Khenpo Kunzang Palden

Khenpo Kunpal also called Gekong Khenchen Kunzang Palden (c.1872-1943) was a great scholar of the Nyingma tradition. He was a close disciple of Patrul Rinpoche and his biographer. He was born in Dzachukha valley, in Kham and was ordained as a monk by Khenpo Yönten Gyatso of Dzogchen monastery. After he received the transmission by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, the fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, he became one of the great holders of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage. He was also an important student of Mipham Rinpoche. He taught at Gekong monastery of Dzachukha and was the first teacher at the shedra of Khathok monastery, along with Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (Khenpo Ngakchung). He left many important writings like The Stories of Vinaya and commentaries on Ngeshe Dronme and on Mipham Rinpoche's Beacon of certainty. He is best known for his commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara, by Shantideva which is taught to this day in most of the monasteries' shedras.