The Fourth Gangteng Truelku

The fourth Gangteng Truelku, Tenzin Syal was born in Wang, Thimphu in 1759, amidst miraculous signs. The 5th Padling Tenizhi Namgyal was born in Wang, Thimphu in 1759, amidst miraculous signs. The 5th Padling Tenzin Drupchok Dorji recognized the child as the unmistakable reincarnation of Kunzang Pema Thinley and gave him the auspicious name of Tenzin Sizhi Namgyal. Soon after, the Truelku was enthroned as the 4th Gangteng Truelku in a grand enthronement ceremony. The young Truelku received sutra and tantra teachings from eminent teachers at Trakhar in Chume Bumthang, finally receiving the complete and extensive lineage teachings from the 5th Padling Tenzin Drubchok Dorje.

It is said that the Truelku was enrolled as a monk in the Punakha –Thimphu Dratshang, where he practiced and became perfectly adept in all the rituals, teachings and dances of the Palden Drukpa tradition. Due to this, even today, the rituals are performed according to the Padling-Drukpa tradition at Gangteng Goenpa. Even the spiritual discipline was also brought in line with the practices adopted by the Palden Drukpa Kagyu tradition.

The fourth Gangteng Truelku died young, at the age of 31 in the year 1790.