Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen

Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen ('dul 'dzin grags pa rgyal mtshan) was born in Drangyul (sbrang yul), in U. A Kadampa monk, he was a main disciple of Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (tsong kha pa blo bzang grags pa, 1357-1419) and Gyeltsab Je Dharma Rinchen (rgyal tshab rje dar ma rin chen, 1364-1432). He was regarded by some followers of the Gelug tradition as one of the Je Yabsesum (rje yab sras gsum), the three main disciples of Tsongkhapa, until he was displaced by Khedrub Je Gelek Pelzang (mkhas grub rje dge legs dpal bzang, 1385-1438). He ordained with Drigung Choje ('bri gung chos rje) and studied also with Drigung Kutog Nyernyipa ('bri gung sku thog nyer gnyis pa, d.u.). He later studied Vinaya at Draktsan (brag tshan), and mastered the complete works of Buton Rinchen Drub (bu ston rin chen grub, 1290-1364).

Tsongkhapa praised Drakpa Gyeltsen for his strict mastery of the monastic codes. He is known for his writing on the Vinaya as well as on the Sarvadurgatiparisodhana tantra. Most of his known compositions are currently unaccounted for.

Drakpa Gyeltsen founded the monastery of Tsunmo Tsel (btsun mo tshal) in Taktse Dzong (stag rtse rdzong), in U.

His students numbered all of the most important Gelug lamas of his day. Among them were Jamyang Choje Tashi Pelden ('jam dbyangs chos rje bkra shis dpal ldan, 1379-1449), the founder of Drepung Monastery ('bras spungs).

Sources

Tshe mchog gling yongs ’dzin ye shes rgyal mtshan. 1970 (1787). Byang chub lam gyi rim pa’i bla ma brgyud pa’i rnam par thar pa rgyal mtshan mdzes pa’i rgyan mchog phul byung nor bu’i phreng ba. New Delhi: Ngawang Gelek Demo. Vol I, pp. 822 ff.

Grags pa 'byung gnas and Rgyal ba blo bzang mkhas grub. 1992. Gangs can mkhas grub rim byon ming mdzod. Lanzhou: Kan su'u mi rigs dpe skrun khang, pp. 886-887.

E. Gene Smith
February 2010