The Tongkhor line of incarnations began in the sixteenth century when, following the death of Dawa Gyeltsen in 1556, Yonten Gyatso was recognized as his reincarnation, named the Second Tongkhor, and installed at Tongkhor Tashilhunpo in Kham. After the death of the Third Tongkhor, Gyelwa Gyatso, the line had two seats, Tashilhunpo in Kham and the other at Ganden Chokhor Ling in Tongkhor county near Lake Kokonor .Following the death of the Fifth Tongkhor, Ngawang Sonam Gyatso, both communities put forward their own reincarnations. There were thus two Sixth Tongkhor lamas: Ngawang Jamyang Tendzin Gyatso and Jampel Gendun Gyatso. The lines conitnued separately thereafter.
Biographies
The Sixth Tongkhor, Ngawang Jamyang Tenzin Gyatso
b.1753 - d.1798
The Sixth Tongkhor, Ngawang Jamyang Tendzin Gyatso, was one of two recognized incarnations of the Fifth Tongkhor, Ngawang Sonam Gyatso. He was based at Amdo Tongkhor Monastery, and was credited with founding Chunak Monastery in 1766. He served as abbot of Sera Me. The other Sixth Tongkhor was Jampel Gendun Gyatso, based in Kham.
The Seventh Tongkhor, Kelzang Jamyang Gyatso
b.1799 - d.1812
The Seventh Tongkhor, Kelzang Jamyang Gyatso, was the recognized reincarnation of the Sixth Tongkhor, Ngawang Jamyang Tendzin Gyatso, based at Amdo Tongkhor Monastery after the Tongkhor incarnation line split following the death of the Fifth Tongkhor, Ngawang Sonam Gyatso. He went to Lhasa at the age of thirteen to study but died soon after arriving. The other Seventh Tongkhor was Lobzang Dogyu Yeshe Tenpai Gyeltsen, based in Kham.
The Eighth Tongkhor, Tubten Jigme Kelzang
b.1812 - d.1819
Tubten Jigme Kelzang was one of two individuals to hold the title of Eighth Tongkhor. Recognized as the reincarnation of Kelzang Jamyang Gyatso, and based at Amdo Tongkhor Monastery, he died at the age of eight. The other Eighth Tongkhor was Ngawang Dogyu Yonten Rabgye, based in Kham.
The Ninth Tongkhor, Tubten Jigme Gyatso
b.1820 - d.1882
Tubten Jigme Gyatso was one of two men to hold the title of Ninth Tongkhor. Identified as the reincarnation of Tubten Jigme Kelzang, he was based at Amdo Tongkhor Monastery. He spent decades in Beijing in the court of four Qing emperors, and also served as tutor to the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The other Ninth Tongkhor was Lobzang Tubten Jikme Tsultrim Gyatso, based at Kham Tongkhor Tashilhunpo.
The Tenth Tongkhor, Lobzang Tenpai Nyima
b.1883 - d.1890
Lobzang Tenpai Nyima was the Tenth Tongkhor of the line based at Tongkhor Ganden Chokhor Ling in Amdo. He passed away at the age of eight.
The Eleventh Tongkhor, Lobzang Jigme Tsultrim Gyatso
b.1891 - d.1909
Lobzang Jigme Tsultrim Gyatso was the Eleventh Tongkhor of the line based at Tongkhor Ganden Chokhor Ling in Amdo. He was the reincarnation of the Tenth Tongkhor Lobzang Tenpai Nyima. He went to Beijing with the Thirteenth Dalai Lama.
The Twelfth Tongkhor, Lobzang Tubten Lungtok Shedrub Gyatso
b.1910 - d.1920
Lobzang Tubten Lungtok Shedrub Gyatso was the Twelfth Tongkhor of the line based at Tongkhor Ganden Chokhor Ling in Amdo. He was the reincarnation of the Eleventh Tongkhor, Lobzang Jigme Tsultrim Gyatso.
The Thirteenth Tongkhor, Lobzang Jangchub Tendzin Gyatso
b.1921 - d.1983
Lobzang Jangchub Tendzin Gyatso was the Thirteenth Tongkhor of the line based at Tongkhor Ganden Chokhor Ling in Amdo. He fled the Communist take over of Tibet and settled in Kalimpong.
