Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche is a leading incarnate lama (tulku) in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He is believed by his followers to embody the activity of Vajrapani.

Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche is a leading incarnate lama (tulku) in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He is believed by his followers to embody the activity of Vajrapani.
The first Gyaltsab Rinpoche Paljor Dondrub (1427-1489) was born in Nyemo Yakteng and received the title Goshir - state teacher - from the Emperor of China. In Tibet, Gyaltsab Rinpoche is known as Tsurphu Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. He is the regent looking after Tsurphu monastery and the interests of the Karmapas in between two Karmapas. In Tsurphu, Gyaltsab Rinpoche's monastery Chogar Gong lies directly behind Karmapa's monastery.
Gyaltsab Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa before he was born in 1954.After the official enthronement by the 16th Karmapa in 1959, Gyaltsab Rinpoche made the journey to Sikkim together with His Holiness.
His line of incarnations is as follows:

1. Paljor Dondrub (1427-1489)

2. Tashi Namgyal (1490-1518)

3. Drakpo Paljor (1519-1549)

4. Dragpa Dundrub (1550-1617)

5. Dragpa Choyang (1618-1658)

6. Norbu Zangpo (1660-1698)

7. Konchog Ozer (1699-1765)

8. Chophal Zangpo (1766-1817)

9. Yeshe Zangpo (1821-1876)

10. Tenpe Nyima (1877 - 1901)

11. Dragpa Gyamtsho (1902-1949)

12. (1959-)

Tradition holds that in the 8th century, the one who would eventually become known as  the Gyaltsab Rinpoche - Precious Regent - emanated for the benefit of others as Karchen Palgyi Wangchuk, one of 25 main disciples of Guru Padmasambhava.  Then again centuries later, he emanated as Jetsun Repa Shiwa Od. This incarnation was recognised by the Sixth Karmapa Thungwa Dhunden and was raised by him to be installed as his regent under the name Paljor Dhondrup (1416-1478.)

Since that time, there have been a series of Goshir Gyaltsab, such as:  Tashi Namgyal (1487-1515,) who was the first to receive the red crown in recognition of his close ties with the activity of His Holiness.  Then followed Dakpa Paljor (1516-1546) and Dakpa Dhundrub (1547-1613.)  

The 5th Gyaltsabpa was Dragpa Choyang (1618-1658.) Enthroned by the 6th Shamar Rinpoche, he formed part of the Golden Garland.  A person who spent most of his life in retreat, he was a friend of the 5th Dalai Lama ("The Great Fifth.")  When the 10th Karmapa had to flee the Mongol invasion, it was he who remained behind as regent.

The 6th Gyaltsab, Norbu Zangpo (1660-1698,) enthroned by the 10th Karmapa, was also an accomplished meditator but he is also known for his commentaries.

The 7th Gyaltsab, Konchog Ozer (1699-1765,) installed by the 12th Karmapa, transmitted the lineage to the 13th Karmapa.

The 8th Gyaltsab, Chophal Zangpo (1766-1817,) was another renowned master of meditation, as were the 9th, Yeshe Zangpo (1821-1876,) and the 10th, Tenpe Nyima (1877-1901.)  Like the 11th Gyaltsab, Dragpa Gyatso (1902-1949) recognized by the 15th Gyalwa Karmapa, they were all instrumental in transmitting the Karma Kagyu lineage.

The 16th Karmapa recognized the current Gyaltsabpa even before he was born.  In 1959, soon after the official installation, His Eminence was carried by His Holiness during the arduous journey through the Himalayas. They eventually settled at Rumtek, Sikkim. 

Rinpoche's father had wanted a modern education for his boy sending him to school in the city, but Gyaltsabpa traveled the ten miles back to Rumtek alone at night to be by the side of Karmapa.  He grew up in the company of HH Rigpe Dorje's other heart sons such as the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul (tragically deceased,) and HE Khentin Tai Situ. 

In 1992, along with the Tai Situpa, he enthroned 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje at Tsurphu, Tibet, main seat of the Karmapas.    

His Eminence is the protector of Rumtek until His Holiness Karmapa assumes the throne there.  The contemporary seat of His Eminence, himself, is at Ralang.  

Ralang Monastery (Rva-rlangs dGon-pa) is located near a famous hot spring.  It is one of three Kagyu monasteries established in Sikkim according to the will of the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1555-1603,) who determined the site by throwing grains of rice from Tibet.  

The gompa was built during the time of 12th Karmapa, Jangchub Dorje (1703-1732.)  At that time,  Gyurme Namgyal, the fourth Chogyal of Sikkim, was a devotee of Karmapa  and in 1730, he had this first Kagyu monastery constructed in the southern region of Sikkim.  A decade later, he built two more Kagyu monasteries, one at Phodong in the north and another at Rumtek, in east Sikkim.