Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin
Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin (rdzogs chen padma rig 'dzin) (1625–97) - The First Dzogchen Rinpoche, Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, an emanation of Saraha, Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava, was the great siddha who founded the Dzogchen Monastery in Kham, East Tibet in 1684–5. It was after his master Bakha Tulku Rigdzin Chökyi Gyatso told him: “I have heard of Dzogpachenpo as a teaching, but I have never seen Dzogpachenpo as a person except in you”, that he became known as Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, or Dzogchen Rinpoche. The monastery he founded was destined to be one of the most important and influential in the whole of Tibet for the spread of the Nyingma and Dzogchen teachings.
Biography
He was born in Kham Riwoche. He studied with Karma Chakmé, Rigdzin Duddul Dorje, Namchö Mingyur Dorje, Rigdzin Chökyi Gyatso, etc. He went to Kham at the age of 6. At the age of 61 (??) he founded Orgyen Samten Chöling. He passed away aged 73.