Draft:Narthang Abbots

Narthang Abbots refers to the lineage of throne holders and abbots of Narthang Monastery (Tibetan: སྣར་ཐང་དགོན་པ་, Wylie: snar thang dgon pa), one of the earliest and most influential monasteries of the Kadam tradition in Central Tibet. Founded in 1153 by the Kadam master Tumton Lodro Drakpa, Narthang became a major center of Buddhist scholasticism and later one of Tibet’s most important printing houses for the Buddhist canon.

The abbots of Narthang served as religious leaders responsible for the monastery’s scholastic curriculum, monastic discipline, and institutional administration. Over the centuries, the monastery produced numerous influential scholars and teachers connected with multiple Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

History

Narthang Monastery was founded in 1153 by Tumton Lodro Drakpa (1106–1166), a disciple of the Kadam master Sharawa Yonten Drak. The monastery was established during the expansion of Kadam monastic institutions in Central Tibet, particularly in the Tsang region.

Early Kadam monasteries emphasized scriptural study and monastic discipline according to the Eastern Vinaya tradition. Narthang quickly became one of the most important Kadam centers of learning.

Narthang Monastery initially began as a relatively small monastic enclave but gradually expanded in both physical size and institutional influence during the thirteenth century.

Under the leadership of successive abbots, the monastery developed into one of the most important scholastic centers of the Kadam school. Abbots traveled throughout Central Tibet to secure patronage and recruit new monastic students.

During the tenure of the seventh abbot, Chim Namkha Drak (1210–1285), the monastery successfully navigated political changes associated with the Mongol administration of Central Tibet.

By the late fourteenth century Narthang had established a standardized scholastic curriculum and gained a reputation as an important center of Buddhist learning. The future Gendun Drub (1391–1474), later recognized as the First Dalai Lama, is recorded as having entered the monastery as a novice monk during this period.

From the fourteenth century onward, the monastery became widely known for its role in the production of woodblock editions of the Tibetan Buddhist canon, including the Kangyur and Tengyur.

Throne Holders

The following is a traditional list of the early throne holders (abbots) of Narthang Monastery.

No.	Throne holder	Tenure
1	Tumton Lodro Drakpa	1153 –
2	Doton Sherab Drakpa	1166 –
3	Zhangtsun Dorje Wozer	1185 –
4	Droton Dutsi Drakpa	1185 – 1232
5	Chokyi Lama	1232 –
6	Sanggye Gompa Sengge	1241 –
7	Chim Namkha Drak	1248 – 1285
8	Kyoton Monlam Tsultrim	1285 – 1299
9	Nyima Gyeltsen	1299 –
10	Zeu Drakpa Tsondru	1305 – 1314
11	Drakpa Sherab	1314 – 1325
12	Lobsang Drakpa	1337 – 1375
13	Kunga Gyeltsen	1375 –
14	Drubpa Sherab	1388 – 1418
15	Sonam Chokdrub Drakzang	1418 – 1433
16	Drakpa Dondrub	1452 –
17	Zopa Peldrub	1468 –
18	Pelden Zangpo	1470 –
19	Sherab Gyeltsen	1473 –
20	Drakpa Sherab	1486 –

Notable figures associated with Narthang

Throughout its history Narthang Monastery attracted scholars, translators, and teachers from multiple Tibetan Buddhist traditions. The following individuals studied, taught, or maintained institutional connections with Narthang.

Tumton Lodro Drakpa (1106–1166)

Founder of Narthang Monastery and its first abbot. A disciple of the Kadam master Sharawa Yonten Drak, Tumton established the monastery as a center for Kadam scholastic training and monastic discipline.

Doton Sherab Drakpa (1127–1185)

The second abbot of Narthang, Doton Sherab Drakpa was a disciple of both Sharawa Yonten Drak and Tumton Lodro Drakpa. He played a key role in consolidating the monastery’s early scholastic traditions.

Zhangtsun Dorje Wozer (1122–1194)

The third abbot of Narthang. He studied with both the first and second abbots and helped continue the expansion of the monastery.

Droton Dutsi Drakpa (1153–1232)

The fourth abbot of Narthang, serving from 1185 to 1232. His long tenure helped stabilize the institution and expand its influence.

Chokyi Lama (1184–1241)

Fifth abbot of Narthang Monastery from 1232 to 1241.

Sanggye Gompa Sengge (1179–1250)

Sixth abbot of Narthang from 1241 until approximately 1248 or 1249.

Chim Namkha Drak (1210–1285/1289)

Seventh abbot of Narthang and an important Kadam scholar active in the thirteenth century.

Kyoton Monlam Tsultrim (1219–1299)

Eighth abbot of Narthang Monastery, serving from 1285 until his death in 1299.

Nyima Gyeltsen (1225–1305)

Ninth abbot of Narthang, who served from 1299 until his death in 1305.

Zeu Drakpa Tsondru (1253–1316)

The tenth abbot of Narthang Monastery from 1305 to 1314. Before becoming abbot he served as tutor to a son of Kublai Khan.

Drakpa Sherab (1259–1325)

Eleventh abbot of Narthang, serving from 1314 until his death in 1325.

Gendun Drub (1391–1474)

Later recognized as the First Dalai Lama. He trained and received ordination at Narthang Monastery before establishing Tashilhunpo Monastery in 1447.

Sherab Sengge (1383–1445)

A disciple of Tsongkhapa and an important early figure in the development of the Gelug tradition.

Taktsang Lotsawa Sherab Rinchen (1405–1477)

A prominent Sakya scholar and translator known for his extensive commentarial works and critiques of Tsongkhapa’s interpretation of Madhyamaka.

Buton Rinchen Drub (1290–1364)

One of Tibet’s most important historians and scholars. Though primarily associated with Zhalu Monastery, he studied in multiple traditions including Kadam institutions such as Narthang.

See also

• Narthang Monastery
• Kadam (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Gelug
• Tibetan Buddhist canon
• Printing in Tibet

References

• Treasury of Lives. “Nartang Monastery.” https://treasuryoflives.org/institution/Nartang
• Gyurme Dorje. Tibet Handbook.
• Goldstein, Melvyn C. A History of Modern Tibet.
• Buton Rinchen Drub. History of Buddhism in India and Tibet.

External links

• https://treasuryoflives.org/institution/Nartang

Category:Tibetan Buddhism Category:Buddhist abbots Category:History of Tibet