JANGCHUB TSONDRU (1817 - 1856)

Jangchub Tsondru was a chief Lama to the important Bhutanese leader, Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal (1825-1881), and the inventor of the Jarog Dongchen (bya rog gdong can) headgear which protects him. Born in southern...

CHANKYA ROLPAI DORJE (1717 - 1786)

Name Variants:Changkya 03 Rolpai Dorje; Changkya Yeshe Tenpai Dronme; Rolpai Dorje Chankya Rolpai Dorje (1717-1786) was a principle Buddhist teacher in the Qing court, a close associate of the Qianlong Emperor and...

OLUG DARHAN NANGSO (1550?-1622)

Olug Darhan Nangso was a Gelug missionary in Mongolia during the nascent days of the Qing Empire. He converted the Manchu leader Nurhaci, making him possibly the first Tibetan cleric to make contact with the Manchu...

CHEGOMPA SHERAB DORJE (1130 - 1200)

Chegompa Sherab Dorje was born in the lower part of the valley of Tanag in Tsang Province. His father was a fisherman named Lugkyab or Lugkye. He was raised by a famous female spiritual leader named Machig Rebma. He...

CHENNGA SONAM ZANGPO (1380 - 1416)

Chennga Sonam Zangpo received his upasika vows from Chennga Drakjangwa and novice vows from Drakdorwa and Tsulgyalwa. He received teachings from Chennga Sonam Drakpa and was initiated into the four symbols by...

CHOKYI DORJE (1457 - UNKNOWN)

Name Variants: Cho Dorje; Drubchen Chokyi Dorje; Wensa Nyomba Chokyi Dorje was born near the Nyingma monastery Tanak Dorjeden  in 1457 to two wandering ascetics from the Tsongkha region of Amdo. His father was...