The Treasury of Lives

Dakpo Duldzin (dwags po 'dul 'dzin) was born in 1134 in Dakpo Zekar (dwags po zas dkar) to Bon parents. He was given the name Khenpo (mkhan po) at birth. His two elder brothers, Nyelde (gnyal sde) and Sherab Jungne (shes rab 'byung gnas) were both disciples of Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen, 1079-1153), whom he first met when he was ten years old, receiving from him that same year an empowerment of white Tārā and Mahākāla and a preliminary practice for Mahāmudrā.

He received novice and full ordination at Nekhar Monastery (gnas mkhar) from Gomchung Sherab Jangchub (sgom chung shes rab byang chub, 1130-1173), his primary teacher. He studied Prajñāpāramitā with a man known as Dokarwa (mdos khar ba, d.u.), and the Vinaya with Shami Duldzin (sha mi 'dul 'dzin, 1085-1171). Gomchung, then the abbot of Daklha Gampo, gave him the complete transmission of Gampopa’s teachings.

When Gomchung tired of serving as abbot of Daklha Gampo he assigned the position to Dakpo Duldzin, who thus became the fourth abbot of the monastery, around the year 1171. Retiring to retreat for eight years, Dakpo Duldzin attracted a large community of disciples.

He was poisoned by a person named Nyelpa Jangchub Bum (gnyal pa byang chub 'bum, d.u.) and went to Tsurpu Monastery (mtshur phu dgon) for treatment. After recovering from the attempt on his life, he moved to the Jangtang (byang thang) region, settling in a place called Drol (grol). While there Jikten Gonpo Rinchen Pel ('jig rten mgon po rin chen dpal, 1143-1217) requested that he return to Daklha Gampo and resume the office of abbot.

Back at the monastery Dakpo Duldzin set about building a new temple, apparently aspiring to one with sixteen columns but laying the foundation for one with forty instead, completed in three years.

Dakpo Duldzin passed away in 1218, at the age of seventy-five. His successor as abbot of Daklha Gampo was his nephew, Drigung Lingpa Sherab Jungne ('bri gung gling pa shes rab 'byung gnas, 1187-1241).