Biographical details about the fourteenth abbot of Katok Monastery, Jangchub Gyeltsen (byang chub rgyal mtshan), are few.

He taught extensively and recommended the devotees mainly to follow the practices of Guhyagarbha Tantra, the main tantra of Mahāyoga class of tantra according to the Nyingma tradition, and Dzogchen (rdzogs chen).

In 1439 Jangchub Gyeltsen succeeded the thirteenth abbot of Katok, Jangchub Sengge (byang chub seng+ge, 1377-1439) to the seat of Katok Monastery as its fourteenth abbot. He continued his teachings at the monastery and in the surrounding region.

His disciples included Yeshe Gyeltsen (mkhas grub ye shes rgyal mtshan, b. 1395) who later became a distinguished tantric teacher and the next abbot of the monastery.

Jangchub Gyeltsen passed away at a young age, but details and the date are not 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 April 2011