The Gyara Tulkus are said to be the reincarnation of Gyara Sanggye Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Their seat is at Drugu monastery in Kham. The line was established in the mid-16th century when the First Gyara Tulku, Sherab Puntsok was born.
Biographies
The First Gyara Tulku, Sherab Puntsok
b.1566 - d.1632
The First Gyara Tulku, Drubchen Sherab Puntsok, was a close disciple of the Fourth Pakpa Lha and received teachings from other eminent lamas including Jedrung Sherab Wangpo. He founded the monastery Drugu Tanggyi Drubde. He was said to be the reincarnation of Gyara Sanggye Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa.
The Second Gyara Tulku, Konchok Tendzin
b.1634 - d.1644
The Second Gyara Tulku, Konchok Tendzin, was born in Kongpo. He passed away at the age of eleven while en route to be enthroned at Drugu Tang.
The Third Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Puntsok Namgyel
b.1646 - d.1676
The Third Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Puntsok Namgyel, was the younger brother of the Fifth Pakpa Lha. He studied with the Fourth Chakra Tulku in Chamdo and settled at Drugu Tang Monastery, the seat of his incarnation line. The Gyara Tulkus are said to be the reincarnation of Gyara Sanggye Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa.
The Fourth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Tendzin Trinle
b.1681 - d.1731
The Fourth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Tendzin Trinle, was a direct disciple of the Fifth Pakpa Lha and Third Zhiwa Lha and a teacher to the Second Kondor Tulku and the Sixth Pakpa Lha. He constructed the assembly hall and other smaller temples at the Drugu Monastery where he spent his later life in retreat and giving teachings.
The Fifth Gyara Tulku, Kelzang Chodrak Pelden
b.1734 - d.1791
The Fifth Gyara Tulku, Kelzang Chodak Pelden was a Geluk lama based at Drugu Monastery in Kham. He studied in Drepung Loseling and became a popular tantric practitioner.
The Sixth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Chopel
b.1792 - d.1841
The Sixth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Chophel, was a disciple of the Fourth Zhiwa Lha and the Third Kondor Tulku. He studied at Sera Monastery and he served as abbot of a number of monasteries in Kham in addition to his seat, Drugu Tang.
The Seventh Gyara Tulku, Jigme Chokyi Wangchuk
b.1842 - d.1913
The Seventh Gyara Tulku, Jigme Chokyi Wangchuk was a disciple of the Fifth Zhiwa Lha and the Seventh Chakra Tulku, and studied in Drepung Monastery. He served as abbot at his seat, Drugu Monastery, as well as at other monasteries in Kham, and was a principel tutor to the Tenth Pakpa Lha.
The Eighth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Tendzin Chokyi Wangchuk
b.1918 - d.1976
The Eighth Gyara Tulku, Lobzang Tendzin Chokyi Wangchuk, was identified by the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and studied in Drepung, where he was a disciple of Pabongkha Rinpoche and the Senior and Junior Tutors of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. He served as abbot of the Gyara incarnation line's seat, Drugu Monastery, and taught at over fifty other monasteries in Kham. The Gyara Tulkus are said to be the reincarnation of Gyara Sanggye Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa.
