The Shechen Rabjam incarnation line was established in the eighteenth century when the Second Shechen Rabjam, Gyurme Kunzang Namgyel was recognized as the reincarnation of Tenpai Gyeltsen, who founded a small monastery called Shechen Orgyen Chodzon. The Second Shechen Rabjam relocated and expanded the monastery to form Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling.
Biographies
The First Shechen Rabjam, Tenpai Gyeltsen
b.1650 - d.1704
Tenpai Gyeltsen, the First Shechen Rabjam, was a prominent Nyingma teacher, a student of the First Dzogchen Drubwang, Pema Rigdzin. Based in Kham, he first trained in the Sakya and Geluk traditions in U-Tsang, where he was a student and beneficiary of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso. He is credited with founding what eventually became Shechen Monastery.
The Second Zhechen Rabjam, Gyurme Kunzang Namgyel
b.1713 - d.1769
Gyurme Kunzang Namgyel, the Second Shechen Rabjam, was the brother and disciple of the Second Dzogchen Drubwang, Gyurme Tekchok Tendzin. He founded the branch of Shechen Monastery that later grew into one of the six major centers of Nyingma learning in Tibet.
The Third Shechen Rabjam, Peljor Gyatso
b.1771 - d.1807
Rigdzin Peljor Gyatso Tubten Nyinje was the Third Shechen Rabjam and a disciple of the Third Dzogchen Drubwang, Ngedon Tendzin Zangpo.
The Fourth Zhechen Rabjam, Garwang Chokyi Gyeltsen
b.1811? - d.1862
The Fourth Shechen Rabjam, Garwang Chokyi Gyeltsen, was a close disciple of the Fourth Dzogchen Drubwang, Mingyur Namkai Dorje. He is said to have been a treasure revealer who lived the life of a wandering teacher with no permanent residence, but few details of his life are known.
The Fifth Shechen Rabjam, Pema Tekchok Tenpai Gyeltsen
b.1864 - d.1909
Gyurme Kunzang Tenpai Gyeltsen, the Fifth Shechen Rabjam, was a close disciple of the Fourth Dzogchen Drubwang, Mingyur Namkhai Dorje, and Jamyang Khyentse Wangp.
The Sixth Shechen Rabjam, Nangdze Drupai Dorje
b.1911 - d.1959
