The Treasury of Lives

The Third Nyingon Choktrul, Zhenpen Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 03 gzhan phan rdo rje) was born in Yonru Pontsang (g.yon ru dpon tshang) in the nineteenth century. He was identified as the reincarnation of the Second Nyingon Choktrul, Osel Dorje Nyingpo (nyin dgon mchog spurl 02 'od gsal rdo rje snying po, d.u.), and was educated by numerous eminent teachers including the Second Katok Situ, Chokyi Lodro (kaH thog si tu 02 chos kyi blo gros, 1820-1879) and the First Tsopu Drubchen, Choying Rangdrol (mtsho phu grub chen 01 chos dbyings rang grol, d.u.).

He mastered the Katok tradition, in particular the treasure teachings of Rigdzin Dundul Dorje (rig 'dzin bdud 'dul rdo rje, 1615-1672) and Longsel Nyingpo (klong gsal snying po, 1698-1755).

Zhenpen Dorje either established or renovated and strengthened a monastic college at the Geluk Litang Monastery called Nyingma Dratsang (rnying ma grwa tshang) that housed about hundred monks engaged in the study of the Nyingma tradition. No further details of his life are available.