The Treasury of Lives

The Katok Getse incarnations, based at Katok Monastery, began with Getse Mahāpaṇḍita, one of the most reknowned scholars of the eighteenth century, a prominent chaplain at Derge and the compiler of the Collected Nyingma Tantras. The Fourth Katok Getse passed away in 2018 in Nepal. The Getse incarnations are considered emanations of the bodhisattva Vajrapāṇi, with a preincarnation line that begins with the Indian mahāsiddha Kṛṣṇācārya and includes Namkhai Nyingpo, Zur Śākya Senge, Lingje Repa, Jampa Bum, Sakya Paṇḍita, Dolpopa Sherab Gyeltsen, Śākya Chokden, Tāranātha, and Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu.

Katok is a major Nyingma monastery in Derge that was founded in 1159 by Dampa Deshek. Said to be the oldest Nyingma monastery, it is known for its preservation of the Kama, or Spoken Word, tradition.

Katok Drakdong Ritro, a hermitage affliated with Katok Monastery, was in existence by at least the 19th century when Tubten Gyeltsen Ozer settled there. 

Shedrup Norbu Lhunpo, a college of Katok Monastery, was founded in 1906 or 1907, by the Third Katok Situ, Chokyi Gyatso, who invited Kunzang Pelden to head the institution as its first abbot. Ju Mipam also instructed him to take on this responsibility. Assisted by Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang, Kunzang Pelden served in this position for three years, establishing Shedrub Norbu Lhunpo as a center for Vajrayāna studies.

Katok Ritrö in Pharping is a retreat center established by Chagdud Tulku in 2001.