His Eminence the 25th Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (1919-2007) was born on the 4th day of 8th lunar month of Tibetan calendar of Iron-Monkey year in 1919 to the Kushang family. Khangsar Khenpo Jampal Nyingpo adorned him with the Dharma name, Kunsang Chimey Wangpo.

At the age of seven, he began to learn the art of reading and writing from his father and brother, Namkha Kunsang. He received the vow of Upāsaka (lay person’s vows of the five precepts) from Thartse Khenpo Jamyang Kunsang Tenpae Gyaltsen.

He received the teachings of sūtra and tantra including empowerments, pith instructions, lung transmission from Khenpo Ngalo Rinpoche, Kangsar Khenchen Ngawang Lodrö Shenphen Nyingpo and Dzongsar Khyentse Jamyang Chokyi Lodrö. In Tibet, Rinpoche bestowed Lamdré three times and rebuilt the Nalendra Monastery. Rinpoche was one of the root gurus of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen.

His Eminence established Tashi Rabten Ling monastery in Lumbini, Jamchen Yiga Chodzin Ling, Nyengyu Samten Choe-Ling and Chimey Phodrang and Lamdre Retreat Center. His Eminence had guesthouses and living quarters built for the new monks, the ever-increasing numbers of the Sangha, the visiting sponsors, and disciples. He also established several Dharma Centers. Rinpoche composed numerous texts and amongst them include a Sakya history known as Fortunate Feast of Mind: A Short History of the Glorious Sakya, Chariot of Sūtra and Tantra of Tibet, and a short manual of Lamdré known as Jewel Mirror Revealing the Profound Meaning.

On January 22, 2007, corresponding to 4th of the twelfth lunar month of Tibetan calendar, His Eminence the 25th Chogye Trichen Rinpoche entered into parinirvāṇa at the age of 87.

Extracted from Chogye Trichen Ngawang Lekshey Gyatso, by H.E. the 26th Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (Source: Sakya Calendar APP).