The Third Chakra Tulku, Ngawang Chojor Zangpo

The Third Chakra Tulku, Ngawang Chojor Zangpo (lcags ra sprul sku 03 ngag dbang chos 'byor bzang po) was born in 1595, the wood-sheep year of the tenth sexagenary cycle, in Longpo Topa (long po stod pa) in Kongpo. His father was called Kunzang (kun bzang). Having been recognized as the reincarnation of the Second Chakra Tulku Choje Ngawang (lcags ra sprul sku 02 chos rje ngag dbang, 1525-1591), he was brought to Tashi Cholung (bkra shis chos lung) by a lama remembered only as Lobpon Cho Rinchen (slob dpon chos rin chen). He was soon brought to the Lhorong region (lho rong phyogs) for an audience of the Third Pakpa Lha, Tongwa Donden ('phags pa lha 03 'phags pa mthong ba don ldan 1567-1604), then the thirteenth abbot of Chamdo Jampel Ling Monastery.  

Following that meeting the Pakpa Lha personally took great care of the tulku, whom he subsequently ordained and gave the name “Ngawang Chojor Zangpo.” The Pakpa Lha, then in his final years, also gave the tulku teachings and empowerments. After Pakpa Tongwa Donden passed away, in Kongpo, in 1604, Ngawang Chojor Zangpo permanently moved to Chamdo and settled in Jampel Ling Monastery. Unfortunately, 1606, the fire-horse year of the tenth sexagenary cycle, the tulku passed away at the age of twelve. His reincarnation was identified in a boy born three years later, the Fourth Chakra Tulku, Ngawang Trinle Zangpo (lcags ra sprul sku 04 ngag dbang 'phrin las bzang po, 1607-1667).

Source

Byams pa chos grags. N.d. Chab mdo byams pa gling gi gdan rabs. Chamdo: Chab mdo par 'debs bzo grwa par btab, pp. 285.

Samten Chhosphel
July 2010