The 1st Kenting Tai Situpa – Chokyi Gyaltsen

Chokyi Gyaltsen (1377-1448) was the first Tibetan incarnation conferred the honorific title “Kenting Naya Tang Nyontse Geshetse Tai Situpa” by the Chinese Emperor Tai Ming Chen (Yungle) in 1407. The title, in shorter form “Kenting Tai Situpa”; or “Tai Situ”, means “far reaching, unshakable, great master, holder of the command”, the Emperor also conferred on Kenting Tai Situpa the titles “The Empowerment Master with Perfection, Magic, Subtle and Compassion”.

The 1st Kenting Tai Situpa (1377-1448) was born in the fire-pig year, in the family of Karma Pakshi in the region of Karma Gon monastery. He became a disciple of the 5th Gyalwa Karmapa. From the Gyalwa Karmapa, the Kenting Tai Situpa received the empowerments and teachings of Mahamudra in their entirety, and was appointed as the head instructor at Karma Gon Monastery. At that time, Karma Gon monastery was the main seat of Gyalwa Karmapa.

Kenting Tai Situpa traveled to China with the Karmapa. The Chinese Emperor Tai Ming Chen (Yungle), an emanation of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, conferred the honorific title “Kenting Naya Tang Nyontse Geshetse Tai Situpa” on Chokyi Gyaltsen as well as a black crown, a crystal seal and other gifts.

In 1437, the Chinese Emperor Tai Ming Yin, conferred on Kenting Tai Situpa the titles “The Kindness Master who performs empowerments” and “The Master of Ming”, and many other gifts.

Kenting Tai Situpa spent most of his life meditating in caves and became a perfect example of the Buddha’s teachings. For his no attachment to the honor and reputation, he was called “A great master who is limitless Indifference, or giving up all things”. He passed away aged 71.