The Treasury of Lives

The Fifth Nyingon Choktrul, Gyurme Kelzang Tobgyel Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 05 'gyur med skal bzang stobs rgyal rdo rje) was born in 1937. Sources differ as to the identity of his father: either Tsashul Terton Sonam Gyatso (rtsa shul gter ston bsod nams rgya mtsho, 1890-1958) or Terton Sogyel Lerab Lingpa  (gter ston bsod rgyal las rab gling pa, 1856-1926), a prominent Nyingma treasure revealer who was also known as Tsashul Terton. This is surely incorrect, given that Lerab Lingpa passed away a decade before Gyurme Kelzang was born.

He was identified as the reincarnation of the Fourth Nyingon Choktrul, Sonam Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 04 bsod nams rdo rje, d.u.) by Jamgon Chokyi Lodro ('jam mgon chos kyi blo gros, 1893-1959) who brought him to Katok. There he studied under some distinguished teachers that included Khenchen Lekshe Jorden (nus ldan mkhan po legs bshad 'byor ldan, d.u.), the Third Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyel (dge rtse 03 'gyur med bstan pa rnam rgyal, 1886-1952), and the Fourth Chaktsa, Kunzang Pema Trinle Gyatso (phyag tsha 04 kun bzang pad+ma 'phrin las rgya mtsho, d.u.). He became a noted teacher in the Katok tradition and spent his life teaching.

He passed away in 1979. His disciple, Derge Khenpo Sherab Zangpo (sde dge mkhan po shes rab bzang po, d.u.), who is the incarnation of Tsashul Terton Sonam Gyatso, recently restored Tsashul Monastery.