The Treasury of Lives

The Reting incarnation line dates to the eighteenth century when the Second Reting, Lobzang Yeshe Tenpa Rabgye was recognized as the reincarnation of Ngawang Chokden, the Fifty-fourth Ganden Tripa, who would be posthumously known as the First Reting Rinpoche. The Seventh Dalai Lama gave Reting Monastery, established in 1056 by Dromtonpa as the seat of the Kadampa school, to Trichen Ngawang Chokden upon his retirement; the monastery became the seat of the Reting incarnation line. The Reting tulkus were one of only a few high-ranking incarnation lines empowered to become regent of Tibet during the absence or minority of the Dalai Lamas.