The First Nyingon Choktrul, Jangchub Dorje (nyin dgon mchog sprul 01 byang chub rdo rje) was born in Litang (li thang) in the seventeenth century. He was identified by the First Drime Zhingkyong Gonpo Pel Chokyi Dorje (dri med zhing skyong mgon po dpal chos kyi rdo rje, b.1724) as the reincarnation of a lama named Sanggye Tashi (sangs rgyas bkra shis, d.u.) who resided at Nyingon Monastery (nyin dgon). Sanggye Tashi had served at Katok during the crucial period of transition and revival, and was an important teacher of Rigdzin Longsel Nyingpo (rig 'dzin klong gsal snying po, 1625-1692).

The First Drime Zhingkyong brought Jangchub Dorje to Katok Monastery and supervised his education. He was there known as “Litang Buluk” (li thang bu lugs), with a reputation for lacking interest in the Katok systems of education and practice. This likely reflects the conflict between Drime Zhingkyong and Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu (rig 'dzin tshe dbang nor bu, 1698-1755) for control of Katok and its renovation. Nevertheless he is remembered by the tradition as being highly educated and as having had a high level of realization in his practice.

No further details of his life are known.

Samten Chhosphel earned his PhD from CIHTS in India where he served as the head of Publication Dept. for 26 years. He has a Master’s degree in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Boston. Currently he is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the City University of New York, and Language Associate in Columbia University, NY.

Published December 2011