The Fourth Riwoche Jedrung, Drakpa Rinchen Sherab

The Fourth Riwoche Jedrung, Drakpa Rinchen Sherab (rje drung 04 grags pa rin chen shes rab) was born in 1705 in the village of Langdzong (glang rdzong) in the Kham region of Ngudza Salmogang (rngu rdza zal mo sgang) in 1715. Identified as the rebirth of the Third Riwoche Jedrung Drakpa Lekdrub (ri bo che rje drung 03 grags pa legs grub, 1646-c.1708), he was taken to Riwoche, which was not far from the place of his birth; it is said that he recognized the objects that belonged to his previous incarnation.

At Riwoche Rinchen Sherab studied with Je Lama Tendzin Namgyel (rje bla ma bstan 'dzin rnam rgyal, d.u.), who ordained him and gave him transmissions and empowerments in the Taklung Kagyu tradition.

At the age of twenty-four Rinchen Sherab was made abbot of Yanggon Monastery (yang dgon), a branch of Riwoche. He passed away five years later, at the age of twenty-nine.

Sources

Ngag dbang bstan pa'i nyi ma. 1830. Stag lung pa'i chos srid kyi byung tshul. Unpublished manuscript.

Alexander Gardner
November 2009