Thubten Chökyi Drakpa

Thubten Chökyi Drakpa (Wyl. thub bstan chos kyi grags pa) or Minyak Kunzang Sönam (Wyl. mi nyag kun bzang bsod nams) (1823-1905) was an important disciple of Patrul Rinpoche famous for his commentaries on the Bodhicharyavatara and Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. He was a teacher of Loter Wangpo and Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen, from whom the Dalai Lama received teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara. Although a follower of the Gelugpa school, he is also mentioned as a prominent figure in the Dzogchen lineage of Patrul Rinpoche, and is also said to have composed some Sakya writings.

Writings

Chökyi Drakpa's writings include:

• The Excellent Vase that Grants the Qualities of the Bodhisattvas - a major commentary on the first eight chapters of the Bodhicharyavatara
• The Brilliant Torch - one of two commentaries to the famous ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara

Further Reading

• Wisdom: Two Buddhist Commentaries, Khenchen Kunzang Palden and Minyak Kunzang Sönam, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, 1993, 2nd edition 1999, ISBN 2-906949-07-8

External Links

• An Overview of the Bodhicharyavatara by Thubten Chökyi Drakpa
• TBRC Profile