Apen Tulku, Karma Zopa Zangpo, was born to a father named Drakga (grags dga') or Drakden (grags ldan) in the Tana family line associated with Tana Monastery (rta rna dgon) and the Yelpa Kagyu lineage.
He took novice and full monastic ordination with Dabzang Rinpoche Ngedon Chokyi Gyeltsen (zla bzang nges don chos kyi rgyal mtshan)—likely the reincarnation of Dabzang Karma Ngedon (zla bzang karma nges don, 1808–1867)—who gave him the name Karma Zopa Zangpo (karma bzod pa bzang po). Under Dabzang Rinpoche's guidance, he did extensive tantric practice at Dilyak Monastery's (dil yag dgon) retreat center, where he became an accomplished meditator.
After his retreat, he stayed at both Pelpung (dpal spungs) and Tsurpu (mtshur phu) monasteries where he received extensive empowerments, transmissions, and instructions from the Sixteenth Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpai Dorje (karma pa 16 rang byung rig pa'i rdo rje, 1924–1981); the Tenth Tai Situ, Pema Wangchok Gyelpo (ta'i sit u 10 pad+ma dbang mchog rgyal po, 1886–1952); the First Beru Khyentse. Jamyang Khyentse Wozer (P931 karma 'jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse'i 'od zer, 1896–1945); the Second Jamgon Kongtrul ('jam mgon kong sprul 02, 1904–1953/1954); and Tsike Chokling (rtsi ke mchong gling, 1871–1939). Among the teachings he received were the Treasury of Revelations (rin chen gter mdzod) and the Chokling Tersar (mchog gling gter gsar), the collected revelations of Chokgyur Lingpa (mchog 'gyur gling pa, 1829–1870).
He was installed as the regent of Dilyak Monastery, serving for the young Third Dabzang Rinpoche, Ngedon Drubgyud Chokyi Nyima (1929–1992), and he became preceptor to the king of Nangchen, Tashi Tsewang Tobgyel (bkra shis tshe dbang stobs rgyal) and his ministers, as well as to the leaders of Dompa (sdom pa), Drongpa ('brong pa), Kyungpo (khyung po), Ashak (a shag), and Drongsar ('drong sar). These leaders asked him to oversee the renovation of a number of sacred buildings and structures in the region, which he did for three years. He also sponsored the installation of new religious images and objects.
He passed away in 1959 or 1960 at the age of fifty-eight. His cremation was reportedly accompanied by many auspicious signs.
དཔྱད་གཞིའི་ཡིག་ཆ་ཁག།
Unknown. (n.d.). Yel pa bka' brgyud pa'i dgon rnams. In Khams sgom sde nang chen pa'i dgon khag rnams kyi byung ba phyogs bsgrigs rin chen sgrom brgya 'byed pa'i deb ther gser gyi lde mig, vol. 1, pp. 540. Nang chen rdzong srid gros rig gnas lo rgyus gzhung don khang. BDRC MW00EGS1016686_7C0D4C