Jamyang Chokyi Lödro

Jamyang Chokyi Lodro Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lödro (Jamyang Chokyi Lödro 1893-1959) was a master of many lineages and a teacher of many of the major figures in 20th century Tibetan Buddhism. He was a major proponent of the Rime tradition within Tibetan Buddhism and had a profound influence on many of the Tibetan lamas teaching today.

He was born in 1893 at Rekhe Ajam near Kathok Monastery in eastern Tibet, south of Derge. In 1900 he was brought to Kathok Monastery, and Kathok Situ Gyatso recognised him ceremonially as the 'action emanation' of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, the great Rime master of 19th century Tibet. In the following years of his youth he was tutored by Khenpo Thupten in grammar, astrology, Sanskrit, and in buddhist scripture.

He studied with the leading Vajrayana masters from all over Tibet, and continued receiving transmissions from the Gelugpa, Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu schools. He developed a reputation during that era as being a Rime master par excellence. Thus he became a teacher and guide for Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and Sogyäl Rinpoche. He was a major influence on a very young Chagdüd Tulku Rinpoche, who first met him in 1945, and he is also mentioned with awe by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche in his biography. According to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche one could ask him for clarification about some point, in any of the termas from any of the numerous lineages, and he always had an answer.

At the age of sixty-seven, in early 1959 with the Communist China invasion of Tibet underway, he became seriously ill. Prayers and rituals for his long life were performed day and night by all the lineages in Sikkim. Despite these devoted spiritual efforts, he passed away. According to Sogyäl Rinpoche he died in the 'sleeping lion's posture', a yogic posture, and remained in a subtle meditative state for three days. His body was kept in state for six months, as disciples throughout the Himalayas came to pay their respects. According to legend, his body did not display the usual signs of decomposition during this time. This phenomenon has been known to occur at the death of several other tulkus. His cremation was performed at a stupa at Tashidang, Sikkim and his remains are kept in the Royal Chapel of Sikkim.

This relic was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche during July 2005 in Zurich by Sogyäl Rinpoche.