Chökyi Drönma (, 1422-1455) was a Tibetan princess and Buddhist leader. She was the main consort of Thang Tong Gyalpo, who recognized her as an emanation of Machig Labdrön through the lineage of Vajravārāhī and appointed her as the first Samding Dorje Phagmo.
Biography Chökyi Drönma was born in 1422 as the daughter of Thri Lhawang Gyaltsen, the king of Mangyül Gungthang.Cyrus Stearns. King of the Empty Plain: The Tibetan Iron Bridge Builder Tangtong Gyalpo. (2007). Snow Lion Publications. p. 570, n. 997. In 1438 she married a prince from the Southern Tibetan Kingdom of Lato in order to create an alliance between Gungthang and Lato. In 1440, she gave birth to a daughter. When her daughter was old enough to begin schooling, Drönma negotiated with her husband to have her educated according to Buddhist principals. A few years later she returned to Gungthang with an army to assist in an on-going conflict. While she was away her daughter died. After her death, Drönma formally announced her desire to take religious vows, to which her family refused.When a Woman Becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet (2007), pp. 1–2, 6, 45. Hildegard Diemberger. Columbia University Press, New York. .Cyrus Stearns. King of the Empty Plain: The Tibetan Iron Bridge Builder Tangtong Gyalpo. (2007). Snow Lion Publications. p. 467, n. 17.
She became a student of Thang Tong Gyalpo and, eventually, his main consort.Cyrus Stearns. King of the Empty Plain: The Tibetan Iron Bridge Builder Tangtong Gyalpo. (2007). Snow Lion Publications. p. 4. Gyalpo reportedly recognized her as the incarnation of Machig Labdrön through the lineage of Vajravārāhī.Hildegard Diemberger. When a Woman Becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Sanding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet. (2007). Columbia University Press. Pp. 46-47. . As part of her relationship with Gyalpo, Drönma received the complete teachings of the Heart Practice (thugs sgrub) of treasure teachings from Trasang (bkra bzang gter kha), as well as Chöd (teachings of Machig Labdrön and Mahāmudrā) instructions from him.Cyrus Stearns. King of the Empty Plain: The Tibetan Iron Bridge Builder Tangtong Gyalpo. (2007). Snow Lion Publications. p. 570, n. 998.
She became the first Samding Dorje Phagmo, the highest-ranking female Tulku in Tibet and the third highest-ranking Buddhist leader after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. As Samding Dorje Phagmo, she contributed to art, architecture, and engineering in Tibet. She was committed to women's education, establishing Buddhist convents, and creating religious dances for women.When a Woman Becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet (2007), p. 2. Hildegard Diemberger. Columbia University Press, New York. . Drönma was a leading figure in the Tibetan Bodongpa tradition which gradually waned under Gelugpa rule, but was restored in the modern era.Bodong Tradition
She died at the Manmogang Monastery in Tsari to the southeast of Dakpo, near the Indian border, in 1455.When a Woman becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet (2007), p. 46. Hildegard Diemberger. Columbia University Press, New York. .Diemberger, page 236
References
Further reading
Peer reviewed biography of Chokyi Dronma by Hildegard Diemberger on The Treasury of Lives