Khenchen Sengtruk Pema Tashi (nineteenth century) is known as the first Khenpo of Dzogchen Monastery. We do not have many details about the life of this great Khenchen, but he was most of the most renowned of the lineage of Dzogchen Khenpos. He was a teacher of Patrul Rinpoche, and a contemporary of the fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche and Gyalse Shenpen Thaye.

Dzogchen Patrul Ogyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo (1808-87) was both a great khenpo and a great yogi of Dzogchen. More on Dzogchen Patrul Rinpoche

Dzogchen Khenpo Pema Dorje (nineteenth century) was known as a great master in both the sutra and tantra traditions. His teachers included Gyalse Shenphen Thaye, the fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Sengtruk Pema Tashi, and Paltrul Rinpoche. He received the Longchen Nyingthik transmissions from Jigme Gyalwe Nyuku (1765-1843), the fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, and Gyalse Shenphen Thaye. He is the author of the Nyingme Gal-len Rigpe Kyareng and An Instruction on the Recitation of Avalokiteshvara of Longchen Nyingthik.

Khenpo Shenpen Chokyi Nangwa [Khenpo Shenga Rinpoche] (1871-1927), the renowned scholar and adept, composed the word commentaries to the Thirteen Great Treatises. These essential texts, now used by virtually all Nyingma academic institutions as well as some Sakya and Kagyu shedras, were widely published using wood block printing technology. He was a disciple of Gemang Onpo Tendzin Norbu (1800-?), and was also known as the tulku, or manifestation, of Gyalse Shenpen Thaye.

Abu Lhagong [Khenpo Lhagyal] (? -1953?) was one of the most well-known yogis and greatest scholars of the century. He studied and practiced under many great masters of Dzogchen, such as Gemang Onpo Tendzin Norbu and spent most of his life in retreat and continued to give lineage transmissions, instructions and teachings to dedicated disciples who followed him. The Sixth Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche was one of his many scholar- and yogi-disciples.

Dzoghchen Khenpos

Among many other great Khenpos who held the official throne of Dzogchen Khenpo are:

• Khenchen Thupten Nyendrak
• Khenpo Pema Tsewang
• Khenpo Chotsa
• Khenpo Gönri [Yonten Gonpo]
• Khenpo Chönam
• Khenpo Ngawang Norbu
• Khenpo Noryang
• Khenpo Chökho

Khenpos Trained at Dzogchen

There have been other great masters who received scholarly and meditative education and training at Dzogchen, among whom the most well-known are:

• Mipham Chokle Namgyal (1846-1912)
• Dzogchen Pötrul Thupten Dongngak Tenpe Nyima (?-1959)
• Khenpo Tsöndru
• Khenpo Daser
• Khenpo Tsara Chödrak
• Khenpo Petse
• Khenpo Mewa Thupten

Dzogchen Patrul Rinpoche