The Tsurpu Gyeltsab is an important Karma Kamtsang incarnation line established in the fifteenth century with a seat at Tsurpu Monastery. The First Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Peljor Dondrub, was identified by the Sixth Karmapa, Tongwa Donden as the reincarnation of Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk, one of the twenty-five disciples of Padmasambhava. The Sixth Karmapa appointed him the regent, or gyeltsab of his own seat at Tsurpu.
Biographies
The First Gyeltsab, Peljor Dondrub
b.1427 - d.1489
The First Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Peljor Dondrub was a disciple of the Sixth Karmapa, who appointed him regent, the Third Zhamarpa, and others. The Ming Zhengtong Emperor gave him the title of National Preceptor, and thus the Tsurphu Gyeltsab incarnations are also known as Goshri Gyeltsab. He was a teacher to the Seventh Karmapa and the Fourth Zhamarpa.
The Second Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Tashi Namgyel
b.1490 - d.1518
The Second Gyeltsab was a disciple of the Seventh Karmapa, regent of Tsurpu Monastery, and the first main teacher of the Eighth Karmapa, whom he identified.
The Third Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Drakpa Peljor
b.1519 - d.1549
The Fifth Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Drakpa Chokyang
b.1617 - d.1658
The Seventh Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Konchok Wozer
b.1699 - d.1765
The Eighth Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Chopel Zangpo
b.1766 - d.1820
The Ninth Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Yeshe Zangpo
b.1821 - d.1876
The Tenth Tsurpu Gyeltsab, Tenpai Nyima
b.1877 - d.1901