The Fourth Nyingon Choktrul, Sonam Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 04 bsod nams rdo rje) was born in Litang in Kham (khams li thang) in the nineteenth century. He was identified as the reincarnation of the Third Nyingon Choktrul, Zhenpen Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 03 gzhan phan rdo rje, d.u.) and brought to Katok Monastery where he was enthroned to the seat of the monastery. He passed away at a very young age.

Samten Chhosphel earned his PhD from CIHTS in India where he served as the head of Publication Dept. for 26 years. He has a Master’s degree in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Boston. Currently he is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the City University of New York, and Language Associate in Columbia University, NY.

Published December 2011