Dola Jigme Kalzang

Dola Jigme Kalzang was one of the great masters of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage. He studied primarily with Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Ozer and Getse Jigme Ngotsar. Jigme Kelzang's studies focused especially on Dzogchen according to the lineage of Longchen Nyingtik.

It is said that whenever Dodrupchen conferred empowerments towards the end of his life Jigme Kelzang would be the one to give the accompanying reading transmission (lung). It was also Jigme Kelzang who recognized Patrul Rinpoche as the incarnation of Pelge Lama Samten Puntsok. His students included the likes of Patrul Rinpoche, Gyelse Zhenpen Taye and Do Khyentse.

It’s not sure when or how he died, but one story recounts that he died while travelling in China:

Dola Jigme Kalzang

“As he was passing through a town, the story goes, he noticed a large crowd gathering in the central square and went to investigate what was happening. There he saw that a thief was about to be executed by a strange method that required him to be strapped to an iron horse which would then be heated to an unbearable temperature from within. Straightaway, Jigme Kelzang pushed to the front of the crowd, declaring himself to be the true culprit. The man was freed and Jigme Kelzang executed in his place. Thus, out of compassion, he gave up his own life to spare the suffering of an anonymous criminal.”

Read the full biography by Adam Pearcey at The Treasury of Lives.