The Chonyi Gyatso incarnation line originated in the late seventeenth century with the First Chonyi Gyatso, Chopa Lugu, a minor but colorful figure associated with Katok Monastery and the treasures of Longsel Nyingpo. As his name indicates, he was a master of Chod. It appears that most of the Chonyi Gyatso incarnations studied or spent time at Katok but it is unclear if that was their seat.
Biographies
The First Chonyi Gyatso, Chopa Lugu
b.late 17th cent. - d.mid 18th cent.
The First Chonyi Gyatso, Chopa Lugu was a minor but colorful figure in the early eighteenth century history of Katok Monastery and the tradition of the treasures of Longsel Nyingpo. As his name indicates, he was a master of Chod. He studied under two important lineage holders and trained another.
The Second Chonyi Gyatso, Orgyen Jamyang
b.mid 18th cent. - d.late 18th cent.
The Second Chonyi Gyatso, Orgyen Jamyang, the reincarnation of Chopa Lugu, was a nephew to Sonam Namgyel of Dzaka Monastery, located relatively close to Katok itself. Nothing else is known about this lama.
The Third Chonyi Gyatso, Pelden Dorje
b.late 18th cent. - d.early 19th cent.
The Third Chonyi Gyatso, Pelden Dorje, was a lineage holder in the terma teachings of Dudul Dorje and Longsel Nyingpo. Later in life he revealed various treasures such as the Life-force Empowerment of Madarava and so forth.
The Fourth Chonyi Gyatso, Jampel Dorje
b.mid 19th cent. - d.early 20th cent.
The Fourth Chonyi Gyatso, Jampel Dorje was a student of Second Katok Situ Chokyi Lodro and the Third Drime Zhingkyong, Jigme Yonten Gonpo. He spent the majority of his life at Katok furthering Katok's distinctive traditions of initiations, instructions, and rituals of the Kama and Terma. It is said he had visions of many tutelary deities and was able to dispatch certain deities to do his bidding.
The Fifth Chonyi Gyatso, Pema Trinle
early 20th cent.
The Fifth Chonyi Gyatso, Pema Trinle, was born as a nephew to Getse Gyurme Namgyel. Unfortunately he passed away at a young age.
