a brief biography

Gyalwa Cho-Yang of Nganlam (ngan lam rgyal ba mchog dbyangs). A close disciple of Guru Rinpoche who attained accomplishment through the practice of Hayagriva and was later incarnated as the Karmapas. Born into the Nganlam clan in the Phen Valley, he took ordination from Shantarakshita in the first group of seven Tibetan monks. It is said that he kept his vows with utmost purity. Having received the transmission of Hayagriva from Padmasambhava, he practiced in solitude and reached the level of a vidyadhara. Gyalwa Cho-yang means 'Sublime voice of victory.'

For more details, see the H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche's The Nyingma Lineage, its History and Fundamentals, Wisdom Publications.