Ling Lineage

Indeed, it is near impossible to archive a detail chronicle of Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche’s incarnate lineage. But, a humble attempt to gain a glimpse of his glorious incarnate lineage (major ones) post Lord Gautam Buddha Shakyamuni (the fourth Buddha of this eon) to till date would inspire many to emulate him and this in according to unfailing wise words trust-worthies.
Some of the popular ones in India.

1.Charka the Arhat or Dachompa (Foe-destroyer). He has long been a Bodhisattva’s accomplice to numerous predecessors of Lord Buddha. He was an inner circle high-ranked minister in the court of King Suddhodana, the father of Buddha Shakyamuni. Later, Lord Budha Shakyamuni was giving sermons at Nyanyoe ( ) upon gaining full enlightenment and he was the last messenger sent by the King Suddhodana to woo Lord Buddha back to reign the kingdom. Instead, mesmerized by Lord Buddha’s grace, like all others before, he became a monk and attained Arhathood (Dachompa, Foe-destroyer) in this very life. Lord Buddha had explicitly prophesied him to be an outstanding Champion in instilling faith in ‘Lay-person’ and subdue them through Dharma.

2.Tramsey Rigche Serma (A Brahmin) He was an expert on all aspects of Veda and all branches of it.

3.Drupchen Palkyong (A great saint) Reached high level of Sa-lam (Ground and path) --graded path to enlightenment) with deep extensive Tantric practices of both generation and completion stages rewarded by genuine realization of the ultimate bliss.

4.Gyalpo Padma Chen (The great king of Oddiyana) Gyalpo Padma Chen, the great king of Oddiyana, the land of the deep and secretive Vajra Tantra teachings of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni (the 4th Buddha).

5.Gyalpo Rabsang (A king) A great king who king who ruled the kingdom with both Spiritual and Temporal righteousness.

6.Gyalpo Shinta Chen (A king) He was a Champion charioteer of both Spiritual and Temporal.

7.Gyalpo Langpo Kyong (A king) Ruled the kingdom with great efficiency, subduing the bad with strict enforcement of law and taking care of good with kindness.

8.Trupthop Thoortroepa (A cemetery-saint) Had lived a simple unattached life at cemeteries in order to remind him of ‘Impermanence’ always. And some of the well-known later incarnate lineages in Tibet.

9.Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drak (A Great Yogi and translator) Believed to be a manifestation of Jigche or Vajrabhairava (deity) he pioneered the genuine Tantric practice and transmission of Pal Dorje Jigche Tantra in Tibet. Reputed for his Yogi supernatural powers throughout ten directions.

10.Akhu Trothoong Pawu (A Gallantry) He was a gallantry (warrior) and an inner circle minister under the legendary King Gesar Gyalpo.

11.Chayulwa Shonnu Woe (A practitioner) Excellent practice in concealment, he scaled high level of paths being able to thoroughly channelize all the invaluable teachings and practices of Jowo Kanampa into the sequential practice of the three individuals—(lesser, middle and higher beings).

12.Terton Chenpo Ogyen Lingpa (A Discoverer of treasure) A great Discoverer of treasure prophesied by none other than the Great Guru Padmasambhava (Founder of Nyingpa tradition and was mainly responsible for the spreading of Buddhism in Tibet, otherwise hindered by evil forces).

13.Drubchen Rigzin Dorje (A yogi) He was a renowned Yogi capable of experiencing the deep and clear spontaneous ultimate bliss eternally.

14.Drubthop Dorje Duedul (A saint) Reputed champion conquerer of all evils internal and external.

15.Khechok Gyamapa (A great scholar) A renowned scholar, well versed in all the three canons of the Lord Buddha’s teachings.

16.Trichen Dhondup Gyatso, the 1st Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche Tehor Nagtsangpa (1655-1702) Trichen Dhondup Gyatso, as was popularly known, was born at Tehor Nagtsang in 1655 and made to the central land of Dharma (Lhasa) in 1667. Joining Hardong Khangtsen of the great Drepung Tashi Gomang Monastic University, he successfully completed an extensive in-depth study of all five major Texts right from Duedra (preliminaries to fine-tune debating skills for later application) and was deservingly conferred a 1st Ranked Geshe Lharampa Title (Doctorate of Meta Physic) at the Great Lhasa Monlam Festival. At a young age of 28, he became the abbot of Palden Tashi Gomang monastery. At 41, he became the abbot of Palden Gyudmed Tantric Monastery. And subsequently, he ascended the prestigious Golden Gaden Throne (the highest post in Gelug order hierarchy) in 1702 at the age of 48 relinquishing the Sharpa Choeje post. He was Tutor to His Holiness the Tsangyang Gyatso, the 6th Dalai Lama. He lived in seclusion at Chayul Mangra Monastery in central upper region after the successful completion of his seven-year term as Gaden Tripa and he passed away in 1727 at the age of 73.

17.Gedun Tenpai Gyaltsen, the 2nd Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche (1728-1790) He was seen as a welcome addition to Telghong Household of Chayul Mangra region (Central Upper Tibet) in 1728. And got enrolled at Chayul Mangra Gon, the Seat (Study Center) of the renowned Kadampa Geshe Shonnu Woe after being recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor Trichen Dhondup Gyatso. Coming of age, he set on for Lhasa and joined Drepung Tashi Gomang monastery and immersed himself into the rigorous focused study of all five major Tests. His fame as a scholar spread far and wide with his excellent exhibition of in-depth vast knowledge at the Great Lhasa Monlam Chenmo Festival Geshe Lharampa Debates amidst large congregation of learned. He was appointed as the Patron-Guru (U-la) of Kham Den Choekhor Ling Monastery by His Holiness Kelsang Gyatso, the 7th Dalai Lama and dispatched to Kham. Conferred the famed title of ‘Ertini Dalai Hothothu’ for his illuminating examplary service to Dharama. Left his worldly body in 1790.

18.Lobsang TenpaiGyaltsen, the 3rd Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche. (1791-1810) Born at Lingtsang, Kham Dherge in 1791. Making to the central Dharma Land (Lhasa), he joined Ling Khangtsen, Drepung Loseling Monastic University as Lingtsang Den Choekhor Ling Monastery is affiliated to it-- and hence all it’s monks coming to the centre pursuing intense Advanced Buddhist studies join Ling Khangtsen. Later he stayed on at Ling Khangtsen despite being recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor the Tritul and great effort being made to welcome him to Palden Gomang Monastery. And hence ‘Lingtul (Ling reincarnation) and his successor 75th Gaden Tripa being a Tutor or ‘yongzin’ to His Holiness the 11th Dalai Lama; his glorious incarnate lineage came to be known popularly as ‘Yongzin Ling Rinpoche’ or ‘Ling Yongzin’. Unfortunately, he passed away as an under-graduate wholly immersed in his studies and practice of Dharma in 1810, at the young age of 20.

19.Ngawang Lungtok Yonten Gyatso,the 4th Yongzin Ling Rinpoche (75th Gaden Throne Holder and Tutor to His Holiness the 11th Dalai Lama). (1811-1853) In 1811, he was born as a son to mother Dolma in Pomed and named Tashi. His Holiness Lungtok Gyatso, the 9th Dalai Lama christened him Ngawang Lungtok Yonten Gyatso as he was recognised as the reincarnation of his predecessor Lobsang Tenpai Gyaltsen as a result of divine traditional Golden-urn-shake of candidates short-listed through several stages. Studying at Ling Khangtsen, Drepung Loseling Monastic University and as a result of many years of intense study; he charmed one and all by his amazing knowledge on all Five Major Texts at Geshe Lharam Debate Rounds during the Great Lhasa Monlam Chenmo Festival witnessed by ocean of wise, learned monks of SeDreGa-soom. Having completed his study of ‘Sutra’, he joined Gyutoe Tantric Monastic Unversity to pursue the Tantric studies and he mastered all the matters of all the four classes or levels of Tantra. Did extensive teachings after becoming Sharpa Choeje (Gaden throne holder in waiting from Shartse side) and ascended the Golden Gaden throne in 1847 at the age of just 40. Almost simultaneously, he became a Tutor to His Holiness Khedup Gyatso, the 11th Dalai Lama in 1847.?At the same time he had quenched the spiritual thirst of many scholar-saints besides numerous devout disciples in Tibet, China and Mongolia. Successfully completing his term as Gaden Tripa in 1853, he left this world in 1855.

20.Lobsang Lungtok Tenzin Thinley, the 5th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche (Sharpa Choeje) 1856-1902 Born in 1856, and was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor Ngawang Lungtok Yonten Gyatso as he had an exceedingly charming behavior at a very tender Age. Later, he joined Drepung Loseling Monastic University and Gyutoe Tantric Monastery in pursuit of sutra and Tantra studies respectively. Gifted with great intelligence and many years of rigorous hard work, he became a reputed scholar of high calibre on both Sutra and Tantra matters. Unsatisfied by mere assimilation of knowledge, he set on to meditate at serene isolated place like Drigung Chayul Mangra Gon striving to streamlining every practice into a means to mould the unruly mind -- and his sincere effort bore fruit manifested by his serene behavior and ultra in-depth insight on vital matters like emptiness. His work ‘18th staircase’ written at the age of 25, has been very beneficial to all till date. He became the Lama Uze and the abbot of Gyutoe Tantric Monastery very soon. In 1895, he became a Tutor to His Holiness Thupten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama and imparted him ocean of various sutra and Tantra teachings. Had done a lot of beneficial service to both Dharma and sentient beings even after ascending the throne of Sharpa Choeje and breathed his last in 1902.

21.Thupten Lungtok Namgyal Thinley, the 6th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche (97th Gaden Throne Holder) 1903-- 1983 In 1903, he made intentional rebirth in this samsara for the welfare of fellow beings at Toelung Karbok. He was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor Lobsang Lungtok Tenzin Thinley through the unmistakable explicitly clear prophesies of many Dharma-protectors like Drepung’s Emanating Nechung Oracle and the Gadong (both invoked and in trance) confirmed by beyond doubt by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s superhuman vision. Right away, he composed a eulogy and prayer – Excellent gifting of deathless and all-wishes, a prayer for eternal living – for the young incarnation. In 1912 (Water-Mouse year), at the age of 9, he was enrolled at Drepung Loseling Monastic University, a Seat for Advanced Buddhist Studies and Practices. The next year (Water-Ox year) he received his novice (Sramanera) vows and in 1922 (Water-Dog year) at 20, fully ordained (Bhikshu) vows from His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1924, he had his Geshe Lharampa Debate Rounds at the Gret Lhasa Monlam Chenmo Festival and mesmerized one and all with his profound knowledge of all the Five Major Texts.?In 1938, at the age of 36, he began his tenure as the Abbot of Gyutoe Tantric Monastery. In 1940, he was appointed as a Tsenshab (Debate-mate and guidance) of his Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso and subsequently promoted to Junior and Senior Tutor to his Holiness in 1941 and 1953 respectively. In 1949, he assumed the responsibility of Sharpa Choeje. He bestowed the fully ordained (Bhikshu) vows to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in front of the holy Lhasa Jowo Rinpoche during 1954 Lhasa Monlam Chenmo Festival. In 1965, at Bodh Gaya (India), he was formally enthroned as 97th Gaden Throne Holder as per His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s sealed command in 1960 instructing him to ascend the Golden Gaden Throne. On 25th December’1983, at 81, he left us, but only after remaining in deep meditative equipoise for a long period.

22.Tenzin Lungtok Thinley Choephak, the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche 1985. Born at McLeod Ganj Dharamsala HP in a family that came from Bir Tibetan Settlement (India) in 1985. In 1987 His Holiness the Dalai Lama had recognized him as the reincarnation of his predecessor Thupten Lungtok Namgyal Thinley and an enthronement ceremony followed.?In 1990, he was formally enrolled at Drepung and Loseling Monastery with ceremonies and offerings being made to the holy sangha community. At the age of 8, he received his vows of Upasaka (ordained lay person), Pravrajya (ordination) and Sramanera (novice monk) in quick succession from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And soon, as per His Holiness’s guidance, he embarked on his spiritual journey at Drepung Loseling Monastic University to study all the Five Major Texts and many other commentaries on them. On 3rd March’2004, at 20, His Holiness the Dalai Lama acting as both the abbot and master (khen-lop), bestowed him the fully ordained monk’s (Bhikshu) vows amidst right-sized sangha and excellent ritual pujas.?In 2006, he was on Debating Rounds to all the 25 Khangtsens (houses) of the monastery on the 4th chapter of Prajnaparamita (Pharchin Kaabshipa) followed by more taxing Debating Rounds at the Debating court-yards of Loseling and Drepung Tsokchen ---in line with good tradition of Tibet. All these culminating to an overwhelming climax of a grand Tsoglang Debate (debating at the Congregation) at Drpung Tsokchen on the auspicious occasion Drepung Lubum (Lakhs of Nagas) Anniversary witnessed by the whole monk-congregation of Drepung Monastery full of well versed monks. He had paid visits to South Korea, France, Mon (A.P.India).Ladhak(Jammu, India) and many others on several times and given numerous teachings to thousands of devout aspirants depending on their tastes and spiritual level. Presently, he is focusing himself entirely on his study and practice of Buddha Dharma hoping to emulate his predecessor’s great deeds, for the sake of all sentient beings and Buddha Dharma.

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