The Treasury of Lives

Little is known about the life of Hangri Kachu Chopel Zangpo (hang ri dka' bcu chos dpal bzang po). He was likely born in U in the mid-fifteenth century, as sources state that he was born at the same time as the First Pakpa Lha, Pakpa Dechen Dorje ('phags pa lha 01 'phags pa bde chen rdo rje, 1439-1487).

In his youth, Chopel Zangpo studied in both Sakya and Geluk traditions in U and Tsang. He received the vows of full ordination of monks from Choje Lodo Tenpa (chos rje blo gros brtan pa, d.u.) in Ganden Monastery. Later he met Drukpa Gyelwang Choje ('brug pa rgyal dbang chos rje, d.u.) and followed him to the Kenta Kyitsel (kyen ta ki tshal) and Tsari regions (tsA ri phyogs) where they engaged in various dharma activities.

At some point Chopel Zangpo founded the monastery of Draksum Puri (brag gsum spu ri'i dgon pa). He met a certain Choje Zhamarwa (chos rje zha dmar ba, d.u.) who appointed him as the head of Taktse Monastery (stag rtse dgon pa). Later he met Pakpa Lha and received a number of teachings and empowerment from him; he subsequently lived very close with Pakpa Lha.

The First Pakpa Lha sent Chopel Zangpo to establish the Hangri Drubde (hang ri sgrub sde) in Dapu (mda' phu). He is said to have run the monastery smoothly in terms of the religious activities and financial situation. A great number of followers gathered there for his teachings and other religious performances. He also founded Jamkhar Hermitage (byams mkhar gyi ri khrod) that was said to have been foretold by ḍākinīs.

The length of life of this lama and other details are not available.

Joten Rabjampa Shakya Gyeltsen (jo stan rab 'byams pa shA kya rgyal mtshan), also known as Lhawang Lekpai Lodro (lha dbang legs pai blo gros), a contemporary of the Second Pakpa L, Sanggye Pel ('phags pa lha 02 sangs rgyas dpal, 1507-1566), was identified as his reincarnation. He is considered a prior birth of the Kondor Tulku line.