His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche
H. H. Taklung Kyabgon Tsetrul Thupaten Gyaltsen Rinpoche is the Dharma King of the Drak Dorje (Vajra or Indestructible Rock) Monastery, one of the six main Nyingma Monasteries, founded in 1610 by Rigdzin Ngakgi (Aji) Wangpo (1580-1639). This monastery specialized in the changter or jangter tradition of Rigdzin Godem (1337-1408). Rigdzin Godem was the master of the "northern terma (treasures)" tradition of the Nyingma school. Rigdzin Godem literally means "the vidyadhara with the vulture feather." He received this name because three vulture feathers grew from his head when he was twelve years old, and five more when he was twenty-four. A reincarnation of Dorje Dudjom of Nanam, one of the nine close Tibetan disciples of Guru Padmasambhava, he is also counted among the five king-like tertons and one of the three nirmanakays of Guru Padmasambhava.
See the book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for a more detailed biography and H. H. Dharma King Taklung Tsetrul's commentary on the accomplishments of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu.
Return to NYINGMA LINEAGE
Return to LINEAGE CHART

Rigdzin Godem (1337-1408)
Ferry across the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River to Drak Dorje Monastery.
Drak Dorje Monastery on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, south of Lhasa. Click photo for enlargement.