The Rongwo Drubchen incarnation line dates to the seventeenth century when Ngawang Trinle Gyatso was identified as the reincarnation of Shar Kelden Gyatso, who was posthumously named the First Rongwo Drubchen. The seat is at Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, Amdo, where the First Rongwo Drubchen established a Geluk college, and thus converted the institution from Sakya to Geluk. The line is also called the Shar Kelden incarnation line.
Biographies
The Seventh Rongwo Drubchen, Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso
b.1916 - d.1978
The Seventh Rongwo Drubchen, Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso was a Geluk lama based at Rongwo monastery in Amdo. He was educated at Labrang Tashikhyil.
The First Rongwo Drubchen, Shar Kelden Gyatso
b.1607 - d.1677
Shar Kelden Gyatso was a prominent Lama of Geluk Lama based at Rongwo Monastery. He was trained in Lhasa for ten years before returning to Amdo where he continued his education and ultimately became abbot of Rongwo Monastery, which he converted to the Geluk tradition. He was posthumously named the First Rongwo Drubchen.
