Early Masters (13th–16th)

From Kunpang to Dolpopa&Disciples– up to 15th cent.

Gharungwa Lhai Gyaltsen

Gharungwa, who was one of Dölpopa's fourteen major disciples, studied at many Sakya and Kagyu monasteries before first meeting Dölpopa. After receiving the six-branch yoga and other instructions from Dölpopa, Gharungwa gained exceptional experience in meditation. He also received many profound transmissions from other major disciples of Dölpopa. Gharungwa became a great teacher and composed a number of important works, especially a biography of Dölpopa. Gharungwa was born at Nyetang (snye thang) in Central Tibet.

Rinchen Tsultrim

Rinchen Tsultrim, who was one of Dölpopa's fourteen major disciples, studied in many places as a young man, such as the Kagyu monastery of Tsurpu in Central Tibet and Sakya Monastery in Tsang. From Dölpopa and his other major disciples, Rinchen Tsultrim received a vast number of teachings, especially from the Kalacakra tradition. He later lived and taught in Central Tibet, emphasizing the study and practice of the Kalacakra. Rinchen Tsultrim was born in Jangzing (byang rdzing).

Menchukhawa Lodrö Gyaltsen


Tangpoche Kunga Bum


Shangtön Gyawo Sönam Drakpa

Shangtön Gyawo, who was one of Dölpopa's fourteen major disciples, studied widely in different traditions as a young man. Then he spent almost thirty years with Dölpopa, receiving all the great master's teachings. For the last fifteen years of his life Shangtön taught the massive Vimalaprabha commentary on the Kalacakra Tantra every year. Shangtön Gyawo was born in Kyishö (skyi shod) in Central Tibet. His mother was a leper, whose disease is said to have vanished immediately when she became pregnant.

Drigung Lotsawa Manikashri Jnana


Kunpang Chödrak Palsang

Chödrak Palsang was the first of Dölpopa's fourteen major disciples. He was also the supervisor of all the construction work on Dölpopa's great stupa at Jonang. Chödrak Palsang became a great teacher and practitioner, especially of the Kalacakra tradition, and also translated Buddhist texts from Sanskrit. Toward the end of his life he traveled to China and taught the Chinese emperor. Kunpang Chödrak Palsang was born in Ralung (ra lung).

Chogle Namgyal


Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen


Sonam Zangpo

Sonam Zangpo (,i.bsod nams bzang po ,/), who was also popularly known as Nyakpuwa (gnyag/snyag phu ba), was one of the Dharma lord Dölpopa's fourteen major disciples. He also received many teachings from several of Dölpopa's other major disciples and was the main Dharma heir of Chogle Namgyal (phyogs las rnam rgyal, 1306–1386). He became the teacher of many great masters from different traditions and was particularly expert in the Kālacakra.