The Jamgon Kongtrul incarnation line began with the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, a master of Pelpung Monastery who was one of the most influential Tibetans of the nineteenth century. Multiple other incarnations of Lodro Taye were identified, including the Dzogchen Kongtrul line based at Dzogchen Monastery, the Zhechen Kongtrul based at Zhechen Monastery, Dzigar Kongtrul, based at Tsokha Monastery, and Kalu Rinpoche, based at Tsādra Rinchen Drak.
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.
