7th Kyabgön Drugchen, Kagyü Trinley Shingta

The 7th Kyabgön Drugchen, Kagyü Trinley Shingta was one of a trio of the extraordinary Sarma patriarchs of that era, along with Gyalwa Karmapa, and Tai Situ Rinpoche of the Karma Kagyü lineage.

He mastered all the Shangpa Kagyü teachings and was extremely active in assuring the preservation and promulgation of both the Nyingma and Sarma traditions.

Thrinley Shingta wrote six volumes of philosophical commentaries and precise meditation instructions, and established many monasteries. As counselor to the king of Nepal, in 1758, he was responsible for finishing the reconstruction of the Swayambhu Stupa. He also restored the stupas at Bodhanath, and Namo Buddha. At Swayambhunath, there is a memorial stone slab describing the meritorious deeds of Kathog Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu and Thrinley Shingta.