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The Home of Tibetan Buddhist Texts in Translation
ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Biography Series

Biography

English (56) | Español (4) | Français (3) | Português (2) | 中文 (2) | བོད་ཡིག (54)

Translations of various namthar (rnam thar) or biographical works arranged by subject:

Adzom Drukpa

by Lhundrup Tso
This short biography of the great master Adzom Drukpa Drodül Pawo Dorje is written in verse in the form of an invocation. It was composed by Lhundrup Tso (1864–1946), the paternal grandmother of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.
19 Dec 2016

Böpa Tulku Dongak Tenpe Nyima

by Khenpo Petse Rinpoche
This brief account of the life of Böpa Tulku (1898/1900/1902–1959), who is renowned for his Prajñāpāramitā commentaries and his systematic presentations of Ju Mipham's philosophy, was written by his direct disciple, Khenpo Pema Tsewang Lhundrup.
23 Jan 2016

Chögyal Puntsok Rigdzin

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Brief surveys, taken from Jamyang Khyentse's personal notebook, of the life of Ngadak Sempa Chenpo Chögyal Puntsok Rigdzin (1592–1656) and the lives of the incarnations of Lhatsün Namkha Jigme (1597–1650)
Sikkim 8 Sep 2020

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
This commentary to Jamgön Kongtrul’s biographical prayer to Chokgyur Lingpa, The Melody of the Auspicious Spiralled Conch, discusses the great tertön's life and legacy, celebrating, in particular, his terma revelations and accomplishments.
Chokling Tersar Rinchen Terdzö 7 Feb 2023

Ḍākinī Treasury

by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
A short biography of Jomo Ta Wu (1854–1927) who took ordination following the death of her betrothed, then dedicated the remainder of her life to meditation, teaching, serving her nunnery, and caring for others.
Ḍākinī Treasury 1 Jul 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
A brief biography of the Chinese nun called Huiyao, who self-immolated in 477, leaving behind relics that become an object of worship.
Ḍākinī Treasury 8 May 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
Khenmo recounts the story of a nun from Shanxi province who was introduced to Tibetan Vajrayāna and employed the transference of consciousness upon her death at the age of a hundred.
Ḍākinī Treasury 15 Apr 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
The tale—translated from Chinese—of a woman who recited the name of Amitābha throughout her life and was therefore reborn in Sukhāvatī.
Ḍākinī Treasury 1 Apr 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
A short story about a woman who recited the Amitābha Sūtra throughout her life and was eventually reborn in Sukhāvatī.
Ḍākinī Treasury 10 Apr 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
The story of a woman who fell ill and then, encouraged by a monk, adopted virtuous practices and intensive recitation. After three years, upon her death, she was led to Sukhāvatī as flowers fell from the sky.
Ḍākinī Treasury 14 Apr 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
The story of a young woman who recited scriptures such as the Diamond Cutter Sūtra for thirty years. When she had a vision of many buddhas and bodhisattvas, she remained standing—without eating or drinking anything—for forty days.
Ḍākinī Treasury 3 Apr 2025
by Khenmo Dawa Drolma
The story of a girl who learned to read and recite the ḍhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara, which she then did with such intensity that she acquired the power to heal others, before reaching the level of an ārya and passing away when she was just twenty-three years old.
Ḍākinī Treasury 15 May 2025

Drakkar Lobzang Palden

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
A brief biography of the Gelugpa geshe Drakkar Lobzang Palden Tendzin Nyendrak (blo bzang dpal ldan bstan 'dzin snyan grags, 1866–1929), who famously debated with Ju Mipham (1846–1912), composed his own Dzogchen treatise, and passed on the transmission for a number of major collections including the Kangyur.
18 Mar 2019

Dudjom Lingpa

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
Extracted from A Garland of White Lotuses: An Account of the Teaching and Teaching Holders of the Pal Drakmar Namkha Khyungdzong Tradition, this brief texts cites the master's own autobiographical accounts of the visionary experiences that led to some of his most important revelations.
Dudjom Tersar 26 Feb 2024

Golok Serta Rinpoche

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
Extracted from A Garland of White Lotuses: An Account of the Teaching and Teaching Holders of the Pal Drakmar Namkha Khyungdzong Tradition, this biography provides details of the master's early life, training and meditative retreats under the guidance of his root teacher, Degyal Rinpoche, and teaching activity and final years in India.
28 Feb 2024

Guru Jober

by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this brief biography of Guru Jober (1196–1255) provides details about his spiritual training and accomplishment.
Lama Yangtik 8 Feb 2024
by Longchen Rabjam
Taken from the biography section at the end of the Vima Nyingtik, this brief account is of unknown authorship but might represent the earliest available version of the master's life story.
Vima Nyingtik 21 Feb 2024

Guru Padmasambhava

by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
This concise biography of the eighth-century master from Uḍḍīyana, Guru Padmasambhava, who established Buddhism in Tibet, was revealed in 1856 by the great treasure-revealer Chokgyur Lingpa as part of the Sevenfold Cycle of Profundity (zab pa skor bdun). The text consists of ten short chapters, each related to a different aspect of the master’s life and activities.
Guru Rinpoche Prayers Termas Guru Padmasambhava Chokling Tersar 6 Feb 2017
revealed by Dudjom Lingpa
This seven-chapter biography is a late example of the Kathang (bka' thang) genre, a versified chronicle of Padmasambhava's life as recounted to Emperor Tri Songdetsen and his subjects. The text is unusually detailed in its description of Padmasambhava's personal practice, listing dozens of places where he meditated, how long he stayed, which practices he performed, which results he gained, and so on. It concludes with a chapter that includes prophecies and practical advice for the people of Tibet.
Termas Dudjom Tersar 22 Jul 2018
by Dudjom Rinpoche
The tenth day of each lunar month of the Tibetan calendar is connected to a key event in the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In this brief text, Dudjom Rinpoche—who refers to himself here as "Padma's messenger"—explains the correlation of these events and the particular benefits that accrue from observing practice on such days.
Benefits 31 May 2013
by Gönpo Tseten Rinpoche
Gönpo Tseten Rinpoche wrote this explanation of the significance of the Tenth Day (or Guru Rinpoche Day) of each lunar month for his American students, in California in 1981. He tells the life-story of Guru Rinpoche, highlights the significance of the tenth day, explains the practice of gaṇacakra, and outlines its benefits.
Tsok 19 Oct 2018
by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye
This epic of Guru Padmasambhava, as recorded by Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, was revealed by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye as a “siddhi”. The text consists of ten short chapters, each related to a different aspect of the master’s life and activities.
Rinchen Terdzö 17 Dec 2018
by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye
Extracted from the famous collection of the life stories of 108 treasure revealers called A Precious Garland of Lapis Lazuli, this account of Guru Padmasambhava's life and liberation synthesises and even comments upon earlier sources.
Rinchen Terdzö 23 May 2018
by Orgyen Lingpa
This revelation of Orgyen Lingpa, discovered at Samye Chimphu, provides a brief account of Guru Padmasambhava's life and deeds. Each of its sixteen chapters describes eight features, beginning with Padmasambhava's eight manifestations, his eight life-giving fathers, eight mothers, and so on. The text concludes with a series of prophecies.
History Termas 18 Aug 2017
by Tāranātha
Tāranātha composed this biography of Padmasambhava in 1610. It is unique insofar as it does not follow the version of the life-story recounted in numerous terma texts. Instead, it follows the historical perspective of the Testimony of Ba, as well as several Nyingma tantras and their commentaries.
Rinchen Terdzö 16 Mar 2019

Gyurme Jamyang Tenpel

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö wrote this to supplement the collected biographies of lineage masters for the Chöd (gcod) practice known as The Whispered Transmission of Thangtong Gyalpo (thang stong snyan brgyud). It was Gyurme Jamyang Tenpel (as well as Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso) who transmitted the practice to Jamyang Khyentse.
Chöd 18 Jan 2022

Jamgön Kongtrul

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
Alak Zenkar's brief biography of Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye (1813–1899) summarizes the great master's extraordinary education and activity, especially his remarkable literary output, which resulted in the so-called 'Five Great Treasuries' (mdzod chen lnga).
7 Sep 2005

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
A detailed description of the two-volume edition of Jamyang Khyentse's miscellaneous writings (gsung thor bu) published in India in the late 1960s. The catalogue has three sections: 1) the greatness of the author, 2) the character of the texts, and 3) a brief account of the publication process.
Karchak 20 Nov 2019
by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Translated from audio recordings of talks given in Lerab Ling, France on August 23 & 24, 1996.
2 Jul 2005

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
Alak Zenkar summarizes the remarkable life and liberation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), showing how he mastered the so-called 'eight great chariots of the practice lineage' (sgrub brgyud shing rta chen po brgyad) and received the seven special transmissions or 'descents' (bka' babs bdun). Zenkar Rinpoche also briefly summarizes Khyentse Wangpo's collected writings, which are divided into nine main categories.
14 Apr 2006
by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Translated from audio recordings of talks given in Lerab Ling, France on August 18 & 23, 1996.
28 Jan 2005

Jigme Lingpa

by Getse Mahāpaṇḍita
Getse Mahāpaṇḍita wrote this catalogue to the collected writings of Jigme Lingpa on the occasion of their publication in Derge in or after 1802. He begins with a biography of Jigme Lingpa, then identifies the patrons of the printing, the King and Queen of Derge, and the one who requested the publication, Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Özer. This is followed by the actual catalogue, which lists all Jigme Lingpa’s writings except those of the Longchen Nyingtik revelation, for which there is a separate catalogue by Jigme Losal Özer.
Karchak 8 Oct 2021

Khenpo Kunzang Palden

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
This lengthy tribute, composed in Sikkim, is an important source of information concerning Khenpo Kunpal's life, even though it seemingly misidentifies his birth year.
Praise 27 Apr 2022

Khenpo Pema Vajra

by Wangchen Dargye
This brief biography of Khenpo Pema Vajra describes his early studies at Dzogchen Monastery and his path to becoming a teacher at its famous Śrī Siṃha college. It also details his later career at the nearby hermitage in Peme Thang, 'Lotus Plain', where he taught many of the most influential figures of nineteenth-century Kham.
4 Sep 2005

Kumārādza

by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this biography of Longchenpa’s root guru became an important source for later historians, such as Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu Pal, Guru Tashi, Dudjom Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.
Lama Yangtik 25 Jan 2024

Kunga Palden

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
A brief biography of Kunga Palden (1878–1944), one of the main disciples of Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (1841–1900), from whom he is said to have inherited the 'practice lineage' (while Khenpo Shenga inherited the lineage of study). Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the biography's author, received instruction on tsa-lung yoga and Lama Yangtik from Kunga Palden and also benefitted from the master's kindness after being scalded in a childhood accident.
1 Aug 2020

Melong Dorje

by Gö Lotsāwa Zhönnu Pal
Extracted from The Blue Annals, this biography of the Dzogchen adept and lineage-holder Melong Dorje (1243–1303) clearly draws upon The Jewel Rosary History by Longchen Rabjam but provides an abdridged account with at least one minor difference.
6 Feb 2024
by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this biography of Kumārādza’s root teacher became an important source for later historians, such as Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu Pal, Guru Tashi, Dudjom Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.
Lama Yangtik 6 Feb 2024

Nyima Bum

by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this short biography of Khepa Nyima Bum (1158–1213) provides some details about his spiritual training and accomplishment.
Lama Yangtik 14 Feb 2024
by Longchen Rabjam
Belonging to the history and biography section at the end of the Vima Nyingtik, this brief account is of unknown authorship but might represent the earliest available version of the master's life story.
Vima Nyingtik 19 Feb 2024

Patrul Rinpoche

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
Alak Zenkar Rinpoche offers a concise account of the extraordinary life and teaching career of Dza Patrul Orgyen Jigme Chökyi Wangpo (1808–1887), one of the most influential Tibetan masters of the nineteenth century. The biography has been reprinted a number of times since it was first published in the 1980s, and is included in most recent editions of Patrul's most famous work, Kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung.
11 Aug 2006

Pema Dechen Gyalpo

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
Extracted from A Garland of White Lotuses: An Account of the Teaching and Teaching Holders of the Pal Drakmar Namkha Khyungdzong Tradition, this biography provides details of the master's early life and training under Dudjom Lingpa, and, later, his own extensive teaching activity.
26 Feb 2024

Pema Kunzang Rangdrol

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
This brief introduction to the life and works of Kharlek Tulku Pema Kunzang Rangdrol (1916–1984) was originally written as an introduction to the master's non-sectarian Dharma history.
9 Jun 2021

Pema Ledrel Tsal

by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye
This brief account of the life of Pema Ledrel Tsal, revealer of the Khandro Nyingtik, is extracted from Kongtrul's collected biographies of the treasure-revealers known as the Tertön Gyatsa (gter ston brgya rtsa).
Rinchen Terdzö 29 Jan 2025

Pema Tekchok Loden

by Khenpo Tsöndrü
Khenpo Tsöndrü's brief biography of his own teacher Khenchen Abu Lhagang (1879–1955), alias Pema Tekchok Loden, tells how he studied under some of the most illustrious masters of his day before serving as khenpo for eight years at the famed monastic college of Dzogchen Śrī Siṃha and then retiring to a nearby cave in order to focus on meditative practice.
8 Oct 2020

Rogza Sönam Palge

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima
These verses in praise of Rogza Sönam Palge (rog bza' bsod nams dpal dge, 1800–1884) provide a rough sketch of the master's life, including his dates. In fact, this is the only known text that specifies the years of his birth and parinirvāṇa.
Praise 8 Jun 2020

Second Degyal Rinpoche

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
Extracted from A Garland of White Lotuses: An Account of the Teaching and Teaching Holders of the Pal Drakmar Namkha Khyungdzong Tradition, this biography describes the master's recognition and training as the tulku of Pema Dechen Gyalpo (1873–1933) and a heart-disciple of Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche (1904–1987).
28 Feb 2024

Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
In this brief account, Zenkar Rinpoche summarizes the education and activity of Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal (1871–1926), and outlines the contents of the thirteen volumes of his collected writings.
28 Aug 2005

Tāranātha

by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
This brief sketch of Jetsün Tāranātha's life provides details of his education and accomplishments and lists his main students and most important writings.
15 Feb 2019

Trulzhik Sengge Gyabpa

by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this brief biography of Trulzhik Sengge Gyabpa, root teacher of Melong Dorje (1243–1303), provides details about his training and accomplishment.
Lama Yangtik 7 Feb 2024

Tsewang Paljor

by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Tsewang Paljor was the nephew and private secretary and treasurer (chakdzö) of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, and the father of Dzogchen Rinpoche. This obituary first appeared in the Tibetan language newspaper Nyenchen Thanglha in 1999.
4 Sep 2005

Tsokhang Choktrul Rinpoche

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
Extracted from A Garland of White Lotuses: An Account of the Teaching and Teaching Holders of the Pal Drakmar Namkha Khyungdzong Tradition, this brief biography concerns the author's own uncle, Tsokhang Choktrul Tsewang Dorje Rinpoche (1928–1994), who was the son of Golok Serta Rinpoche (1891–1964) and elder brother of the Second Degyal Rinpoche (1937–1985).
28 Feb 2024

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (b.1951) composed this short biography of his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996), following repeated requests from the khenpos, tulkus, vajra masters, and senior monks of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling, as well as from disciples at Nagi Gompa, Asura Cave retreat centre, and other Dharma centres.
20 Sep 2022

Vasubandhu

by Khenpo Shenga
Shenpen Nangwa offered this brief biography of Ācārya Vasubandhu as an introduction to his annotational commentary (mchan 'grel) on the verses of the Treasury of Abhidharma (Abhidharmakośa).
Abhidharma Abhidharmakośa 4 Feb 2020

Yeshe Tsogyal

by Do Dasel Wangmo
Poetic verses summarizing the liberational life story (rnam thar) and attainments of Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal.
Biographical Prayers Ḍākinī Treasury 11 Mar 2023

Zhangtön Tashi Dorje

by Longchen Rabjam
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this short biography of Zhangtön Tashi Dorje (1097–1167) describes his encounters with emanations of the protectors Vajrasadhu and Ekajaṭī and his discovery of the Dzogchen teachings as hidden termas in a cave.
Lama Yangtik 16 Feb 2024

Autobiography

A series of autobiographical (rang gi rnam thar) writings arranged by subject.
11 texts

Biographical Prayers

A series of biographical prayers or supplications (rnam thar gsol 'debs) arranged by subject.
18 texts

Related Topics

History

Drokmi Lotsāwa

Courtesy of Himalayan Art Resources

Further information:

The Treasury of Lives
BDRC T3 (rnam thar)

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