The Treasury of Lives

The Shechen Kongtrul incarnation line was based at Shechen Monastery, and began when Pema Drime Lekpai Lodro was recognized as the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtrul.

Timeline

Biographies

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye

b.1813 - d.1899

Jamgon Kongtrul is often described as one of the greatest scholars in the history of Tibet. A Karma Kagyu lama and model of rime ecumenical activity, he collaborated closely with the Sakya lama Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and the Nyingma treasure revealer Chokgyur Lingpa, in the opening of sacred sites and the revelation of treasure. His prodigious literary output, categorized as the Five Treasuries, cover the entire range of Tibetan Buddhist theory and ritual as well as numerous other topics, and preserved scores of Tibetan religious traditions that were at the time in danger of being lost. Based primarily at Pelpung Monastery, in Derge in eastern Tibet, he built the nearby hermitage of Tsadra Rinchen Drak, which became his personal seat. Multiple incarnation lines were recognized after his death, including the main Jamgon Kongtrul line, based at Pelpung, the Dzogchen Kongtrul line and the Dzigar Kongtrul line.