The Treasury of Lives

The third Riwoche Jedrung, Drakpa Lekdrub (ri bo che rje drung 03 grags pa legs grub) was born in 1646. He studied reading and writing with Drarampa Drakpa Puntsok (sgra raM pa grags pa phun tshogs, d.u.). It is not clear who recognized him as the incarnation of the second Riwoche Jedrung Drakpa Gyeltsen (ri bo che rje drung 02 grags pa rgyal mtshan, 1591-1642).

When he was six years old Drakpa Lekdrub went to Riwoche Monastery and took novice ordination with the twentieth throne-holder of Taklung Monastery, Tashi Peldrub (bkra shis dpal grub, 1600-1671/1672), who gave him the name Drakpa Tenkyong (grags pa bstan skyong). It is said that once while playing outside he put his hand on a rock and left a very clear impression.

Not long afterwards he took full ordination, receiving the name Ngawang Drakpa Lekdrub Rinchen Wozer Sherab Pelzang (ngag dbang grags pa legs grub rin chen 'od zer shes rab dpal bzang po). Tashi Peldrub gave him instruction in sutra and tantra, in particular the new translation Hevajra system of Dznyana.

In accordance with the wishes of the local ruler, Tashi Peldrub later returned to Riwoche and helped Drakpa Lekdrub put a new Chinese-style roof on the main temple at Riwoche. He gave transmissions and empowerments in the Taklung tradition, including Hevajra, and ordained a number of new monks before again returning to Tibet. Drakpa Lekdrub himself went to Tibet, making pilgrimage to many holy sites in U and Tsang and receiving additional teachings from Tashi Peldrub at Taklung Monastery. While he was there his teacher passed away, and Drakpa Lekdrub arranged for the funeral and the reliquary.

Drakpa Lekdrub remained at Taklung for the reminder of his life, training the next generation of lamas there, including the reincarnation of his teacher, a boy named Jampel Gyatso ('jam dpal rgya mtsho, d.u.).