His Eminence the Kundeling Tatsak Jedrung Hutoktu Nomun Khan represents a revered lineage of Lamas, distinguished for their profound influence and storied legacies. Widely celebrated across Tibet, India, China, and Mongolia, they are known for their pivotal contributions to Buddhism and their dual roles as spiritual leaders and political figures.
The great Buddhist Master Baso Choekyi Gyaltsen, the first incarnation in the lineage, was born in 1402. He remains an eminent figure in Tibetan Buddhist history, revered for his profound teachings, unwavering commitment to the Dharma, and his significant contributions to both spiritual and secular realms. Not only did he leave a great legacy in his own time, but throughout his successive reincarnations the lineage served as Regent of Tibet twice, recognized the Ninth and Thirteenth Dalai Lamas without the need for the Golden Urn Method, and served as tutor to the Eleventh and Thirteenth Dalai Lamas.
The influence of the lineage extended far beyond Tibet, serving as Chief Spiritual Advisor to the emperor of China and to a king of Mongolia, and holding the prestigious position of abbot of the Yonghe Gong in Beijing. Even today, His Eminence the 13th Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche travels widely across the globe giving teachings and promoting ethical values.
First Reincarnation — Baso Choekyi Gyaltsen (1402–1473)
H.H. the 1st Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche, Trichen (the Great Ganden Throne Holder) Baso Choekyi Gyaltsen, was born in 1402 and was the younger brother of the First Panchen Lama. At a young age he became a novice monk and a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa and Khedrup Rinpoche. After receiving all the teachings from these masters, he meditated at a place called Baso in the Tsang region, where he attained a high level of experience and realization — and so came to be known as Baso Choeje.
In accordance with a prophecy from Manjushri, he became the sole custodian of the secret Ear-Whispered oral transmission of Guru Yoga. At the recommendation of the First Dalai Lama, Gendun Drup, he became the Sixth Ganden Tripa, the holder of Je Tsongkhapa’s golden throne. He passed away in 1473 amid many auspicious signs, leaving a great body of work including on the Madhyamaka Middle Way view.
Second Reincarnation — Phakwon Lhakyab (1474–1508)
Phakwon Lhakyab entered spiritual practice from a very tender age, listening to the profound Dharma from many great masters. He stayed at Drepung Monastery and completely studied the Collected Topics on Prime Cognitions and Buddhist Philosophy, becoming a great scholar, and spent a long time in solitary meditation at the White House in Olkha.
Third Reincarnation — Choekyi Gyalpo of Khotan (1509–1526)
Choekyi Gyalpo of Khotan was appreciated by all for his virtuous qualities, logic, and wisdom. Proficient in literature, mathematics, arts, and science, he engaged in generosity and righteous works selflessly. In due course he achieved the Stage of the Enlightenment of Union through realizing the Great Secret Vehicle Path.
Fourth Reincarnation — Lhawang Choeyi Gyaltsen (1537–1604)
Lhawang Choekyi Gyaltsen studied under great teachers including His Holiness the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso. He taught Madhyamaka, Perfection of Wisdom, Abhidharma, and Vinaya, and established a variety of gracious traditions of practice including Guhyasamaja, Cakrasamvara, Bhairava, and Kalachakra. He compiled the illustrious commentary known as the Annotation of Ivory (Basoi Chen) on the Stages of the Path, and left many literary works.
Fifth Reincarnation — Ngawang Choekyi Wangchuk (1606–1652)
Ngawang Choekyi Wangchuk recited mantras even before the age of one. He offered his first haircut to His Holiness the Fourth Dalai Lama Yonten Gyatso and received full ordination from Panchen Choekyi Gyaltsen. He became the spiritual and temporal leader of more than thirty monasteries, and created numerous masterworks of painting and sculpture with his own hand.
Sixth Reincarnation — Ngawang Konchok Tenpai Nyima (1653–1703)
Ngawang Konchok Tenpai Nyima offered his first haircut to His Holiness the Fifth Dalai Lama and studied the Fundamental Scriptural Systems at Sera Je Monastery. He visited the great Mongolian kingdoms as the representative of the Dalai Lama and reconciled ethnic disputes between the Khalkha and Oirat tribes, later becoming spiritual advisor at the imperial court. He built the glorious Ganden Namgyal Palace in Pashod and extended enlightened activity across Mongolia and China.
Seventh Reincarnation — Lobsang Palden Tenpai Gyaltsen (1708–1758)
Lobsang Palden Tenpai Gyaltsen was recognized and enthroned at the age of five. He studied at Gomang Monastic College and received numerous empowerments and secret instructions. At the request of His Holiness he visited the Chinese Emperor and became the Abbot of the Yonghe (Peace and Harmony) Palace Temple in Beijing, enhancing the teaching of the Buddha, and was honoured with the title of Abbot of Perfect Wisdom Meditation.
Eighth Reincarnation — Regent Yeshi Lobsang Tenpai Gonpo (1760–1810)
Yeshi Lobsang Tenpai Gonpo studied for many years, met the Chinese Emperor, and received teachings from Changkya Rinpoche before returning to Tibet to study at Gomang Monastic College. He newly formed the Kundeling Community and built more than a thousand images and sacred texts. During twenty years as Regent of Tibet, he served the country in both spiritual and temporal affairs, maintaining a steady diplomatic relationship with China. He left three volumes of literary work.
Ninth Reincarnation — Ngawang Lobsang Tenpai Gyaltsen (1811–1854)
Ngawang Lobsang Tenpai Gyaltsen was consecrated at Pashod Monastery and studied the major scriptural systems at Gomang Monastic College. He received the empowerments and instructions of Kalachakra, Guhyasamaja, Cakrasamvara, and Vajra Bhairava from the great master Trichen Dorje Chang, gave numerous teachings across the Kham regions, and became tutor to His Holiness the Eleventh Dalai Lama Khedrup Gyatso. He left a number of literary works.
Tenth Reincarnation — Ngawang Palden Choekyi Gyaltsen (1886)
Ngawang Palden Choekyi Gyaltsen fully studied and practiced the five major scriptural systems at Gomang Monastic College and earned the Geshe Lharampa degree. He recognized and declared the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama without relying upon China, and also became his tutor. Renowned for his ritual mastery, he served as an invincible Regent, safeguarding the religion and politics of the state, and left many teachings and literary works.
Eleventh Reincarnation — Ngawang Thupten Kalsang Tenpai Dronmey (1888–1918)
Ngawang Thupten Kalsang Tenpai Dronmey offered his first haircut to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and achieved first position in the Geshe Lharampa degree at Gomang College. He received numerous empowerments, oral instructions, and authorizations from more than a dozen great tutors, and was renowned for his supernatural accomplishment — famously restoring the water at Dhem Watak Monastery that had dried for many years.
Twelfth Reincarnation — Lobsang Thubten Jigme Gyaltsen (1924–1956)
Lobsang Thubten Jigme Gyaltsen offered his first haircut to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, completed the five major scriptural systems, and won first position in the Geshe Lharampa degree. He received many initiations and secret transmissions of sutra and tantra. He travelled to China as the representative of His Holiness for a religious conference, imparted many prophecies, and built a marvellous statue of the Wish-granting White Tara.
Thirteenth Reincarnation — Jetsun Tenzin Choekyi Gyaltsen Palzangpo (Present)
The Kundeling Tatsak Jedrung Rinpoche Jetsun Tenzin Choekyi Gyaltsen Palzangpo was born to Mr. Lobsang Dhodup and Mrs. Chime Youdon with many miraculous signs in Lhasa, Central Tibet, in 1983. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Tatsak Jedrung Rinpoche through the converging opinions of the State Oracle Nechung Choegyal Chenpo, Lamo Tsangpa, and examinations carried out by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Arriving safely in India, he offered his first haircut to His Holiness, who blessed him with the name Tenzin Choekyi Gyaltsen Palzangpo and composed a Long Life Prayer for him. Under his principal tutor, the Venerable Lobsang Tsultrim Palzangpo, he completed the traditional curriculum at Drepung Gomang Monastic University with humility and exemplary discipline, and continued higher tantric training at Gyumed Tantric Monastery.
Acting on the guidance of His Holiness, he actively promotes universal human values, interreligious and non-sectarian harmony, dialogue between Buddhism and modern science, and the Middle Way Approach. He restored the rare lineage of the Hundred Empowerments of the Rosary of Gems (Wangya Norbu Trengwa) after receiving its complete transmission from His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. He now travels widely, raising the Victorious Banner of the Buddha’s teaching for the benefit of all sentient beings.