The 8th Rigdzin Chenpo Kalzang Pema Wangyal

The 8^th Rigdzin Chenpo Kalzang Pema Wangyal

The eighth incarnation of the great treasure revealer Rigzin Godem and the fifth throne holder of Thupten Dorje Drak, the mother monastery of the Nyingma Early Translation School. He was born in 1848, in the Monkey year of the 14th Rabjung cycle, in Upper Layak in Lhodrak, part of the family lineage of Marpa Rinpoche of Lhodrak. Chuzang Pema Ngawang Tenzin’s reincarnation, the mind emanation Chuzang Namkha Longyang, recognized him as the reincarnation of the Great Rigzin and invited him to be enthroned on the Dharma seat of Dorje Drak.

From this holy master, he received complete transmissions of all the empowerments and oral instructions of the Northern Treasures teachings as the primary lineage, making Chuzang Rinpoche Namkha Longyang his principal teacher in the Northern Treasures tradition. Additionally, he studied with many other teachers and received countless profound teachings from the sutras, tantras, and treasure revelations.

Through his spiritual practice, he perfected abandonment and realization. He was unrivaled in upholding the teachings of the Early Translation School in general and Dorje Drak in particular through the three wheels of activities: the wheel of study and contemplation, the wheel of meditation and renunciation, and the wheel of action and activities.

He recovered material treasures, sacred statues, and other secret treasures. With a tamed mind, he conducted himself as an accomplished master. He had great aspiration for the teachings of the Vinaya, establishing new bi-monthly confession and purification ceremonies in the monastic community.

For the benefit of the Buddhist teachings and beings throughout Tibet, he performed powerful wrathful rituals at Drakyangdzong to repel border armies from Sikkim and other places. His many successful manifestations of wrathful activities spread his fame widely. The central Gaden Phodrang government bestowed upon him the title of Hothokthu (high lama).

Among his many disciples, the main holders of the Northern Treasures lineage were two masters: Chuzang Tulku Pema Ngedon Drimed Loden and the incarnation of Gyalse Zamling Drukdrak who was born in the family lineage of Khyentse, known as Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu or famously as Kuzhab Namgyal.

After extensively carrying out his enlightened activities, he departed to another realm in 1880, the Iron Dragon year of the 15th Rabjung cycle, at the age of thirty-three.