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The first Dorzong Rinpoche, Konchok
Gyalpo was a Meditation Master as well as an outstanding scholar
in philosophy and the sutras and tantras. He was deeply learned
in the Tibetan sciences and poetry. He traveled widely, having journeyed as far as Swat, taking in the pilgrimage places of central and North India, Sikkim and Nepal, where many spontaneous miracles marked his passing. Once near Patna, he was waylaid by robbers who assumed every pilgrim from Tibet was carrying gold to make offerings. When they tried to decapitate him the sword’s heavy blade bounced off his neck; and when they searched him they discovered he was a mendicant pilgrim with no possessions. When he came back from India, at the request of H.H. Sakya Dagchen Amen, he wrote down an account of his travels, which was of great interest to later Tibetan scholars. He was advised by his teacher Yongzin Ngawang Zangpo to go into China where he would be of great benefit to many people and would establish long-lasting connections. On his way to China, while passing through Kham, Western Tibet, Konchok Gyalpo and his companions were waylaid by nine wayfaring bandits called “Rekhe Chisoh”.
They set about trying to kill the lama and rob the group, but the lama displayed some miracles. When they stabbed him with a knife it went through his body, like a rainbow. And when they flung him from a high cliff the fast-flowing river below swept him back onto the cliff’s edge where he sat quietly in meditation. After witnessing this phenomena twice the bandits were overwhelmed with devotion for him and requested him to go to Rongmi with them and settle in the region. He replied that he had to leave for China on his lama’s instructions. As well as making persisting entreaties, the bandit converts threatened to commit suicide if Konchok Gyalpo deserted them. Believing they would carry out their threat, which would be a heavy sin for him, he reluctantly went on to Rongmi. This became an obstacle to his successful path in helping people in China, according to his lama’s instructions. At a place called Dorje Dzong (the Vajra Fort) in Rongmi district, he established his monastery at the request of local inhabitants. There he spent the rest of his life in meditation, teaching and practising. His eight chief disciples established eight branch monasteries in his lifetime. The name of the Dorzong Rinpoches and the monastery were taken from the name of this region. For their manifestation of compassion,
realization and nobility, the successive reincarnations of
Dorzong Rinpoche were like a precious “rosary of pearls”
because each one had the same perfect qualities as the others.
They held the teachings of realization as the sun holds its
brilliance, without any stains. 
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