Tokden Paksam Gyatso

Tokden Paksam Gyatso, the 8th Drukpa Yongdzin, courtesy of Rangjung Yeshe publications

Tokden Paksam Gyatso aka the Eight Drukpa Yongdzin, was a major Drukpa Kagyü lama, and a direct student of Tokden Shakya Shri. One of his living disciple is Soktse Rinpoche.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche remembered:

"Being a siddha, Shakya Shri would remain detached and indifferent no matter who came, with two exceptions. One was the Seventh Drukpa Yongdzin, the rebirth of one of Shakya Shri's gurus; when he arrived, the master would show particular respect, saying, "Be on your toes! Yongdzin Rinpoche has come!".

Two incarnations have been recognised:

• Decho Yongdzin Rinpoche, who is living in the United States
• Another Yongdzin Rinpoche, who died in a car accident in 1995. His rebirth has been recognised as the Tenth Drukpa Yongdzin by Gyalwang Drukchen Rinpoche.

Internal Links

• Drukpa Kagyü
• Drukpa Yongdzin Incarnation Line

Further Reading

• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Blazing Splendor: The Memoirs of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (Boudhanath, Hong Kong, Esby: Rangjung Yeshe Publications, 2005), Ch.13, 'Shakya Shri, the Lord of Siddhas", page 129-131.