Three roots

Thraril Ngawang Chojor Rinpoche (name in wylie)

The first incarnation was that of Jetsun Ngawang Chojor Rinpoche, the Lord of Siddhas. He was born in the Nangchen district of eastern Tibet in the earth rabbit year of the fourteenth rabjung, the year 1842, as the son of Bé Urgyen Wangchuk. At an early age he entered into Nangchen Tsechu Monastery and studied in their entirety the profound teachings on the Six Yogas of Naropa and other teachings from the master Drubwang Tsoknyi. Following that he received complete instruction from the Gyalwang Karmapa, Thegchog Dorje.

Then, in accordance with the Karmapa's advice, he traveled to study under Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. By listening and reflecting as much as he could, he attained mastery over exposition, debate, and composition as well as gaining realization of the two stages of development and completion. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo declared that Jetsun Ngawang Chojor was a reincarnation of Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo. Ngawang Chojor then received, among other teachings, the empowerments for the Jatson Nyingpo cycle from the lord himself. The two lineage masters also authorized him as a master to teach and guide beings.

The great siddha Chowang Rinpoche told him, "when I come to see you, I don’t see you as an ordinary man, only as Chenrezig, so you must be an emanation of Chenrezig!'" Additionally, many great noble beings said he was an incarnation of Lord Milarepa, the siddha Lingje Repa and other masters. For that reason, in the remote Shelri Lhunpo hermitage he had innumerable visions of White Tara, Hayagriva, and other sublime deities. There were countless wondrous signs, such as leaving his footprint in stone. His benevolent works for the sake of others pervaded the ten directions. He constructed many new monasteries, among which was Pal Thraril Tengye Ling. His activity having encompassed all of Dokham, in the water dog year, 1922, at the age of eighty, his mind dissolved into the intrinsic nature with many amazing signs.

The second Chojor incarnation was Trinley Rabjam. Like his previous incarnation, his enlightened activity was extraordinary. During the unstable times, "Because samsara is without essence,” he told his disciples, “my activity is temporarily completed and I shall be leaving for another realm.” At the age of thirty-two, even without his health having deteriorated, he passed away with wondrous signs.

The third Chojor incarnation is Ngawang Jigdrel Chokyi Gyamtso Rinpoche. He was born in the Nangchen district of Kham amidst amazing signs on the tenth day of the fifth month of the iron male dog year, 1970. His father was Konchog Jigme and his mother was Pema Tharcho. From the age of nine he perfected his studies of spelling, writing and reading. At the age of eleven, he went on pilgrimage in both Tibet and Nepal, where he received from Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche the vows of refuge. Following that, having returned to Nangchen, he began his religious life at Lhalam Monastery. Then, at the age of seventeen, he entered the retreat center at Lachab Monastery where he engaged in practice for three years and three months. Subsequently, at Lhalam Monastery, he took up the responsibility of retreat master and for about six years practiced as much as he could.

The Replies to the requests of Khatsatrapa Rinpoche states,

In your previous life, you were known as Dharmabhuti, Endowed with spiritual fortune, your homeland was the region of Chel. Whatever quality was spoken of, his was the most eminent. Additionally, you possessed the fortune of benefiting all.

The supreme deity, Guru Padmakara The yidam deity, Vajrakumara Through the force of the accomplishments of your past life Accompany you unceasingly, like a shadow In the aspects of dharmakaya, sambhogakaya and nirmanakaya. Whoever meets you will be led to the Lotus Light pure land.

Following the liberation of the previous incarnation, the reincarnation of Thraril Chojor Rinpoche was sought. At that time, Khyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, the Great Refuge and Protector, the Dalai Lama, and the glorious Gyalwang Karmapa, unanimously and unerringly perceived with their stainless wisdom that the prophesied boy would be known by the signs of being born in the Iron Dog year, a two day horse ride to the northwest of the monastery. He would be born as the son of a father with the name Könchok and a mother by the name of Pema. In accordance with this, the supreme emanation was found with certainty, free of all doubt. He was given the name Ngawang Jigdral Chokyi Gyatso, in order to accomplish great benefit for the teachings and beings for many years. In 1997, he arrived in Nepal, and for a few years acted as the tutor for the young incarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Following that, he attended Thrangu Rinpoche's monastic college where he studied and reflected deeply on treatises of sutra and tantra. While in residence there, he capably performed his duty as an assistant instructor. From Thrangu Rinpoche, Jamgön Tai Situ, the Great Lord of Refuge Nangchen Adeu, Khenchen Tsültrim Gyatso, Ngaktrin Tulku and many other eminent masters he received empowerment, guidance and pith instruction of the [traditions] of the old and new schools, and has crossed to the far shore of the ocean of study and reflection. His life is one of ever increasing exposition, accomplishment and activity. This concise biography, gathered from authentic sources, was written down at Tarpa Lagoon by the one named Nyima Tulku. May it be virtuous.

Literary Works[edit]

Main Teachers[edit]

Main Students[edit]

Main Lineages[edit]

Main Monasteries[edit]

Alternate Names[edit]

Ngawang Jigdral Chokyi Gyaltso (name from Trulshik Rinpoche)
Tulku Karma Damcho (name from 17th Karmapa)
Ngawang Choejor (Yangzi name)
Tulku Karma Tashi (name from Tulku Urgyen)
Nangchen Choejor (local name)
Nangchen Thraril Choejor (local name)
Nangchen Ngawang Choejor (local name)

External Links[edit]

Rinpoche U.S. web-site [1]