1st Gyaltsab Paljor Döndrub

Paljor Döndrub , the 1st Gyaltsab Rinpoche, received a comprehensive Buddhist education as a child under the guidance of great meditation masters, particularly the 6th Karmapa, his root teacher, and then took over the leadership of Tsurphu Monastery at the age of 14 at his (Karmapa’s) request.

He received the title ‘Goshir’ from the Chinese emperor, meaning ‘state teacher’.

The Gyaltsab Rinpoches are part of the activity of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani. In the past, Rinpoche had incarnated as Ananda, the disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni who had perfect memory and was responsible for reciting all of the teachings of Buddha to the practitioners. Often their names were additionally termed with the Chinese title, Goshir or Gushri (lit.: state teacher).