8th Kyabgon Drukpa Chögön Rinpoche, Thutop Chökyi Gyamtso

The 8th Kyabgon Drukpa Chögön Rinpoche or Thutop Chökyi Gyamtso Drukchen Rinpoche lived during the first half of the 20th century. His root lama was the 6th Khamtrul Tempe Nyima Rinpoche, who was himself the heart disciple of the former Drukpa Rinpoche.

The 8th Drukpa Rinpoche practiced after getting the Drukpa lineage transmissions from his teacher, for a retreat in Tsari Chigchar, a sacred retreat place of his lineage. It is his merit, that the Drukpa Kagyü lineage remained unbroken in Tibet and at the Himalayan.

He gave the full Drukpa Kagyü transmission to everyone within his lineage, who was capable to hold them. All masters of the lineage came to him – sometimes from far away. He made the 8th Nangchen Adeu Rinpoche and the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche to the next main lineage holders. The latter was in close contact with the Buthanese king.

That was the beginning of Bhutanese development becoming a Kagyü Vajrayana nation.