Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang
His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, the 37th throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage and 7th reincarnation of the Chetsang Rinpoche, is a manifestation of Chenrezig (or Avalokitesvara).
The Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, Konchok Tenzin Kunsang Thinley Lhundup, was born on the fourth day of the sixth Tibetan month of 1946 (Year of the Fire Dog) into the aristocratic family of Tsarong in Lhasa, China. This day marks the anniversary of Buddha’s first turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Many prodigious signs and visions accompanied his birth. His grandfather, Dasang Damdul Tsarong (1888–1959), has been the favorite of the 13th Dalai Lama (1876–1933), was a commander-general of the Tibetan army and one of the most influential political figures in the early 20th century in Tibet. Chetsang’s father, Dundul Namgyal Tsarong (born in 1920), held a high office in the Tibetan government and was still active in important positions for the Exile Government in Dharamsala, India after the escape of the Dalai Lama and the cabinet ministers. His mother, Yangchen Dolkar, is from the noble house of Ragashar, which descended from the ancient royal dynasty.
Drikung Kyabgön Chungtsang
His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chungtsang, the 36th throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage and 8th reincarnation of the Chungtsang Rinpoche, is a manifestation of Manjushri.
The Drikung Kyabgön Chungtsang, Tenzin Chokyi Nangwa, was born in 1942 (Year of the Water Horse) in Lhokha, China as the youngest of five sons into the prominent and aristocratic Lhagyari family. His father was Trichen Kelsang Nyendrak and his mother was Rigzin Chodzom. The Lhagyari family is one of the oldest noble houses of Tibet, descending from the ancient royal dynasty. The family branch is called Dewa Lhagyari Trichen.