Bodong Panchen Chogle Namgyal

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse

Also known as Jigme Drakpa and Chokyi Gyaltsen, Chogle Namgyal was a monk born in Lato Lho (present day Tingri, Shigatse). Also a Buddhist literati, writer, poet and artist, he was known to be extremely bright as a child. At age 7, he entered Bodong E Monastery, where he renounced, took his novice vows, and received his education. When he was 16, he extensively studied the Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings of India and Tibet Buddhist literati. At 23, he toured Lhasa and Lhoka, widening his knowledge and deepening his experience before returning to seek teachings from great masters in the five major and minor sciences.
Chogle enjoyed debates, delivering speeches, and teaching the Dharma. He nurtured many Buddhist scholars and was thought to have over 10,000 disciples. With his expertise in linguistics and literature, he was able to translate several Indian works into Tibetan language. He was also proficient in Newar style poetry and painting. Much of his extant artwork can be found in Lhasa, Lhoka, and Shigatse.
Chogle wrote on a plentitude of subjects including Buddhism, literature, science, and the arts, having written over 130 books in total. Among his works are Annotation on Abhidharma Samuccaya, Doctrine on Succinct Cultivation, and Introduction to the Mahayana Sutras. He spent the latter part of his life acquiring the essence of Tibetan Buddhist teachings and founded the Bodong School, after which he was known as Bodong Panchen Chogle Namgyel.