Thubten Chökyi Dorje
The Fifth Dzogchen Tulku, Thubten Chökyi Dorje (1872-1935), was born in Kham Riwoche. While he received teachings from masters including Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgön Kongtrul, and Dza Patrul, without formal training in traditional sciences he spontaneously acquired expansive realization and was credited with miraculous abilities. During his abbotship, Dzogchen Monastery grew to house over a thousand resident monks with more than two hundred branch monasteries. With Khenpo Shenga's assistance, he transformed Shri Singha Shedra into Kham's most prestigious center of learning.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
