Tsakho Ngawang Drakpa (1365–c. 1431)

Tsakho Ngawang Drakpa was a pivotal figure in the early establishment of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism in Eastern Tibet. He is renowned as one of the closest and most important disciples of the Geluk founder, Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357–1419).

Background and Early Life

Birth: He was born in 1365 to royal family in the Tsenlha kingdom of Gyarong (or Gyalrong) in Eastern Tibet.
Titles: Due to his royal background, he is often referred to as Tsakho Ponpo (tsha kho dpon po), meaning Tsakho chieftain. For his later scholarly achievements, he was also known as Khenchen Ngawang Drakpa (mkhan chen ngag dbang grags pa), or “Great Scholar.”
Early Religious Affiliation: His family was initially associated with the Bön tradition, and he was known for his knowledge in Bön religion before becoming a Buddhist monk.

Disciple of Tsongkhapa

Meeting the Master: Around 1385, at the age of 20, Ngawang Drakpa traveled to Central Tibet and met Je Tsongkhapa, becoming his chief attendant and one of his earliest disciples.
The “Four Original Disciples”: Tsakho Ngawang Drakpa is regarded as one of the first four disciples of Je Tsongkhapa.
The Conch Shell Dream: In 1409, Ngawang Drakpa accompanied Tsongkhapa to Lhasa and performed a fasting retreat (Nyungney) at the Jokhang temple. He was instructed to examine his dreams, and he reported dreaming of two conch shells falling from the sky, merging into one, which he blew like a trumpet. Tsongkhapa interpreted this as an auspicious sign that Ngawang Drakpa was destined to spread Buddhism to the land of Gyelmorong (Gyarong).
Final Instruction: Tsongkhapa’s final advice to him, recorded in the short but crucial text “The Three Principal Aspects of the Path” (Lam gtso rnam gsum), concludes with the words: “Withdraw to solitude, dear son, strengthen your diligence, and swiftly accomplish the ultimate and lasting aim.”

Main Contributions: Spreading the Geluk Teachings

Mission to Eastern Tibet: In 1409 or 1410, Ngawang Drakpa decided to return to his homeland in Eastern Tibet to spread Tsongkhapa’s teachings. Before his departure, Tsongkhapa reportedly gave him a crystal rosary of 108 beads.
The 108 Monasteries Vow: Inspired by this gift, Ngawang Drakpa vowed to establish 108 monasteries in the Gyarong and Ngawa regions to repay his Guru’s kindness.
Founding of Monasteries: He is considered the first of Tsongkhapa’s disciples to spread his lama’s teachings in Eastern Tibet, effectively laying the foundation for the Geluk tradition there.
- His efforts were sometimes met with opposition from local Bön masters.
- He is credited with establishing 108 monasteries, including Aadu Monastery and Muge Monastery (c. 1400) and his main seat, Tsakho Ganden Dargye Ling.
- His 108th and last monastery, founded in 1414, was the great Tatsang Lhundrup Ling Monastery (named ‘Tatsang’ (Fulfillment/Completion) to signify the fulfillment of his 108-monastery promise to his guru Jhe Tsongkhapa.

Written Works and Passing (Paranirvana)

Writings: His extant written works include the “Twenty-Eight Blessings of the Teacher” (byin rlabs nyer brgyud kyi bla ma’i bstod pa) and the “Biography of Jetsun Lodro Tenpa” (rje btsun blo gros bstan pa’i rnam thar gsol ‘debs).

Passing: Tsakho Ngawang Drakpa attained parinirvāṇa in 1431, at the age of sixty-five, following a life devoted to profound meditative retreat and spiritual realization. His sacred remains were enshrined in a reliquary stūpa. Although the stūpa suffered damage during a fire in 1934 and was later dismantled during the Cultural Revolution, efforts have since been undertaken to restore and honor this holy site.