Gyalsé Tokmé Zangpo

Gyalsé Ngulchu Tokmé or Tokmé Zangpo (1297-1371), was born in Puljung, south west of the great Sakya monastery. He was born in the Wood Sheep year of the fifth sexagenary cycle. An extremely learned scholar he studied an infinite number of teachings from all traditions. His every instant was devoted to the Dharma which he spread through composition, teaching and debate. Particularly he his the author of the famed Thirty seven practices of a bodhisattva and a commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara which Patrul Rinpoche used to take as a basis for teaching the text. He could teach with total confidence on any subject or text. Also, he was completely able to really take the suffering of others and give them his wellbeing, and taking without any expectation as to the result, he was extremely generous towards all, particularly the poor, destitute, suffering ones. He met face to face with many buddhas and deities such as Avalokiteshvara and Tara. He taught many of the great teachers in Central Tibet of his time such as Tuksé Lochen Changtse, Buton Rinchen Drup, great Sakya masters and so on. He passed away at 74 amidst wondrous signs of realisation.