Pal Ling Choeje Sonam Gyatso
He was born in 1617 in the Fire Snake year of the tenth rabjung at Narthang Paljor ling as the son of father Gyalpo Tashi and mother Palmo Donma. He was given Tsering Dorje as his name. At 8 years of age became a renounced under Sonam Dorje the Loppon (preceptor) of Narthang Zurkhang. He was given the name Sonam Dorje.
Having gone to Thubten Serdhogchen and Ngor Evam and so on, he undertook the deeper study of hearing and contemplating on the meanings of sutra-based texts Maitreyanatha’s Dharma and so on mantra based texts such as Gyud De Chi Nam, Jon shing and tagpa Nyipa chakrasamvara, hevajratantra and guhyasamaja and so on. In particular he heared and contemplated the meaning of precious lamdre teachings 15 times from Jamyang Sherab Jungney.
At 13 years of age, he took the vows of a novice monk from Je Namkha Palsang. At 25 years of age, from jenamkha palsang as the abbot and sharchen sherab jungney as the activity-in-charge and others received the full ordination vows.
From these abbot and preceptor and also from Gyalchok Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, Sakyapa Ngawang Kunga Sonam, Ngawang Sonam Wangchuk, Serdhok Khenchen Shakyashri etc, relying upon a total of thirteen gurus he went to the other shore of listening (perfected listening).
Completed several meditational retreats including meditation retreats on Chakrasamvara and Hevajra.
Appointed on the throne of Jamyang Sherab Gyatso of Zurkhang Monastery one section of the Glorious great seat of learning of Narthang, he carried out the tasks of administration in two modes/traditions.
At 34 years of age, when he began the task of a Samputa teacher he undertook the tutor role of Ngorpa.
At 42 years of age, in the earth dog year, he got appointed on the throne of Ngor Evampa. From then on until 51 years of age he went on to benefit the teachings of the buddha by upholding it, nourishing it and disseminating it further by setting in uninterrupted motion the wheel of dharma of precious Lamdre teachings marked by accomplishing hundred retreats each year.
His disciples include Zhalu Khenchen Sherab Gyatso, Kung Tsultrim, Lama Tashi Palden etc number of assembly of disciples and devotees. Also composed several dharma texts including dharma history/accounts and sadhanas etc.
Eventually at 51 years of age, in 1667 of Fire Sheep year of 11th Rabjung he gathered his intention/consciousness into dharmadhatu.