient until the age of eight, he nevertheless studied Dzogchen with his uncle, who gave him the full Nyingtik transmission, and named him his successor. He next studied with Sakya Lotsāwa (sa skya lo tsa ba) and then tantra with Tropu Lotsāwa Jampa Pel (khro phu lo tsa ba byams pa dpal).He died in 1255. His successor was Trulzhik Sengge Gyabpa ('khrul zhig seng ge rgyab pa, d.u.).abpa ('khrul zhig seng ge rgyab pa, d.u.).)
Gyaltsap Je Dharma Rinchen + (Gyaltsap Je Darma Rinchen was one of the c … Gyaltsap Je Darma Rinchen was one of the chief disciples of Tsongkhapa. He was a prolific writer, composing on Madhyamaka and tantric topics, most famously a commentary on the Bodhicaryāvatāra. He served as the second abbot of Ganden Monastery, following the death of Tsongkhapa in 1419, and occupied the position, known as the Ganden Tripa, until the year before his own death.ripa, until the year before his own death.)
Gyarong Khandro Dechen Wangmo + (Gyarong Khandro Dechen Wangmo was an impos … Gyarong Khandro Dechen Wangmo was an imposing female tantric practitioner and treasure revealer, whom Khyentse Chokyi Lodro relied upon for protection from black magic. She is credited with reopening the sacred place of Khyungtak and revealing a Vajrakīla practice there. The years of her birth and death are unknown, as are many of the details of her life, but some of her compositions and revelations survive. her compositions and revelations survive.)
Gyalse Zhenpen Taye + (Gyelse Zhenpen Taye Wozer was a founder an … Gyelse Zhenpen Taye Wozer was a founder and second abbot of Śrī Siṃha, the Dzogchen monastic college. Considered to have been the eighth abbot of Dzogchen Monastery, he was also the founder of Gemang monastery. He was said to have been a reincarnation of Terdak Lingpa.ave been a reincarnation of Terdak Lingpa.)
TA ra nA tha + (In the history of the Jonang tradition Tār … In the history of the Jonang tradition Tāranātha is second in importance only to Dölpopa himself. He was responsible for the Jonang renaissance in U-Tsang during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, and the widespread revitalization of the zhentong teachings. Like his previous incarnation, Kunga Drolchok, Tāranātha practiced and taught from many different lineages and was nonsectarian in his approach to realization. He was also one of the last great Tibetan translators of Sanskrit texts. The abbot of Jonang Monastery, he emphasized the practice of the Sakya teachings of Lamdre and the esoteric instructions of the Shangpa Kagyu, but he specially focused on the explication of the Kālacakra Tantra and the practice of its Six-branch Yoga as the most profound of all the teachings given by the Buddha. It is clear in his writings that Tāranātha considered Dölpopa to be the ultimate authority in matters of doctrine and practice.ority in matters of doctrine and practice.)
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye + (Jamgön Kongtrul is often described as one … Jamgön Kongtrul is often described as one of the greatest scholars in the history of Tibet. A Karma Kagyu lama and model of rimay ecumenical activity, he collaborated closely with the Sakya lama Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and the Nyingma treasure revealer Chokgyur Lingpa, in the opening of sacred sites and the revelation of treasure. His prodigious literary output, categorized as the Five Treasuries, cover the entire range of Tibetan Buddhist theory and ritual as well as numerous other topics, and preserved scores of Tibetan religious traditions that were at the time in danger of being lost. Based primarily at Pelpung Monastery, in Derge in eastern Tibet, he built the nearby hermitage of Tsadra Rinchen Drak, which became his personal seat. Multiple incarnation lines were recognized after his death, including the main Jamgön Kongtrul line, based at Pelpung, the Dzokchen Kongtrul line and the Dzigar Kongtrul line.ongtrul line and the Dzigar Kongtrul line.)
Jamgön Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sonam + (Jamyang Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sonam, wh … Jamyang Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sonam, who served as the twenty-eighth Sakya Trichen, was a disciple of Muchen Sanggye Gyeltsen. He was a prolific author, composing over seven hundred titles, among them famous histories of the Khon family, the Lamdre lineage, the Kadampa lineage, and of tantric teachings at the center of the Sakya traditions including the Kālacakra, Cakrasaṃvara, Guhyasamāja, Yamāntaka, and Mahākāla. He was fully ordained in his youth but returned his vows after being enthroned in order to take a wife and produce an heir for the Khon family. He took an active role in negotiating the end to conflicts both between Tibet and Bhutan and among Bhutanese factions.t and Bhutan and among Bhutanese factions.)
Jamyang Zhepai Dorje + (Jamyang Zhepai Dorje, the First Jamyang Zh … Jamyang Zhepai Dorje, the First Jamyang Zhepa, was a noted scholar and prominent Geluk lama, a self-styled defender of Geluk orthodoxy against syncretic and ecumenical trends in the tradition. A native of Amdo, he was educated at Drepung and Gyume monasteries, later serving as abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery and composing most of the texts for its monastic curriculum. During his tenure he was a staunch supporter of Lhazang Khan and an opponent of Desi Sanggye Gyatso, the Fifth Dalai Lama's regent. Having gained fame in Lhasa, he returned to Amdo in 1709 and founded Labrang Tashikhyil, which grew to become one of the major Geluk monasteries in the Tibetan region. He later established a Tantric school there and also at Gonlung Jampa Ling.hool there and also at Gonlung Jampa Ling.)
Jatsön Nyingpo + (Jatson Nyingpo was Nyingma treasure reveal … Jatson Nyingpo was Nyingma treasure revealer, one of the few to have been a fully ordained monk. Jatson Nyingpo spent seventeen years in retreat, sealing the door of his hermitage with clay. According to his hagiography, while in retreat or soon afterwards, at the age of thirty-six, in 1620, he revealed a treasure inventory said to be written in the hand of Yeshe Tsogyel (mtsho rgyal gyi phyag bris ma), and went on to reveal numerous treasure texts, including his best known cycle, the ''Embodiment of the Precious Ones'' (''dkon mchog spyi 'dus''), a Guru Rinpoche sadhana which has inspired numerous commentaries. which has inspired numerous commentaries.)
Jinamitra + (Jinamitra was an Indian paṇḍita who participated in the translation of scores of Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan, including a version of the ''Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra''. Among his most frequent Tibetan collaborators were Yeshe De and Lui Gyeltsen.)
Kawa Paltsek + (Kawa Peltsek was one of the first Tibetans … Kawa Peltsek was one of the first Tibetans to take Buddhist ordination. He later became a disciple of Padmasambhava, who identified him as an incarnation of an Indian mahapaṇḍita. A famed translator, he was instrumental in designing forms of Tibetan calligraphy.in designing forms of Tibetan calligraphy.)